10 Reasons to Consider an Intel Arc GPU for Your Budget Build

As an avid PC gamer on a budget, choosing the right graphics card can be tricky. You want the best performance possible without breaking the bank. That’s where Intel’s new GPUs come in.

While they may be new to the discrete graphics card scene, Intel Arc offers compelling reasons to consider them for your next budget build. For your next entry-level build, the Arc GPU deserves a spot on your shortlist. It might just surprise you with its performance and bang for the buck.

In this blog post, I’ll explore 10 key reasons the Intel Arc GPU deserves a spot on your shortlist.

Table of Contents

Reason #1: Competitive Performance for the Price

Early benchmarks show Intel Arc delivering respectable frame rates that rival Nvidia’s RTX 3050 and AMD’s RX 6500 XT offerings at similar price points. For a budget build focused on 1080p gaming, the performance of the Arc A380 looks quite good. You shouldn’t expect cutting-edge ray tracing or 4K capabilities at this entry-level price segment. But for playing esports titles and older games at high settings, Arc holds its own. And that’s really all that matters on a strict budget!

Reason #2: XeSS Upscaling Tech Rivals (DLSS)

One way Arc aims to boost performance is through its XeSS image upscaling technology.

Similar to Nvidia’s DLSS, XeSS uses machine learning to render games at lower resolutions and then intelligently upscales them for sharp, high-res visuals.

Early results indicate XeSS delivers image quality on par with DLSS while using fewer GPU resources.

As more games add XeSS support, you can expect a nice framerate boost, helping your Arc GPU maximize performance given its hardware capabilities.

This next-gen technology alone is worth considering for your budget.

Reason #3: Excellent Power Efficiency

Since the release of the Intel arc, it has been optimized for low power consumption. Early reviews show the Arc A380 sipping just 60–80W of juice during gaming. That’s significantly less than competing cards from AMD and Nvidia, some of which demand over 150W! For small-form factor builds with lower power supplies or systems you don’t want to hear jet engines over, Arc’s efficiency could be a major advantage. Your electric bills will thank you too.

Reason #4: Compact Cooling Solutions

Intel worked hard to ensure Arc GPUs don’t require massive coolers that take up unnecessary space inside tight cases. The dual-fan Arc A380, for example, is a mere dual-slot design. Some competing cards span 2.5 or even 3 slots! With its focus on efficiency, Arc runs cool and quiet, even in mini-ITX cases. The lack of hot air exhaust also means lower interior temperatures for your other components. Compact yet capable cooling is a win for any budget build.

Reason #5: Support for Modern APIs and Features

Since the release of Intel Arc, it has supported all the latest graphics technologies, like DirectX 12 Ultimate, Vulkan 1.3, and OpenGL. You also get the latest feature set, like variable rate shading, mesh shaders and other goodies. This ensures Arc will be able to take full advantage of new games for years to come. It also means your budget won’t be left behind as titles progressively adopt newer graphics features. Long-term viability is important when working with limited budgets.

Reason #6: Wide Software Compatibility

While driver maturity is still a work in progress, Intel has been working hard to ensure Intel Arc works across a wide range of applications and games. Early adopters report a few compatibility issues outside of some newer titles. Popular esports games, emulators and older AAA games are running smoothly. Intel even backported Arc video decoding to older Windows versions like 7 and 8. Overall, the software experience looks on par or better than competing budget cards so far.

Reason #7: Accessible Purchase Options

Thanks to partnerships with major retailers, you shouldn’t have difficulty getting your hands on an Arc. Models are stocked and readily available, unlike some other GPUs still suffering stock shortages. You also get the option to purchase from major retailers rather than hoping for an online drop. Return policies help take the risk out of being an early Arc adopter. Overall availability makes the Arc GPU an attainable budget option right now.

Reason #8: FreeSync and Adaptive Sync Support

Both AMD and Nvidia GPUs offer their respective sync technologies, like FreeSync and G-Sync, to eliminate screen tearing with compatible monitors. But those G-Sync modules add $100+ to a monitor’s cost. Intel Arc plays nicely with standard VESA Adaptive Sync/FreeSync displays. So if you already have or plan to get a FreeSync monitor, Arc is a perfect pairing that won’t break the bank or require any premium hardware. Smooth gaming is assured, whether on a budget or not.

Reason #9: Oodles of Video Outputs

For a budget GPU, Arc offers a surprising number of video output options. You get HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4 for modern high-resolution and high refresh rate displays. There’s even a DVI-D port included for legacy monitors. Some competing cards in this price tier skimp on outputs. But Arc ensures your budget build can drive virtually any desktop display configuration. It also means the card retains good resale value down the road, as outputs don’t become obsolete as quickly.

Reason #10: Software Bundle Included

When purchasing select Intel Arc GPU models, Intel is bundling a suite of creative and productivity software. Things like Topaz Video Enhance AI, DALL-E 2 access and Anthropic driver tools are included for free. While not directly gaming-related, these bonuses add hundreds of dollars in value and provide creative new ways to enjoy your budget. Who knows? You may discover a new passion! And isn’t finding hidden value part of the low-budget PC joy?

In Summary

While Intel has some catching up to do driver-wise and needs to prove Arc’s long-term commitment, there’s no denying that this new GPU family offers compelling reasons for budget builders to consider. Competitive performance, cool and power-efficient design, software optimization and accessible pricing make Arc a very viable option. As more titles implement XeSS and developers optimize further, Arc will only improve.