Intel's Next-Gen Graphics Aims to Compete with the RTX 3060
Intel is scaling back its ambitions for its next-gen graphics architecture, codenamed Battlemage, as the chip maker seeks to bring some much-needed competition to the graphics market. Recent rumors suggest that the first Battlemage GPU will aim for a performance level similar to the RTX 3060, rather than taking on the Nvidia RTX 4080.
Earlier this year, Herman Schulman, Intel's graphics chief, confirmed that the company's first graphics product based on the next-gen Battlemage architecture will launch in 2022. However, according to reports from YouTube channel Moore's Law is Dead, at least one Battlemage GPU is expected to arrive next year, despite previous claims that the entire Intel Arc graphics project had been cancelled.
Moore's Law is Dead suggests that up to three GPU SKUs for Battlemage are planned, with the first G10 GPU featuring 448 execution units. While this falls short of the 512 EUs found on the current Arc A770 and the 384 EUs offered by the older A740, sources claim that the G10 GPU is more efficient than its competitors, with the most powerful GPU measuring in at 35 TFLOPS at 175W.
This efficiency is largely due to the GPU's smaller size, measuring 362mm2. If accurate, this indicates that Intel has managed to pack a lot into a small space, building the first Battlemage GPU on the same 4nm TSMC process technology as Nvidia's RTX 40 family.
While this suggests a GPU that matches or slightly outperforms the RTX 3060, it's worth noting that Intel's previous generation graphics chips have been larger, and the company has never been able to shrink a GPU to the size of the G10.
However, if even half of this information is true, it would be an impressive achievement. An Nvidia RTX 3060 equivalent would bring much-needed competition to the graphics market, which has been increasingly stagnant. But it will take time before we can be certain.
Aside from the execution unit counts, there's little reason to doubt the existence of the G10, as it has already been confirmed by Intel's graphics chief. However, there is still much to learn about what the GPU can do.
In the meantime, you can explore the best graphics card for gaming to ensure you're running on the best option within your budget.
