Intel stepped into the GPU space with its Arc lineup of graphics cards that offer great value at the low to mid-tier of gaming performance. While they will not beat out the mid to high-endperformance beasts from Nvidiaor AMD, the Intel Arc GPUs are capable of delivering an excellent 1080p and 1440p gaming experience, depending, of course, on the game and some other factors. Plus, they don’t cost an arm and a leg. However, you will have to make some major compromises, if you want toplay at 4K.
The Intel Arc lineup, similar to its CPU offerings, includes three main categories; Intel Arc 7, Arc 5, and Arc 3. As the names suggest, the Intel Arc 7 platform is the most powerful, followed by Arc 5 and then Arc 3. The Arc 7 series includes the A770 and the A750. The Arc A580 is the only GPU in the Arc 5, while the Arc 3 series includes the A380 and A310. Intel is targeting 1080p gaming at medium settings for the Arc A380, while the Arc A580 is geared towards a better 1080p experience.
ASRock Phantom Gaming Intel Arc A770
Game Rant’s Picks for the Best Intel Arc GPUs for Gaming on a Budget
ASRock and SPARKLE are the two major manufacturers of Intel Arc-based GPUs with the widest assortment on the market.
ASRock Intel Arc A750 Challenger D 8GB OC
The ASRock Intel Arc A750 Challenger D 8GB OC is a great value GPU offering that can deliver 1440p gameplay in modern titles at over 60 FPS. It comes with 8GB VRAM and higher than reference clock speeds of 2200 MHz. The GPU is cooled by a dual-fan cooling system that includes striped fans for improved airflow and heat dissipation.
The Intel Arc A750 is a highly affordable, yet efficient GPU that targets1440p gamingat high settings. This makes the ASRock Intel Arc A750 Challenger D 8GB OC the best overall budget GPU in the Intel Arc lineup. Compared to the reference card from Intel, the ASRock offering comes with a much higher GPU clock speed of 2200 MHz and a much moreefficient cooling systemon top. It comes with 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM, which should be enough for most AAA games.
The ASRock Intel Arc A750 Challenger D 8GB OC features the company’s Striped Axial fan cooling system that includes two fans that have grooves or stripes that help with improving airflow to the GPU. They also remain inactive till the GPU reaches a certain load which allows for quiet operation. You also get a metal backplate with this very affordable GPU and the assurance of high-quality components being used in its construction.
In terms of real-world gaming performance, you can get over 60 FPS at 1440p high settings in games likeRed Dead Redemption 2andCyberpunk 2077with the help of Intel’s AI-enhanced XeSS upscaling technology which works similar to Nvidia’s DLSS and AMD’s FSR. With XeSS turned on, you can get a smoother and more enjoyable gaming experience in these heavy AAA titles, but for anything less demanding, the ASRock Intel Arc A750 Challenger D 8GB OC will not break a sweat.
ASRock Intel Arc A380
ASRock Intel Arc A380 is a low-profile GPU that takes very little space inside the chassis but boasts an effective cooling solution, packed with two small fans. The ARC A380 is an entry-level GPU aimed at providing a satisfactory gaming experience on medium settings. Its sub-$150 price tag allows users to build a gaming build costing $300-$500.
The Intel Arc A300 series of GPUs are entry-level offerings that will not plow through the modern heavy titles at 1440p, even though it is still capable of running them. Targeting 1080p gaming at medium settings, the ASRock Intel Arc A380 Low Profile 6GB is a cheap and compact GPU that can fit in pretty much any build. It comes with a dual-fan cooling system despite its compact size, but there are only two connectivity options, one of the compromises that comes with this GPU.
With a clock speed of 2000 MHz, it does not edge out the reference model like the other cards, but it offers better cooling. You get 6GB of GDDR6 VRAM and that is low for modern standards, but for a lot of casual games, it is plenty. Those who are looking into this cheap GPU will know that gaming at 1440p or 4K is not a possibility. Even at 1080p, you may have to make some compromises on the settings depending on the game.Intel says 1080p resolutionand medium game settings are the sweet spots for this GPU.
This GPU measures just 169x69mm and is 39mm thick. While you don’t get a fancy backplate with this GPU, it does come with a dual-fan cooling system that has 0dB silent operation. The fans are much smaller than the ones on a regular sized GPU cooler. For connectivity, there are only two ports: an HDMI 2.0b and a DisplayPort 2.0 with DSC.
