Buying Guide
The Best Cheap Graphics Cards for Gaming
From the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the Arc B570 Challenger: four graphics cards ranked on video memory and card length, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Under $280, a GPU still handles 1080p at medium settings. Every pick cost $280 or less, ordered by VRAM.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: GPU, VRAM and memory come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing length is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Video Memory
ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC
The largest video memory here (10GB).
Best for: Buyers who put video memory first.
Our take Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC
A lower price than the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money.
Our take Check price for ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB
0dB silent cooling at light load.
Best for: Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light load.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASRock Radeon RX 6500 XT Phantom Gaming D 4GB OC
0dB silent cooling at light load.
Best for: Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light load.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6500 XT Phantom Gaming D 4GB OC (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest video memory here (10GB). | Buyers who put video memory first. | Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
| A lower price than the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the rest when we checked. | Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money. | Check price for ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
| 0dB silent cooling at light load. | Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light load. | Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB (opens in a new tab) |
| 0dB silent cooling at light load. | Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light load. | Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6500 XT Phantom Gaming D 4GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Video Memory1 of 4
ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Arc B570 is the B580's cheaper sibling with 10GB of memory on a 160-bit bus.
Best for
- Buyers who put video memory first.
Skip if
- The maker gives no card length, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.
Why we like it
It was the least expensive card here at the time of writing and still offers three DisplayPort 2.1 outputs. Its 10GB video memory is the largest here; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger comes next at 8GB. It is the only pick here with an arc B570 gpu; the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D has an RX 6600 gpu instead.
It shares a 1 x 8-pin power connector with the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and ASRock RX 6500 XT; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger goes with a 2 x 8-pin power connector. It also comes with 0dB fan stop. No dimensions are published for the Arc B570 Challenger; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the ASRock RX 6500 XT. Buyers who need a confirmed card length should compare it with the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D, which comes in at 269mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: Arc B570
- VRAM: 10GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 2600MHz
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 2.1, 1 x HDMI 2.1a
Pros
- 10GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- A single 8-pin power connector
- 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps
- 0dB fan stop
Cons
- No published card length
- No published recommended power supply
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 of 4
ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's Arc A580 Challenger has 8GB on a 256-bit bus and supports XeSS upscaling.
Best for
- Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
It needs two 8-pin connectors and a 650W power supply. On video memory it ties with the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D at 8GB. You get an arc A580 gpu here, which sets it apart from the Arc B570 Challenger and its an arc B570 gpu.
No other pick in this guide offers a 2 x 8-pin power connector; compare the ASRock RX 6500 XT, which has a 1 x 8-pin power connector. You also get a 256-bit memory bus and 0dB silent cooling at light load. Measure for 271mm and 2.4 slots before ordering the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger.
Power for the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 650W the maker's minimum PSU. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D was closest. What it gives up: video memory of 8GB, behind the Arc B570 Challenger (10GB); by contrast, the Arc B570 Challenger offers 10GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: Arc A580
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 271mm
- Thickness: 2.4-slot
- Recommended PSU: 650W
- Power connector: 2 x 8-pin
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 2.0, 1 x HDMI 2.0b
Pros
- 256-bit memory bus
- 0dB silent cooling at light load
- XeSS upscaling support
- Video memory of 8GB, ahead of the ASRock RX 6500 XT
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Video memory of 8GB, behind the Arc B570 Challenger (10GB)
Also Consider3 of 4
ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's RX 6600 Challenger D is 269mm long, uses one 8-pin connector and stops its fans at light load.
Best for
- Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light load.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
It is a previous-generation 8GB card still sold new. It supports AMD FSR upscaling for higher frame rates in supported games. Its single 8-pin connector suits older power supplies.
On video memory it ties with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 8GB. An RX 6600 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses an arc A580 gpu. Like the Arc B570 Challenger and ASRock RX 6500 XT, it has a 1 x 8-pin power connector, while the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses a 2 x 8-pin power connector.
You also get a PCIe 4.0 x8 interface and a dual-fan cooler. The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D is 269mm long; compare that with your case's GPU limit. It was priced above the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and below the ASRock RX 6500 XT at the time of writing. There is no published recommended power supply figure, whereas the ASRock RX 6500 XT offers 400W.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 6600
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 269mm
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.1
Pros
- A single 8-pin power connector
- 0dB silent cooling at light load
- PCIe 4.0 x8 interface
- Dual-fan cooler
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- No published recommended power supply
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 4
ASRock Radeon RX 6500 XT Phantom Gaming D 4GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's RX 6500 XT has only 4GB of memory and states a 400W minimum power supply.
