Everything we know about the Arc B580 Updated: Dec 13, 2024 3:40 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 has just announced its second generation of discrete GPUs, dubbed Battlemage. These GPUs are expected to surpass the current generation in both rasterization and ray tracing performance. We’re looking at the Arc B580, the current flagship, which is set to release on December 13th of this year – meaning we won’t have to wait long to get a taste of what Battlemage is capable of. With that in mind, we have compiled everything we know about the B580, unveiled in the Intel presentation on December 3rd. This includes the release date, specifications, and a glimpse at performance (as reported by Intel). Early benchmarks have also revealed that the Arc B580 is considerably faster than the RTX 4060 (its main competition). This is a far cry out from Intel’s own predictions of 10%. However, we all know that Synthetic benchmarks don’t always tell the full story and can often differ from the real-world performance of the hardware. Anyone looking to buy the B580 can do so right now, as listings are live across major retailers. Intel Arc B580 release date Intel has officially unveiled the Arc B580, the first card in its new Battlemage B-Series lineup, set to hit shelves on December 13th, 2024. This means we only have a few days to wait for the first card of the series to go on sale. It also happens that this is the flagship for now. Rumours of the B770 being cancelled or delayed are rife, but there’s no official word from Intel. The other GPU release, the B570, will come later in January and will be a more budget offering (we assume from the name and price). We don’t have any performance metrics to show off, but you can find more info on the B570 here. Intel Arc B580 shows 31% better performance than RTX 4060 The Intel Arc B580 has emerged as a potential disruptor in the mid-range GPU market, with early 3DMark TimeSpy benchmarks hinting at a strong price-to-performance ratio. According to results shared by Club386, the B580 achieved a commendable score of 14,719 points, placing it ahead of similarly priced competitors. Specifically, the B580 is 11% faster than Intel’s last-gen Arc A770 and delivers a substantial 31% performance uplift compared to Nvidia’s RTX 4060 in this synthetic test. What makes the Arc B580 even more compelling is its aggressive pricing. Set to retail for $249, with custom models expected to cost around $10 more, the card undercuts the RTX 4060, which starts at $289, and even the Arc A770, priced at $279. Some discounts are already available for bargain hunters, such as an ASRock A770 model currently listed at $230 on Newegg. This positions the B580 as a great option for budget-conscious gamers looking for mid-range performance. Intel Arc B580 specs The Intel Arc B580 offers notable upgrades over its predecessors, leveraging a refined Battlemage architecture to deliver enhanced performance and features. Here’s a breakdown of the key specifications: SpecificationIntel Arc B580Boost clock speed2670 MHz / 2800 MHz (OC)Memory12GB GDDR6Memory bus width192-bitMemory clock speed19 GbpsMemory bandwidth456 GB/sTBP (Total Board Power)190WPCIe interfacePCIe 4.0 x 8Xe2 cores20Ray Tracing Units20XMX AI Engines160 The B580 introduces XeSS 2, Intel’s upgraded upscaling technology. It now supports frame generation, an essential feature in modern GPUs that puts it toe-to-toe with Nvidia and AMD. XeSS 2 has also crossed the 200-game milestone, with Intel promising up to 47% better performance at 1440p Ultra settings using XeSS Performance Mode. With that, XeSS 2 now has frame generation integration to boost performance further. Price Intel has priced the Arc B580 at $249, making it a competitive option in the mid-range GPU segment. The price may vary depending on board partner designs and factory overclocking models. During its announcement, Intel revealed both 2-fan and 3-fan configurations. Intel Arc B580 price and release. Source: Intel At this price point, the B580 is positioned as a strong alternative to the Nvidia RTX 4060 and AMD RX 7600, with Intel confidently claiming the B580 offers superior value in its class. How much faster is the B580 compared to the A580? There’s a noticeable generation leap to the B580 over the A580, but don’t expect it to give you the world, as it’s only targeting the mid-range of the market. However, this is still an incredible increase over the last generation. Intel has claimed that the B580 is 24% faster than the A750, the second GPU from the top of the pack for last-generation CPUs. This puts the B580 on par with the 4060, though it might be more rivalling the 4060 Ti. According to Intel, the B580 is 20% faster than the 4060 in RT performance. Compared to AMD’s 7600 in pure rasterization performance, the B580 is 19% faster. Why the Arc B580 Stands Out Beyond raw performance, the Arc B580 offers several features that make it an enticing choice. Compared to the RTX 4060, the B580 boasts a larger VRAM capacity and improved ray tracing capabilities. These advantages are crucial for gamers aiming to future-proof their systems, especially at the increasingly popular 1440p resolution. Additionally, Intel continues to refine its GPU drivers, which could translate to even better performance over time. That said, it’s important to note that synthetic benchmarks like 3DMark don’t always translate directly to real-world gaming performance. For instance, the Arc A770 often outperforms the RTX 4060 in synthetic tests but delivers similar results in games at 1440p. Intel’s own marketing materials position the B580 as 10% faster than the RTX 4060, a far cry from the 31% boost observed in 3DMark. However, even with a more conservative performance edge, the B580’s pricing, feature set, and additional VRAM make it a strong competitor.
Intel Arc B580 release date, specs, and price are now confirmed