SPARKLE Intel Arc A580 ORC OC Edition
The SPARKLE Intel Arc A580 ORC OC Edition is the middle-of-the-pack offering in the Intel Arc portfolio with the target of 1080p gaming at high settngs. It is a budget frinedly offering that comes wth 8GB VRAM and 2000 MHz clock speed. The cooling is handled by a dual-fan cooling system, but this GPU is fairly slim at just 2.2 slots. There are three DisplayPort 2.0 ports and one HDMI 2.0 port for connecting multiple displays simultaneously.
With the Intel Arc A580 GPU, the company is targeting “smooth 1080p” gaming and while that may seem vague, this GPU essentially offers top-tier 1080p performance, so you would be able to turn the settings up higher, more than you would be able to on the A380, but still get a 60 FPS or higher experience. With some clever tweaking and assistance from XeSS, you may be able to hit 1440p 60 FPS in some less demanding titles.
In terms of specifications, the SPARKLE Intel Arc A580 ORC OC Edition comes with a significantly higher clock speed of 2000 MHz compared to the 1700 MHz of the reference card. You get 8GB GDDR6 VRAM and a dual-fan cooling system. Thanks to the high clock speed and more efficient cooling, you may push this GPU further and make it somewhat easier to hit 1440p. It is also a slim GPU, taking only 2.2 slots, but it is not the most compact, so make sure the length is compatible with your case.
For well below $200, you get solid 1080p performance, a stylish looking blue GPU, ample connectivity options, and support for the latest Intel technologies. Speaking of connectivity, there are three DisplayPort 2.0 ports and one HDMI 2.0b port. It should be noted that even the much more expensive GPUs from Nvidia do not have DisplayPort 2.0 or higher ports.
The SPARKLE Intel Arc A580 ORC OC Edition is also using the same TORN cooling system, but with only two fans this time. It also retains the ThermalSync tech for easier temperature monitoring.
SPARKLE Intel Arc A770 TITAN OC Edition
The SPARKLE Intel Arc A770 TITAN OC Edition is a top-tier Intel Arc GPU that can deliver solid 1440p gaming at high settings. The GPU comes with a triple-fan cooling system, 16GB VRAM, and 2300 MHz boost clock speed. There is a ThermalSync light bar that changes color based on the temperature of the GPU. It also comes with a metal backplate and a support bracket to prevent sag.
While the SPARKLE Intel Arc A770 TITAN OC Edition holds the badge for the best high-end Intel Arc GPU, it is still a very affordable option compared to the competition. There are two versions of the Arc A770: one with 8GB VRAM and the other with 16GB. The SPARKLE Intel Arc A770 TITAN OC Edition offers 16GB VRAM, and it is more than enough for all modern games. Intel targets 1440p gaming at high settings with both the 8GB and 16GB variants.
Compared to the reference model, the SPARKLE Intel Arc A770 TITAN OC Edition has a 200 MHz higher clock speed at 2300 MHz. It also gets a solid TORN cooling system that consists of three fans which, like the ASRock Intel Arc A750 Challenger D 8GB OC, come with stripes for better airflow to the GPU. The three fans also have a 0dB operation mode wherein the fans only turn on under a certain load.
Furthermore, Sparkle has implemented what it calls ThermalSync design that includes a patented heatsink design and an extra thermal sensor. This allows the lightbar to change colors according to the temperature of the GPU, helping to boost the cooling efficiency while also making it easier for gamers to monitor.
This is the best Intel Arc GPU on the market, and you can expect over 60 FPS at 1440p with high settings in heavy games, with XeSS turned on.
SPARKLE Intel Arc A750 ROC Luna OC Edition
The SPARKLE Intel Arc A750 ROC Luna OC Edition is a mid-tier GPU that delivers solid performance for the price. It comes with 8GB VRAM and a boost clock speed of 2200MHz. Being the Luna edition, it has a white faceplate and a rounded design. It is fairly compact, taking 2.5 slots inside the case. It also has a white metal backplate adding to the rigidity and the aesthetics.
A lot of gaming setups are builtaround a white aestheticbut, unfortunately, there aren’t too many affordable white GPUs on the market. Thankfully, Intel Arc fans can rejoice as Sparkle makes white versions of the Intel Arc A750 and the Arc A770. The SPARKLE Intel Arc A750 ROC Luna OC Edition is a unique, stylish looking graphics card that takes a rounded edges approach as opposed to the brick shape of other GPUs.