Best for
- Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light load.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 4GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
It suits light esports titles rather than recent AAA games. Its 4GB video memory is the smallest in this group; the Arc B570 Challenger leads at 10GB. No other pick in this guide offers an RX 6500 XT gpu; compare the Arc B570 Challenger, which has an arc B570 gpu.
It shares a 1 x 8-pin power connector with the Arc B570 Challenger and ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger goes with a 2 x 8-pin power connector. It also offers 0dB silent cooling at light load and a metal backplate. No dimensions are published for the ASRock RX 6500 XT; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Power for the ASRock RX 6500 XT comes through 1 x 8-pin, with 400W the maker's minimum PSU. On price it sat third of 4, between the cheaper ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the pricier Arc B570 Challenger, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 6500 XT
- VRAM: 4GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Recommended PSU: 400W
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 2820MHz
Pros
- A modest 400W PSU recommendation
- A single 8-pin power connector
- 0dB silent cooling at light load
- Metal backplate
Cons
- 4GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory trails the Arc B570 Challenger (10GB)
- No published card length
How We Chose These Cheap Graphics Cards for Gaming
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared four cards on GPU, video memory, memory and card length, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the Arc B570 Challenger to the ASRock RX 6500 XT, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Arc B570 Challenger and the ASRock RX 6500 XT give no card length; the Arc B570 Challenger and the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D give no recommended power supply.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger ($150 to $250) to the Arc B570 Challenger ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a Cheap Graphics Card for Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory across these picks
Here video memory runs from 4GB on the ASRock RX 6500 XT to 10GB on the Arc B570 Challenger. For less, the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger is the runner-up at 8GB.
Card length
Here card length runs from 271mm on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to 269mm on the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D. Start with the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D if card length decides it. No figure for the Arc B570 Challenger and the ASRock RX 6500 XT.
Recommended power supply
Here recommended power supply runs from 650W on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to 400W on the ASRock RX 6500 XT. The ASRock RX 6500 XT is the pick for recommended power supply. No figure for the Arc B570 Challenger and the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D.
Power connector
The Arc B570 Challenger, the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the ASRock RX 6500 XT list 1 x 8-pin; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger lists 2 x 8-pin.
What to check at home
No dimensions are published for the Arc B570 Challenger; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Measure for 271mm and 2.4 slots before ordering the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger. The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D is 269mm long; compare that with your case's GPU limit.
Pair it with a balanced CPU
A fast card with an old CPU can stall at high frame rates, especially at 1080p. At 4K the GPU does most of the work, so the CPU matters less.
How to Choose a Cheap Graphics Card for Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put video memory first | Arc B570 Challenger | The largest video memory here (10GB) |
| Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | A lower price than the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light load | ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D | 0dB silent cooling at light load |
| Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light load | ASRock RX 6500 XT | 0dB silent cooling at light load |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Arc B570 Challenger leads on video memory at 10GB, ahead of the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 8GB. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc B570 Challenger | Arc B570 | 10GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | Arc A580 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 271mm |
| ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D | RX 6600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 269mm |
| ASRock RX 6500 XT | RX 6500 XT | 4GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger was the lowest-priced pick and the Arc B570 Challenger the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D, ASRock RX 6500 XT |
| About $250 to $500 | Arc B570 Challenger |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger compare with the Arc B570 Challenger on video memory?
The Arc B570 Challenger leads at 10GB, with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 8GB. The ASRock RX 6500 XT is at the other end of this group with 4GB.
Is the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D ahead of the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger on card length?
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D comes out best at 269mm, with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 271mm. The Arc B570 Challenger and the ASRock RX 6500 XT don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
Which has the lowest recommended power supply: the ASRock RX 6500 XT or the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger?
The ASRock RX 6500 XT comes out best at 400W, with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 650W. The Arc B570 Challenger and the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
Is the Arc B570 Challenger worth paying more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger?
On paper it adds video memory (10GB against 8GB). The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the Arc B570 Challenger the Largest Video Memory?
It earns the label for the largest video memory here (10GB). It suits anyone who put video memory first.
Do the Arc B570 Challenger and the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger differ on GPU?
The Arc B570 Challenger uses Arc B570; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses Arc A580; the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D uses RX 6600; the ASRock RX 6500 XT uses RX 6500 XT.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Arc B570 Challenger, chosen for the largest video memory here (10GB). Look at the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger for a lower price than the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the rest when we checked, the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D for 0dB silent cooling at light load and the ASRock RX 6500 XT for 0dB silent cooling at light load if those matter more to you.
Check your PSU has an 8-pin connector.