Inflation has really thrown a wrench in things, especially in third-world countries like Malaysia. Back in the day, I could snag a GTX 970 for USD 329, which was around RM 1.2k at the time. That card was considered upper mid-range, and used GPUs were super cheap. Then came the crypto boom. The first time I managed to sell my GTX 970 for a profit! I thought, “Hey, prices will settle eventually, and maybe I’ll upgrade to a shiny GTX 1070 or even a 1080.” Boy, was I wrong!

Fast forward to the last decade, and the GPU market has been a roller-coaster. In Malaysia, budget gamers are either sticking with 50-series cards, switching to gaming laptops, or outright quitting GPU upgrades altogether. It’s no wonder, with even entry-level cards hitting RM 1k in the new market.

But today, things are looking up. That same RM 1.1k can now get you a solid GPU: the Intel Arc B580. At just $249 (around RM 1.1k), it holds its own against the RM 1.5k RTX 4060. That RM 300-400 saved? It could mean upgrading to a better CPU, adding more SSD storage, or even grabbing a new mouse and keyboard.

Curious about its performance? Check out Hardware Unboxed or Linus Tech Tips for reviews.

Maybe one day, I’ll get my hands on it for a deep dive too (if this gets big, maybe even a review sample eh!)

Intel is moving in the right direction. The Nvidia and AMD duopoly needed some shaking up, and small wins like these will resonate with cash-strapped gamers worldwide.

What about you? How do you approach buying PC hardware in Malaysia? Are you a used-parts bargain hunter? A Shopee deal enthusiast? Drop your thoughts below!