The GPU market is primarily dominated by Nvidia and AMD, but Intel is also making efforts to establish itself as a key player. Known for its popular desktop processors, Intel has recently ventured into the GPU space with the launch of its new graphics card, the A580. Notably, the A580 is Intel's most affordable offering to date, targeting 1080p gaming with an impressive price point. Boasting 24 Xe cores, 24 ray tracing units, 8GB of VRAM, and a graphics clock speed of 1,700 MHz, the A580 delivers a promising performance. Additionally, its TDP of 185W is slightly lower than Intel's A750 and A770, and notably less than other high-end graphics cards on the market, positioning it as a respectable option.
Early reviews of this GPU indicate its ability to compete with the NVIDIA RTX 3050 and the AMD Radeon RX 6600. This is a positive outcome, as it positions the GPU as a strong contender in the budget category. However, it is important to note that these are previous-generation cards, and while NVIDIA and AMD will eventually release their replacements, it is worth considering the evolving market.
Fortunately, there are rumors that Intel will also introduce new GPUs in the near future. This is crucial for the company, as software improvements can only take you so far without the advancement of hardware. Intel's upcoming GPUs, codenamed Battlemage, are expected to launch next year, but we will have to wait for official confirmation.
You can purchase this GPU for just $180. Whether it's a worthwhile option is subjective. It is one of the most affordable modern GPUs available, but some RTX 3050 SKUs are priced similarly. The ASRock Challenger Arc A580 and SPARKLE Intel Arc 580 are currently accessible on Newegg, with other models expected to be released soon.