Since Intel debuted its new graphics card series in 2022, by the end of 2024, the company has released a fresh B-series graphics card lineup, continuing its efforts to compete with the two giants, NVIDIA and AMD, in the GPU market.
| How to Choose the Right Intel Arc Model |
InWe tel's Arc series is labeled using letters, with the first generation starting with "A" and the second generation beginning with "B." The products are divided into entry-level, mid-range, and high-end categories:
Entry-level GPU: Arc 3 series
Mainstream GPU: Arc 5 series
High-end GPU: Arc 7 series
Therefore, the Intel Arc B580 represents a second-generation mainstream-level graphics card from Intel.
| Performance of the New Intel Arc B580 |
The Intel Arc B580 is positioned to compete with the NVIDIA RTX 4060 and AMD RX 6750 GRE. Below are the test results.
Gaming Performance
In popular shooter game CS2, the Arc B580 performed slightly worse than the RTX 4060 by around 7% in frame rate. However, in the game Elden Ring, when played at 2K high settings, the Intel Arc B580 outperformed both NVIDIA and AMD cards.
↑ Frame Rate Performance in CS2 with the Latest Intel Arc B580: 142 FPS (Image Credit: Geek Bay)
↑ Frame Rate Performance in Elden Ring with the Latest Intel Arc B580: 99 FPS (Image Credit: Geek Bay)
Productivity Performance
Using DaVinci Resolve to export a 4K60fps video, the Intel Arc B580 completed the task in just 2 minutes and 21 seconds, nearly twice as fast as the AMD RX 6750 GRE, thanks to its AV1 hardware encoding technology.
| Is the Intel Arc Graphics Card Worth Buying? |
Here are the main advantages and challenges of the Intel Arc graphics card, which can help you decide if it's the right choice for you.
Advantages of the Intel Arc Graphics Card
Affordable Pricing
The Intel Arc graphics cards are competitively priced, offering better value for money compared to equivalent AMD and NVIDIA models.
We AV1 Hardware Encoding Support
The Intel Arc is one of the few graphics cards that support AV1 hardware encoding, making it especially suitable for content creators, particularly in fields that require high compression performance such as live streaming and video editing.
Ongoing Driver Updates
Intel is actively optimizing drivers, fixing compatibility issues, and enhancing performance. With each driver update, the performance in certain games even surpasses that of similar-level competitors.
Challenges Facing Intel Arc Graphics Cards
Driver Compatibility Issues
While drivers are improving, some games and software may still experience compatibility and stability issues compared to NVIDIA and AMD cards.
Market Maturity
As a new entrant in the GPU market, Intel faces a challenge in competing with NVIDIA and AMD, which have established strong footholds. Without compelling incentives, consumers may be reluctant to switch to Intel Arc graphics cards. If market share does not grow over time, Intel may eventually phase out its Arc series products.
