Intel Arc Desktop GPU Launch Delayed To Late Summer 2022

The desktop Arc Alchemist series of graphics cards, Intel’s most anticipated product, is poised to be delayed even longer. These desktop GPUs were originally expected to launch in 2021, but were pushed to Q2 2022, and then to summer 2022. Now it appears that they will be released around August-September this year.

According to Igor’s Lab, these delays are not hardware-related and may be indicative of software difficulties. This could be accurate, given that Intel has been cited as having hunkered down on its hardware design. As with any leak, these dates should be taken with a grain of salt. However, GPU drivers are the primary driving factor and have the ability to make or destroy a product lineup.

The report speculates that the launch may have been pushed back due to other industry difficulties such as aftermarket service, partner card development, game development, and integration. These new Intel GPUs are not expected to be high-end such as the offerings from rivals Nvidia and AMD, but Intel may be able to push certain stocks in the entry-level to the mid-tier category by keeping pricing in check.

Intel has recently been lagging on a number of initiatives, ranging from CPUs to GPUs. The firm recognized its slipping market position and has subsequently course corrected to some extent, but the consequences will not be seen for several quarters. Furthermore, Intel has a poor track record of providing timely driver updates. If this is a software delay caused by drivers, the new Arc Desktop series may be in big trouble.