The Intel Arc B580 is the first of the two Battlemage GPUs, and it delivered on Intel’s claim to offer better performance than the competition at a much lower cost, disrupting the budget and mid-range GPU market segment.
As with all graphics cards, you’ll want to make sure you’re pairing it with the right CPU to make the most out of it. The big question is, which CPU will be best for the B580? To select our options, we used our team’s knowledge and expertise to select processors we thought would work well with the card, but we didn’t stop there.
We only recommend CPUs that we’ve tested and reviewed in-house, meaning we’re aware of their real-world performance. Since the B580 targets 1080p and 1440p, you won’t see overkill pairings, and all of our recommended processors are mid-range options that offer excellent value and performance.
So, if you’re wondering where to buy the B580 or the upcoming B570, we’ve got you covered. In addition, since Intel compared the B580 against the RTX 4060, we tried that as well, and the results were massively in B580’s favor. That being said, without wasting another moment, let’s get right to it.
Products at a glance
- Best CPU for Intel Arc B580
Intel Core Ultra 7 265K
- Best AMD CPU for Intel Arc B580
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X
- Cores: 8
- Threads: 16
- Boost clock speed: 5.5 GHz
- Base clock speed: 3.8 GHz
- L3 Cache: 32 MB
- TDP: 65 W
- Best gaming CPU for Intel Arc B580
AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D
- Cores: 8
- Threads: 16
- Boost clock speed: 5.2GHz
- Base clock speed: 4.7GHz
- L3 cache: 96MB
- TDP: 120W
How we picked
To pick the best CPU for the B580, we considered factors like the brand, architecture, cores, threads, base and boost frequencies, and other important factors. This helped us filter our options and also gave us an idea of which CPU and GPU pairing would be the closest to ideal.
However, we take a more hands-on approach by thoroughly testing the CPUs in-house for synthetic and real-world performance. If you’re interested in learning how we select and review products, visit our PC Guide Testing Lab, which will show the process in detail.
Our top picks
- Cores: 20 (8P/12E)
- Threads: 20
- Boost clock speed: 5.5GHz
- Base clock speed: 3.9GHz P-core/3.3GHz E-core
- L3 cache: 30MB
- TDP: 125W base/250W max
- Platform: LGA 1851 (Arrow Lake)
- Strong multi-core performance against 9700X
- More cost effective for Multi-threaded workloads
- Pretty much on par with the 9900X (multi-core performance)
- Gaming performance leaves much to be desired
- No generational improvement in many scenarios such as gaming
- LGA 1851 motherboards are expensive
We think the best CPU to pair with the Intel Arc B580 is the Core Ultra 7 265K. Both target the mid-range segment and should result in a good all-Intel build. While the Arrow Lake processors didn’t make the impact Intel hoped for, they have great multi-core and good single-core performance.
We’ve reviewed the Core Ultra 7 265K in-house, and while its siblings weren’t able to compete against the competition in gaming performance, the 265K outperformed the Ryzen 7 9700X by a significant margin. This was also the case for multi-core performance, which means the Core Ultra 265K can hold its own in gaming and productivity.
This processor is powered by 20 cores, divided between 8 Performance and 12 Efficient cores, and has 20 threads. This is a new change from Intel, reducing the number of threads. However, the Arrow Lake architecture seems to have worked, and even with fewer threads, the 15th-gen processors outperformed the competition and predecessors.
The new Core Ultra from Intel gives you a starting ground for a new platform with many years of support, which will give you a great platform for years. Plus, the 265K is the perfect middle ground in the lineup, balancing cores, price, and performance. It will likely match the B580 in its ability to run 1440p without throttling.
Sebastian Kozlowski, PC Guide
That being said, it has base clock speeds of 3.3 GHz for the E-cores and 3.9 GHz for the P-cores. Its boost clock is 5.5 GHz, which means that at max, it can handle 5.5 billion instructions per clock cycle if you haven’t overclocked it.
So, paired with the Intel Arc B580, it should have great performance. Even if you’re playing at lower resolutions, it should be able to keep up with the GPU, resulting in a smooth and stutter-free gaming experience.
We tested its in-game performance by running Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p low resolution to make it more CPU intensive, and it breezed through without breaking a sweat. Paired with an RTX 4070 Ti, it managed 240 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077, while the 9700X delivered 191.4 FPS.
So, this is a solid CPU for gaming and work, and based on the LGA 1851 platform, you’ll have plenty of CPUs to upgrade to in the future, making it a good long-term investment.
What users say
According to Amazon reviews, this processor performs great and efficiently. One user stated: “Processor is extremely efficient. My build runs extremely low temps allowing me to overclock with ease.I highly recommend the core ultra 9 for over clockers, but this 7 is perfect for standard tasks and even gaming. I am getting around 36K cinnebench multi core scores out the box!!”
- It is very efficient
- Strong Single-core performance
- Low power usage
- Just barely better than the 7700X
- More expensive than a 7800X3D
- No boxed cooler despite low TDP
If you’re looking for CPU options from AMD, we recommend the Ryzen 7 9700X. The Ryzen 9000 processors didn’t have a great launch either, especially the 9600X and the 9700X, due to their low TDPs. However, they’ve come a long way with the changes to the TDP, and we’ve reviewed the Ryzen 7 9700X in-house; it showcased good gaming and synthetic performance, making it a well-rounded CPU.
