Next gen Intel graphics cards could arrive in time for Black Friday

Apr. 9, 2024



Battlemage could join the fight before Black Friday

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

Intel is allegedly gearing up to release a new next gen wave of ‘Battlemage’ graphics cards, and they might land amid the chaos of Black Friday. The Arc successor is set to be the tech giant’s second generation of GPUs, following the slow launch of cards using ‘Alchemist’ chips throughout the last two years

According to a report byComputerbase, “industry circles” say that Intel Arc Battlemage graphics cards will land “before Black Friday.” That may sound a little vague considering the big sale takes place just after Thanksgiving, but it’s perhaps a nod that the line-up will emerge either early November or even late October. Opting for the latter would create somewhat of a launch pattern since Alchemist launched at the same time of year, and we know that GPU makers love sticking with a release date rhythm.

The report backs up its Battlemage release date claim by stating that Intel wants to “take advantage of the strong sales season,” which makes sense given that many players hold off on buying parts until the big event. It’d also give the company a nice excuse to discount Alchemist cards and clear up stock, as last year’s bonanza slashed the range to record low prices.

Should you wait for Intel Arc Battlemage graphics cards?

Should you wait for Intel Arc Battlemage graphics cards?

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

Of course, the fact that the new rumors point towards GPUs arriving beforeBlack Friday graphics card dealskick off is also worth keeping in mind. Even if you do wait, you’ll end up shopping for a new card at an optimal time of year. It’s hard to tell whether A770 and A750 stock will still be around to actually receive a discount, but if models are still available, they might end up cheaper than ever. Simply put, if you end up deciding that Battlemage cards aren’t worth the discount, their predecessors might be worth picking up based on price alone.

In any case, if you’re not desperately in need of a graphics card right now, holding off until the end of the year will be beneficial. Intel’s range already offers up pretty respectable levels of performance for the money, but it does feel like November is going to be the golden month to pick up anything Intel GPU related.

Looking for a rig that’s ready to go? Swing by thebest Alienware gaming PCandbest gaming laptopfor complete builds. Alternatively, check out thebest Steam Deck dockand turnValve’s handheld into a desktop hybrid.

I’ve been messing around with PCs, video game consoles, and tech since before I could speak. Don’t get me wrong, I kickstarted my relationship with technology by jamming a Hot Wheels double-decker bus into my parent’s VCR, but we all have to start somewhere. I even somehow managed to become a walking, talking buyer’s guide at my teenage supermarket job, which helped me accept my career fate. So, rather than try to realise my musician dreams, or see out my University degree, I started running my own retro pop culture site and writing about video games and tech for the likes of TechRadar, The Daily Star, and the BBC before eventually ending up with a job covering graphics card shenanigans at PCGamesN. Now, I’m your friendly neighbourhood Hardware Editor at GamesRadar, and it’s my job to make sure you can kick butt in all your favourite games using the best gaming hardware, whether you’re a sucker for handhelds like the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch or a hardcore gaming PC enthusiast.

An Xbox Series S saved its owner’s life in a truck accident, and while it still “runs games surprisingly well,” Microsoft is sending him a new one anyway

After 18 months, I’ve finally found a daft handheld that rivals the Tetris Mcnugget - a drumstick KFC Tamagotchi that’s hungry for chicken

Todd Howard “rolled his eyes” at the idea of Troy Baker playing Indiana Jones in the Great Circle, but the Bethesda boss later told him “you’re doing a hell of a job”