According to Videocardz, there is a chance we may see the return of dual-GPU graphics card – and it’s coming from Intel. Specifically, one of its AIB partners will be the maker of this rather monstrous card set to feature two Arc GPUs in one, with a combined 48GB of VRAM. Take that, RTX 5090.
Arc B580 Times Two
The last time we saw a dual-GPU card from either of the two larger GPU vendors are the NVIDIA GeForce GTX TITAN Z and AMD Radeon R9 295X2, both of which are over a decade old at this point. Since then, the paradigm has shifted away from dual-GPU, multi-card setups, with all the power concentrated on a single card instead for better performance and power efficiency.
So what’s the deal with Intel’s offering here? Nothing is said as the AIB in question declined to discuss on the matter due to NDA (non-disclosure agreement), though we did see signs of some Arc B580s housing as much as 24GB on a single card. A dual-GPU card usually simply duplicates all the components on the PCB, and that includes memory; as such, this card will, assuming it uses the 24GB B580 as its base silicon, will feature 48GB of VRAM. AI model users will probably drool over this one.
There is a possibility that the concept or prototype will make it to the Computex show floor come next week, although the publication was informed the card will not be launched in at least the next several months. As such, what we’ll see will probably be an early-stage prototype, but it’s definitely something to look forward to if you want a VRAM-rich card on the cheap (although we don’t expect a 48GB card to be that cheap, in particular a dual-GPU one).
Pokdepinion: Didn’t expect dual-GPU to return in this time and age, that’s for sure.
