AI is more important than gamers: Intel scales back gaming graphics cards - media

Intel updated its historical high on the stock exchange, reaching a level above $82 per share – higher than the 2000 record. The reasons for the growth are not related to games or consumer processors, but to AI. This situation, which also benefits NVIDIA and AMD, will be painful for gamers.

According to TweakTown, the Intel ARC graphics card series, aimed at a more affordable alternative to NVIDIA and AMD solutions, is now likely being scaled back. According to sources, plans for the release of Celestial, the new generation of ARC discrete GPUs, have already been canceled.

It is possible that the GPU architecture based on Druid technology has also been canceled. According to insider Jaykihn, Intel is questioning whether it makes sense to continue developing discrete graphics cards for PCs. The company will focus on AI accelerators and integrated graphics.

If this scenario is confirmed, competition in the market will decrease, and prices for GPUs from NVIDIA and AMD will rise.

If Intel truly abandons its plans for Druid, we will likely never see a new discrete ARC graphics card like the B580 again, because a three-year gap between releases effectively means starting development from scratch.

Reports that "Intel ARC is dead" emerged as early as mid-2025 – at that time, leaks about the curtailment of the entire discrete GPU line appeared.