Intel has officially launched its latest graphics card, the Arc A580, after delays in its release. The Arc A580 is based on the Alchemist ACM-G10 graphics processor and boasts 3072 stream processors and 8 GB of memory with a 256-bit interface. While the GPU has fewer stream processors than other models in the lineup, it offers the same features as the Alchemist architecture, including top-notch media playback capabilities and hardware acceleration for various video formats. The Arc A580 targets budget-conscious gamers looking for 1080p gaming experiences and aims to compete with AMD’s Radeon RX 6600 and NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 3050 cards.
Compared to its rivals, the Arc A580 stands out with its higher compute performance and significantly higher memory bandwidth, thanks to its wider memory bus. The increased memory bandwidth is a result of Intel’s decision to prioritize it over power consumption, making the Arc A580 more power-hungry than its competitors. However, with a graphics power rating of 185W, the Arc A580 still delivers strong performance. Graphics cards based on the Arc A580 GPU will be available from ASRock, Gunnir, and Sparkle, starting at $179, making it a more affordable option compared to the Radeon RX 6600 and GeForce RTX 3050.
Despite the Arc A580’s arrival, Intel’s higher-performing Arc A750 card remains available. The A750 can now be purchased for $189-$199, which could potentially affect the appeal of the new Arc A580. However, it is uncertain if the A750’s prices will remain at this level. Overall, Intel’s latest offering provides budget gamers with an attractive option for 1080p gaming, presenting strong competition to existing AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards in terms of compute performance and memory bandwidth.
