The PC gaming landscape in recent times has been dominated by one unfortunate trend: exorbitant graphics card prices. Getting good value for your money feels increasingly difficult, even with top-tier GPUs. The Intel Arc A580 stands out as a refreshing exception, delivering shockingly good performance for its budget-friendly price.
At just $180, the A580 occupies a price point abandoned by AMD and Nvidia years ago. This is a true budget graphics card, a 1080p workhorse designed to play your games without unnecessary frills. While it has some drawbacks, and Intel GPUs still carry a degree of uncertainty, the A580 fills a critical gap for budget-conscious gamers willing to navigate the potential limitations of a newer platform.
Introducing the Intel Arc A580
The back of the Intel Arc A580 GPU.
Unlike the A750 and A770, the A580 launched without much fanfare. This $180 GPU (sometimes found even lower at $170) offers impressive specifications for its price. The table below shows how it compares to other GPUs in Intel’s Arc lineup.
| A770 | A750 | A580 | A380 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xe Cores | 32 | 28 | 24 | 8 |
| XMX Engines | 512 | 448 | 384 | 128 |
| Ray Tracing Cores | 32 | 28 | 24 | 8 |
| Clock Speed | 2,100MHz | 2,050MHz | 1,700MHz | 2,000MHz |
| VRAM | 8/16GB GDDR6 | 8GB GDDR6 | 8GB GDDR6 | 6GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit | 256-bit | 256-bit | 96-bit |
| PCIe Interface | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x16 | PCIe 4.0 x8 |
| Power Draw | 225W | 225W | 175W | 75W |
| List Price | $330 (8GB), $350 (16GB) | $230 | $180 | $140 |
The A580 boasts most of the cores found in the $230 Arc A750, albeit with a slightly lower clock speed and power consumption. The standout feature is its 8GB of VRAM, a generous amount for such an affordable GPU, especially considering AMD’s RX 6500 XT, priced at $200, offered only 4GB. This ample VRAM proves beneficial in modern games, which can easily utilize 8GB or more, as evidenced by GPUs like the RTX 4060 Ti.
Currently, AMD and Nvidia lack direct competitors to the A580 in this price range. The closest competitor is the older AMD RX 6600, retailing around $200, still a noticeable premium over the A580. Other budget options like the RTX 3050 and RX 6600 XT, priced around $230, are less attractive, especially considering the A750’s value proposition at a similar price.
Performance Analysis: Budget-Friendly, But Capable
While the A580’s price is undeniably attractive, its performance is the ultimate test. While not groundbreaking, it delivers impressive results for its price point. Expect over 60 frames per second (fps) at 1080p with Ultra settings in most games, hitting the sweet spot for a budget GPU.
Intel Arc A580 performance in 3DMark Time Spy.
Intel Arc A580 performance in 3DMark Port Royal.
In 3DMark, the A580 outperforms its closest competitor, the AMD RX 6600, and even surpasses the more expensive Nvidia RTX 3060 and AMD RX 7600 (both priced near $300). However, the A750 achieves similar results, suggesting that Arc GPUs tend to perform exceptionally well in synthetic benchmarks. Real-world game testing provides a more accurate picture of performance.
Intel Arc A580 performance in Forza Horizon 5.
Intel Arc A580 performance in Hogwarts Legacy.
Intel Arc A580 performance in Assassin
In Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, the Arc GPUs fall behind the competition. While expected given the price difference, it provides a better understanding of the A580’s performance positioning. Impressively, the A580 delivers near-identical performance to the A750 for a $50 discount. This trend continues in Forza Horizon 5 and Hogwarts Legacy, with both Intel GPUs consistently exceeding 60 fps at maximum settings.
Intel Arc A580 performance in Horizon Zero Dawn.
Intel Arc A580 performance in Red Dead Redemption 2.
Intel Arc A580 performance in Cyberpunk 2077.
While the RX 6600 appears significantly faster in some titles, the A580 holds its own in demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2, even securing marginal victories. In Horizon Zero Dawn, both GPUs perform similarly. While the RX 6600 might have a slight overall edge, it comes at a $20-$30 premium.
Arc A580 performance in Returnal.
In newer, more demanding titles like Returnal, the A580 barely manages to surpass 60 fps at maximum settings without upscaling technologies like XeSS or FSR. This suggests that some compromises might be necessary for newer, graphically intensive games.
Intel Arc A580 performance in Resident Evil 4.
Intel Arc A580 performance in The Last of Us Part One.
VRAM limitations become apparent in games like The Last of Us Part 1 and Resident Evil 4. The RTX 3060’s 12GB of VRAM provides a significant advantage in The Last of Us Part 1. However, this limitation is acceptable for a $180 GPU, especially compared to the $300 RTX 4060 or the $280 RX 7600. Lowering settings to the High preset is a viable solution in such VRAM-limited scenarios.
Despite its limitations, the A580 delivers compelling performance, achieving approximately 60 fps in recent titles at the highest settings. Less demanding games like Lethal Company, Rust, and Counter-Strike 2 will run at significantly higher frame rates. Understanding the A580’s limitations is crucial. Newer, demanding games like Alan Wake 2 might require lowering settings or utilizing upscaling. Ray tracing is generally out of reach, requiring a 30 fps target and potentially lower settings. The A580 excels as a 1080p GPU at High to Ultra settings without ray tracing, offering excellent value for its price.
Driver Concerns and Longevity
Intel Arc logo on the Arc A580 GPU.
While the A580’s performance is impressive, driver issues remain a concern for Intel GPUs. Although Intel has resolved many performance problems with driver updates, occasional inconsistencies persist. Starfield‘s initial launch issues exemplify this, with performance now functional but lower than expected. While not frequent, such instances warrant caution. Researching specific game performance on the A580 before purchasing is highly recommended.
Furthermore, Intel’s foray into discrete graphics is relatively recent. While Intel has committed to at least four generations of Arc GPUs, this could change. This doesn’t inherently make the A580 a bad purchase, but its longevity compared to established Nvidia or AMD GPUs remains uncertain. An upgrade within a few years is likely regardless.
A True Budget Champion for 1080p Gaming
Fans on the Intel Arc A580 GPU.
The PC gaming market has been craving a truly budget-friendly graphics card. The A580, despite driver concerns, delivers solid 60 fps 1080p gaming in most titles. It enables building a capable PC for around $600, a price point unseen in recent years. With most modern GPUs starting at $300, the A580 opens doors for budget-conscious gamers.
While it will eventually be superseded by more powerful and affordable GPUs, the A580 currently fills a vital niche ignored by AMD and Nvidia. It handles less demanding games with ease and provides playable frame rates in more demanding titles, striking a balance rarely seen in recent years.
