Every year, the GPU market seems to follow a familiar script. Nvidia continues to set the pace at the high end, AMD responds where it can, and the loudest headlines are dominated by flagship performance. For most buyers, that still means choosing between the same two companies — even as the balance of power clearly […]
Intel’s unconfirmed Arc B770 has the potential to shake up the midrange market
Every year, the GPU market seems to follow a familiar script. Nvidia continues to set the pace at the high end, AMD responds where it can, and the loudest headlines are dominated by flagship performance. For most buyers, that still means choosing between the same two companies — even as the balance of power clearly tilts in Nvidia’s favor.
But the GPU I’m most excited about heading into 2026 doesn’t come from either of the companies. Instead, it’s an unconfirmed card that could quietly change the shape of the market – Intel’s Arc B770, often referred to in leaks as Big Battlemage.
Intel’s journey with its discrete Arc GPUs hasn’t been smooth but it is noteworthy. The first generation arrived with promise but struggled with drivers, consistency, and positioning. Even so, Intel didn’t back away. Instead it quietly fixed the basics by refining and introducing updates for the Arc A-series (Alchemist). More importantly, with the newer B-series (Battlemage), Intel found its footing by focusing on what actually matters to most buyers – usable performance at an aggressive price.
The B-series GPUs, including the B580 and B570, didn’t dominate benchmarks but they earned attention for offering strong value, improving rapidly through driver updates, and undercutting Nvidia and AMD where it counted.
That momentum is what makes the Arc B770 interesting, because it suggests that Intel may no longer be just experimenting but potentially building towards something bigger. To be clear, the B770 isn’t expected to be a flagship in the traditional sense. Instead, it looks like Intel’s first serious attempt at a true midrange performance GPU, aimed squarely at the space where most gamers actually buy hardware.
