Intel is planning to take on AMD and NVIDIA in the budget GPU segment with its newly announced Arc B580 and B570 Battlemage graphics cards. Priced at $249 and $219, respectively (roughly Rs 21,100 and Rs 18,550 as of writing this piece), these GPUs aim to deliver solid performance at a competitive price.
Set to launch on December 13 and January 16, the cards represent Intel’s latest attempt to carve out a space in the desktop GPU market.
Intel’s second-generation Xe2 “Battlemage” architecture, also present in its Lunar Lake laptop chips, serves as the foundation for these cards. However, the desktop versions pack more punch with increased cores, more video memory, and higher power consumption.
Intel claims these GPUs offer the best performance per dollar in the midrange market and will be tough competition for NVIDIA’s RTX 4060 and AMD’s RX 7600. However, note that AMD is about to announce its RX 8000 series, while NVIDIA is about to release its RTX 5000 series GPUs.
B580 vs. B570: Key Differences
Despite sharing the same BMG-G21 chip, the specifications of both GPUs differ slightly. The Arc B580 boasts 20 Xe2 cores, 12GB of VRAM, and a 192-bit memory bus for 456GB/s bandwidth, while the B570 features 18 Xe2 cores, 10GB of VRAM, and a 160-bit bus offering 380GB/s bandwidth.
Meanwhile, the B570 has a lower TDP of 150W compared to the B580’s 180W, making it slightly more power-efficient. Both cards use a single 8-pin connector, making them easier to integrate into existing systems.
When paired with a high-end CPU like Intel’s Core i9-14900K and with ReBar enabled, Intel claims the B580 outperforms the NVIDIA RTX 4060 by about 10 percent in performance at 1440p with ultra settings. However, it is very unlikely that anyone would pair an RTX 4060 or Arc B850 with a 14900K.
The B580 can reportedly achieve over 60 fps in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Hogwarts Legacy. Meanwhile, the B570 provides a cost-effective option for gamers seeking decent performance without exceeding their budget.
Battlemage architecture: efficiency and features
Intel’s Xe2 architecture brings notable improvements, including a 70 percent boost in performance per core and a 50 percent improvement in power efficiency compared to its first-gen Alchemist GPUs. The new X Matrix Extensions (XMX) AI engines enable faster ray tracing and enhanced gaming visuals.
Intel has also upgraded its XeSS technology, a competitor to NVIDIA’s DLSS and AMD’s FSR. The new XeSS 2 introduces frame generation to boost frame rates and a low-latency mode to minimize input lag. These updates aim to make gaming smoother and more immersive. The first game to support XeSS 2 will be F1 24, with other titles like Assassin’s Creed: Shadows and Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions following soon.
An outlook for the future
NVIDIA and AMD dominate a challenging market, despite the promise of the Battlemage GPUs. Intel has priced its cards very aggressively and included features like higher VRAM, but the GPU market’s rapid price adjustments could erode its edge.
Adding to the uncertainty is Intel’s shaky commitment to its discrete GPU business. Recent comments from former CEO Pat Gelsinger hinted at potential cuts to the division, casting doubt on future product releases. Despite these challenges, Intel’s Arc line of GPUs can prove to be crucial for mid-range gamers, especially considering how AMD and NVIDIA have treated the segment for years now.
As partners such as Acer, Asrock, and Gunnir prepare to release their versions of the cards, Intel is poised to establish its presence in the midrange GPU market. Whether the Battlemage series becomes a stepping stone for Intel’s GPU ambitions or a swan song remains to be seen.
