Intel is disrupting the budget GPU market with its latest offering, the Arc B580. Priced at just $249, this Battlemage GPU aims to deliver 1440p gaming performance previously unattainable at this price point, challenging the established notion that budget GPUs are solely for 1080p gaming. Intel claims the B580 outperforms competitors like the Nvidia RTX 4060 and AMD RX 7600, offering gamers a compelling value proposition for high-resolution gaming.
The Intel Arc B580 GPU aims for 1440p performance.
Intel B580: Performance and Value
Intel asserts the B580 delivers approximately 10% better performance on average compared to the RTX 4060, although specific comparisons against the RX 7600 haven’t been provided. In certain titles, the performance gains are even more significant. The B580 reportedly boasts a 43% increase in performance in Cyberpunk 2077 and a 32% boost in Resident Evil 4 over the RTX 4060. These improvements likely stem from the B580’s 12GB of VRAM, which provides a substantial advantage over the 8GB found in the RTX 4060, especially at 1440p resolution with high graphical settings. This extra VRAM proves particularly beneficial in memory-intensive games like Resident Evil 4. In less VRAM-constrained scenarios, the performance difference between the two cards is expectedly smaller.
Performance comparison of the Intel Arc B580 against the Nvidia RTX 4060.
Generational Improvements and Comparisons
Compared to its predecessor, the Arc A750, the B580 offers a significant generational leap with an average performance increase of 24%. The A750, also limited to 8GB of VRAM, shows particularly stark performance differences in games like The Last of Us Part One, where VRAM plays a crucial role. Intel has highlighted improvements in performance per watt and performance per dollar compared to the A750. This focus on the A750 is intriguing, given the existence of the Arc A580, suggesting potential higher-end ambitions for the Battlemage architecture.
The Intel Arc B580 GPU.
Battlemage Lineup and Availability
Currently, the B580 and the B570 are the two known GPUs in the Battlemage lineup. The B580 launches on December 13th for $249 and will be available in a Limited Edition version directly from Intel, along with partner designs from manufacturers like ASRock, Acer, and Sparkle. The B570, a more budget-friendly version with reduced specifications, follows on January 16th at $219. While Intel hasn’t released performance metrics for the B570, its specifications suggest performance close to the B580.
Specifications comparison between the Intel Arc B580 and B570.
Competitive Landscape and Future Outlook
The B580’s $249 price point positions it aggressively against competitors. Currently, neither Nvidia nor AMD offer comparable GPUs at this price. The cheapest options are the RTX 4060 at $299 and the RX 7600 at $269. Intel’s commitment to this price point is evident in its manufacturing strategy for the Limited Edition B580 in Vietnam, potentially circumventing proposed tariffs on China and Mexico.
Independent testing will be crucial to validate Intel’s performance claims and determine how the B580 stacks up against a broader range of GPUs, particularly established 1440p contenders like the RTX 4060 Ti and RX 7700 XT. However, the B580’s competitive price and promising specifications make it a compelling option for budget-conscious gamers seeking 1440p gaming.
