Intel Arc B580 vs Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060: A Budget GPU Review

Intel Arc B580 vs Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060: A Budget GPU Review

In a fascinating turn of events, Intel's second venture into the discrete GPU market with the Arc B580 has positioned itself as a direct competitor to Nvidia's RTX 3060.

Intel Arc B580 12GB Sale on Amazon

This review pits these two cards against each other, focusing on performance, features, and value.

Performance Overview:

• Synthetic Benchmarks:

  • 3DMark Time Spy:

    • Intel Arc B580: Scores an impressive 15,551, with a graphics score of 14,719, slightly edging out the RTX 3060, which typically scores around 14,492. This indicates Intel's GPU can hold its own in synthetic workloads.

• Gaming Performance:

  • 1080p Gaming:

    • In "Cyberpunk 2077" without ray tracing, the B580 averages around 90 FPS, compared to the RTX 3060's 80 FPS, showing a 13% performance advantage.

    • With ray tracing engaged in games like "Control," the B580 delivers about 44 FPS at 1080p, while the RTX 3060 manages 48 FPS, highlighting Nvidia's slight edge in ray tracing performance.

  • 1440p Gaming:

    • The B580 performs respectably, achieving 63 FPS in "Cyberpunk 2077" at 1440p, compared to the RTX 3060's 54 FPS, suggesting better scaling for higher resolutions.

Benchmark Details:

Note: FPS numbers are approximate based on available data and specific test conditions.

Features and Technology:

• Intel Arc B580:

  • XeSS 2: Intel's AI upscaling technology akin to Nvidia's DLSS, aiming to improve performance and image quality in supported games.

  • Ray Tracing: Supports ray tracing but with less efficiency compared to Nvidia's RTX series due to architectural differences.

• Nvidia RTX 3060:

  • DLSS: A more mature upscaling solution, offering significant performance boosts in numerous games.

  • Ray Tracing: Provides better ray tracing performance due to dedicated RT cores, although the B580 is catching up.

Power Efficiency and Cooling:

• B580: With a TDP of 190W, the Arc B580 consumes more power than the RTX 3060's 170W, though this is balanced by competitive performance. Cooling solutions vary, with some models offering quieter operation.

• RTX 3060: Generally runs cooler and more efficiently, leveraging Nvidia's Ampere architecture for better power management.

Value for Money:

• The B580 is priced at an attractive $249, undercutting the RTX 3060, which retails at around $330. This price difference makes the B580 a compelling choice for budget-conscious gamers looking for performance without breaking the bank.

Conclusion:

The Intel Arc B580 delivers a surprising amount of performance for its price, making it an excellent alternative to the RTX 3060, especially for those prioritizing 1440p gaming or needing more VRAM with its 12GB capacity. While the RTX 3060 has its advantages in ray tracing and upscaling technology, the B580's value proposition is hard to ignore. For gamers looking to upgrade without spending much, the B580 offers a fresh, competitive option in the mid-range GPU market.