The Intel Arc Celestial GPU line, based on the Xe3 architecture, has just moved into the pre-silicon validation stage, marking significant progress towards production. However, the road ahead remains uncertain as Intel has encountered several challenges recently.

According to a post on LinkedIn by a known source on X, the current validation means the architecture and hardware are set, though the silicon chip is yet to be produced. Previously, Tom Petersen from Intel confirmed that the Xe3 architecture is nearly finalized, but the software development team needs further work, while hardware development has shifted focus to subsequent models.

While this validation is a step forward, reports suggest that if testing proceeds smoothly, it could lead to mass production around late 2025 to early 2026. Yet, due to recent changes at Intel, notably Lip-Bu Tan’s appointment as CEO and prior statements indicating less need for discrete graphics, the fate of the Celestial GPUs is still uncertain.

During a previous discussion with Jim Johnson from Intel’s Client Computing Group, he expressed confidence in the Celestial launch following the success of the Battlemage series. Internal dialogues also indicated discussions whether Celestial would be launched as discrete or integrated first, further complicating the expectations.

Intel Arc Celestial GPUs