At Computex 2025, Intel is making headlines with the introduction of its new Arc Pro B-Series graphics cards, designed specifically for professional applications and optimized for AI inference and edge computing workloads. Set to launch in the third quarter of 2025, these graphics cards signify a substantial leap in performance and capabilities, especially for users relying on Linux systems.
The centerpiece of Intel's announcement is the Intel Arc Pro B50, a Battlemage graphics card that boasts 16GB of memory and is rated for an impressive 170 pTOPS (trillions of operations per second). With a total board power of just 70 Watts, the Arc Pro B50 is well-suited for modern workloads, outclassing its predecessor, the Arc Pro A50, which only offered 6GB of vRAM. Additionally, it competes favorably against the NVIDIA RTX A1000, which has 8GB of memory, providing a compelling option for professionals in need of robust performance.
On the other hand, the Intel Arc Pro B60 takes performance a notch higher with 24GB of vRAM and a rating of 197 pTOPS. With a total board power ranging from 120 to 200 Watts, the B60 is particularly designed for AI inference workloads that involve large language models, making it an excellent choice for data-intensive applications.
The suggested retail price for the Intel Arc Pro B50 is set at $299, offering an attractive balance of price and performance. Both the Arc Pro B50 and B60 are equipped with full support for Windows and Linux, ensuring that users across platforms can take advantage of their advanced capabilities. Intel claims that these new graphics cards deliver between 1.2x to 33.1x performance improvements on a generational basis, solidifying their position in the competitive market.
One of the standout features of the Intel Arc Pro B60 is its support for Linux Multi-GPU configurations, allowing users to harness the power of multiple GPUs for demanding tasks. With 24GB of memory, it offers more capacity than previous Intel Arc B-Series graphics cards, and it will also support SR-IOV (Single Root I/O Virtualization), enhancing its utility in virtualized environments.
In addition to the Arc Pro B-Series, Intel is also unveiling Project Battlematrix, an initiative that aims to combine up to eight Intel Arc Pro GPUs to achieve a staggering 192GB of vRAM. This capability is targeted at handling complex 70B+ parameter large language models. With a focus on Linux, Project Battlematrix will leverage an LLM Optimized Linux Software Stack that includes features like vLLM Serving, while still utilizing Intel's existing technologies such as oneAPI and Level Zero.
Intel is optimistic about rolling out the Linux software stack in the next quarter, including vLLM staging and container deployments, with plans to enhance performance and optimize vLLM serving. By Q4 2025, they aim to have full SR-IOV support, alongside Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) capabilities and improved manageability features. Some components of Project Battlematrix have already been in development as part of Intel's ongoing commitment to open-source/Linux support.
The Intel Arc Pro B50 and B60 workstation graphics cards promise to be game changers in the realm of professional graphics, particularly for users who depend on Linux systems. As we approach Q4, there will be exciting advancements in the Project Battlematrix Linux driver stack, which we at Phoronix are keen to explore and report on. Stay tuned for more updates as Intel continues to innovate in the graphics card space.
