Recently, a surge of interest has surrounded Intel's next generation of discrete graphics cards, known as the Celestial series. This lineup is anticipated to feature an advanced Xe3P core architecture, delivering performance leaps beyond its predecessor, Battlemage. Departing from the previous reliance on external foundries, the Celestial cards are expected to be produced by Intel’s internal Foundry Services. This strategic shift not only promises improved performance but also signifies a major transformation in Intel's manufacturing and supply chain control.
At present, the Battlemage series enjoys a favorable market reputation due to its competitive price-to-performance ratio, making it a preferred choice for budget-conscious users. As the discrete graphics market becomes increasingly competitive, Intel is readying more powerful GPU products leveraging the new Xe3P architecture. This architecture is likely an optimized and enhanced iteration of the original Xe3, achieving breakthroughs in computational power, energy efficiency, multi-core co-processing, and AI acceleration, addressing the future demands of high-end graphics and computing.
On the research and development front, the Celestial series is at a pivotal stage and has already made it to relevant test platforms and driver supports. Rumors suggest the entry-level model will feature 128 execution units (EUs) and approximately 16 Xe3 cores, indicating that the series will span from entry-level to high-end market segments. Intel also plans a concurrent launch with its forthcoming Panther Lake mobile processors, with the desktop variant expected as early as late 2025 or early 2026, offering users a broader array of choices.
Notably, adjustments to the manufacturing process are awaited. While Intel's previous GPU products relied on external suppliers like TSMC, the Celestial series is expected to undergo full in-house manufacturing using the Intel 3 process, potentially advancing to the cutting-edge Intel 18A process. This transition will enable Intel to better manage production timelines and quality, shorten product release cycles, and reduce external supply chain uncertainty. However, the adeptness and schedule of Intel’s own manufacturing process are under scrutiny, and successful execution may result in a substantial leap for its GPU product lineup.
In recent years, Intel has consistently advanced its GPU initiatives, progressing from the Alchemist series to the Battlemage series and now the eagerly awaited Celestial series. The intensity of competition in the GPU market is intensifying, driven by emerging applications like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and real-time ray tracing. With its dual advancements in architecture and manufacturing processes, Intel is well-positioned to compete with industry giants NVIDIA and AMD and further broaden its influence in professional graphics and high-performance computing.
As AI technology rapidly progresses, Intel has incrementally incorporated more comprehensive AI acceleration modules and intelligent graphic processing technologies in its GPUs, including the latest XeSS supersampling technology and low-latency optimization solutions. These advancements are poised to boost the Celestial series' performance, enhancing both gaming and multimedia application experiences and potentially revolutionizing professional creative and data processing workloads. For tech enthusiasts and IT professionals, Celestial cards based on the Xe3P architecture are more than mere hardware; they are a strategic indication of Intel’s aspirations for a significant breakthrough in the GPU ecosystem and a long-term visionary goal.
Looking forward, Intel's discrete graphics lineup will progressively mature and diversify, with the Battlemage series setting a precedent for the Celestial series, which is expected to surprise in both the entry-level and high-end gaming markets upon release. Intel also plans to debut a new product, Druid, aiming to establish a comprehensive ecosystem of parallel-developed, multi-generational products, achieving full market coverage from consumer-grade to professional segments.
