Every year the GPU market seems to follow a familiar pattern. Nvidia continues to set the pace at a high level, AMD is responding where it can, and flagship specs are dominating the biggest headlines. For most buyers, this still means choosing between the same two companies – even though the balance of power is clearly tipping in Nvidia's favor.
But the GPU I'm most looking forward to in 2026 isn't from either company. Instead, it's an unconfirmed card that could quietly change the shape of the market – the Intel Arc B770, often referred to as the Big Battlemage in leaks.
Intel's path to discrete Arc GPUs hasn't been a smooth one, but it's worth a look. The first generation was promising, but had problems with drivers, stability and positioning. Despite this, Intel did not back down. Instead, he quietly fixed the basics, tweaking and implementing updates for Arc A-series (Alchemist). More importantly, with the new B-series (Battle Mage)Intel has found its footing by focusing on what really matters to most buyers – useful performance at an aggressive price.
B-Series GPUs, including B580 And B570didn't dominate the benchmarks, but attracted attention for its high value, rapid improvement through driver updates, and undermining Nvidia and AMD where it mattered.
It's this momentum that makes the Arc B770 interesting, as it suggests that Intel may no longer just be experimenting, but potentially aiming for something more. To be clear, the B770 will not be a flagship in the traditional sense of the word. Instead, it looks like Intel's first serious attempt at creating a true mid-range performance GPU aimed squarely at the area where most gamers actually buy hardware.
Why the Arc B770 Feels Different
The Arc B770 is rumored to be based on a larger Intel BMG-G31 Battlemage chip, which has already appeared in the developer tools and profiling softwarea clear sign that the product is being actively tested and not just planned. The chip is expected to be significantly larger and more powerful than anything Intel has previously shipped in desktop Arc cards.
Leaks suggest that the B770 could have up to 32 Xe2 cores, which is a significant step up from earlier Arc models. Combined with architectural improvements in Battlemage, this should result in noticeable improvements in raster performance, enhanced ray tracing capabilities, and a reduction in the bottlenecks that have held back previous Arc GPUs.
Memory is another area where the B770 can finally feel competitive. Current reports point to 16GB of GDDR6 memory, likely combined with a wider memory bus than previous Intel cards. This is more important than ever as modern games and creative tasks continue to demand more video memory. If Intel does get 16GB as expected, the B770 will immediately avoid one of the most common complaints aimed at mid-range GPUs today.
Energy consumption is also expected to increase. Some leaks suggest that the Arc B770 could be a 300W class GPU, which may seem high, but it signals that Intel is no longer holding itself back just for the sake of efficiency. Instead, it suggests focusing on solid performance, higher clock speeds, and enough thermal headroom to compete well in the 1440p gaming segment.
None of this has been officially confirmed, but even Intel's own actions hint that there's more to come. Earlier this year, Intel's gaming social media account briefly mentioned the Arc B770 in response to a fan question. Although the comment was quickly returned, it was enough to confirm that the name and product existed within the company.
A GPU aimed at where people actually play
What makes the Arc B770 exciting isn't the thought of it beating Nvidia or AMD at the top end. Intel could instead target gaming at 1440p resolution, which is the sweet spot for most PC gamers. This is the resolution where performance, image quality and hardware costs tend to balance out, and the competition becomes increasingly narrow.
If the B770 can deliver stable frame rates at 1440p, handle ray tracing without stuttering, and do so with enough VRAM to avoid memory-related stuttering, it could finally give buyers a true third option. This is something the GPU market hasn't offered in a long time.
Intel also has an opportunity to differentiate itself in areas other than pure performance. Battlemage is expected to bring improvements to media engines, AI acceleration, and scaling technologies. The company has already demonstrated its commitment to aggressively improving software, and a stronger hardware base will allow these advancements to have greater impact.
Why is this important beyond just one GPU?
The Arc B770 isn't just proof that Intel can make a faster graphics card. It's about whether Intel can become a long-term competitor in the discrete GPU market. This has implications far beyond a single production cycle.
A trusted third player can influence pricing, offer better deals, and reduce the stagnation that often creeps into two-company markets. Even if the B770 doesn't top the benchmark charts, its presence alone could make the entire mid-range GPU space healthier.
Intel's broader position also gives it unique advantages. Unlike its competitors, it develops processors, integrated graphics, and discrete GPUs under one roof. Over time, this can lead to tighter integration between components, smarter workload distribution, and features that become more cohesive across the system.
The risks are still real
None of this guarantees success. Intel has yet to prove that its drivers are reliable at launch, performance is consistent in modern games, and prices make sense. A powerful GPU with a low price or unstable performance will not be able to attract skeptical buyers, especially those who have been burned by previous Arc launches.
Time also matters. The GPU market will be crowded in 2026, and Intel will have to choose its timing carefully. If the B770 comes out too late or too close to competing updates, its impact could be limited.
