Intel’s renewed attempt to break into the graphics card duopoly shows potential, but the journey to this point has been a long one.
The PC graphics card market has long been dominated by a lopsided duopoly, with Nvidia reigning supreme and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) consistently trailing behind.
In late 2022, Intel (INTC -1.87%) entered the fray with its Arc Alchemist graphics cards, offering much-needed options for consumers seeking alternatives.
However, Intel’s initial foray into the market was rocky. Despite the A750 and A770 graphics cards being solid pieces of hardware, the software drivers were riddled with issues.
Some older games were unplayable or experienced inconsistent performance, and numerous bugs rendered the cards an impractical choice for many PC gamers. As a result, Intel failed to secure significant market share or disrupt the status quo.
Over the past few years, Intel has significantly improved its software through consistent updates, providing a more stable foundation for its graphics card business.
While some doubted Intel’s commitment to the market, particularly following a tough year that culminated in the CEO’s departure, the company is returning with its second act: Battlemage, the codename for its B-series Arc graphics cards.
Earlier this month, Intel revealed two new graphics cards targeting the high-volume midrange segment of the market. The B570, set to launch in January at $219, and the more powerful B580, already available at $249, mark Intel’s reentry. These cards feature significant architectural advancements designed to boost both performance and efficiency.
Early reviews of the B580 have been encouraging. Tom’s Hardware, for instance, dubbed it “the new $249 GPU champion.” The B580 outperforms Nvidia’s RTX 4060 and AMD’s 7600 XT in both rasterization and ray tracing while being more affordable than its competitors.
While some minor software issues were noted during Tom’s Hardware’s testing, there were no critical game-crashing bugs, and the overall software experience has improved markedly. The review concluded on a positive note: “The good news is that Battlemage looks more promising than its predecessor.”
Becoming a major contender in the gaming GPU market could open a valuable revenue stream for Intel and bolster its CPU sales as it competes with AMD. With Intel facing multiple challenges, a win in this area would be a much-needed boost.
Late to the Party
Despite the improvements, Intel’s timing poses a challenge. It took the company over two years to launch a follow-up to its initial release.
While the B580 stands out against current offerings from Nvidia and AMD, these competitors’ products have already been on the market for some time. Both Nvidia and AMD are expected to introduce next-generation graphics cards in the near future, which could diminish Intel’s competitive edge.
Nvidia is rumored to be preparing an announcement for its RTX 5000 series, and AMD is likely to reveal its RX 8000 series early next year.
Intel might gain some breathing room if these companies prioritize high-end cards first or adopt less aggressive pricing strategies for the midrange market. Nevertheless, the B570 and B580 are expected to face new competition within the next year.
Intel’s second attempt at establishing itself in the graphics card market appears promising, but the company must convince consumers of its long-term commitment and address lingering concerns about software reliability. Whether Intel can achieve this remains to be seen.
