In preparation for the upcoming Linux 6.11 kernel update, five new PCI IDs have been added, signaling the imminent release of Intel’s Battlemage GPUs for desktop gaming. These identifiers, including 0xE202, 0xE20B, 0xE20C, 0xE20D, and 0xE212, hint at the upcoming models that are expected to hit the market soon.
It is uncertain which specific GPU models these identifiers correspond to, as some may be reserved for engineering samples or unforeseen variants. However, there is a strong possibility that these IDs are associated with unreleased Battlemage discrete GPUs awaiting their official launch.
Compared to the previous Arc Alchemist release, which featured up to 32 PCI IDs for Intel A-series GPUs, the limited number of PCI IDs allocated for Battlemage suggests that Intel may streamline its discrete GPU offerings. This reduction could indicate a focused approach to offering a smaller range of models catering to gaming, mobile, and workstation users.
The integration of these five device identifiers into the Xe kernel graphics driver for Linux 6.11 signifies progress in supporting Battlemage GPUs on the Linux platform. Currently, Battlemage support for Linux is in its initial stages, with hardware-accelerated 3D graphics disabled by default. As development continues, these features will likely be enabled to provide a complete user experience with Battlemage GPUs.
While Intel may introduce more PCI IDs in the future, the decision to start with a limited set aligns with potential strategies to target specific market segments efficiently. As Battlemage is positioned as the successor to Arc Alchemist and is expected to launch later in 2024 or early 2025, Intel aims to deliver improved performance through second-generation Xe Cores, larger caches, and enhanced vector engines.
Once Battlemage hits the market in discrete GPU form, users will be able to assess its actual gaming performance. Intel’s use of low-power transistors for the integrated graphics variant of Battlemage means that its iGPU performance metrics may not directly translate to the discrete GPU’s gaming capabilities. Therefore, customers will have to wait for Intel’s official announcement to gauge the true potential of Battlemage in the competitive GPU market.
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https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/intel-prepping-at-least-five-new-battlemage-gpu-models-new-pci-ids-added-to-linux-611-kernel