Why TSMC's 4nm silicon will make or break Intel's new Battlemage GPUs

HardwareGraphics CardsWhy TSMC’s 4nm silicon will make or break Intel’s new Battlemage GPUsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Intel)

Intel Alchemist GPU renders on a blue gradient background

According to a new report from Digitimes, Intel’s upcoming Battlemage gaming GPU willbe made on TSMC’s 4nm silicon(viaTechPowerup), also known as N4. That’s both a step up on and a natural progression from the 6nm node used for its existing Alchemist GPUs, such as theIntel Arc A770. But could it also be a potential problem?

Both AMD and Nvidia’s existing GPUs are already produced on similar TSMC silicon. Okay, AMD’s RDNA 3 GPUs, such as theRadeon RX 7800 XT, and Nvidia’s Ada Lovelace GPUs, like theRTX 4070, are on TSMC’s N5 node. But N5 and N4 are derivations of the same basic node and closely related.

The next really big step from N5 isn’t N4, it’s TSMC’s N3 nodes, N3B and N3E. Apple has used N3B for a while and is already switching to N3E, while Intel’s upcoming Lunar Lake laptop chip uses TSMC N3B. So, N3 silicon is very much live.

Likewise, those AMD and Nvidia N5 GPUs have been out for a while. Indeed, we’re gearing up for next-gen GPUs from both companies. ButIntel’s Battlemage GPUshaven’t been released. As things stand, there’s no sign of a really imminent launch for Battlemage and at this rate it may not appear until next year.

Now, a production node isn’t everything. But it does largely dictate what generation of GPU you’re dealing with. It impacts both realistic transistor counts and has a significant impact on clockspeeds.

Put another way, it’s not automatically a problem for Intel’s Battlemage GPUs to be on the TSMNC N4 node. But could it develop into one depending on the timing of Battlemage’s release?

Let’s say Battlemage launches early next year. At that point, the N4 process would allow it to compete directly with the aforementioned AMD and Nvidia GPUs in whatever segment Intel has aimed for when it comes to transistor count and therefore be roughly equivalent in terms of things like the number of shaders and render outputs.

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals

It is of course the overall transistor count or budget of a chip that dictates how many features can be squeezed in. Obviously Intel’s GPU architecture is different from AMD’s and Nvidia’s so it’s not a case of counting up the number of shaders and calling it a day in terms of comparative performance.

But the last thing Intel needs to be is at a disadvantage when it comes to transistor count and therefore hardware features. The problem is that both AMD and Nvidia have new GPUs coming, starting at the end of this year.

We’re not expecting Battlemage to be aiming for the very high end, so if Nvidia wheels out aBlackwell-based RTX 5090 or RTX 5080later this year that arguably doesn’t matter. But what about the RTX 5070 and 5070 Ti models that follow in 2025 and AMD’s rumouredRDNA 4 GPUs, which are said to be aiming for the mid-range GPU market, right where you’d think Intel’s Battlemage is likely to be pitched?

Normally, you’d expect both to make a full node jump and that would mean TSMC 3nm of some kind. However, TSMC’s transition to N3 has proven quite problematic, which is why Nvidia’s new Blackwell AI GPU is on N4 not N3.

Your next upgrade(Image credit: Future)Best CPU for gaming: The top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game ahead of the rest.

Your next upgrade

(Image credit: Future)Best CPU for gaming: The top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game ahead of the rest.

(Image credit: Future)

Nvidia RTX 4070 and RTX 3080 Founders Edition graphics cards

Best CPU for gaming: The top chips from Intel and AMD.Best gaming motherboard: The right boards.Best graphics card: Your perfect pixel-pusher awaits.Best SSD for gaming: Get into the game ahead of the rest.

Arguably, the same can be said for AMD’s new Zen 5 CPUs, including the Strix Point laptop APU, which are also on N4 but you might have expected to use N3. For now, it’s not certain what node AMD and Nvidia’s next-gen GPUs will use. But the critical mass of rumour suggests they will both go for some variant of N4.

If that’s true, it could be Intel’s saving grace. Early leaked roadmaps had Battlemage originally pencilled in for the beginning of this year. If it appears early 2025, that will make it around a year later than originally planned.

If AMD and Nvidia go with N3 silicon, that will make it very, very hard to compete as it will mean going up against much more complex GPUs with more features. But if both AMD and Nvidia have chosen the N4 node due to doubts over the readiness of the N3 node, well, even launching a year later than originally planned, Battlemage might be in with a shout of being competitive with the likes of an Nvidia RTX 5070 or an AMD 8800 XT.

