Back in August 2021, Intel announced that it will soon launch its own lineup of high-performance gaming GPUs to compete with AMD and Nvidia. Since then, we have seen various reports and leaked images of the much-anticipated Intel Arc GPUs surface online. And today, the chipmaker has confirmed that it has started shipping the first batch of Arc Alchemist GPUs to OEM partners for desktops and laptops.
Now, for those unaware, Intel’s Arc GPU line will cater to high-end gaming PCs and thin-and-light laptops in the market. Apart from the Arc Alchemist GPUs, Intel has also developed later generations of its GPUs codenamed Battlemage, Celestial, and Druid. While the first-gen Alchemist GPUs will release early this year, the latter ones will enter the market in the second half of 2022.
As for the price and commercial availability of the Alchemist GPUs, there is no information from the company as of now. However, during the presentation, Intel confirmed that the Intel Evo-branded laptops packing its new 12th-Gen Intel Core H-series processors will require discrete Arc GPUs. Hence, the company will likely release mobile versions of the new Arc GPUs in the market soon.
