Intel Arc B770 Finally Nears Release
The Intel Arc B770 graphics card has been rumored for a long time, and it finally looks like it is getting close to a real launch. This new GPU is expected to be the successor to the Intel Arc A770 which was Intel's most powerful gaming graphics card in its first generation of Arc desktop GPUs.
Now there is fresh evidence that the Arc B770 is on the way. New code spotted on an official Intel GitHub repository directly mentions the name “b770.” This is a strong sign that Intel has started adding software level support for the new GPU ahead of its public release.
GitHub is a platform where developers share and manage code. When a company like Intel updates its drivers or software tools to include a new product name it usually means that hardware is getting close to launch. In this case the appearance of “b770” in the code suggests that Intel is preparing driver support so that systems will recognize and properly use the Arc B770 as soon as it becomes available.
What the Arc B770 Could Mean for PC Gamers
The original Arc A770 was Intel's attempt to compete with mid range gaming GPUs from Nvidia and AMD. It targeted gamers who wanted decent 1080p and some 1440p performance without paying top tier prices. The new Arc B770 is expected to follow a similar path but with better performance and more mature drivers.
While official specs for the Arc B770 have not yet been confirmed the upgrade from the A series to the B series suggests that Intel is moving to a new generation of its Arc architecture. That could bring improvements such as:
- Higher gaming frame rates compared to the Arc A770
- Better ray tracing performance
- Improved power efficiency
- More stable and optimized drivers for modern PC games
Driver quality was one of the biggest issues when the first Arc GPUs launched. Over time Intel has pushed many updates that significantly improved performance especially in older DirectX 9 and DirectX 11 titles. If the Arc B770 launches with refined drivers from day one it could be a much smoother experience for gamers building a new PC or upgrading from older graphics cards.
The mention of a possible reveal around CES is also important. CES is one of the biggest tech events of the year and a common place for companies to announce new GPUs CPUs and other PC hardware. A CES time frame lines up well with Intel quietly enabling support for the Arc B770 in its public code repositories now so partners and developers can start testing ahead of launch.
Why This Matters for the GPU Market
More competition in the GPU market is always good news for PC gamers. For many years Nvidia and AMD have dominated desktop graphics. Intel entering this space with Arc brought a third option and pressured the market on pricing and features.
If the Arc B770 delivers solid performance at a competitive price it could become a popular choice for players who want a capable card for esports titles and mainstream AAA games without overspending. This is especially important for budget and mid range gaming builds where every pound or dollar matters.
The arrival of a new Intel GPU generation also hints that the company is serious about staying in the graphics game long term. Continued generations mean better support from game developers improved tools for content creators and more choice for system builders.
Right now details are still limited to this code reference and the expectation of a CES launch window. However the appearance of the “b770” name in Intel's own GitHub is a strong and concrete sign that the Arc B770 is moving from rumor to reality.
For anyone planning a new gaming PC or looking to upgrade from an older card such as a GTX 16 series or RX 500 series it will be worth watching CES closely. Intel's Arc B770 could offer another interesting alternative in the always heated mid range GPU battle.
Original article and image: https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/gpus/intels-upcoming-arc-b770-discrete-gpu-leaks-out-on-github-launch-appears-imminent-reportedly-featuring-the-bmg-g31-gpu-16gb-vram-32-xe2-cores-and-300w-tdp
