Intel’s upcoming Arc B580 GPUs, based on the new Xe2 "Battlemage" architecture, have recently been leaked, and they appear to be quite impressive.
Intel Arc B580 "Battlemage" Prepares for Launch with First Custom Models Boasting 12 GB Memory & Up to 2.8 GHz Speeds
We’re getting a glimpse of Intel’s next-generation initiative through the leaked details of the first two Arc B580 "Battlemage" graphics cards. These cards are built on the Xe2 architecture and are targeting mainstream gamers, a realm where AMD and NVIDIA are also keenly competing with their own next-gen releases. Intel entering the gaming arena first in this category could shake things up considerably.
Focusing on the leaked models, we have the ASRock Intel Arc B580 Steel Legend OC and the ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger OC. Both of these custom cards are crafted on Intel’s B580 platform, which is expected to be part of a broader range of Battlemage B-series products that Intel is unveiling soon. These models sport an OC configuration, indicating they don’t utilize reference designs for PCBs or clock speeds.
The key features include:
- 12GB 192-bit GDDR6
- Intel Xe2-HPG Architecture
- Intel Xe Super Sampling (Intel XeSS)
- Intel Xe Matrix Extensions (Intel XMX)
- Triple Fan Design
- 2x 8-pin Power Connectors
The ASRock Intel Arc B580 Steel Legend OC stands out with its triple-fan cooler and a sizable 2.5-slot shroud, measuring 15.71×8.43×3.82 inches. It’s a hefty graphics card, boasting a factory overclock reaching 2800 MHz. Dual 8-pin connectors feed power to this graphics card, and a smart cut-out design at the back allows for efficient hot air exhaust.
The Intel Arc B580 Challenger OC, on the other hand, uses a dual-slot dual-fan cooling setup with a similar airflow-friendly design. It uses a single 8-pin connector and is compatible with a 650W power supply. The Challenger OC’s dimensions come in at 14.17×8.54×2.52 inches.
Both of these new cards pack a punch with 12 GB of VRAM and a 19 Gbps/192-bit configuration, offering 456 GB/s of bandwidth. This is slightly less than the Arc A580’s bandwidth due to its slower 16 Gbps memory but with a 256-bit bus and 8 GB VRAM. The power behind these cards is the Battlemage BMG-G21 GPU core sporting 20 Xe2 cores. With improvements to IPC, architecture, and RT units, they promise significant performance enhancements over the Arc A-series.
While both cards are shown on Amazon, the pricing is still under wraps. The Arc A580 entered the market at an enticing $179, but early hurdles with drivers and game support tarnished the debut for Intel’s initial GPUs.
This time around, Intel seems committed to refining its approach with better driver support and aims not to repeat past missteps made with the Alchemist line. If Battlemage steps into the market with a similar pricing strategy backed by superior driver support, it could mark a strong start for Intel’s ambitions in the GPU sector. Keep an eye out for further updates on this next wave of Arc graphics cards.
(Source: @RepsUp100)
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