Is NVIDIA too expensive? Graphics cards with better quality/price ratio are planned by Intel

News JVTech Is NVIDIA too expensive? Graphics cards with better quality/price ratio are planned by Intel

A strategic alternative for Intel against NVIDIA

For several years, NVIDIA reigns supreme in the graphics card marketbut its pricing positioning remains often criticized, particularly in the intermediate and high-end ranges. It is in this context that Intel, with its new Battlemage graphics cards, intends to position itself as a serious competitor thanks to an aggressive quality/price ratio.

Two flagship models are on the way: the Intel Arc B570 and Arc B580whose technical characteristics have just been revealed. These cards, scheduled for an official announcement on December 3, 2024, will be tested by the specialized press from December 12 before their availability in stores on December 13. A bold strategy from Intel, which aims to get ahead of the excitement of CES 2025 to establish itself in the mid-range GPU market.

In terms of specifications, the B570 has 18 Xe2-Cores, clocked at 2.6 GHz, supported by 10 GB of GDDR6 video memory with a bandwidth of 380 GB/s. Its big sister, the B580, stands out with 20 Xe2-Cores at 2.8 GHz, 12 GB of GDDR6 and increased bandwidth to 456 GB/s. Both use the PCIe 4.0 x8 interface and require 8 PIN connectors for power.

The expected price of the B580, around 249 dollars (around 238 euros), places this card in a very attractive segment for players looking for solid performance without spending a fortune. As for the B570, its price remains unknown, but we can anticipate an even more competitive positioning.

ASRock, a major ally for the launch

ASRock's role in the marketing of these new cards is central. The brand will offer three versions from launch: the ASRock Arc B580 Steel Legend, Arc B580 Challenger and Arc B570 Challenger. The first leaks on these models made it possible to discover the detailed characteristics of the two main referencesconfirming their orientation towards gaming and AI calculations.

Despite their proximity in terms of range, notable differences distinguish the B570 from the B580. In addition to a slightly lower GPU frequency (2600 MHz versus 2800 MHz), the B570 has fewer Xe2 cores (18 versus 20) and a reduced memory bus (160 bits versus 192 bits). Another important distinction: the AI ​​calculation capacity, with 144 XMX Engines on the B570 compared to 160 for the B580. These technical choices reflect a clear segmentation between the two modelsallowing Intel to meet the expectations of different user profiles.

However, the new cards will not support PCIe 5.0, an absence which could limit their sustainability in the face of future standards. However, their PCIe 4.0 x8 compatibility remains adapted to the current needs of the consumer market.

With a planned launch date of December 13, 2024Intel is preparing to strike a big blow. By offering an attractive performance-price ratio, the Arc B570 and B580 could shake up a segment often neglected by NVIDIA. It remains to be seen whether these new GPUs will succeed in attracting gamers and creators, but one thing is certain: competition promises to be fierce.