Intel Battlemage is rumored to release in December – will the new budget GPUs be able to attract gamers neglected by Nvidia and save the Arc brand?

Leaker claims Intel Battlemage desktop GPUs will go on sale in December
However, previous rumors suggested a launch in early 2025.
Intel may want to step up to beat AMD and Nvidia’s CES launches

Intel Already in December they can offer us new budget GPUs in the form of second-generation Arc video cards, known as Battlemage.

VideoKardz picked up a fresh rumor about the Battlemage line, which regularly aired Golden Pig Upgrade (or GPU – see what they did there?) on Weibo.

We’re told (via translation) that Battlemage desktop graphics cards will be arriving next month, and that the leaker hopes they’ll perform just as “brilliantly.” There may be something lost in translation, but it’s very likely that this is just a hope and not a prediction.

Of course, we all share this hope, because the low-end graphics card market really needs to be revived.

If you’re familiar with the long-running Battlemage rumors, you’ll probably remember that Intel is expected to only produce entry-level second-gen Arc GPUs and nothing beyond the budget. However, if these are killer budget GPUs (fingers crossed) or even just decent ones, they will be very welcome.

Intel Arc A750 graphics card on a pink desk mat next to its packaging.

(Image credit: Future/John Leffler)

Analysis: Beat AMD and Nvidia?

As always, this is just a rumor and may not lead to anything, but this nugget from the grapevine is backed up by other recent speculation. A previous Weibo leak indicated Launch of Battlemage before the end of 2024 (it should be noted a significant rise in generations) and Intel is already working on the third generation Celestial graphics. Another rumor pointed out by VideoCardz even suggests a November launch.

However, there is a consistent thread of rumors previously that the next generation Arc graphics cards may appear no earlier than early 2025.

However, it’s possible that Intel could step up its efforts and aim for a December launch to gain attention with fewer hurdles – rather than competing with the noise generated by AMD And Nvidiawhose next-gen launches will take place at CES 2025 if the rumors are true. Why wait until early 2025 when you can start first and thus promote Battlemage more effectively?

It’s possible this could mean a paper launch – with little inventory available – but we’re getting ahead of ourselves here. Even in this scenario, it will be very interesting to see what Intel has planned for Battlemage since, as noted, the budget end of the GPU market is in dire need of rejuvenation.

Nvidia is making no effort at all in the low-end segment, and AMD’s supposed budget RDNA 3 offerings, the RX 7400 and 7300, have also yet to surface. (and at this point this is very unlikely).

We could really use some more goodness budget GPU options at the most affordable end of the market – the RX 6600 is looking a little tired and over-reliant at the moment – so let’s hope the latest talk of an earlier Battlemage launch is on the money’s side.