As the formal launch of Intel's next-generation discrete graphics processors approaches, more rumors about the lineup and actual availability timeframe emerge. For example, a report from IT Home, citing anonymous sources, says that Intel will offer only two DG2 desktop graphics cards for gamers and will not target the highest end of the market, at least initially.
Based on Intel's marketing materials, the Arc Alchemist (aka DG2) family of discrete GPUs will contain two chips, but there could be up to 32 SKUs according to Intel's drivers. In addition, Intel will offer two halo products initially, one with 512 execution units (EUs) and 16GB of GDDR6 memory that will offer performance akin to the GeForce RTX 3070/3070 Ti, and another with 384 EUs and 12GB of DDR6 SGRAM with performance similar to the GeForce RTX 3060/3060 Ti.
While Intel originally planned to release its new-generation discrete GPUs in January and has even delivered samples of its GPUs to various brands, the report says the company is now looking at a launch date in March (which is still Q1). This delay will help Intel polish off its drivers and avoid direct competition with Nvidia's rumored new GPUs in January. Still, at the same time, those interested in buying a new graphics card early in the year might not wait for Intel but go with AMD or Nvidia.
