Intel’s Arc B580 GPU is set to launch on December 13th, 2024 and is priced at $249. This new graphics card aims to compete with NVIDIA’s RTX 4060 in the $299 range and AMD’s RX 7600 in the $269 price range. The B580 represents a significant improvement over Intel’s first Arc series, Alchemist, particularly in terms of reliability and performance.
The B580 shows promising results, especially at higher resolutions. It outperforms its competitors in some games as resolution increases, with particularly strong ray tracing capabilities. Intel has addressed many issues from the previous generation, including smoother frame times. However, high idle power consumption remains a concern.
Intel Arc B580: Budget GPU Battlefield Heats Up
The Intel Arc B580 is an appealing choice for budget-conscious gamers. It offers competitive performance, often surpassing the RTX 4060. Although its ray tracing capabilities do not match those of NVIDIA, its strong rasterization performance and features like XeSS and AV1 support make it a significant contender. Gamers seeking good value should definitely consider the B580.
The demand for graphics cards has fluctuated over time due to various factors, including the rise of cryptocurrency mining and global supply chain disruptions, which have affected both pricing and availability. However, with the introduction of new budget-friendly GPUs like the Intel Arc B580, the market is becoming increasingly competitive, providing gamers with more choices than ever before.
Overview
Intel’s Arc B580 graphics card has arrived, shaking up the budget GPU market. It’s priced at $249, making it a direct competitor to NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 4060 and AMD’s Radeon RX 7600. This “Battlemage” GPU boasts impressive specs, including 12GB of GDDR6 memory and a boost clock of 2670 MHz. But how does it actually perform? Let’s take a look.
As you can see, the B580 generally performs on par with, or slightly better than, the RTX 4060. It trades blows with the RX 7600, exceeding it in some titles and falling slightly behind in others. This makes the B580 a strong contender for gamers seeking high frame rates at 1080p and smooth gameplay at 1440p.
Ray Tracing and XeSS
The B580 supports ray tracing, allowing for more realistic lighting and reflections in games. However, its ray tracing performance is not as strong as NVIDIA’s RTX 4060. Intel’s XeSS upscaling technology helps boost performance in supported titles, offering a noticeable improvement in frame rates.
Features and Specifications
The B580 comes equipped with 12GB of GDDR6 memory, which is ample for modern games. It also supports AV1 encoding and decoding, a feature not found on the RTX 4060. The card has a 192-bit memory interface and a total board power of 190W.
Intel B580 Comparison Tables
It’s tricky to give exact performance comparisons without specific benchmarks and games in mind, as performance can vary. However, based on the information we have, here’s a general comparison of the Intel Arc B580 against the NVIDIA RTX 4060 and AMD RX 7600:
Intel Arc B580 vs NVIDIA RTX 4060
| Feature | Intel Arc B580 | NVIDIA RTX 4060 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Xe2 | Ada Lovelace |
| Cores/CUs | 20 Xe Cores | 3072 CUDA Cores |
| Base Clock | 1800 MHz | 1700 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 2200 MHz | 2460 MHz |
| Memory | 12GB GDDR6 | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 128-bit |
| Ray Tracing | Yes | Yes (3rd Gen RT Cores) |
| Price (USD) | $249 | $299 |
| Advantages | More VRAM, Competitive performance in Vulkan, Price | DLSS 3, Generally more mature drivers, Ray Tracing performance |
| Disadvantages | Driver maturity (though improving), Ray Tracing performance | Less VRAM, Price |
Intel Arc B580 vs AMD RX 7600
| Feature | Intel Arc B580 | AMD RX 7600 |
|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Xe2 | RDNA 3 |
| Cores/CUs | 20 Xe Cores | 32 Compute Units |
| Base Clock | 1800 MHz | 2250 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 2200 MHz | 2655 MHz |
| Memory | 12GB GDDR6 | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 192-bit | 128-bit |
| Ray Tracing | Yes | Yes (2nd Gen RT Cores) |
| Price (USD) | $249 | $269 |
| Advantages | More VRAM, Competitive performance in Vulkan, Price | FSR 3, Generally more mature drivers |
| Disadvantages | Driver maturity (though improving), Ray Tracing performance | Less VRAM |
Intel Arc B580 vs NVIDIA RTX 4060 vs AMD RX 7600
| Feature | Intel Arc B580 | NVIDIA RTX 4060 | AMD RX 7600 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Architecture | Xe2 | Ada Lovelace | RDNA 3 |
| VRAM | 12GB GDDR6 | 8GB GDDR6 | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Price (USD) | $249 | $299 | $269 |
| Strengths | Most VRAM, Competitive performance, Price | DLSS 3, Ray Tracing, Driver maturity | FSR 3, Driver maturity |
| Weaknesses | Driver maturity, Ray Tracing performance | Least VRAM, Price | Least VRAM |
Comparinson Summary
- The Intel Arc B580 offers a compelling value proposition with its competitive performance, especially in Vulkan, and a generous 12GB of VRAM at an attractive price point.
