Intel’s Arc range breathed new life into the GPU market with its A-Series release. Now, the spotlight turns to the Arc B-Series, code-named “Battlemage.” This next generation aims to refine everything Intel learnt from Alchemist: expect fewer teething issues, improved driver support, and a stronger emphasis on cutting-edge performance features like ray tracing and AI-powered upscaling.
What is the B-Series?
The Arc B-Series forms part of Intel’s ongoing quest to establish itself as a rival to AMD and NVIDIA AI chips. While the A-Series introduced new tech and a fair bit of excitement, it also exposed some growing pains—particularly around driver optimisation and performance consistency in older titles.
With the B-Series, Intel is looking to address these shortcomings head-on, promising a smoother experience from day one. Think of it as a “second-gen” approach: learning from mistakes, doubling down on strengths, and expanding its foothold in both gaming and creative workloads.
Key Features to Expect
- Enhanced Ray Tracing
Intel has made it clear it wants to compete with the best. Expect more efficient ray-tracing cores that can handle higher frame rates and complex reflections without tanking performance. - Upgraded Xe Architecture
The Xe cores in the A-Series were ground-breaking for a first attempt. Now, Intel is likely upping the ante with better power efficiency and higher instructions per clock (IPC), which translates to more consistent performance across a variety of games and software. - AI-Powered Upgrades
Intel introduced XeSS, its AI-based upscaling tool, to compete with NVIDIA’s DLSS and AMD’s FSR. With the B-Series, anticipate refined AI accelerators that improve image quality and frame rates, even at 4K resolutions. Intel say that you can get up to 2x performance with high image quality by enabling AI-powered Intel XeSS.
Release Window & Pricing
Intel has confirmed that its Arc B580 graphics card will launch on 13 December, starting at around £199 for the Limited Edition model. Add-in board partners, such as Acer, ASRock, GUNNIR, ONIX, MAXSUN, and Sparkle and they will release their own versions the same day. This new addition to Intel’s B-Series leverages the BMG-G21 GPU, built on the Xe2 architecture, which aims to deliver solid performance and competitive pricing for both PC gamers and content creators seeking an alternative to the usual brands.
Shortly afterwards, on 16 January 2025, Intel plans to introduce the Arc B570, priced from roughly £175. Also featuring the BMG-G21 GPU and Xe2 architecture, the Arc B570 will extend Intel’s reach in the graphics space by offering a budget-friendly yet capable solution that benefits from Intel’s maturing driver stack
Why You Should Care
- Fresh Competition
More GPU players mean more choice and, ideally, better prices. If Intel delivers on the B-Series promises, AMD and NVIDIA will be forced to stay sharp. - Better Driver Support
Intel’s driver updates for Arc have been frequent and well-documented. By the time B-Series arrives, we should see a driver ecosystem that’s considerably more stable than Alchemist’s early days. - Potential for Unique Features
Intel’s deep ties in CPUs, motherboards, and software give it an edge in developing platform-wide optimisations. That could translate into small but meaningful perks when running a full “Intel Inside” system.
Final Thoughts
Intel Arc B-Series (Battlemage) is shaping up to be the GPU that refines Intel’s discrete graphics ambitions. It aims to improve the A-Series’ shortcomings while delivering high-end features at a (hopefully) competitive price point. If you’re in the market for a new graphics card in late 2024 or 2025, keep an eye on Intel!