Intel seems determined to make waves in the discrete GPU (dGPU) scene, as shipping records hint at progress with the new Battlemage and an intriguing, unnamed SKU.
### Intel Dives Back Into the Battlemage “BMG-G31” Variant—Potentially Tailored for AI and Professional Demands
Last year, Intel caught our attention with the launch of two new Battlemage GPUs, the Arc B580 and B570. These GPUs sparked a lot of interest, particularly since competitors NVIDIA and AMD had yet to release their next-gen solutions. As we approach the end of Q2, Intel hasn’t provided any fresh updates concerning their desktop GPU plans, leading many to believe that Team Blue might have cooled off their ambitions in this area. However, the latest revelations from shipping manifests tell a different story.
A tweet from April 18, 2025, suggests that a new addition to the Battlemage family, the “BMG-G31,” has been spotted in shipping documents. This silicon variant appears more advanced than the current Battlemage offerings. Rumors suggest it could pack 24-32 Xe2 cores, a 256-bit memory bus, and 16 GB of GDDR6 memory. While some online chatter speculates that the BMG-G31 might never reach consumer hands, due to rumors of its cancellation, the shipping documents label this model as intended for “R&D purposes.” This suggests that Intel might be targeting AI and professional workload applications with this variant.
Additionally, there’s buzz around another mysterious variant listed as BMG “C32.” The naming might be a bit puzzling, given it hints at both Battlemage and Celestial roots. Insiders, such as @mikdt, claim this could be a revamped version of the “BMG-G31,” indicating Intel is exploring multiple models within the Battlemage series. Yet, it remains uncertain whether these GPUs will eventually grace the desktop market.
It will be fascinating to watch Intel’s strategy unfold for its discrete GPU lineup, especially as the company is concurrently developing the Xe3 “Celestial” architecture set to be integrated into Panther Lake SoCs. With Intel’s new CEO steering the ship, there’s a visible shift towards AI technologies. It seems likely that Intel might prioritize GPUs geared towards AI-focused tasks.
