Intel's 'Huge Battlemage' GPU didn’t seem at CES however the rumours simply received't go away
Intel’s G31, the GPU in any other case anticipated to be often called the Intel Arc B770, is the rumoured graphics card that simply will not die. It conspicuously didn’t seem at the CES present, however it’s now been noticed in an Intel Panther Lake driver bundle, preserving hopes simply barely alive.
As we perceive it, any person on the CES present rifled via the motive force information of a laptop computer demo’ing Intel’s new Core Extremely Sequence 3 chip and discovered references to the more and more legendary G31 GPU.
Somebody downloaded the graphics driver for a Panther Lake laptop computer mannequin and found that the folders embody firmware for the BMG-G31Driver hyperlink: https://ftp[dot]hp[dot]com/pub/softpaq/sp165501-166000/sp165849.exe pic.twitter.com/S0Jr8v1AN2January 10, 2026
Now we have, after all, seen what looks like numerous references to B770 or G31 over the previous 12 months or so. However the card stubbornly refuses to make an official look.
It could possibly be that Intel has by no means been planning to launch such a GPU for the patron market, and all of those rumours and leaks are for nought. But when the B770 is actual, why did not it seem at CES?
There are a selection of theories. One potential issue is the ongoing reminiscence value disaster, and Intel might want RAM costs to stabilise earlier than launching a brand new GPU.
One other risk is that Intel did not wish to detract from its Panther Lake launch. That new CPU, which makes use of Intel’s 18A node, is actually extra essential than a brand new gaming GPU for Intel. So, maybe Intel wished all the eye on Panther Lake.
But another choice is that Intel continues to be sharpening the drivers for its greatest and strongest gaming GPU but. In the end, we simply do not know and might solely hope Intel does certainly launch a brand new GPU.
Efficiency expectations for B770 have assorted, however one thing within the area of an Nvidia RTX 5060 Ti as much as an RTX 4070 and even an RTX 5070 has been mooted. If Intel can get anyplace close to the highest finish of the size and embody 16 GB of graphics reminiscence, that may make for an awfully compelling gaming card, assuming Intel’s traditional aggressive pricing for GPUs.
As ever, we’re determined for some extra competitors within the graphics card market, and Intel’s Arc GPUs have lengthy supplied the glimpse of a extra reasonably priced potential future. Intel’s present Arc B580 suffered a disappointing launch on account of poor driver assist, however that has since improved dramatically.
Nevertheless, it nonetheless is not performant sufficient to shake up the guts of the mid-range GPU market, the place the Nvidia RTX 4070 and 5070 function. Arguably, that is the place some added competitors would offer essentially the most profit to severe PC players. So, hope stays. However regardless of this newest leak and given it is over a 12 months because the launch of the Intel Arc B580, it is starting to fade.
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