Intel is advancing its Battlemage-architecture graphics cards further into the workstation segment, notably with the pricing of the Arc Pro B60. Previously, rumors circulated that the GPU might exceed the $1,000 mark. However, the ASRock Arc Pro B60 Creator edition, recently spotted at U.S. retailer Central Computers, is priced at $599 and is currently available in stock. If accurate, this makes it the sole workstation graphics card offering 24GB of VRAM within the $600 range.

Intel's previous success story in the workstation market, the Arc Pro B50, quickly became a top-seller on NewEgg, primarily due to its 16GB video memory combined with a competitive price between $300 and $400. At this cost level, there are few GPUs providing 16GB of video memory, rendering the Pro B50 a cost-effective choice among many creators. The Arc Pro B60, designed with even greater capabilities, offers 24GB of memory. This targets professional applications necessitating enhanced memory bandwidth and capacity.

According to the specifications on the product page, the ASRock Arc Pro B60 Creator Edition includes a blower-style cooling system, 2400 MHz GPU acceleration, 24GB GDDR6 memory, a 192-bit bus width, and 160 XMX AI engines. These features make the card highly suitable for tasks such as generative design, 3D rendering, real-time graphics processing, and AI inference. For budget-conscious workstation users who still require significant memory support, this card presents a unique option.

The appealing aspect of the $599 pricing is its stark contrast to earlier predictions and how it redefines expectations for the Arc Pro B60. Initially anticipated to be over $1,000, it was assumed it would face tough competition against NVIDIA's RTX A-Series and AMD's high-end Radeon Pro models, offering a less favorable price-performance balance. The current pricing places it distinctively within the mid-range professional arena, providing substantial video memory at a considerably lower price than its competitors.

However, availability might pose a challenge. Reports have previously indicated limited production of the Arc Pro B60, suggesting that even if some outlets have it in stock now, sustaining long-term supply remains uncertain. Delays in broadening sales channels could result in short supply of the Pro B60.

In summary, the release of the Arc Pro B60 signifies Intel's continued refinement of its professional graphics card lineup built on the Battlemage architecture. Following the market entrance with the Arc Pro B50, the Pro B60 caters to creators and small to medium-sized studios requiring more memory by expanding memory capacity and adding more AI engines. With the current aggressive pricing strategy, it is poised to shake up the mid-range workstation market.