Available at under $250, the SPARKLE Intel Arc A750 ROC Luna OC Edition comes with a boost clock speed of 2200 MHz, 8GB GDDR6 VRAM, and a dual-fan cooling system. Sparkle has opted to use larger fans with the Luna OC Edition and there are two 100mm dual-ball bearing fans that have a 0dB operation mode. With this efficient cooling system, the GPU can be pushed further than stock with the right amount of supplied power.
In terms of performance, you can expect similar output to the ASRock Intel Arc A750 Challenger D 8GB OC, but in a much more stylish way. The SPARKLE Intel Arc A750 ROC Luna OC Edition features a white backplate to match the white front faceplate. The GPU takes 2.5 slots and can be powered by two 8-pin connectors and demands 225W, which should be fairly easy to supply. It is recommended to use with a 650W PSU, butyour PSU output will varydepending on the rest of the components.
The Phantom Gaming Intel Arc A770 from ASRock is the best Intel GPU on the market, and it brings the latest and greatest of Intel’s technology to the world of gaming. It boasts 2200 MHz clock speeds, 16 GB GDDR6 VRAM, and support for Intel’s XeSS Ai upscaling. The GPU is also a budget-friendly offering that can deliver impressive performance at 1440p resolution.
Most of the GPU offerings in the Intel Arc A series do not have any RGB lighting on the face, which makes the ASRock Intel Arc A770 Phantom Gaming D 8GB OC the best Intel GPU with RGB lighting and the best looking for a vertical mount setup. It is a beefy graphics card with a triple-fan cooling system and plenty of graphical performance. You get 16GB of VRAM and 2200 MHz clock speeds out of the box.
The graphics card features the company’s Phantom Gaming 3X Cooling System that includes three fans with the middle one being RGB backlit. There is alsoRGB lightingon top, where the logo is, and it can all be controlled through the Polychrome SYNC software. This means, no matter the orientation inside the case, you will be able to see some RGB lighting effects. The three fans push air efficiently on to the high-density heatsink, while the perforated metal backplate allows for easy heat dissipation.
For connectivity, you get three DisplayPort 2.0 ports and one HDMI 2.1 port. The ASRock Intel Arc A770 Phantom Gaming D 8GB OC requires almost three slots inside any case, and you need to have at least a 700W PSU to ensure you are supplying sufficient power to the GPU. In terms of gaming performance, expect similar output to the SPARKLE Intel Arc A770 TITAN OC Edition in most games. This means you can push 1440p at high settings and still get over 60 FPS with XeSS turned on.
How to Find the Best Intel Arc GPU for Gaming
Even the most expensive Intel Arc GPU offering is cheaper than the mid-tier GPUs from Nvidia, so budget shoppers can easily find something that will work for them. However, there are a few other factors to consider:
Resolution and FPS
With the Intel Arc GPUs, you will need to temper your expectations as they are not capable of pushing the highest resolutions and highest possible FPS. None of the GPUs in the portfolio can deliver a decent 4K gaming experience, and you will be limited to 1440p. While some games will allow you to max out the settings at 1440p, others may require turning down some of the settings in order to stay above the 60 FPS threshold. The ASRock Intel Arc A750 Challenger D 8GB OC or the SPARKLE Intel Arc A770 TITAN OC Edition are your best bets for 1440p gaming.
XeSS Compatibility
XeSS is Intel’s super sampling technology but not all games support it. There are over 100 games that are XeSS enabled, but there still may be some that are missing from the list that you want to play. That being said, you may not need XeSS at all for some of the more casual games, but it’s good to know that Intel is actively working with developers to expand compatibility.
Intel CPU + GPU Benefits
Intel Core processors and Intel Arc GPUs can be used together to get some additional benefits. Intel’s Deep Link Technology includes features like Dynamic Power Share which intelligently delivers power to the CPU and GPU for optimal performance. Intel says this can give up to 30% more performance in compute intensive applications. Some other features include Stream Assist, Hyper Encode, and Hyper Compute.
FAQ
Q: Does Intel Arc support multi-GPU?
While Arc does not support a GPU-to-GPU connection, with Intel Deep Link Technology (Intel Core CPU + Intel Arc GPU), you may make use of improved performance from multiple GPUs.
Q: Is Intel Arc better than Iris Xe?
Yes, Intel Arc GPUs are better than Iris Xe GPUs, as they can deliver about double the performance.
