Buying Guide
The Best CPUs for the Intel Arc B580
Five processors ranked on L3 cache and boost clock, where the Core i5-14600K has the highest core count; the Ryzen 5 8500G is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
The Arc B580 needs Resizable BAR and is more sensitive to CPU speed than rival cards. Every pick supports Resizable BAR on a current platform and cost $260 or less, ordered by boost clock.
We ranked these processors on L3 cache, max boost and cores / threads using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out L3 cache, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Rated Power
AMD Ryzen 5 9600XThe lowest rated power here (65W).
Best for: Buyers who put rated power first.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 7 7700XThe Zen 4 architecture.
Best for: Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Highest Core Count
Intel Core i5-14600KThe highest core count here (14 cores).
Best for: Buyers who put core count first.
Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
AMD Ryzen 5 8500GThe lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 9600X the next step up.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8500G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
AMD Ryzen 5 7500FA low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5.
Best for: Buyers who want low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5.
Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7500F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest rated power here (65W). | Buyers who put rated power first. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The Zen 4 architecture. | Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest core count here (14 cores). | Buyers who put core count first. | Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 9600X the next step up. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8500G on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5. | Buyers who want low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 7500F on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Rated Power1 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
The Ryzen 5 9600X brings six Zen 5 cores to AM5 at a 65W rating, which keeps cooling simple.
Best for
- Buyers who put rated power first.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It suits a budget build now that can take an X3D chip later without changing boards. It matches the Ryzen 7 7700X on L3 cache (32MB). It matches the Ryzen 7 7700X on boost clock (5.4GHz).
On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 7500F at 6 cores. On rated power it leads this guide at 65W, ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700X (105W). It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; a 600-series board may need a BIOS update first, so check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum version. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Rated power
- 65W
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 5 architecture
- L3 cache of 32MB, ahead of the Core i5-14600K
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 8500G at the time of writing
The catch
What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 8500G; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 8500G has it.
Also Consider2 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
The Ryzen 7 7700X brings eight Zen 4 cores with high clocks to AM5 at a lower price than the X3D chips.
Best for
- Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the box is a problem.
Why we like it
It gives esports titles plenty of headroom without the cache premium. On L3 cache it ties with the Ryzen 5 9600X at 32MB. On boost clock it ties with the Ryzen 5 9600X at 5.4GHz.
Its 8 cores core count ranks second of 5 here, behind the Core i5-14600K (14 cores) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 7500F (6 cores). Its 105W rated power ranks second of 3 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (65W) and ahead of the Core i5-14600K (125W). It also offers the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5.
It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version. No cooler is included; a single-tower air cooler is enough at its rating. Its price falls between the Ryzen 5 7500F and the Core i5-14600K, based on our last check.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 32MB
- Max boost
- 5.4GHz
- Cores / threads
- 8 cores
- Rated power
- 105W
- Threads
- 16
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- The Zen 4 architecture
- 5nm process
- PCIe 5.0 support on AM5
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- Costs more than the Ryzen 5 8500G at the time of writing
The catch
The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 8500G. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 8500G has it.
Highest Core Count3 of 5
Intel Core i5-14600K
The Core i5-14600K runs on LGA1700, so it works with DDR4 or DDR5 boards and suits upgraders already on that socket.
Best for
- Buyers who put core count first.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when no cooler in the box is a problem.
Why we like it
Its 14 cores give good headroom for a mid-range gaming build. It boosts to 5.3GHz, and the unlocked multiplier allows overclocking on a Z-series board. Its 24MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Ryzen 5 9600X leads at 32MB.
Its 5.3GHz boost clock ranks third of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 7500F (5GHz). On core count it leads this guide at 14 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700X (8 cores). On rated power it trails the group at 125W, while the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 65W.
No other pick in this guide offers DDR4 or DDR5 memory; compare the Ryzen 5 8500G, which has DDR5 memory. You also get 6 performance and 8 efficient cores. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ryzen 7 7700X the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- L3 cache
- 24MB
- Max boost
- 5.3GHz
- Cores / threads
- 14 cores
- Rated power
- 125W
- Threads
- 20
- Socket
- LGA1700
- Memory
- DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box
- No
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- 14 cores for encoding and background work
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- 6 performance and 8 efficient cores
- Support for both DDR4 and DDR5 boards
Cons
- No cooler in the box
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 5 9600X (32MB)
- Rated power trails the Ryzen 5 9600X (65W)
The catch
L3 cache is its weakest area, and the Ryzen 5 9600X covers it better at 32MB.
Lowest Price Here4 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 8500G
The Ryzen 5 8500G is built around a Wraith Stealth cooler in the box, with Radeon graphics built in on top.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 9600X the next step up.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 5GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. It matches the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 5 7500F on core count (6 cores). It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version.
Another plus: integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Ryzen 5 9600X was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed L3 cache should compare it with the Ryzen 5 9600X, which offers 32MB.
Key specs
- Max boost
- 5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
- Cooler in box
- Yes
- Integrated graphics
- Yes
Pros
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- Radeon graphics built in
- The lowest price of the group at our last check
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No published L3 cache
- No published rated power
Strong Alternative5 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 7500F
What the Ryzen 5 7500F brings to the table is a low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5, plus DDR5 memory support.
Best for
- Buyers who want low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also offers a 5GHz boost clock and offers a 6 cores core count. On core count it ties with the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 5 8500G at 6 cores. It needs an AM5 board (A620, B650, B850, X670 or X870 series) and DDR5 memory; check the board's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version.
