Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Esports
From the Arc B570 Challenger to the ASUS Dual RTX 5050: four graphics cards ranked on video memory and GPU, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Esports titles run well on mid-range cards, and the priority is high frame rates at 1080p. Every pick is a current-generation card that cost $480 or less.
We sorted these picks by GPU, VRAM and memory, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips boost clock, the guide says so.
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)
Also Consider
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OC
32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing.
Best for: Buyers who want 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5050 WINDFORCE OC 8G
A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5050 WINDFORCE OC 8G (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5050 8GB OC
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a quiet/performance dual BIOS.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5050 8GB 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) |
| 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing. | Buyers who want 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing. | Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
| A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. | Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. | Check price for GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5050 WINDFORCE OC 8G (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a quiet/performance dual BIOS. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5050 8GB 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
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It was the least expensive card here at the time of writing and still offers three DisplayPort 2.1 outputs. Nothing else here matches its 10GB video memory; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB comes closest at 8GB. It is the only pick here with an arc B570 gpu; the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 has an RTX 5050 gpu instead.
A 2600MHz boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 uses a 2677MHz (OC mode) boost clock. It also offers 0dB fan stop. No dimensions are published for the Arc B570 Challenger; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Power for the Arc B570 Challenger comes through 1 x 8-pin. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB was the next step up.
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
Also Consider2 of 4
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB brings AMD's RDNA 4 architecture to a budget card with 32 compute units.
Best for
- Buyers who want 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing.
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
Its 8GB of memory is the compromise; the 16GB version costs more. It matches the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce and the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 on video memory (8GB). It is the only pick here with an RX 9060 XT gpu; the Arc B570 Challenger has an arc B570 gpu instead.
A 3290MHz boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 uses a 2677MHz (OC mode) boost clock. You also get a dual-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. No dimensions are published for the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB with the maker. Its price falls between the Arc B570 Challenger and the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9060 XT
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 3290MHz
- Outputs: DisplayPort 2.1a, HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing
- Dual-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop
- 20Gbps memory on a 128-bit bus
- RX 9060 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Arc B570 Challenger at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5050 WINDFORCE OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's RTX 5050 Windforce is the cheapest way into DLSS 4 here.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
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
The maker publishes few details, so confirm size and power needs on Gigabyte's page. It matches the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 on video memory (8GB). Like the ASUS Dual RTX 5050, it has an RTX 5050 gpu, while the Arc B570 Challenger uses an arc B570 gpu.
It also comes with a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and a PCIe 5.0 interface. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce with the maker. Its price falls between the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and the ASUS Dual RTX 5050, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5050
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- PCIe 5.0 interface
- RTX 5050 gpu
- 8GB video memory
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Arc B570 Challenger at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5050 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Dual RTX 5050 is the least expensive GeForce here, a two-slot card with a dual BIOS and 0dB fan stop.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent game rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It brings DLSS 4 to budget builds, with 8GB of GDDR6. On video memory it ties with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce at 8GB. No other pick in this guide offers a 2677MHz (OC mode) boost clock; compare the Arc B570 Challenger, which has a 2600MHz boost clock.
It also offers dual-ball fan bearings. The ASUS Dual RTX 5050 occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 with the maker.
SFF-Ready is NVIDIA's size guideline, not a guarantee the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 fits every small case. Only the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 4 picks. It gives ground on video memory, where the Arc B570 Challenger offers 10GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5050
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2-slot
- Boost clock: 2677MHz (OC mode)
- SFF-Ready: Yes
Pros
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- Quiet/performance dual BIOS
- 0dB fan stop
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory trails the Arc B570 Challenger (10GB)
- Costs more than the Arc B570 Challenger at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- GPU and memory
- We compared the chip, video memory capacity and memory type stated in each listing.
- Power
- We noted the power connector and recommended power supply where listed.
- Fit
- We recorded length and slot thickness where the maker lists them, plus low-profile and SFF-Ready status.
- Price tier
- We grouped picks by price at the time of writing rather than by listed clock speed.
What to Look for in a GPUs for Esports
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Match the card to your monitor
Resolution and refresh rate decide how much GPU you need. A 1080p screen at 144Hz asks far less than 1440p at 165Hz or 4K.
Buy for the monitor you use now or will buy soon, not for a resolution you may never run.
Check length and thickness
Partner cards of the same GPU can differ by several centimetres. Compare the card's length with the case's GPU clearance, allowing for front fans or a radiator, and check how many slots it covers.
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.
Cooler size affects noise
Larger triple-fan coolers usually run quieter under load than compact dual-fan designs. A 0dB mode stops the fans at light load.
Count the display outputs
Most cards offer three DisplayPort outputs and one HDMI, but some swap that balance. Check that the ports match your monitors, TV or VR headset.
Treat 8GB of VRAM as the floor
Some recent games already push past 8GB at high texture settings. Cards with 12GB or 16GB give more room, especially at 1440p and above.
Two versions of the same chip can differ only in memory; check the capacity in the exact model name.
How to Choose a GPUs for Esports
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put video memory first | Arc B570 Challenger | The largest video memory here (10GB) |
| Buyers who want 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing | ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB | 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing |
| Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler | Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce | A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | ASUS Dual RTX 5050 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a quiet/performance dual BIOS |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Boost clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc B570 Challenger | Arc B570 | 10GB | GDDR6 | 2600MHz |
| ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB | RX 9060 XT | 8GB | GDDR6 | 3290MHz |
| Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce | RTX 5050 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Dual RTX 5050 | RTX 5050 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2677MHz (OC mode) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which of these graphics cards has the largest video memory?
The Arc B570 Challenger leads at 10GB, ahead of the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB at 8GB; the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 sits at the other end with 8GB.
What is the least I can spend on one of these graphics cards?
Start with the Arc B570 Challenger, the lowest-priced pick when we checked. The ASUS Dual RTX 5050 is the premium end, so the spread between them shows what extra money buys here.
Will my CPU hold the card back?
It depends on resolution and the games you play. At 1080p and high refresh rates the CPU matters more; at 4K the GPU sets the limit.
Should I choose AMD or NVIDIA?
Compare price and memory at your budget first, then features such as DLSS or FSR support in your games and hardware encoding if you stream.
How big a power supply do I need?
Use the maker's recommendation for your exact card, then add headroom if you run a high-power CPU. Also check the connectors, not just the wattage.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Arc B570 Challenger, chosen for the largest video memory here (10GB). Look at the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB for 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing, the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce for a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a quiet/performance dual BIOS if those matter more to you.
Turn on NVIDIA Reflex or AMD Anti-Lag in supported games to cut input delay.