It would, of course, be great if Intel could take the fight properly to AMD and Nvidia. A third player in the market would likely do wonders for competitiveness and in turn pricing. Watch this space.

More about graphics cardsIs the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.It’s time for me to admit that AI-accelerated frame generation might actually be the way of the future and that’s a good thingLatestToday’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12See more latest►

More about graphics cards

Is the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.It’s time for me to admit that AI-accelerated frame generation might actually be the way of the future and that’s a good thing

Nvidia RTX 5070 graphics card

Is the new RTX 5070 really as fast as Nvidia’s previous flagship RTX 4090 GPU? Turns out the answer is yes. Kinda.

Nvidia RTX 5090 Founders Edition rendered on a green background.

It’s time for me to admit that AI-accelerated frame generation might actually be the way of the future and that’s a good thing

LatestToday’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12See more latest►

Latest

Today’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12

Wordle today being played on a phone

Today’s Wordle answer for Sunday, January 12

See more latest►

Most PopularToday’s Wordle answer for Saturday, January 11The Last of Us season 2 trailer is a brief look at a story you should probably just play yourself in AprilLords of the Fallen publisher embraces fear of the DEI boogeyman, says it will not include ‘any social or political agendas’ in its gamesEpic CEO Tim Sweeney says tech leaders are ‘pretending to be Republicans’ to gain favor with Trump, skirt antitrust laws, and ultimately ‘rip off consumers and crush competitors’If you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo videoSquare Enix launches new anti-harassment policy to protect its employees and partners from abusive fansThe Sims begins its 25th anniversary celebration next week with a Behind The Sims episode of news and announcementsPath of Exile 2 numberlord spends 16 straight days killing rare monsters to prove that a stat that makes loot better makes better lootPalestinian developer raises more than $200,000 to make Dreams on a Pillow, a game about the horrors of the 1948 NakbaPiranha Games will lay off employees after Mechwarrior 5: Clans ‘performed below projections’Marvel Rivals’ latest update quietly killed the game’s burgeoning mod scene

Most Popular

Today’s Wordle answer for Saturday, January 11

The Last of Us season 2 trailer is a brief look at a story you should probably just play yourself in April

Lords of the Fallen publisher embraces fear of the DEI boogeyman, says it will not include ‘any social or political agendas’ in its games

Epic CEO Tim Sweeney says tech leaders are ‘pretending to be Republicans’ to gain favor with Trump, skirt antitrust laws, and ultimately ‘rip off consumers and crush competitors’

If you’re trying to convince me your ‘companionship’ robot is ‘lifelike’, maybe don’t rip her face off in the demo video

Square Enix launches new anti-harassment policy to protect its employees and partners from abusive fans

The Sims begins its 25th anniversary celebration next week with a Behind The Sims episode of news and announcements

Path of Exile 2 numberlord spends 16 straight days killing rare monsters to prove that a stat that makes loot better makes better loot

Palestinian developer raises more than $200,000 to make Dreams on a Pillow, a game about the horrors of the 1948 Nakba

Piranha Games will lay off employees after Mechwarrior 5: Clans ‘performed below projections’

Marvel Rivals’ latest update quietly killed the game’s burgeoning mod scene

HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review4Ikea Utespelare desk review5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review

HARDWARE BUYING GUIDESLATEST GAME REVIEWS

1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads

A bunch of the best Steam Deck accessories on a blue background.

1Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads

Best Steam Deck accessories in Australia for 2025: Our favorite docks, powerbanks and gamepads

2Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop

Best graphics card for laptops: the mobile GPUs I’d want in my next gaming laptop

3Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most

Best mini PCs in 2025: The compact computers I love the most

4Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands

Best 14-inch gaming laptop: The top compact gaming laptops I’ve held in these hands

5Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested

Best Mini-ITX motherboards in 2025: My pick from all the mini mobo marvels I’ve tested

1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review

Thank Goodness You’re Here review

1Thank Goodness You’re Here! review

Thank Goodness You’re Here! review

2Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review

Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island review

3WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review

WD Black SN850X 8 TB NVMe SSD review

4Ikea Utespelare desk review

Ikea Utespelare desk review

5Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review

Asus ROG Harpe Ace Mini wireless mouse review

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals#

The biggest gaming news, reviews and hardware deals