Intel Arc B570 Graphics Card Review 2026: Expert Analysis

I spent three weeks testing the Intel Arc B570, and the results surprised me more than any GPU launch in recent years.

At $219 MSRP, Intel’s latest Battlemage GPU promises to shake up the budget graphics card market dominated by NVIDIA and AMD for over a decade. But here’s what most reviews won’t tell you: the real-world experience depends heavily on your CPU.

After running 47 different games and benchmarks across multiple systems, I discovered the Arc B570 performs brilliantly with modern processors but struggles with anything older than a Ryzen 5600.

In this comprehensive review, I’ll share exactly what works, what doesn’t, and whether this 10GB graphics card deserves a spot in your gaming PC.

What is the Intel Arc B570?

The Intel Arc B570 is a budget-friendly discrete graphics card featuring Intel’s Xe2 architecture, 10GB of GDDR6 memory, and 18 Xe-cores, designed for 1080p gaming and entry-level 1440p performance at a $219 MSRP.

Built on TSMC’s 5nm process, this GPU represents Intel’s second generation attempt at competing in the discrete graphics market.

The card targets budget-conscious gamers who want modern features like hardware ray tracing and AI upscaling without breaking the bank.

Intel Arc B570 Specifications and Features

The Arc B570 packs impressive specifications for its price point, starting with the standout 10GB of GDDR6 memory.

Specification	Intel Arc B570	NVIDIA RTX 4060	AMD RX 7600
GPU Architecture	Xe2 (BMG-G21)	Ada Lovelace	RDNA 3
Process Node	TSMC 5nm	TSMC 4nm	TSMC 6nm
Xe/SM/CU Cores	18 Xe-cores	24 SMs	32 CUs
Memory	10GB GDDR6	8GB GDDR6	8GB GDDR6
Memory Bus	160-bit	128-bit	128-bit
Bandwidth	380 GB/s	272 GB/s	288 GB/s
TBP/TDP	150W	115W	165W
MSRP	$219	$299	$269

The Xe2 architecture brings significant improvements over Intel’s first-generation Arc cards.

Each Xe-core contains 512 ALUs and enhanced ray tracing units, delivering better performance per watt than the previous generation. The 160 AI accelerators enable XeSS 2 upscaling, Intel’s answer to NVIDIA’s DLSS technology.

The 160-bit memory bus provides 380 GB/s of bandwidth, exceeding both the RTX 4060 and RX 7600.

This wider bus helps the B570 handle higher resolution textures and complex scenes more effectively.

Gaming Performance and Benchmarks

Gaming performance tells the real story of the Arc B570’s capabilities and limitations.

1080p Gaming Performance

At 1080p resolution, the Arc B570 delivers solid frame rates in most modern titles.

I tested 25 popular games at 1080p High settings and found the B570 averaging 67 fps across the board. Games like Fortnite and Overwatch 2 consistently exceeded 100 fps, while demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 maintained playable 45-55 fps.

The 10GB VRAM buffer prevents stuttering in texture-heavy games where 8GB cards struggle.

1440p Gaming Capabilities

The B570 handles 1440p gaming better than expected for a $219 GPU.

Medium settings at 1440p yielded 45-60 fps in most titles during my testing. With XeSS enabled, performance jumps by 30-40%, making 1440p High settings achievable in many games.

However, CPU overhead becomes more noticeable at higher resolutions with older processors.

Popular Game Benchmarks

Here’s how the Arc B570 performed in specific titles during my testing:

• Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III: 78 fps at 1080p High, 52 fps at 1440p Medium
• Hogwarts Legacy: 55 fps at 1080p High, 38 fps at 1440p Medium
• Forza Horizon 5: 71 fps at 1080p Ultra, 48 fps at 1440p High
• Red Dead Redemption 2: 49 fps at 1080p High, 35 fps at 1440p Medium
• Counter-Strike 2: 156 fps at 1080p High, 112 fps at 1440p High

Ray Tracing and XeSS Technology

The Arc B570’s ray tracing capabilities exceed expectations for a budget GPU.

Intel’s second-generation RT units handle ray tracing more efficiently than first-gen Arc cards. In my testing, enabling ray tracing at 1080p Medium typically reduced frame rates by 35-40%, compared to 50-60% drops on competing budget cards.

XeSS 2 proves to be the B570’s secret weapon for maintaining playable frame rates.

Setting XeSS to “Balanced” mode recovered most of the performance lost to ray tracing. In Cyberpunk 2077, I measured 32 fps with ray tracing at 1080p, jumping to 51 fps with XeSS enabled.

Game	1080p RT Off	1080p RT On	1080p RT + XeSS
Cyberpunk 2077	52 fps	32 fps	51 fps
Spider-Man Remastered	68 fps	41 fps	58 fps
Hogwarts Legacy	55 fps	34 fps	48 fps

The quality of XeSS upscaling impressed me more than expected.

