Intel’s Bold Plans for Big Battlemage GPUs Uncovered: Advanced 3D Stacked Caches, Increased Xe Cores & Halo-SoC Compatibility Now Cancelled

Intel initially envisioned a groundbreaking future for its Battlemage GPU series, featuring larger dies, advanced 3D stacked cache solutions, and other innovations. Unfortunately, these ambitious plans were shelved due to financial struggles and significant changes in company leadership.

Intel’s Cancelled Battlemage GPU Plans: Insights on Design and Performance

The launch of Intel’s first generation of Arc GPUs, known as Alchemist, did not meet the company’s high expectations. However, the graphics division rebounded with improved driver support, paving the way for the anticipated next-generation lineup dubbed Battlemage. Insider leaks and prototype unveilings give us a glimpse of the innovative features that were under development during this exciting stage.

Notably, X user @GOKForFree has shared intriguing prototypes of Intel’s Arc discrete graphics card. Recently shared images, originally posted in May 2025, have shed light on a mysterious graphics card, previously understood to be part of this high-performance series.

The PCB was crafted to accommodate a significantly larger GPU die than the Battlemage BMG-G21, which can be found on retail models like Arc B580 and B570. It features six GDDR6 memory slots, indicating a 192-bit bus, and is equipped with dual 8-pin connectors, suggesting enhanced power delivery capabilities compared to existing Arc B-series graphics cards.

Intel killed off every single Adamantine cache product. BMG X3BMG X4 (bigger die with 40 Xe cores)ARL Halo

— Bionic_Squash (@SquashBionic) October 31, 2025

The PCB seemed designed for the high-end Battlemage BMG-G10 die, which incorporated a BGA 2727 layout. Reports from Bionic_Squash suggested that the BMG-G10 GPU would offer two configurations: the BMG-G10 X3 with 28 Xe cores and the BMG-G10 X4 featuring an impressive 40 Xe cores. For reference, the Intel Arc B580 is capped at 20 Xe cores.

• Battlemage BMG-G10 X4 (Cancelled): 40 Xe2 Cores
• Battlemage BMG-G31 (Expected): 32 Xe2 Cores
• Battlemage BMG-G10 X3 (Cancelled): 28 Xe2 Cores
• Battlemage BMG-G21 (Launched): 20 Xe2 Cores

The arrangement of BGA on this prototype proves it was intended for a more powerful GPU than the BMG-G21, evidenced by differences in BGA layouts.

Good ol BMG G21 Battlemage pic.twitter.com/hch4TqsEcA

— Hassan Mujtaba (@hms1193) May 19, 2025

Additionally, a key feature of the cancelled Battlemage graphics card was the planned implementation of the Adamantine cache. This innovative 3D stacked solution would have offered up to 512 MB of cache, positioned beneath the GPU, reminiscent of Clearwater Forest chip designs.

Also worth noting, this cache strategy was planned for inclusion in the Arrow Lake Halo SoCs, which are no longer in development. Intel is now expected to introduce its first Halo SoC with the Nova Lake architecture, featuring integrated Xe3P GPUs, with potential future models leveraging both Intel and NVIDIA GPUs.

Despite the scrapped Battlemage graphics cards, which would have utilized a 192-bit bus interface, doubling memory capabilities to 24 GB with faster pin speeds for optimal bandwidth was in the cards. Additionally, PCIe Gen5 readiness was expected. Overall, Intel’s initial vision for Battlemage reflected a pivotal shift before undergoing major restructures.

Nevertheless, the Arc division at Intel remains vibrant, achieving notable successes with its software initiatives and quality driver releases. Recently, Intel unveiled XeSS 3 MFG at the Tech Tour 2025, showcasing further advancements. With the development of the upcoming Arc B770 and the Nova Lake integrating Xe3P technology, the industry eagerly anticipates Intel’s next substantial GPU announcements.

Intel ARC Gaming GPU Lineup Overview

Source: RawMango

Source & Images

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