Intel Arc B580 Review: Six Months Later - Is It Worth It?

Intel Arc B580 Performance and Pricing

• 💡 The Intel B580, initially priced at $250 MSRP, is now found between $320 and $420, while the RTX 3070 is available used for $260-$400 and the RX 6650 XT for $184-$250 used.
• 📊 In synthetic benchmarks like 3D Mark Steel Nomad, the B580 scored 2975, trailing the RTX 3070 (3057) but significantly outperforming the RX 6650 XT (1831).
• 🎮 Gaming tests across 18 titles showed the B580 averaging 59 FPS, the RX 6650 XT at 74 FPS (a 25% gain for B580), and the RTX 3070 at 84 FPS (a 13% gain over B580).
• 💰 The cost per frame at street pricing is $4.32 for the B580, $3.88 for the 6650 XT, and $3.58 for the 3070, indicating a less favorable value proposition for the B580 at current prices.

Driver Issues and Game Compatibility

• ⚠️ The B580 experienced driver issues, including screen flickering and blackouts, particularly on older systems, requiring DDU uninstalls and re-installs.
• 🚫 Halo Infinite has dropped support for Intel GPUs, rendering the B580 unable to run the game, and GTA 5 Enhanced Edition had connectivity issues.
• 🧩 The RTX 3070 struggled with Indiana Jones at higher settings due to VRAM constraints, while the 6650 XT could run it at low FPS.

B580 Advantages and Older System Performance

• 🚀 The B580 has 12GB of VRAM, which is beneficial for newer games, compared to the 8GB on the 3070 and 6650 XT.
• ⚡ The B580 runs cooler (55-60°C) and uses less power (140W) than the RTX 3070 (65-75°C, 190W), making it a more suitable upgrade for older systems with limited power supplies.
• 📉 Testing on an AM4 build with a Ryzen 5 2600 resulted in significant graphics issues and performance drops, with a Ryzen 5 3600 showing improvement but still encountering bugs and performance hits, especially in Passmark and gaming at lower resolutions.

Overall Value and Future Considerations

• 🤔 While the B580 offers a newer product with a warranty and more VRAM than the used 3070, its current street price makes it a harder justification compared to the value of the 3070.
• 🎯 The B580 does outperform the RX 6650 XT by a good margin, making it a potential option for those looking to move away from Nvidia on a budget, pending the release of the RX 960 XT.
• 📈 The B580's drivers are still in early stages, and while improvements are expected, specific game support might cease, as seen with Halo Infinite.