Arc B580 Outpaces NVIDIA’s RTX 4060 at $249
Intel has officially unveiled its second-generation Xe2 Arc GPUs, targeting gamers who want high performance without breaking the bank. The $249 Arc B580 and the $219 Arc B570 promise powerful 1440p gaming capabilities, challenging NVIDIA’s $299 RTX 4060 and AMD’s Radeon 7600. These new GPUs come packed with cutting-edge XeSS2 AI features, such as Super Resolution upscaling, frame generation, and low-latency gaming modes, delivering a high-performance experience at an affordable price.
Intel claims the B580 is 24% faster than its previous A750 Limited Edition GPU and boasts a 10% edge over NVIDIA’s RTX 4060. In specific titles like Cyberpunk 2077, the B580 outperformed the RTX 4060 by an impressive 43%, though it lagged behind in others, such as RoboCop: Rogue City, where it was 20% slower.
Specs Tailored for 1440p Gamers
The B580 packs:
- 20 Xe cores
- 20 ray tracing units
- 12GB of VRAM
- 2,670 MHz clock speed
Meanwhile, the more budget-friendly B570 offers:
- 18 Xe cores
- 10GB of VRAM
- 2,500 MHz clock speed
For most gamers, the additional $30 for the B580 might be a worthwhile investment for better performance and future-proofing. However, 1080p gamers on a tight budget may find the B570 a solid choice.
A Smarter Approach to GPUs
Intel’s renewed focus on discrete GPUs highlights lessons learned from its previous Arc series. Tom Petersen, Intel Fellow, emphasized the improvements in hardware utilization and software efficiency, allowing for better performance from the Xe2 platform.
Notably, Intel’s XeSS2 AI features position it as a strong competitor to NVIDIA’s DLSS3. The B580 can reportedly double Diablo IV’s performance using XeSS, while the frame generation feature boosts FPS even further. Its low-latency XeLL mode enhances responsiveness by 45%, and Intel claims significant performance gains in AI workloads, with the B580 surpassing NVIDIA’s RTX 4060 in tasks like Llama 2 and Llama 3.1 processing.
Budget GPUs for the Future
Intel’s move to innovate in the mid-range GPU market is a refreshing change in an era dominated by expensive high-end cards. The Arc B580 and B570 could attract budget-conscious gamers seeking reliable, cost-effective options.
Availability and Pricing
- Arc B580: Available December 13 for $249.
- Arc B570: Launching January 16 for $219.
Intel will produce its own Limited Edition version of the Arc B580, while the B570 will be handled by partners such as Acer, ASRock, and Sparkle.
