Yesterday, Intel showed an updated roadmap for Xe-based graphics solutions, and some designations raised questions among industry representatives.
The slide listed Xe generations for discrete and integrated graphics - from Alchemist to the Meteor, Arrow, and Lunar Lake lines, as well as the future Panther Lake. The naming system around Xe3 caused the most bewilderment.
Previously, Intel clearly linked code names to discrete graphics generations: Xe - Alchemist, Xe2 - Battlemage, Xe3 - Celestial, Xe-Next - Druid. However, the company did not mention discrete graphics at all in the latest presentation. Moreover, the upcoming Panther Lake chips, based on the new Xe3 architecture, were assigned to the B (Battlemage) series, not C (Celestial), as expected.
In an interview with PCWorld, Intel representative Tom Petersen commented on the situation. According to him, Panther Lake remains in the B series because"it's too early to move to 'C'".
"If you think about it, Xe3 is our next-generation architecture. We introduced it at Intel Tech Tour 2025 and use it in Panther Lake - everything is clear here. As for naming in our SoCs, it's not easy.
We kept the B series for Panther Lake to build on the recognition of Battlemage: people know the B series, know the B580 and our naming system. We are not ready to move to 'C' yet - it's just not time yet. When it comes to our Xe3P architecture, we will change the naming."
Thus, Intel has actually confirmed that the transition to the C series will occur later - along with the Xe3P architecture, which will likely form the basis of the next generation of Arc.