Hey all!
I’m currently looking to upgrade my Radeon 6600 8GB GPU in my primary gaming rig and I’m currently torn between the Radeon 9600 XT 16GB, which is a “known variable” or the Intel B580 12GB. Obviously, the B580 is around $75-100 cheaper comparing MSRP to MSRP and I’ve been seeing both pop randomly into stock the last few weeks where I could nab either with a properly timed deal alert.
I’m wondering how all of you Intel Battlemage gamers on Linux have been enjoying your cards. I know Intel has done a lot of work to make it work well on Linux, but there is MUCH less coverage of performance on Linux than on Windows. Most stuff I see is from launch time, which is 6+ months ago, and I know driver support has gained a lot of ground since then.
My primary rig is an AM4-based system with a 5800X CPU, so REBAR and PCIe 4.0 are not a problem for me.
The cost difference may reflect the performance difference.
I’m assuming you meant the RX 9060 XT? It is significantly more powerful than the B580.
I’d say the AMD card is the better purchase - it’s more powerful and the drivers are well established with lots of support online for solving issues with specific games with Proton. Most of the time things just work but to be using a card and platform that is widely used makes life easier.
It’s great Intel are supporting Linux and there is more competition in the graphics market, but I personally wouldn’t suggest being a pioneer buying their cards. You’re already doing something a bit unusual by gaming on Linux (even if it’s growing rapidly). I wouldn’t throw a new relatively niche card into the mix for now. It’d probably be fine but I’d stump up the extra cash for a better card that might last you a few years longer for AAA games.
If you want to go Intel, I’d say wait for the B700 series. The B500 series has proven a decent budget gaming card, but the 9060 XT is a solid midrange card and will be a lot faster than any B500 card.
AFAIK the B580 would only be a moderate upgrade for you, the 9060 XT would be the bigger jump, likely worth the extra cost.
I’m more concerned with VRAM than I am performance. My 6600 would be fine for me if it didn’t have 8GB
If you mostly just want more VRAM, maybe a used 6700 XT would be better? They come with 12GB of VRAM
Unfortunately, they all seem to be going for more money than a new 9600XT
Ah, you’re right. Seems like the market is valuing the VRAM
Honestly, they should be
I sold my covid 3090 for slightly more than I paid new a couple months back now. VRAM hunger is real. I fell on the very VRAM hungry creative hobbies so selling made sense.
Went with the Radeon 9070XT now as I starting using Fedora primarily and I’m staying on 1440p long term.
I’ve been following Intel’s progress but it’s enough headache learning to use linux without dealing with immature video drivers. Although in a couple more generations I’d be confident with them if Intel doesn’t fumble. Their in depth driver talks with GamerNexus gave me confidence in their rapid dev progress.
Take a look at Phoronix https://www.phoronix.com/review/intel-arc-b580-graphics-linux/4
I think you are looking at two cards of very different capabilitiesEDIT: unless you mean 9060
https://www.phoronix.com/review/radeon-rx-9060xt-amd-linux/2Phoronix’s review is from Dec 2024.
I’m less concerned with them being in a different class and more:
- Bang for buck
- More than 8GB of VRAM
I haven’t been paying attention to GPU market lately, are you actually asking about 9060?
In such case, it seems this is the review you might be looking for
Yeah that seems to have much more up-to-date data for the 9060XT and B580 put head to head. Thank you.
Then it’s not even a year old. The things that see the most movements performance wise are focused on AMD and NVidia. I’m not convinced there will be a huge difference between what he measured then and what you would measure today. If you are comparing that card with a newer one, the latter will probably get better performance. If the difference in performance is worth the difference in price, only you can decide
There is https://www.phoronix.com/review/intel-battlemage-linux-may2025/2 but that is not cross-referenced to the other one
My point is, the last time Phoronix did a review on b580, 9600 was not even on the graph yet. When it comes to gaming hardware on Linux, I don’t know of any better place than Phoronix. He does the tests really using a Linux box, really running games (or computing) and sometimes even runs tests again when there is some big release of Mesa etc.
But when trying to decide which generation to buy you most probably have to glue together how the thing you are eyeing compares to the other thing, by comparing both to another one that is present in both comparisons
Never had the opportunity to try an Intel GPU but from what I’ve looked they are good affordable low-end GPU for the value. However I don’t know how the Linux support is. Also the AMD RX 9600 XT is a mid-range so not the same competition. I would say that if you can afford it you should upgrade to this one.
I just upgraded to the RX 9070 xt and could not be happier. I am get 150+ fps in cs2 and have had non issues with any other game or system.
