Intel announced Arc B580 and Arc B570 graphics cards based on the new generation Battlemage graphics architecture. These models attract attention with their affordable prices and advanced performance features. Arc B580 will be available for $250, and Arc B570 will be available for $220. These two new models stand out as the first products equipped with Intel’s second generation Xe2 graphics architecture and are in a competitive graphics card segment.
Arc B580 is equipped with 20 Xe2 cores and 12 GB GDDR6 VRAM. It offers a bandwidth of 456 GB/s thanks to the 192-bit memory bus. This model runs at 180W TDP and requires a single 8-pin PCIe power connector. The more affordable Arc B570 comes with 18 Xe2 cores and 10 GB GDDR6 VRAM. The TDP value of this model, which provides 380 GB/s bandwidth over the 160-bit memory bus, is 150W. Both cards are based on the same BMG-G21 chip, but their performance levels are separated by different configurations.
According to Intel’s own data, the Arc B580 performs 24 percent better at 1440p resolution than its predecessor, the Arc A750. In comparisons with the Nvidia RTX 4060, it is stated that the Arc B580 provides a 10 percent advantage and that, with its 12 GB VRAM capacity, it has a more powerful memory infrastructure than Nvidia’s RTX 4060 model, which offers 8 GB VRAM.
Intel’s new Xe2 graphics architecture offers significant improvements over the previous generation Alchemist series. Xe2 cores deliver 50 percent more performance per watt and 70 percent faster speeds at full load. This performance increase is possible thanks to the efficiency of the BMG-G21 chip, which contains 19.6 billion transistors. In addition, thanks to artificial intelligence engines called X Matrix Extensions (XMX), operations such as ray tracing are performed faster and more efficiently.
On the software side, Intel announced XeSS 2 technology. This software offers innovations such as frame generation and low latency mode, as well as super resolution (image upscaling) features. XeSS 2 is positioned as a rival to Nvidia’s DLSS and Reflex technologies. While the first game to offer XeSS 2 support was announced as F1 24, games such as Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Harry Potter: Quidditch Champions and RoboCop: Rogue City will also support this technology in a short time.
When will the new Intel Battlemage graphics cards be released?
Arc B580 will be released on December 13. This model will also have a “Limited Edition” version with dual fans. Arc B570 will meet users on January 16, 2024. Intel’s business partners such as Acer, ASRock, Gunnir, Maxsun, Onix and Sparkle plan to expand the Battlemage series and introduce more models to the market.