When we checked, only the Ryzen 5 9600X and cheaper picks cost less, and the Ryzen 7 7700X cost more. If you want a confirmed L3 cache, look to the Ryzen 5 9600X instead: it offers 32MB, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- Max boost
- 5GHz
- Cores / threads
- 6 cores
- Threads
- 12
- Socket
- AM5
- Memory
- DDR5
Pros
- Low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5
- DDR5 memory support
- 5GHz boost clock
- 6 cores core count
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No published L3 cache
- Boost clock trails the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz)
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five processors on L3 cache, boost clock, core count and rated power from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 5 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick, while L3 cache and rated power have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Ryzen 5 9600X to the Ryzen 5 7500F, state boost clock, core count and threads.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 7500F give no L3 cache; the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 7500F give no rated power.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Ryzen 5 8500G ($100 to $150) to the Core i5-14600K ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a CPUs for the Intel Arc B580
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Boost clock
Here boost clock runs from 5GHz on the Ryzen 5 7500F to 5.4GHz on the Ryzen 5 9600X, an 8% spread. Start with the Ryzen 5 9600X if boost clock decides it.
Core count across these picks
Across these 5 picks core count spans 6 cores (the Ryzen 5 7500F) to 14 cores (the Core i5-14600K). For less, the Ryzen 7 7700X is the runner-up at 8 cores.
An Intel stock cooler mounted over the CPU socket inside a PC How much L3 cache you need
Across these 3 picks L3 cache spans 24MB (the Core i5-14600K) to 32MB (the Ryzen 5 9600X). The Ryzen 5 9600X is the pick for L3 cache. The Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 7500F give no L3 cache figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Ryzen 5 9600X, the Ryzen 7 7700X, the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 7500F list DDR5; the Core i5-14600K lists DDR4 or DDR5. Settling memory first narrows 5 picks to 4 or 1.
Cooler in box
The Ryzen 5 9600X, the Ryzen 7 7700X and the Core i5-14600K go without; the Ryzen 5 8500G has it. Sort out cooler in box before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 3 and 1.
How to Choose a CPUs for the Intel Arc B580
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put rated power first | Ryzen 5 9600X | The lowest rated power here (65W) |
| Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture | Ryzen 7 7700X | The Zen 4 architecture |
| Buyers who put core count first | Core i5-14600K | The highest core count here (14 cores) |
| Spending as little as possible, with the Ryzen 5 9600X the next step up | Ryzen 5 8500G | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5 | Ryzen 5 7500F | A low-cost Zen 4 entry to AM5 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Ryzen 5 9600X leads on boost clock at 5.4GHz, ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700X at 5.4GHz. "Not listed" marks L3 cache where the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 7500F leave the figure out.
| Processor | L3 cache | Max boost | Cores / threads | Rated power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ryzen 5 9600X | 32MB | 5.4GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Ryzen 7 7700X | 32MB | 5.4GHz | 8 cores | 105W |
| Core i5-14600K | 24MB | 5.3GHz | 14 cores | 125W |
| Ryzen 5 8500G | Not listed | 5GHz | 6 cores | Not listed |
| Ryzen 5 7500F | Not listed | 5GHz | 6 cores | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Ryzen 5 8500G was the lowest-priced pick ($100 to $150) and the Core i5-14600K the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Processors |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Ryzen 5 8500G |
| About $150 to $250 | Ryzen 5 9600X, Ryzen 5 7500F, Ryzen 7 7700X, Core i5-14600K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest core count: the Core i5-14600K or the Ryzen 7 7700X?
The Core i5-14600K tops core count at 14 cores; the Ryzen 7 7700X follows at 8 cores, 75% apart. The Ryzen 5 7500F closes the ranking at 6 cores.
Is the Ryzen 5 9600X ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700X on rated power?
The Ryzen 5 9600X comes out best at 65W, with the Ryzen 7 7700X at 105W. The Core i5-14600K is at the other end of this group with 125W. No rated power figure is published for the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 7500F, which leaves 3 of 5 picks ranked here.
What does the Core i5-14600K add over the Ryzen 5 8500G?
What it brings is boost clock (5.3GHz against 5GHz) and core count (14 cores against 6 cores). On our last price check the Ryzen 5 8500G was in the $100 to $150 tier and the Core i5-14600K in the $150 to $250 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if boost clock and core count decide your purchase.
Why is the Core i5-14600K our Highest Core Count pick?
It carries the badge for the highest core count here (14 cores). On core count it leads the Ryzen 7 7700X, 14 cores against 8 cores, a 75% margin. The Ryzen 5 8500G, the cheapest pick, sat in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for anyone who puts core count first.
Do the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Core i5-14600K differ on socket?
The Ryzen 5 9600X, the Ryzen 7 7700X, the Ryzen 5 8500G and the Ryzen 5 7500F use AM5; the Core i5-14600K uses LGA1700.
What extras do the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 7 7700X include?
The Ryzen 5 9600X: the Zen 5 architecture. The Ryzen 7 7700X: the Zen 4 architecture. The Core i5-14600K: 6 performance and 8 efficient cores.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 5 9600X, chosen for the lowest rated power here (65W). Look at the Ryzen 7 7700X for the Zen 4 architecture, the Core i5-14600K for the highest core count here (14 cores) and the Ryzen 5 8500G for the lowest price of the group at our last check if those matter more to you.
Turn on Resizable BAR and Above 4G Decoding in the BIOS before judging the card.
Related Guides
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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