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 Core i5-12400F is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
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 a figure out, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X
The Zen 5 architecture.
Best for: Buyers who want Zen 5 architecture.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X
The Zen 4 architecture.
Best for: Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700X (opens in a new tab)
Highest Core Count
Intel Core i5-14600K
The highest core count here (14 cores).
Best for: Buyers who put core count first.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-14600K (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
AMD Ryzen 5 8600G
Radeon 760M integrated graphics.
Best for: Buyers who want Radeon 760M integrated graphics.
Our take Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8600G (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Intel Core i5-12400F
Undercutting the Ryzen 5 9600X on price when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Intel Core i5-12400F (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Zen 5 architecture. | Buyers who want Zen 5 architecture. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 9600X (opens in a new tab) |
| The Zen 4 architecture. | Buyers who want Zen 4 architecture. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 7 7700X (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 (opens in a new tab) |
| Radeon 760M integrated graphics. | Buyers who want Radeon 760M integrated graphics. | Check price for AMD Ryzen 5 8600G (opens in a new tab) |
| Undercutting the Ryzen 5 9600X on price when we checked. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for Intel Core i5-12400F (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 9600X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 9600X brings six Zen 5 cores to AM5 at a 65W rating, which keeps cooling simple.
Best for
- Buyers who want Zen 5 architecture.
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 8600G and the Core i5-12400F at 6 cores. On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 5 8600G at 65W. Like the Ryzen 7 7700X and Ryzen 5 8600G, it has an AM5 socket, while the Core i5-14600K uses an LGA1700 socket.
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. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 8600G; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 8600G has it.
Key dimensions & 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 Core i5-12400F at the time of writing
Strong Alternative2 of 5
AMD Ryzen 7 7700X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 bo 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 Core i5-12400F (6 cores). Its 105W rated power ranks third of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (65W) and ahead of the Core i5-12400F (125W). It shares an AM5 socket with the Ryzen 5 9600X and Ryzen 5 8600G; the Core i5-12400F goes with an LGA1700 socket.
It also offers the Zen 4 architecture, a 5nm process and PCIe 5.0 support on AM5. Its price falls between the Ryzen 5 8600G and the Core i5-14600K, based on our last check. The main gap: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 8600G. If that matters, the Ryzen 5 8600G has it.
Key dimensions & 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 Core i5-12400F at the time of writing
Highest Core Count3 of 5
Intel Core i5-14600K on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 bo 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 ranks third of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (32MB) and ahead of the Ryzen 5 8600G (16MB).
Its 5.3GHz boost clock ranks third of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Core i5-12400F (4.4GHz). On core count it leads this guide at 14 cores, ahead of the Ryzen 7 7700X (8 cores). On rated power it ties with the Core i5-12400F at 125W.
Like the Core i5-12400F, it has DDR4 or DDR5 memory, while the Ryzen 7 7700X uses DDR5 memory. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Ryzen 7 7700X the nearest cheaper option. What it gives up: no cooler in box, unlike the Ryzen 5 8600G; by contrast, the Ryzen 5 8600G has it.
Key dimensions & 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
- Costs more than the Core i5-12400F at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
AMD Ryzen 5 8600G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Ryzen 5 8600G pairs six cores with Radeon 760M graphics.
Best for
- Buyers who want Radeon 760M integrated graphics.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games.
Why we like it
It can run a PC without a graphics card until you buy one. Its 16MB L3 cache is the smallest in this group; the Ryzen 5 9600X leads at 32MB. Its 5GHz boost clock ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the Ryzen 5 9600X (5.4GHz) and ahead of the Core i5-12400F (4.4GHz).
On rated power it ties with the Ryzen 5 9600X at 65W. Like the Ryzen 5 9600X and Ryzen 7 7700X, it has an AM5 socket, while the Core i5-14600K uses an LGA1700 socket. 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.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 16MB
- Max boost: 5GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 65W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: AM5
- Memory: DDR5
- Cooler in box: Yes
- Integrated graphics: Yes
Pros
- 65W rating suits a modest air cooler
- Wraith Stealth cooler in the box
- Integrated graphics for display output without a graphics card
- Radeon 760M integrated graphics
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- L3 cache trails the Ryzen 5 9600X (32MB)
- Costs more than the Core i5-12400F at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
Intel Core i5-12400F on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Core i5-12400F is a six-core LGA1700 chip at a low price.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside game rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
This is the OEM pack, so budget for a cooler; it suits a low-cost gaming build with DDR4. On L3 cache it sits mid-pack at 18MB: the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 32MB, and the Ryzen 5 8600G comes in at 16MB. On boost clock it trails the group at 4.4GHz, while the Ryzen 5 9600X offers 5.4GHz.
