For months, gamers and tech enthusiasts have watched Intel’s attempts to break into the competitive GPU market. Now, a significant, if somewhat modest, milestone has been reached: Intel’s Arc Alchemist mobile GPUs have officially appeared in Valve’s highly influential Steam Hardware Survey. This development, spotted by VideoCardz and shared on X by Haze, marks the culmination of nearly three years of effort since the initial launch of these integrated graphics solutions in March 2022.
While the presence of ‘Intel Arc Graphics’ on the list is undeniably a win for Intel, the actual market share reflects the uphill battle they face. With a mere 0.18% share of all GPUs used on Steam, Intel Arc Alchemist sits near the very bottom of the rankings. This aggregated figure encompasses all Alchemist laptop GPUs, which are listed collectively rather than by individual model name. This collective listing, while beneficial for achieving visibility in the rankings, also masks the granular performance differences between individual models.
The contrast with Intel’s older integrated graphics is stark. Intel Iris Xe Graphics, for instance, holds a considerably larger 1.92% share, ranking 16th overall. Similarly, AMD Radeon integrated graphics outperforms Intel Arc, claiming 1.98% market share and a 13th-place ranking. This disparity emphasizes the challenges Intel faces in competing with established players like AMD and Nvidia.
VideoCardz points out that the individual model names for Intel’s 2nd-gen Xe integrated graphics, unlike the collective Arc Alchemist listing, are a potential hurdle for increased Steam chart presence. The lack of individual model recognition complicates a direct performance comparison, hindering their overall visibility.
However, Intel’s graphics division isn’t resting on its laurels. The company is poised to launch its next-generation Battlemage GPUs on December 2nd, marking a potentially crucial moment in its GPU journey. Rumors suggest the reveal of desktop-oriented B580 and B570 models, which could significantly impact Intel’s market position. The success of Battlemage will be critical in determining Intel’s ability to gain significant traction in the fiercely competitive world of graphics cards. The upcoming launch will be closely watched by industry analysts and consumers alike, eager to see if Intel can finally deliver a compelling alternative to the established leaders.
The appearance of Intel Arc Alchemist on Steam’s hardware survey, while a modest achievement, represents a significant step forward for Intel’s ambitions in the GPU space. The upcoming Battlemage launch represents Intel’s next crucial step in achieving meaningful market share and challenging the dominance of its competitors. Only time will tell if Intel can truly compete at the top.