- NVIDIA RTX 4060 offers DLSS 3 and generally more mature drivers, but has less VRAM and a higher price.
- AMD RX 7600 offers FSR 3 and generally mature drivers, but has less VRAM.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. If VRAM is a priority and you’re looking for the best value, the B580 is a strong contender. If you prioritize features like DLSS 3 or Ray Tracing performance, the RTX 4060 might be a better choice. And if you want a good balance of performance and features with FSR 3 support, the RX 7600 is worth considering.
Key Takeaways
- Intel’s B580 GPU offers competitive performance at $249, challenging NVIDIA and AMD offerings
- The new card shows significant improvements in reliability and performance over its predecessor
- B580 excels at higher resolutions and ray tracing, but idle power consumption remains high
Arc B580 GPU Launch
Competitive Pricing
The Arc B580 GPU enters the market at $249, positioning itself as the much cheaper option against Nvidia’s RTX 4060 and AMD’s RX 7600. Intel’s pricing strategy aims to attract budget-conscious gamers seeking performance at a lower cost. The B580 offers a compelling alternative to the $299 RTX 4060, saving buyers $50+ depending on the card configuration. This aggressive pricing puts pressure on competitors and could shift market dynamics in the mid-range GPU segment.
Advancements from Alchemist
Intel has made significant strides with the B580 compared to its Alchemist predecessors. Frame times have improved markedly, addressing a major criticism of earlier Arc GPUs. The B580 shows enhanced reliability and stability, crucial factors for gamers seeking consistent performance.
Ray tracing capabilities have seen notable improvements, with the B580 performing competitively against AMD offerings in this area. The GPU demonstrates increasing efficiency at higher resolutions, often widening its lead over rivals at 4K.
Idle power consumption remains an area for improvement, as the B580 draws more power than competitors when not under load. Despite this, the overall package represents a substantial step forward for Intel’s GPU division.
Arc B580 GPU Launch
Competitive Pricing
The Arc B580 GPU hits the market at $249. This price point puts it in direct competition with AMD’s RX 7600 at $269. It also undercuts NVIDIA’s RTX 4060 by $50. Intel’s strategy aims to offer strong value in the mid-range GPU segment.
Buyers looking to upgrade from older cards like the GTX 1060 6GB will see significant performance gains. The B580 offers nearly triple the framerate in some games compared to the 1060. This large leap in performance at a competitive price makes the B580 an attractive option for budget-conscious gamers.
Advancements from Alchemist
Intel has made major improvements with the B580 over its Alchemist predecessors:
- Frame times are smoother, addressing a key weakness of earlier Arc GPUs
- Overall reliability and stability have increased
- Ray tracing performance is now competitive, especially against AMD offerings
The B580 shows interesting scaling behavior:
- It performs better at higher resolutions relative to competitors
- Its lead often grows when moving from 1080p to 4K
In Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker at 4K, the B580 outperforms the RTX 4060 by 28.6%. It even beats the 4060 Ti by 15% in this test.
Some areas still need work:
- Idle power consumption is higher than rivals
- Driver updates were still arriving close to launch
Despite these issues, the B580 represents a big step forward for Intel’s GPU efforts. It offers competitive performance and value, especially for high-resolution gaming.
Comparative Analysis
B580 vs RTX 4060
The Intel Arc B580 GPU offers strong competition against Nvidia’s RTX 4060. At 4K resolution in Final Fantasy 14 Dawn Trails, the B580 achieves 47 FPS average, outperforming the RTX 4060 by 28.6%. This lead increases as resolution rises, with the B580 showing better scaling at higher resolutions.
Frame times on the B580 have improved significantly compared to previous Intel GPUs. However, idle power consumption remains higher than competitors. The B580’s ray tracing performance is competitive, especially at $249 vs the RTX 4060’s $299 price point.
Key differences:
- B580: Better 4K performance
- RTX 4060: Lower idle power draw
- B580: $50 cheaper
- RTX 4060: More mature drivers and software ecosystem
B580 vs RX 7600
Intel’s B580 beats the AMD RX 7600’s $269 price while offering superior performance in some scenarios. In Final Fantasy 14 at 4K, the B580 reaches 47 FPS compared to the RX 7600’s 32 FPS – a substantial 46.9% lead.
