Chip stock Intel (INTC) has been eagerly fighting to win back its presence in the data center. And as more data centers start taking on artificial intelligence (AI) operations, that has left Intel somewhat on the back foot. But Intel is working to make a comeback, and giving its Battlemage graphics processing unit (GPU) line some extra room to run. Sadly, this did little good for Intel stock, as shareholders rejected the notion and bolted for the exits, taking shares down nearly 4% in Friday afternoon’s trading.
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Reports noted that Intel engineers are currently working on a Linux kernel to drive data center GPUs, which pretty much means Battlemage at this point. Intel already has a couple of entrants in the GPU field—the Arc B-Series and the Arc Pro B-Series—but with this new kernel being established, reports note, that will get Battlemage into the fray as well, doing more than just improving people’s gaming experience.
The reports suggest that the new combination will come out under the Data Center GPU Flex Series, unless some fresh power is brought in that makes it more along the lines of the Data Center GPU Max Series. Word from the patch notes, meanwhile, notes that the new data center GPU line will have access to the Synopsis DesignWare I2C host adapter, which handles connection duties for a range of microcontrollers.
New Packaging, Too
Further, Intel is also working to bring out new word about its packaging, including one big breakthrough in the EMIB-T class. EMIB-T, noted a report from Tom’s Hardware, will offer larger-size chip packages as well as greater options in power delivery, and even an improvement in heat spreader operations for a more reliable chip overall.
The EMIB-T design, meanwhile, is fairly similar to its EMIB lineup, but with the addition of “through-silicon vias,” (TSVs) that lend access to better communications and power flow between dies and chiplets in the chip overall. That again should help improve efficiency and speeds, making chips made in this fashion more attractive overall.
Is Intel a Buy, Hold or Sell?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Hold consensus rating on INTC stock based on one Buy, 26 Holds and four Sells assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. After a 34.36% loss in its share price over the past year, the average INTC price target of $21.29 per share implies 8.76% upside potential.
