Intel enjoys plaudits on launch, but timing could be a killer Updated: Dec 12, 2024 3:41 pm WePC is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more Table of Contents Table of Contents Intel’s B580 ‘Battlemage’ GPU is set to launch tomorrow and things are seemingly off to a good start, with tier 1 reviewers praising the card for its plucky 1440p performance. The review embargo for Intel’s latest B580 has lifted today, with tech reviewers responding positively to Intel’s new Battlemage offering. In fact, almost every review we’ve seen seems to be praising the entry-level B580, with quotes ranging from “genuine contender” to “first worthy budget GPU of the decade“. Most reviewers are pitting the B580 against the $300 NVIDIA RTX 4060, one of the most popular GPUs used by Steam’s 130 million player count. According to several reviews, the B580 outperforms the 4060 by roughly 10% (depending on game/resolution used) at around $50 cheaper, confirming Intel’s claims that this card is the “best bang for you gaming buck” in today’s market. While everything sounds great for Intel’s new card, many reviewers are rightly touching on the fact that both NVIDIA and AMD will be launching their own sub $300 variants in the coming months – putting Intel’s new found “value” into question. Let’s not forget, the RTX 4060 and RX 7600 have both been on the market for around 18 months, meaning they will naturally be superseded by similarly-priced updates that will perform to a higher standard. Could this be another body blow for Intel? Or will its value stand strong. Intel B580 launches as new NVIDIA 5060 looms The elephant in the room for Intel seems to be the fact that both NVIDIA and AMD are set to launch next-gen models within the next few months. NVIDIA’s RTX 5060 is said to be officially unveiled at next year’s CES 2025 event, alongside AMD’s 8000 series – which will undoubtedly feature a 7600 successor. At the moment, all the praise for Intel’s performance and value are being based on two cards that will likely see major price drops once their successors hit shelves. It’ll be interesting to see just how well that “value” status holds up for, especially if NVIDIA’s 5060 launches for under $300. Right now, however, things are definitely looking better for Intel’s discrete GPU lineup – let’s see if it continues into 2025.
New Intel B580 receives positive reviews on pre launch, but timing could be its downfall
