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Intel Battlemage BMG-G31 Gaming GPU Variant Emerges
A fresh iteration of Intel’s Battlemage gaming graphics architecture has surfaced in a shipping manifest, igniting speculation that it could be the sought-after $400 gaming GPU anticipated by enthusiasts. The aspiration is for RTX 5070-level performance at a price point comparable to the RTX 5060 Ti 8GB. However, this remains, for now, a hopeful prospect.
BMG-G31 Chip Spotted in Shipping Data
X user Haze2K1, via Videocardz, discovered a listing for an Intel BMG-31 GPU within a manifest on the NBD shipping data website. Intel’s current Arc B580 and B570 GPUs are built upon the BMG-G21 chip. The G31 GPU has been widely rumored as the next advancement in the Battlemage product stack.
Potential Performance Boost
Prior leaks suggest the G31 GPU incorporates 32 execution units (EUs). This is a notable increase compared to the 20 EUs found in the existing Intel Arc B580. Based on these specifications, the G31 could offer approximately 50% greater performance, potentially rivaling the Nvidia RTX 5070 or AMD Radeon RX 9070 in raw graphical power.
Retail Launch Uncertainty
It is crucial to note that the mere existence of an Intel graphics card featuring a G31 GPU in transit does not guarantee a retail product launch. Previous reports from around three weeks ago indicated that the retail version of the G31 chip may have been cancelled in late 2023.
R&D Designation on Manifest
Adding to the ambiguity, the shipping manifest categorizes the card as an “R&D,” or research and development, item. This designation is typical for pre-launch hardware, even if Intel intends to release a retail G31-based graphics card, possibly marketed as the Intel Arc B770.
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Shrinking Launch Window for Competitive Impact
A primary reason for skepticism regarding a retail G31 graphics card is the increasingly limited timeframe for a competitive market entry. Delaying the launch beyond the release of competing offerings from Nvidia and AMD will diminish the potential impact of the G31 GPU.
2025 Launch Considered Necessary
For the G31 to be relevant, a launch in 2025 would be practically essential. Industry expectations point towards Nvidia and AMD releasing their next-generation GPUs in the $500 GPU segment around late 2026 or early 2027.
Positive Aspects of Current Intel Boards
Nevertheless, a G31-based gaming graphics card would be a welcome addition to the market, contingent on competitive pricing. Intel’s existing B580 board demonstrates several compelling features, including robust ray-tracing capabilities. Furthermore, Intel’s XeSS upscaling technology provides a respectable alternative to competitors.
Anticipated Aggressive Pricing
Given Intel’s aggressive pricing strategy for the B580 and B570, a G31-based card is anticipated to significantly undercut competitors like the RTX 5070. This could materialize in a graphics card offering performance levels approximating an RTX 5070, but at a more accessible price point around $400. The industry awaits further developments to determine if Intel will introduce a G31-based GPU and, if so, its ultimate performance and market positioning.