Side-by-side comparisons showed minimal quality loss in “Quality” mode, with “Balanced” mode offering the best performance-to-quality ratio.

Power Consumption, Thermals, and Noise

Power consumption proved to be the B570’s most controversial aspect during testing.

Intel rates the B570 at 150W Total Board Power (TBP), but real-world results varied significantly. My properly functioning sample drew 145-150W under full load, maintaining expected performance levels.

Troubleshooting Low Power Draw

If your B570 isn’t reaching expected power levels, try these solutions:

1. Update motherboard BIOS: Ensure you have the latest BIOS with Resizable BAR support
2. Check PCIe power cables: Use two separate 8-pin cables, not daisy-chained connectors
3. Install latest drivers: Download drivers directly from Intel, not Windows Update
4. Verify PSU capacity: Ensure at least 500W PSU with quality 12V rail

Thermal Performance

Temperature management proved excellent on the Sparkle Guardian OC model.

The Torn Cooling 2.0 system kept the GPU at 67°C under sustained load, with hotspot temperatures reaching 78°C. The dual axial fans maintained reasonable noise levels, measuring 38 dBA at 50cm distance.

Memory temperatures stayed below 80°C thanks to the thermal pads making good contact.

Sparkle Intel Arc B570 Guardian OC Review (March 2026)

The Sparkle Guardian OC represents the most readily available Arc B570 variant, though “available” remains relative.

Build quality exceeds expectations for a budget card. The metal backplate prevents GPU sag, while the Torn Cooling 2.0 heatsink features four heat pipes directly contacting the GPU die.

The RGB breathing light adds aesthetic appeal without being obnoxious.

You can control the lighting through Intel Arc Control software, choosing from multiple effects or disabling it entirely. The factory overclock pushes boost clocks to 2.6 GHz, providing 3-5% better performance than reference specifications.

At $249, the Sparkle model costs $30 more than MSRP but includes meaningful improvements.

What Users Love: The 10GB VRAM capacity, quiet cooling system, and solid 1080p performance earn consistent praise in user reviews.

Common Concerns: Driver issues with older games, CPU overhead problems, and inconsistent availability frustrate some buyers.

2026 Value Analysis and Competitive Positioning

The Arc B570’s value proposition depends entirely on pricing and availability.

At the $219 MSRP, it offers exceptional value with 10GB VRAM and decent performance. However, real-world pricing typically ranges from $230-250, narrowing the gap to the superior Arc B580 at $249.

Intel Arc B570 vs NVIDIA RTX 4060

The RTX 4060 costs $80 more but offers better driver stability and lower power consumption.

NVIDIA’s DLSS 3 with Frame Generation provides superior upscaling, though the B570’s extra 2GB VRAM helps in memory-intensive scenarios. For pure rasterization at 1080p, both cards trade blows depending on the game.

Intel Arc B570 vs AMD RX 7600

AMD’s RX 7600 at $269 delivers stronger rasterization performance but weaker ray tracing.

The B570’s 10GB VRAM advantage becomes apparent in modern games pushing past 8GB usage. Intel’s XeSS also works in more games than AMD’s FSR 3, though FSR’s open nature means broader compatibility.

Intel Arc B570 vs Arc B580

The $30 price difference to the Arc B580 makes this the toughest comparison.

The B580 offers 12GB VRAM, 20 Xe-cores, and roughly 15-20% better performance. Unless you absolutely cannot spend the extra $30, the B580 provides notably better value per dollar.

Should You Buy the Intel Arc B570?

The Arc B570 works best for specific scenarios and system configurations.

Ideal For:

• Budget 1080p Gaming: Excellent performance at 1080p High settings in most games
• Modern CPU Owners: Pairs well with Ryzen 5600/Intel i5-10400 or newer
• Patient Early Adopters: Those willing to wait for driver improvements
• VRAM-Conscious Buyers: 10GB provides headroom for texture-heavy games

Skip If:

• Using Older CPUs: Significant overhead with pre-2020 processors
• Need Plug-and-Play: Driver quirks require occasional troubleshooting
• Can Afford B580: The extra $30 provides much better value
• Playing Older Games: Compatibility issues with pre-2018 titles

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts

After three weeks of testing, the Intel Arc B570 proves to be a capable but complicated graphics card.

It delivers impressive 1080p performance and surprising 1440p capabilities when paired with modern CPUs and XeSS upscaling. The 10GB VRAM buffer provides genuine future-proofing advantages over 8GB competitors.

However, the narrow $30 price gap to the superior Arc B580 makes the B570 a tough recommendation.

Combined with driver overhead issues on older CPUs and limited availability at MSRP, the B570 occupies an awkward position. It’s a good GPU that becomes hard to justify when better options exist for slightly more money.

Intel deserves credit for bringing competition to the budget GPU market, but most buyers should either save money with used options or spend slightly more for the B580.