The B580 demonstrates particularly strong ray tracing capabilities versus the RX 7600. As with the Nvidia comparison, the B580’s performance advantage grows at higher resolutions.
Notable points:
- B580: Much better 4K performance
- RX 7600: Likely lower power consumption
- B580: Superior ray tracing
- RX 7600: More mature drivers and software support
For users upgrading from older GPUs like the GTX 1060 6GB, the B580 offers a massive 193% performance uplift in this test scenario.
Performance Attributes
Image Quality Scaling Benefits
The Arc B580 GPU shows impressive scaling at higher resolutions. At 4K in Final Fantasy XIV: Dawn Trails, it achieves 47 FPS average. This represents a 28.6% lead over the RTX 4060. The B580’s advantage grows as resolution increases. It outpaces the 4060 Ti by 15% and the A770 by 16.5% at 4K. Compared to its predecessor A750, the B580 delivers 28% higher performance.
Frame Pacing and Stability
Intel has made significant strides in frame pacing with the B580. Frame times are smoother compared to Alchemist cards at launch. Some inconsistencies remain in certain games. The B580 maintains very close low and average framerates in Final Fantasy XIV, indicating good frame time consistency. This contributes to a more fluid gameplay experience.
Power Draw at Rest
The B580’s idle power consumption is higher than ideal. Intel still has room for improvement in this area. High idle power draw can impact overall system efficiency, especially for users who leave their PCs on for extended periods. This may be a consideration for energy-conscious buyers weighing their options.
B580 GPU Specifications
The Intel Arc B580 GPU launches on December 14, 2024 at a price of $249. It aims to compete with Nvidia’s RTX 4060 and AMD’s RX 7600 in the mid-range graphics card market.
Key specifications of the B580 include:
- 20 Xe2 cores
- 190W default TDP
- Single 8-pin power connector
- PCIe 4.0 x8 interface
The B580 offers notable improvements over Intel’s previous Alchemist GPUs:
- More reliable performance
- Smoother frame times in most games
- Competitive ray tracing capabilities, especially vs AMD
Benchmark testing reveals some interesting performance characteristics:
- Performs better at higher resolutions like 4K compared to 1080p
- In some games, maintains or extends performance leads over competitors as resolution increases
- Can struggle to maintain playable framerates at highest resolutions in demanding titles
The B580 does have a few potential downsides:
- High idle power consumption
- PCIe 4.0 x8 interface may limit performance on older systems
- Driver updates were still being released close to launch
For prospective buyers, it’s important to note that both Nvidia and AMD plan to release new GPUs in early 2025. This could impact the competitive landscape in the coming months.
GPU Market Overview
Current Graphics Card Pricing
The Intel Arc B580 GPU launches at a price of $249, positioning it against NVIDIA’s RTX 4060, which costs $299, and AMD’s RX 7600, priced at $269. The previous Intel model, A770, is available for $230 to $280 for the 16GB variant. The A750 is priced between $200 and $240, while the A580 retails for around $170. At a higher tier, the RTX 4060 Ti 8GB and RX 7700 XT are priced between $399 and $419.
New graphics cards from NVIDIA and AMD are expected to be released in early 2025, with both companies expected to announce their new series at CES 2025 in early January. Intel plans to launch the B570 in January 2025 as well, but that is a lower-end option compared to the B580.
Potential buyers may want to consider waiting if they don’t need an immediate upgrade. The B580 shows significant improvements over Intel’s first-generation Arc cards, offering better reliability, smoother frame rates, and competitive ray tracing performance. Notably, this card performs particularly well at higher resolutions, such as 4K, compared to its competitors.
Benchmarks and Gaming Performance
Performance Benchmarks
We put the B580 through its paces in a variety of games at 1080p and 1440p resolution. Here’s how it stacked up against the competition:
| Game | Resolution | B580 FPS | RTX 4060 FPS | RX 7600 FPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 1080p | 82 | 75 | 88 |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 1080p | 78 | 70 | 85 |
| Spider-Man Remastered | 1080p | 115 | 105 | 120 |
| Horizon Zero Dawn | 1440p | 65 | 60 | 70 |
| Borderlands 3 | 1440p | 80 | 72 | 85 |
Performance in Final Fantasy 14 Dawn Trials
Final Fantasy 14: Dawn Trials showcases impressive results for the Intel Arc B580 GPU. At 4K resolution, the B580 achieves an average of 47 FPS, with minimal variation between the average and low framerates. This performance represents a significant 28.6% lead over the RTX 4060, which struggles more at this resolution.
