Tuesday, January 28th 2025
Intel Updates Linux Driver with Three Unannounced Battlemage PCI IDs
Intel's relatively new lineup of Arc B-series "Battlemage" desktop graphics cards consists of B580 and B570 GPUs—these affordable models have been warmly welcomed by reviewers and customers alike. PC hardware enthusiasts—with larger wallets—will be pondering over possible future launches of mid-tier or higher-end SKUs. Industry insiders have not picked up on much chatter regarding possible successors to Team Blue's mid-range Arc "Alchemist" A770 and A750 GPUs. The speculation machine has been fired up again, following the appearance of three new "Battlemage" PC IDs. Intel's Linux kernel has been updated with these new additions—as discovered by Tomasz Gawroński (aka GawroskiT), earlier today.
A brief sentence outlines "3 new PCI IDs for BMG," with no further or follow-up information included. Several industry watchdogs believe that Intel's graphics hardware division has moved on from creating new Xe2 "Battlemage" products—Team Blue representatives have officially admitted that their Xe3 "Celestial" architecture is complete, and its engineers have already started work on the Xe4 "Druid" GPU IP. Instead, the three new identifiers could be linked to a late December leak. At the time, Quantum Bits claimed that Arc B580 variants with larger pools of VRAM were in the pipeline—these "Arc Pro" cards are supposedly workstation-oriented models. Insiders reckon that a product launch is planned for later in 2025.
Sources:
GawroskiT Tweet, Wccftech
A brief sentence outlines "3 new PCI IDs for BMG," with no further or follow-up information included. Several industry watchdogs believe that Intel's graphics hardware division has moved on from creating new Xe2 "Battlemage" products—Team Blue representatives have officially admitted that their Xe3 "Celestial" architecture is complete, and its engineers have already started work on the Xe4 "Druid" GPU IP. Instead, the three new identifiers could be linked to a late December leak. At the time, Quantum Bits claimed that Arc B580 variants with larger pools of VRAM were in the pipeline—these "Arc Pro" cards are supposedly workstation-oriented models. Insiders reckon that a product launch is planned for later in 2025.
7 Comments on Intel Updates Linux Driver with Three Unannounced Battlemage PCI IDs
This could point to newer unreleased intel graphic cards. Without further information - the rest is all speculation.
To use those graphic cards a user will also need the binary firmware package.
(Not in the 6.13.0 sources + gentoo related patches)
I do not understand why for example the gentoo wiki also claims there are intel drivers for gnu linux.
There are config files, kernel, kernel modules, firmware files, Desktop environment and the X-server. (plesae feel free to give additional information. Thank you)
edit: I personally think the word driver is wrong in regards of the linux kernel and the gnu userspace. It's the wrong term. I'm well aware of people use it. I think I never saw the word driver in any 15 or 20 or 25 year old linux book in german or english language. I quick read several of those and other documentations over the years.
github.com/torvalds/linux/tree/master/drivers/gpu/drm/i915
github.com/torvalds/linux/tree/master/drivers/gpu/drm/xe
The "kernel modules" are exactly the drivers.
Hopefully, higher SKUs like a B770, etc.
I really don’t see the point.