Intel Arc B580 “Battlemage”: Geekbench results confirm specifications of the Xe2 GPU

The Intel Arc B580, an upcoming graphics card in the “Battlemage” series, has been spotted again on Geekbench. The entry confirms technical details of the GPU, which is based on the Xe2 architecture. The card has 12 GB of GDDR6 memory, 20 Xe2 cores and a maximum clock frequency of 2.85 GHz.

The Geekbench entry shows that the Arc B580 is based on the further developed Xe2 architecture. The GPU comprises 160 compute units, which correspond to 20 Xe2 cores. Compared to its predecessor, there are four fewer cores, but this could be offset by architectural improvements. It remains to be seen how these changes will affect real-world performance and the card will be equipped with 12 GB GDDR6 VRAM and a 192-bit memory interface. This represents an expansion of the memory by 4 GB, but at the same time the memory bandwidth is slightly reduced due to the narrower bus. The additional memory should be particularly advantageous for 1080p resolutions, an area that Intel is obviously targeting.

The maximum boost clock frequency is specified as 2.85 GHz. It is possible that third-party models (AIBs) may slightly exceed this value, depending on the specific cooling solutions and designs. In the test configuration with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and a Gigabyte Z890 AORUS Master, the GPU achieved 78,743 points in the OpenCL benchmark. This value is not a definitive statement on performance, as Geekbench requires several runs for a more comprehensive evaluation. OpenCL is also an older API that is not optimally adapted to the Xe2 architecture. Intel optimizes its Battlemage GPUs for modern APIs such as DirectX 12 Ultimate and Vulkan, so the actual performance in other applications could be better.

Previous leaks have revealed that ASRock is planning at least two models of the Arc B580. The Steel Legend version features a triple-fan design, RGB lighting and two 8-pin connectors. A Challenger version with a dual-fan design and a single 8-pin connector has also been spotted. Both designs address different segments of the market.Intel has not yet announced any official details on the release of the Battlemage GPUs. However, according to reports, the launch could take place in a few weeks. It is unclear how many models Intel will offer in the Battlemage series, but the repeated leaks and sightings of the Arc B580 indicate an imminent launch.

The Arc B580 is expected to be positioned in the mid-range performance segment. Its specifications suggest that it is aimed at users who require moderate gaming and graphics performance. With a solid foundation in the Xe2 architecture and 12 GB of VRAM, it could be an interesting option for systems with a focus on 1080p resolution. Intel has continued the development of its GPU line with the Xe2 architecture and the Battlemage series. The Arc B580 is one of the first models to give a more concrete insight into the upcoming generation. Whether this development will significantly influence Intel’s position in the GPU market remains to be seen.

Source: Geekbench, GaworskiT