Intel Unveils New Arc B580 and B570 Graphics Cards for Budget Gamers

Intel introduces its latest Arc B580 and B570 graphics cards, offering high performance for budget-conscious gamers. With competitive pricing and enhanced features, these new models promise significant improvements over rivals.

Intel's Arc B580 and B570 Graphics Cards Set to Revolutionize Budget Gaming

Intel has revealed its newest budget-friendly graphics cards, the Arc B580 and B570, marking a significant step in the company's efforts to compete with industry giants Nvidia and AMD. Priced at $249 and $219 respectively, these new models promise to deliver impressive performance for gamers seeking top-tier quality without breaking the bank. With a release date just 10 days away, Intel is positioning these cards as the best in terms of performance per dollar in the market.

Performance Features: A Game-Changer for Budget Gamers

Both the Arc B580 and B570 are powered by Intel's Xe2 "Battlemage" architecture, which is also featured in the upcoming Lunar Lake chips for laptops. With over double the graphics cores compared to Intel’s previous generation, these cards also boast up to 12GB of dedicated video memory. This combination offers up to 190W of power consumption, providing a substantial performance boost that surpasses Nvidia's RTX 4060 and AMD's RX 7600, priced at $299 and $269, respectively.

Intel’s tests suggest that the Arc B580 outperforms both Nvidia and AMD models in several key areas. The company claims that the B580 is, on average, 10% faster than the RTX 4060 in certain games, especially at 1440p resolution and with higher graphics settings.

The B580 vs. Competitors: A Closer Look

Intel’s Arc B580 graphics card is gaining attention for its performance in high-demand games. Paired with Intel’s Core i9-14900K processor, the B580 delivers smooth performance in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, Returnal, and The Witcher 3. According to Intel, the B580 exceeds 60 frames per second in these games—something the RTX 4060 struggles to achieve.

However, Nvidia’s RTX 4060 still holds an edge in some popular titles such as Starfield, Gears 5, Counter-Strike 2, DOTA 2, and League of Legends. Despite this, the B580 outshines the previous generation A750, which originally retailed at $289 but is now available for as low as $180. In comparison, the B580 is on average 24% faster than the A750.

Intel's XeSS AI Scalability: A Key Advantage

One of the standout features of the Arc B580 is Intel's XeSS (Xe Super Sampling) AI scalability technology, which significantly enhances graphics performance. This feature is particularly beneficial in memory-intensive games, where the B580’s 12GB of video memory gives it a clear advantage over Nvidia’s RTX 4060, which has just 8GB. In tests, the Arc B580 managed 64fps in ray-tracing games, compared to the RTX 4060’s 57fps, further showcasing the B580’s superior performance in this area.

Despite the positive reviews, Intel’s presentation didn’t include any comparisons with AMD’s RX 7600 graphics card, leaving some questions unanswered. Additionally, there were no results shown for the B570 model, which shares many of the same features as the B580 but at a slightly lower price point.

A Bright Future for Intel’s Graphics Cards

Intel’s new Arc B580 and B570 graphics cards represent a bold step into the world of budget gaming. By offering superior performance at a lower price, these cards aim to attract gamers who want high-end features without the premium price tag. The B580’s impressive benchmarks, combined with its 12GB of dedicated memory, make it a strong competitor to Nvidia’s RTX 4060 and AMD’s RX 7600.

The Arc B580 and B570 are set to be produced by Acer, ASRock, Gunnir, Maxsun, Onix, and Sparkle, ensuring wide availability. With a competitive price point and robust performance, these graphics cards could shake up the budget gaming market, offering gamers more value for their money. As the release date approaches, all eyes will be on Intel to see if these new cards can deliver on their promising potential.