Intel has unveiled its latest graphics cards, the Arc B580 and B570, part of the new “Battlemage” series. The Intel Arc B580 offers high performance at an accessible price point of $249, making it an attractive option for gamers and AI enthusiasts alike. This new B580 GPU launches on December 13, 2024 followed by the B570 a month later on January 16, 2025.
The Arc B580 brings modern gaming features and AI acceleration capabilities to the table. It includes Intel Xe Matrix Extensions (XMX) AI engines, which power advanced AI workloads. This addition positions the B580 as a versatile card for both gaming and productivity tasks that leverage artificial intelligence.
Intel claims the Arc B580 provides best-in-class value for performance in its price range. The company aims to fill a gap in the market for affordable yet capable GPUs, addressing the needs of budget-conscious gamers and content creators who require solid performance without breaking the bank.
Arc Battlemage B580: The Budget Gaming GPU King?
Specs
| Specs | Details |
|---|---|
| Architecture | Intel Xe2 HPG |
| Process | TSMC N4 |
| Cores | 3072 |
| Boost Clock | 2.2 GHz |
| Memory | 8GB GDDR6 |
| Memory Clock | 16 Gbps |
| Memory Bus | 256-bit |
| TDP | 175W |
| Launch Date | December 13, 2024 |
Performance
The B580 is a mid-range graphics card that offers good performance for the price. It competes with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 and the AMD Radeon RX 7600. The B580 is a bit faster than the RTX 4060 in some games, but it falls behind the RX 7600.
Features
The B580 supports all the latest graphics technologies, including ray tracing and XeSS (Intel’s AI-powered upscaling technology). It also has some unique features, like Smooth Sync and Deep Link. Smooth Sync helps to reduce screen tearing, and Deep Link allows the B580 to work with an Intel CPU to improve performance in some tasks.
Availability and Price
Where to Buy
You can buy the B580 from a variety of online retailers, including Amazon, Newegg, and Best Buy. You can also find it at some brick-and-mortar stores, like Micro Center.
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https://www.microcenter.com/site/content/intel-arc-graphics.aspx
https://www.newegg.com/intelarc
Price
The B580 has an MSRP of $249, but it can be found for less than that online (when on sale).
Alternatives
The B570 is the lower end alternative in the Battlemage Arc-B GPU series and will launch in January 2025. You will find both Arc B series GPUs in pre-built PCs and laptops soon or as standalone cards. The B570 has a suggested retail price of $219. This makes it a competitive option in the midrange market.
If you’re looking for a more powerful graphics card, you can consider the Intel Arc A770 or the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070. If you’re on a budget, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 is a good option.
Should You Buy the Intel Arc B580?
The Intel Arc B580 is a good choice for gamers who are looking for a mid-range graphics card that offers good performance for the price. It’s also a good choice for people who want to use the latest graphics technologies, like ray tracing and XeSS. However, if you’re looking for the best possible performance, you may want to consider a more powerful graphics card.
Key Takeaways
- Intel Arc B580 launches December 13 at $249, offering high performance at an accessible price
- The GPU features AI acceleration capabilities with Intel Xe Matrix Extensions
- Intel positions the B580 as a best-in-class value option for both gaming and AI workloads
Intel Arc Battlemage B580 Overview
Intel’s Arc Battlemage B580 represents a significant leap in GPU technology. This graphics card combines advanced architecture, impressive performance metrics, and strategic market positioning to challenge established competitors.
Technology and Architecture
The Arc B580 is built on Intel’s Xe2-HPG architecture, codenamed Battlemage. It features 40 Xe cores and 10 render slices, providing substantial processing power. The GPU includes 320 ALUs per Xe core, totaling 12,800 FP32 units.
Memory configuration is robust, with 16GB of GDDR6 running on a 256-bit bus. This setup ensures ample bandwidth for demanding gaming and content creation tasks.
The B580’s clock speeds are competitive. It boasts a base clock of 2.4 GHz and a boost clock of 2.7 GHz. These frequencies allow for efficient performance across various workloads.
Intel has implemented XMX AI engines in the B580. These specialized units accelerate AI workloads, enhancing capabilities beyond traditional gaming tasks.
Performance Metrics
The Arc B580 targets 1440p gaming with high frame rates. Intel claims it delivers performance that’s 10% faster than the GeForce RTX 4060 on average.
In terms of raw compute power, the B580 achieves 19 TFLOPs of FP32 performance. This figure puts it in a competitive position against similarly priced offerings from NVIDIA and AMD.
Intel emphasizes the B580’s performance-per-dollar value. Early benchmarks suggest it competes well with the RTX 4060 and Radeon RX 7600 XT in many games.
Ray tracing capabilities have been improved over previous Arc generations. The B580 supports DirectX 12 Ultimate, enabling advanced lighting effects in compatible titles.
Market Positioning
Intel has priced the Arc B580 aggressively at $249, targeting the mid-range GPU market. This pricing strategy aims to disrupt the existing duopoly of NVIDIA and AMD.
The B580 is positioned as a best-in-class value for performance option. Intel aims to attract budget-conscious gamers and content creators seeking high performance at a more accessible price point.
Availability is set for December 13, 2024. This launch timing allows Intel to capture holiday season sales and compete directly with recent releases from competitors.
Intel’s marketing emphasizes the B580’s versatility. Beyond gaming, the company highlights its capabilities in content creation and AI acceleration, broadening its appeal to a wider audience.
Innovative Technologies in B580
The Intel Arc B580 GPU introduces cutting-edge technologies that enhance gaming experiences and boost performance. These advancements span AI-driven upscaling, improved connectivity, and enhanced ray tracing capabilities.
AI and Upscaling Technologies
The Arc B580 features Intel’s XeSS 2 technology, an AI-powered upscaling solution. XeSS 2 improves image quality and boosts frame rates in supported games. It competes with NVIDIA’s DLSS 3 and AMD’s FSR 3 frame generation technologies.
Intel’s AI Playground offers developers tools to integrate AI features into games and applications. This platform leverages the B580’s dedicated XMX AI engines for accelerated AI workloads.
Frame generation technology in the B580 creates intermediate frames, increasing smoothness in gameplay. This feature aims to reduce input lag while maintaining high frame rates.
Connectivity and Memory
The Arc B580 supports HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort interfaces. These allow for high-refresh-rate gaming at 4K resolution on compatible displays.
Memory bandwidth is crucial for GPU performance. The B580 utilizes a wide memory interface to maximize data transfer speeds. This design choice impacts the GPU’s ability to handle high-resolution textures and complex scenes.
VRAM capacity plays a key role in gaming at higher resolutions. The B580’s VRAM allocation supports gaming at 1440p ultra settings in many modern titles.
Gaming and Ray Tracing
Ray tracing capabilities in the Arc B580 enable realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections in games. This technology enhances visual fidelity in titles like Forza Motorsport.
The B580’s architecture is optimized for 1440p gaming at ultra settings. It aims to deliver smooth frame rates in demanding games without compromising on visual quality.
Intel has focused on improving low-latency performance in the B580. This effort reduces input lag, providing a more responsive gaming experience across various genres.