It matches the Ryzen 5 9600X and the Ryzen 5 8600G on core count (6 cores). It matches the Core i5-14600K on rated power (125W). It shares an LGA1700 socket with the Core i5-14600K; the Ryzen 5 8600G goes with an AM5 socket.
It shares DDR4 or DDR5 memory with the Core i5-14600K; the Ryzen 5 9600X goes with DDR5 memory. It also offers six performance cores, DDR4 and DDR5 support and 600- and 700-series chipset support. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Ryzen 5 9600X was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- L3 cache: 18MB
- Max boost: 4.4GHz
- Cores / threads: 6 cores
- Rated power: 125W
- Threads: 12
- Socket: LGA1700
- Memory: DDR4 or DDR5
- Cooler in box: No
- Integrated graphics: No
Pros
- Six performance cores
- DDR4 and DDR5 support
- 600- and 700-series chipset support
- L3 cache of 18MB, ahead of the Ryzen 5 8600G
Cons
- 6 cores leave less headroom for streaming alongside games
- No cooler in the box
- No integrated graphics, so a graphics card is required
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Power and cooling
- We recorded each chip's rated power and what cooler class it needs.
- Platform cost
- We noted socket, memory type and whether a cooler is included, since they change the real price.
- Upgrade path
- We considered how long each socket is likely to receive new CPUs.
- Game-relevant specs
- We compared L3 cache, boost clocks and core counts from AMD's and Intel's product pages.
What to Look for in a CPUs for the Intel Arc B580
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Decide on L3 cache first
Among these picks, L3 cache runs from 16MB on the Ryzen 5 8600G to 32MB on the Ryzen 5 9600X. Match this to what you will actually do with it, then let price decide between the picks that qualify.
Cache helps games more than clocks
AMD's X3D chips add a large stacked L3 cache that keeps more game data close to the cores. In CPU-limited games that often helps more than a higher boost clock.
The gain shrinks when the graphics card is the limit.
Budget for the cooler
Most unlocked chips ship without a cooler. A 65W part runs well on a basic single tower, while 120W to 170W parts need a dual tower or an AIO to hold their boost clocks.
Add the cooler to the CPU price when comparing.
Check BIOS support before buying
Newer CPUs on older boards may need a BIOS update before the system will start. Check the board's CPU support list for the version you need and whether the board can flash without a CPU installed.
Match the CPU to your graphics card and monitor
At 1440p and 4K the graphics card sets most frame rates, so a mid-range CPU is often enough. At 1080p with a high-refresh monitor, the CPU matters much more.
Spend on the part that limits your games, not on the bigger number.
How to Choose a CPUs for the Intel Arc B580
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want Zen 5 architecture | Ryzen 5 9600X | The Zen 5 architecture |
| 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) |
| Buyers who want Radeon 760M integrated graphics | Ryzen 5 8600G | Radeon 760M integrated graphics |
| Spending as little as possible | Core i5-12400F | Undercutting the Ryzen 5 9600X on price when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| 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 8600G | 16MB | 5GHz | 6 cores | 65W |
| Core i5-12400F | 18MB | 4.4GHz | 6 cores | 125W |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these processors has the highest boost clock?
The Ryzen 5 9600X, at 5.4GHz. The Ryzen 7 7700X follows at 5.4GHz, while the Core i5-12400F has 4.4GHz.
What is the least I can spend on one of these processors?
Start with the Core i5-12400F, the lowest-priced pick when we checked. The Core i5-14600K is the premium end, so the spread between them shows what extra money buys here.
What memory should I pair with it?
AM5 and LGA1851 use DDR5; AM4 uses DDR4. For AM5, a 32GB DDR5-6000 kit is a common pairing; check the board's memory support list.
Will a new CPU work in my current motherboard?
Only if the socket matches and the board's BIOS supports it. Check the maker's CPU support list for the minimum BIOS version.
Should I choose Intel or AMD for gaming?
At the high end, AMD's X3D chips lead in many CPU-limited games. Intel's Core Ultra chips offer more cores for work at similar prices. Choose by workload and platform cost.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Ryzen 5 9600X, chosen for the Zen 5 architecture. 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 8600G for Radeon 760M integrated graphics if those matter more to you.
Turn on Resizable BAR and Above 4G Decoding in the BIOS before judging the card.