Unboxing the Intel Arc A380: A Low-End Graphics Card with Impressive Performance

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Unboxing the Intel Arc A380
3. Specifications of the Intel Arc A380
4. Compatibility with AMD Processors
5. Benchmark Tests
6. Performance in Games
7. Comparisons with GTX 1650 and GTX 1660 TI
8. Recommendations for Budget Builds
9. Conclusion

Unboxing the Intel Arc A380

In today's article, we will be unboxing and taking a closer look at the Intel Arc A380 graphics card. This graphics card is a part of Intel's new Arc series and is considered to be a low-end option. While it may not compete with high-end GPUs like the RTX 3070, it is still an interesting addition to the market. So, let's dive in and see what the Intel Arc A380 has to offer.

Upon opening the box, we are greeted with the ASRock Challenger ITX Intel Arc A380 graphics card. As expected, the card is compact in size, designed to fit into ITX systems. The box doesn't come with any additional accessories, except for a quick install guide. The A380 features a single fan for cooling and offers connectivity options like HDMI and DisplayPort. Surprisingly, it requires an eight-Pin power connector, indicating that it has more power requirements than anticipated. The card measures seven inches in length, five inches in Height, and occupies two slots. With its compact size and lightweight design, weighing only 14.5 ounces (412 grams), the Intel Arc A380 is indeed a small and portable graphics card.

Specifications of the Intel Arc A380

The Intel Arc A380 is equipped with specifications that position it as a low-end graphics card. While the exact details may vary, preliminary information suggests that the A380 performs similarly to a GTX 1650 or GTX 1660. The card offers 6GB of VRAM, has a TDP rating, and supports features like resizable bar and multi-GPU capabilities. Although it may not be the most powerful option on the market, it can still provide a significant upgrade over integrated graphics found in processors.

Compatibility with AMD Processors

One crucial aspect to consider when purchasing the Intel Arc A380 is its compatibility with different processors. It appears that only select processors from Intel's 3000 and 5000 series are compatible with the A380. For instance, the A380 did not work with a b550 motherboard equipped with a 4600g CPU. However, when tested with a 5700g CPU, the A380 was compatible and functioned properly. This indicates that the A380 may require a newer processor to run smoothly. Therefore, it is essential to ensure your system meets the necessary requirements before investing in the Intel Arc A380.

Benchmark Tests

While we won't be conducting a full benchmark, we can briefly touch upon the performance of the Intel Arc A380. In terms of rendering tests, the A380 delivered satisfactory results, with the resizable bar enabled and multi-GPU disabled. The GPU temperature during testing reached 69 degrees, while the fan operated at around 1300 RPM. The 6GB of VRAM seemed sufficient for most tasks, only utilizing around 3GB during desktop usage. However, when it comes to gaming, the limitations of the A380 become more apparent.

Performance in Games

When testing the Intel Arc A380 in games, we observed mixed results. At 1080p resolution, the A380 struggled to maintain a consistent 60 FPS even at medium settings. With the vRAM limitations, it was necessary to set the graphics settings to high instead of ultra. Enabling ray tracing, while technically possible, resulted in a significant drop in performance. The gameplay became slow and choppy, making it an unplayable experience. With these limitations in mind, it is important to consider the Intel Arc A380's gaming capabilities before making a purchase decision.

Comparisons with GTX 1650 and GTX 1660 TI

To provide a better understanding of the Intel Arc A380's performance, let's compare it to two popular options, the GTX 1650 and GTX 1660 TI. At a price point of around $130, the A380 offers better performance than integrated graphics found in processors, including Ryzen chips. While it may not surpass the performance of higher-end GPUs, it can still be a viable choice for budget builds. In terms of raw performance, the A380 falls in between the GTX 1650 and GTX 1660 TI, offering a decent balance of power and affordability.

Recommendations for Budget Builds

Considering the performance and price point of the Intel Arc A380, it can be a suitable choice for budget builds. Pairing it with a low-end 12th Gen Intel processor can create an affordable gaming setup. However, it is important to ensure compatibility with the chosen processor, as demonstrated by the requirements of the 3000 and 5000 series CPUs. As AMD continues to develop their 7000 series, it will be interesting to see if they introduce their version of a budget graphics card. In the meantime, the Intel Arc A380 can be a viable option for those on a tight budget.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Intel Arc A380 is an intriguing addition to the low-end graphics card market. While it may not offer the same level of performance as higher-end options, it provides a significant improvement over integrated graphics. The A380's compact size and lightweight design make it suitable for ITX systems. However, its limitations in gaming performance, particularly with ray tracing, should be taken into consideration. Overall, for users on a budget looking to upgrade their graphics capabilities, the Intel Arc A380 can be a reasonable option to consider.

👍 Pros:

• Affordable price
• Compact and lightweight design
• Improved gaming performance compared to integrated graphics
• Suitable for budget builds

👎 Cons:

• Limited gaming performance, especially with ray tracing
• Compatibility issues with certain AMD processors

Highlights

• The Intel Arc A380 is a low-end graphics card that offers improved gaming performance compared to integrated graphics.
• It features a compact size and lightweight design, making it suitable for ITX systems.
• The A380's compatibility is limited to select Intel processors from the 3000 and 5000 series.
• In benchmark tests, it performed satisfactorily in rendering tests and demonstrated decent VRAM usage.
• However, in gaming scenarios, it struggled to maintain consistent FPS and faced vRAM limitations.
• When comparing it to the GTX 1650 and GTX 1660 TI, the A380 falls in between in terms of performance.
• The A380 can be a viable option for budget builds, particularly when paired with a low-end 12th Gen Intel processor.

FAQ

Q: Can I use the Intel Arc A380 with any AMD processor? A: No, the Intel Arc A380 has compatibility limitations and requires specific Intel processors, such as those from the 3000 and 5000 series.

Q: How does the performance of the Intel Arc A380 compare to the GTX 1650 and GTX 1660 TI? A: The Intel Arc A380 falls in between the GTX 1650 and GTX 1660 TI in terms of performance, offering a decent balance of power and affordability.

Q: Does the Intel Arc A380 support ray tracing? A: While ray tracing is technically supported, enabling it on the A380 results in a significant drop in performance, making it unplayable in most cases.

Q: Is the Intel Arc A380 suitable for budget builds? A: Yes, the Intel Arc A380 can be a reasonable option for budget builds, especially when paired with a low-end 12th Gen Intel processor. However, compatibility with the chosen processor should be confirmed beforehand.