Intel, a major player in the PC gaming industry due to its significant sales of PC processors with integrated graphics, is facing challenges in the discrete graphics market. According to analyst firm Jon Peddie Research, PC graphics card shipments saw a surprising increase in the second quarter of 2024, reaching 9.5 million units. This growth was attributed to the launch of new cards in the first quarter, defying the usual trend of a dip during the second quarter.
The most notable aspect of the current market landscape is the fierce competition between AMD, Nvidia, and Intel in the discrete graphics card market. Intel, however, has been left behind and now holds a 0% share of the PC graphics card market. On the other hand, Nvidia dominates the market with an 88% share, leaving only 12% for AMD.
Despite predictions of decline, the add-in board market has shown resilience with four consecutive quarters of growth. Jon Peddie, the president of JPR, remains optimistic about the future of the market, especially with the upcoming high-performance games that will push the limits of available graphics cards.
Interestingly, while Intel recently introduced its Lunar Lake mobile processor with a new Xe2 graphics core, plans for a discrete GPU named Battlemage have been delayed. In contrast, Nvidia’s highly anticipated GeForce 5000 series (“Blackwell”) is expected to launch soon. Analysts predict that PC graphics card prices will remain stable until the release of next-gen GPUs from Nvidia and AMD.
With the current market dynamics favoring Nvidia and AMD, Intel’s chances of reclaiming market share seem slim. The competition is intensifying, and Intel’s Battlemage GPU will face challenges in gaining traction against established players in the market.
Mark, a seasoned technology writer with years of experience, highlights the evolving landscape of the PC graphics card market and the challenges faced by Intel in this competitive environment. His insights shed light on the shifting dynamics within the industry and the implications for consumers and enthusiasts alike.