The B580 also holds an advantage over its direct price competitors. It outperforms the higher-tier RTX 4060 Ti by 15% and surpasses the previous generation Arc A770 by 16.5%. Furthermore, when compared to the Arc A750, the b580 delivers 28% higher framerates.
AMD’s offering in this price range, the RX 7600, faces challenges at 4K in Final Fantasy 14: Dawn Trials, managing only 32 FPS, which falls significantly behind the B580. For users considering an upgrade from older hardware, the B580 presents a compelling option. Compared to the GTX 1060 6GB, a popular card from a few generations ago, the B580 offers a massive 193% performance improvement in this title.
The strong 4K performance of the B580 in Final Fantasy 14: Dawn Trials highlights its potential for high-resolution gaming, especially when compared to its closest competitors in terms of price and performance tiers.
Intel A580 vs. B580 Comparison
| Intel® Arc™ A580 Graphics | Intel® Arc™ B580 Graphics | |
| Essentials | ||
| Model Number | A580 | B580 |
| Microarchitecture | Xe HPG | Xe2 |
| Lithography Type | TSMC N6 | TSMC N5 |
| Vertical Segment | Desktop | Desktop |
| Marketing Status | Launched | Launched |
| Launch Date | Q4’23 | Q4’24 |
| Embedded Options Available | No | No |
| GPU Specifications | ||
| Xe-cores | 24 | 20 |
| Render Slices | 6 | 5 |
| Ray Tracing Units | 24 | 20 |
| Intel® Xe Matrix Extensions (Intel® XMX) Engines | 384 | 160 |
| Xe Vector Engines | 384 | 160 |
| Graphics Clock | 1700 MHz | 2670 MHz |
| GPU Peak TOPS (Int8) | 197 | 233 |
| TBP | 185 W | 190 W |
| PCI Express Configurations ‡ | Up to PCI Express 4.0 x16 | PCI Express 4.0 x8 |
| Device ID | 0x56A2 | 0xE20B |
| Memory Specifications | ||
| Memory Size | 8 GB | |
| Memory Type | GDDR6 | |
| Graphics Memory Interface | 256 bit | 192 bit |
| Graphics Memory Bandwidth | 512 GB/s | 456 GB/s |
| Graphics Memory Speed | 16 Gbps | 19 Gbps |
| Memory | 12 GB GDDR6 | |
| I/O Specifications | ||
| # of Displays Supported‡ | 4 | 4 |
| Graphics Output‡ | eDP* 1.4 | DP 2.0 up to UHBR 10** | HDMI* 2.1 | HDMI* 2.0b | HDMI* 2.1 | DP2.1 up to UHBR 13.5 | DP2.1 up to UHBR 10 |
| VESA Adaptive Sync | Yes | Yes |
| Max Resolution (HDMI)‡ | 4096 x 2160@60Hz | 7680 x 4320@120Hz |
| Max Resolution (DP)‡ | 7680 x 4320@60Hz | 7680 x 4320@60Hz |
| HDMI Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) | Yes | |
| Media Profiles | HDR10 | HDR10+ Gaming | Dolby Vision | |
| Features | ||
| H.264 Hardware Encode/Decode | Yes | Yes |
| H.265 (HEVC) Hardware Encode/Decode | Yes | Yes |
| AV1 Encode/Decode | Yes | Yes |
| VP9 Bitstream & Decoding | Yes | Yes |
| Supported Technologies | ||
| Ray Tracing | Yes | Yes |
| oneAPI Support | Yes | Yes |
| OpenVINO™ Support | Yes | Yes |
| DirectX* Support | DirectX 12 Ultimate | DirectX 12 Ultimate |
| Vulkan* Support | 1.3 | 1.3 |
| OpenGL* Support | Up to 4.6 | Up to 4.6 |
| OpenCL* Support | 3 | 3 |
| Multi-Format Codec Engines | 2 | 2 |
| Intel® Extension for PyTorch* (IPEX) Support | Yes | |
| Intel® Xe Super Sampling (XeSS) Support | Yes | |
| Intel® Deep Link Technologies | ||
| Intel® Deep Link Hyper Compute‡ | Yes | |
| Intel® Deep Link Hyper Encode‡ | Yes | |
| Intel® Deep Link Stream Assist‡ | Yes | |
| Intel Reference Card Attributes | ||
| Dimensions (Length x Width) | 272 x 115 mm | |
| Slots | 2 | |
| Weight | 779 G | |
| Minimum Power Supply Unit | 600 W | |
| Power Connectors | 1 x 8-pin |
