Intel Unveils Pro B-Series GPUs: Powerful Mid-Range Options for AI and Professional Tasks

At Computex 2025, Intel unveiled their Pro B-Series GPUs, the B50 and B60, which are designed to cater to the professional and AI markets. These Pro B-Series cards are essentially the current Battlemage GPUs with enhanced drivers, increased memory capacity, and a few additional features. The B50 offers 16GB of memory, while the B60 provides 24GB. Both are competitively priced, stable, and perform well for their intended use cases, which primarily revolve around AI applications, though they are also suitable for traditional CAD and simulation software. Key Features and Market Position The Pro B-Series GPUs are Intel's strategic move to capitalize on the current market dynamics. With rivals AMD and Nvidia significantly reducing the availability of enthusiast-level GPUs, Intel sees a niche in offering mid-range devices that offer excellent value for money. The Pro B-Series cards are praised for their performance-to-price ratio and stability, which are critical factors in the professional space. Moreover, the large memory capacity—16GB for the B50 and 24GB for the B60—is a significant advantage, especially for AI tasks where memory limitations often dictate performance. Dual GPU Configuration Intel's strategy extends beyond single cards with the introduction of a dual GPU configuration for the B60, developed by partner Maxsun. This dual-card setup provides a total of 48GB of memory, though it's important to note that this is 2x24GB rather than 48GB of contiguous memory. Nonetheless, the tightly coupled design ensures that performance remains high, and the cost is expected to be lower compared to similar offerings from Nvidia or AMD. This configuration is positioned as a practical and cost-effective solution for running complex AI models and tasks that require substantial memory. Project Battlematrix Taking the concept further, Intel has introduced Project Battlematrix, a multi-GPU system that leverages four dual B60 cards in conjunction with an Intel Xeon processor featuring PCIe5 slots. Each B60 card requires only x8 PCIe lanes, making them compatible with most modern Xeon processors. Intel has optimized a software stack, including drivers and a tuned Linux environment, to ensure efficient operation of these multiple GPUs. The company claims that this setup can handle more requests with lower response times compared to a single, more powerful GPU. Demonstrated use cases include AI-assisted video debugging, which automates the process of identifying and fixing errors in hardware or software development, potentially boosting productivity by several orders of magnitude. Competitive Landscape and Industry Insights While Intel's consumer versions of the Battlemage GPUs are already in high demand, with supply struggles and long allocation times, the Pro B-Series cards present a compelling alternative for professionals. However, the real challenge lies in ensuring continued momentum. Industry insiders suggest that Intel must publicly and loudly greenlight the next generation of GPUs, the C-Series, to maintain developer interest and investment. Previous missteps, such as with the Gaudi cards, highlight the importance of clear communication and strategic planning. Conclusion The Pro B50 and B60 GPUs position Intel as a strong contender in the mid-market professional and AI segments, offering solid value, performance, and scalability. The dual B60 card and Project Battlematrix system further enhance their appeal by providing substantial memory and efficient multi-GPU configurations. Intel's success with the Battlemage GPUs, both in the consumer and professional markets, is a significant achievement. However, to fully capitalize on this momentum, Intel must avoid the pitfalls of past projects and ensure transparent, timely production of future generations of GPUs. If managed well, the B-Series could cement Intel's presence in the professional and AI markets, driving further innovation and adoption.