This is an 8-core and 16-thread processor with base and boost clock speeds of 3.8 and 5.5 GHz, respectively. Unlike Intel, AMD didn’t implement the hybrid architecture, and all the cores in its processors work equally, whether for gaming or work. However, if the task at hand doesn’t require heavy processing, then only fewer cores kick in, resulting in better efficiency.
AMD’s 9000 series may have had a rocky start, but with improvements and changes, it offers a good option for the AM5 platform. With a better value pick for cores and performance, it compliments the B580 well in what it can do, something the 9600X might struggle with. But those few extra cores can help with its potential.
Sebastian Kozlowski, PC Guide
It has better single-core performance than the Core Ultra 7 265K, and when we tested it in-house by pairing it with the RTX 4070 Ti, it managed 325 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 and 240 FPS in Days Gone. Both of these titles were running at 1080p low, so this output is pretty impressive.
That being said, the Ryzen 7 9700X is only compatible with DDR5 RAM and requires an AM5 motherboard, so it’ll also be an expensive upgrade like the Core Ultra 7 265K; however, the AM5 platform is supported until 2027, meaning you’ll have plenty of options to upgrade to in the future.
So, taking all of its results into consideration, we think this is a great CPU to use with the Intel Arc B580, especially if you’re targeting 1440p or 1080p.
What users say
According to Amazon reviews, the Ryzen 7 9700X has great performance and efficiency and runs cool. One reviewer said: “A big improvement in performance in my new build compared to my previous 5600X. Overclocks easily and runs cool (while using a budget liquid cooling system) even while stress testing at max.”
- Cores: 8
- Threads: 16
- Boost clock speed: 5.2GHz
- Base clock speed: 4.7GHz
- L3 cache: 96MB
- TDP: 120W
- Platform: AM5
- Incredible gaming performance
- Now capable of being overclocked
- Great power efficiency
- Still falls behind in some multi-core tasks
- Priced nearly as much as Ryzen 9 CPU
- Multi-core performance of “X” processors is still better
If you’re looking for the best gaming performance, there is only one CPU to pair with the Intel Arc B580: the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. Succeeding the Ryzen 7 7800X3D as the best gaming processor, it got a 5/5 rating and an outstanding award from us in our 9800X3D review.
This processor has 8 cores, 16 threads, a base clock speed of 4.7 GHz, a boost clock speed of 5.2 GHz, and a 120W TDP. However, what gives it its gaming performance is the 96MB L3 cache that is mounted beneath the CCD for better thermal management while delivering the same level of performance.
Due to this, its synthetic performance has also increased, as we saw during our testing. It managed 2026 points in Cinebench R23 single core while the 7800X3D managed 1701, which is a significant difference in performance. However, with PBO enabled, it managed an even higher score of 2068.
When it comes to gaming, there’s no competition and only one CPU standing atop. The 9800X3D has it all, now with more improvements over the previous gen with a rearrangement in design. Unlocking the chip to overclock and boost even more is the go-to option if you can even find it in stock, that is. But if you want the best for your system and INtel GPU, this is the one to go for.
Sebastian Kozlowski, PC Guide
As for multi-core performance, we saw a similar scenario: the 9800X3D managed 22,568 in Cinebench R23, while the 7800X3D delivered 17,526. So, the 9800X3D can handle productivity tasks much better than the 7800X3D, making it a good option if you also use your gaming PC for work.
As for its gaming output, it managed 334 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 paired with the same RTX 4070 Ti. The 9700X came close with 313 FPS, but the 265K was a whole 94 FPS lower, with 240 FPS.
This should give you an idea of how good this CPU is for gaming. Since the Intel Arc B580 is most likely going to be good for 1080p and 1440p gaming, it’ll need a fast CPU to keep up, and there is no better option than the Ryzen 7 9800X3D.
What users say
According to Amazon reviews, this CPU has exceptional gaming performance, cooling, and overclocking capability. One reviewer said: “This is the best gaming CPU that money can buy as of late 2024. Performance is stellar in every game as well as non-gaming tasks. It has a lot of potential for overclocking and undervolding. It runs very cool with a dual tower air cooler. You don’t need liquid cooling for this. If you can find one in stock for MSRP, go for it.”
How to pick the best CPU for Intel Arc B580
The Intel Arc B580 is being marketed as a 2K GPU, meaning while you could maybe push 4K with it, the results won’t be impressive without leveraging XeSS 2 and FG. This makes 1440p the sweet spot for it, and to select a good CPU for it, here are a couple of factors you should consider.
Budget
The B580 is a pocket-friendly GPU that costs less than the RTX 4060 and the RX 7600, so investing in a $500 CPU wouldn’t make sense. We recommend pairing a budget or mid-range processor with it and filtering the options based on your budget. This should present a list of processors that offer a good balance between performance and value and help reduce clutter.
Usage
Factor in what you plan or regularly use your PC for. If it is primarily gaming, an X3D processor from AMD would be good, as they are the best gaming processors on the market. However, if you use the same rig for work, you’ll need a CPU to handle multi-threaded tasks. So, we recommend going for the new Arrow Lake processors as they have excellent multi-core performance or an “X” processor from AMD.
