At a price point of $280, slightly above the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060’s $249, Intel’s Arc B580 graphics card offers a valuable upgrade option for users with older PCs. However, it’s essential to consider the power demands of this card, especially if your system has a budget power supply.

Intel’s own version, the Arc B580 Limited Edition, is equipped with 12GB of video memory. This exceeds the standard 8GB found in similar models, enhancing its performance in AI applications and allowing for higher quality settings in gaming. The designation ‘B’ in B580 stands for Battlemage, reflecting its powerful performance profile.

Despite its strengths, the impact of the Arc B580 on the market is yet to be determined, with its predecessors having made only modest gains in market share. Overcoming market inertia remains a significant challenge.

This model represents the second generation in Intel’s discrete graphics lineup, leveraging its 12GB VRAM to differentiate from Nvidia’s 8GB offerings. This extra memory becomes crucial when enabling more sophisticated visual effects such as ray tracing.

Intel Arc B580 Limited Edition Specifications

• Memory: 12GB GDDR6
• Bandwidth: 456 GBps
• GPU Speed: 2.670 GHz
• Memory Interface: 19 Gbps / 192 bits
• Shaders: 2560
• AI Capabilities: 160 XMX AI engines, up to 233 peak integer TOPS
• Manufacturing Process: 5nm
• Power Requirement: 190 watts (minimum PSU 600 watts)
• Size: Dual-slot, 272×115 mm
• Connectivity: Three DP 2.1, one HDMI 2.1
• Release Date: December 13, 2024
• Price: $249

Intel’s B580 matches Nvidia’s RTX 4060 in terms of ray tracing and DirectX 12 Ultimate performance, with its XeSS 2 technology providing a distinct advantage. This advanced upscaling and optimization technique, however, requires game developer integration and isn’t backward compatible with its first iteration.

Currently, only a limited number of games support XeSS 2, which could deter potential buyers despite the technological advancements.

Design and Power Considerations

The B580’s increased memory makes it more power-hungry than some entry-to-midrange systems purchased in 2020 might handle, especially those with a 450-watt power supply. This card demands a 190-watt power draw, which could be challenging for less robust systems, particularly if overclocking is considered.

Despite its size and requiring two slots, the B580 is relatively light, simplifying the installation process without needing extra support.

Performance and Gaming Insights

The Arc B580 excels in running older games at 1440p and performs admirably in 3DMark’s Speed Way, assessing DirectX 12 Ultimate technologies. However, it experiences slight lag in dedicated ray tracing tests but still outperforms AMD in these aspects.

In demanding AAA titles without XeSS support, the B580 may require settings adjustments to maintain smooth gameplay at 1440p. For instance, “Indiana Jones and the Great Circle” at high settings approached but did not consistently maintain 60fps.

Overview

Intel remains committed to the development of the Arc B580 LE, with ongoing support and driver updates reflecting this commitment. This card offers excellent value for budget-conscious gamers, delivering robust performance for its price. Expanding XeSS 2 support will be crucial for Intel to enhance the competitiveness of its GPUs in a fiercely contested market.