Battlemage Prepares for Battle: Intel Adds 5 New Device Identifiers to Linux Xe Kernel

Intel submits Battlemage device IDs to Linux driver

Intel is preparing the next generation of its Battlemage GPU series, but no direct updates from Intel on discrete GPUs have been provided to Computex. Instead, an update was provided for the Xe2-based Lunar Lake CPU series, which will also use this architecture in a smaller form.

Intel recently began working on support for Battlemage through initial updates to its display support. This information allowed us to learn that Battlemage GPUs will not support DisplayPort UHBR20 mode. Now, thanks to recent updates, we know that Intel is developing at least five new GPU devices. These IDs were submitted as a patch for the Xe DRM-Next graphics core and appear to be associated with the Battlemage “BMG” series of GPUs.

New Intel Battlemage PCI Device IDs:

• 0xE202
• 0xE20B
• 0xE20C
• 0xE20D
• 0xE212

BMG identifiers, source: Phoronix

For Linux 6.11, Battlemage support with the Xe kernel graphics driver remains behind the xe.force_probe= gate where support for accelerated graphics will not be enabled by default unless started with the option of kernel module to force polling of these parts of Battlemage. Steady progress is being made in supporting Battlemage’s open source Linux driver, and hopefully by the time these graphics cards ship later in 2024, we hope the Linux driver will be stable.

— Michael Larabel, Phoronix

Please note that the appearance of these identifiers does not necessarily mean their use by the final product. It is possible that some or all of these identifiers are reserved for engineering samples or other purposes, rather than being used in actual Battlemage GPUs.

This list is also relatively short compared to Intel’s efforts with the Alchemist series, which has a considerably longer ID list at this point in its development cycle (still in progress?). Some rumors suggest that Intel may scale back its efforts with Battlemage, for example the company may not launch expansion-board (AIB) mobile variants, which could help reduce ID usage. Additionally, Intel has not yet made a statement regarding the arrival of Battlemage on workstations (Arc Pro).

Currently, Battlemage, aka ARC B-Series, is expected to launch no earlier than Q1 2025.

Source: Phoronix