Intel's second-generation Arc graphics cards have launched, and the Arc B580 has quickly become a hit, thanks to its impressive price-to-performance ratio. This new $249 GPU has emerged as a champion in the budget graphics card market, offering a compelling alternative to the Nvidia RTX 4060 and AMD RX 7600.
High Demand and Restocks
The Intel Arc B580's popularity has led to rapid sell-outs at many retailers. Intel has stated that it is working hard to increase the supply, with weekly restocks of the Arc B580 Limited Edition graphics cards expected to continue.
“Demand for Arc B580 graphics cards is high and many retailers have sold through their initial inventory. We expect weekly inventory replenishments… and are working with partners to ensure a steady availability of choices in the market,” said Intel spokesperson Mark Anthony Ramirez to The Verge.
A Welcome Change for Intel
The success of the Arc B580 is a positive development for Intel, especially given recent challenges. The company experienced issues with its Raptor Lake and Raptor Lake Refresh chips and had to undergo significant layoffs after a $1.6 billion loss in August 2024.
Why the B580 is So Popular
The $249 launch price of the B580 is particularly attractive in the budget GPU segment. The card boasts 12 GB of VRAM, while its competitors, the RTX 4060 ($299) and RX 7600 ($269), only have 8GB of VRAM. Even the lower-priced B570 ($210) comes with 10GB of VRAM. Intel has also addressed early driver issues, offering a smoother user experience.
Furthermore, the Arc B580 has been shown to outperform its rivals in several game titles, providing a higher "bang for the buck" for budget-conscious gamers.
Competition on the Horizon
Intel cannot afford to become complacent. Both Nvidia and AMD are expected to launch new generations of their GPU lineups soon, with Nvidia's RTX 5000 series rumored for CES 2025 and AMD’s RDNA4 GPUs coming in early 2025. It will be interesting to see if Intel can maintain its lead as the budget GPU king in the face of this upcoming competition.
