Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Bayonetta
From the Arc B580 Challenger to the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT: five graphics cards ranked on video memory and cooler thickness, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Bayonetta does not need a high-end card, which leaves room to choose on price, memory and video outputs. Every pick has at least 12GB of video memory and cost $650 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
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 thickness, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT the next step up.
Our take Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ASRock Radeon RX 7700 XT Challenger 12GB OC
0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Best for: Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7700 XT Challenger 12GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC
A white-and-silver Steel Legend finish.
Best for: Buyers who want white-and-silver Steel Legend finish.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ASUS Dual Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB
A dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles.
Best for: Buyers who want dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger Pro 16GB OC
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a factory overclock to 3290MHz.
Best for: Buyers who want a factory overclock to 3290MHz and can spend more than the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB costs.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger Pro 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Intel's Arc B580 brings 12GB of GDDR6 to the entry tier, more than the 8GB common at this price.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT the next step up.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: video memory of 12GB, behind the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB).
Why we like it
ASRock's Challenger version is 249mm long and needs one 8-pin plug and a 650W PSU. It matches the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT on video memory (12GB). No other pick in this guide offers an arc B580 gpu; compare the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, which has an RX 9060 XT gpu.
You get a 2740MHz boost clock here, which sets it apart from the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB and its a 3250MHz (OC mode) boost clock. It also offers a 192-bit memory bus at 19Gbps and dual-fan cooling with 0dB fan stop. Measure for 249mm and 2 slots before ordering the Arc B580 Challenger.
It undercut the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: video memory of 12GB, behind the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB). If that matters, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend offers 16GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: Arc B580
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 249mm
- Thickness: 2-slot
- Recommended PSU: 650W
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 2740MHz
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 2.1, 1 x HDMI 2.1a
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Short 249mm length suits compact cases
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- A single 8-pin power connector
Cons
- Video memory of 12GB, behind the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB)
Also Consider2 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7700 XT Challenger 12GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT stands out for 0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Best for
- Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Skip if
- Skip it if video memory matters most to you; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend offers 16GB.
Why we like it
It also offers a 12GB video memory. It matches the Arc B580 Challenger on video memory (12GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 7700 XT gpu; compare the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, which has an RX 9060 XT gpu.
No dimensions are published for the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT; 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 Challenger 7700 XT with the maker. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Arc B580 Challenger and the pricier ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, at the time of writing. The trade-off is video memory; for more, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend offers 16GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7700 XT
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- 0dB silent cooling at light loads
- RX 7700 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Video memory trails the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB)
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Steel Legend adds a white-and-silver finish and a 2520MHz boost, and it has a 700W recommended power supply.
Best for
- Buyers who want white-and-silver Steel Legend finish.
Skip if
- Pass on it if needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
On video memory it ties with the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT at 16GB. An RX 7800 XT gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT uses an RX 7700 XT gpu. No other pick in this guide offers a 2520MHz boost clock; compare the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT, which has a 3290MHz boost clock.
No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Power for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 700W the maker's minimum PSU. It was priced above the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT and below the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB at the time of writing. There is no published cooler thickness figure, whereas the Arc B580 Challenger comes in at 2-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7800 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Recommended PSU: 700W
- Power connector: 2 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 2520MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- White-and-silver Steel Legend finish
- 700W recommended PSU
- RX 7800 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
ASUS Dual Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Dual RX 9060 XT 16GB offers a 3250MHz boost in OC mode with Quiet and Performance BIOS profiles and 0dB fan stop.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Arc B580 Challenger, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It matches the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT on video memory (16GB). Like the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT, it has an RX 9060 XT gpu, while the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT uses an RX 7700 XT gpu. You get a 3250MHz (OC mode) boost clock here, which sets it apart from the Arc B580 Challenger and its a 2740MHz boost clock.
The ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB occupies 2.5 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 9060 XT 16GB with the maker. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the pricier ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its recommended power supply; if that figure matters, the Arc B580 Challenger offers 650W.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9060 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Boost clock: 3250MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles
- 0dB fan stop at light load
- 3250MHz (OC mode) boost clock, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger Pro 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT is built around a factory overclock to 3290MHz, with a triple-fan cooler with a customizable LED indicator on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want a factory overclock to 3290MHz and can spend more than the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB costs.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Arc B580 Challenger cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 16GB video memory. It matches the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB on video memory (16GB). Like the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, it has an RX 9060 XT gpu, while the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT uses an RX 7700 XT gpu.
You get a 3290MHz boost clock here, which sets it apart from the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB and its a 3250MHz (OC mode) boost clock. No dimensions are published for the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB and the rest. The maker doesn't give its cooler thickness; if that figure matters, the Arc B580 Challenger comes in at 2-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9060 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 3290MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Factory overclock to 3290MHz
- Triple-fan cooler with a customizable LED indicator
- 3290MHz boost clock, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and cooler thickness, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out cooler thickness.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Arc B580 Challenger to the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT give no cooler thickness; the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT give no recommended power supply.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Arc B580 Challenger ($250 to $500) to the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Bayonetta
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much video memory you need
Across these 5 picks video memory spans 12GB (the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT) to 16GB (the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend). If video memory is your first filter, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend sets the ceiling at 16GB.
Cooler thickness across these picks
Here cooler thickness runs from 2.5-slot on the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB to 2-slot on the Arc B580 Challenger, a 20% spread. Start with the Arc B580 Challenger if cooler thickness decides it. The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT give no cooler thickness figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Recommended power supply
Here recommended power supply runs from 700W on the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend to 650W on the Arc B580 Challenger, a 7% spread. The Arc B580 Challenger is the pick for recommended power supply. The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT give no recommended power supply figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Power connector
The Arc B580 Challenger lists 1 x 8-pin; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend lists 2 x 8-pin. Sort out power connector before price: it splits 2 stated picks into groups of 1 and 1.
What to check at home
Measure for 249mm and 2 slots before ordering the Arc B580 Challenger. No dimensions are published for the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
How to Choose a GPUs for Bayonetta
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT the next step up | Arc B580 Challenger | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light loads | ASRock Challenger 7700 XT | 0dB silent cooling at light loads |
| Buyers who want white-and-silver Steel Legend finish | ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | A white-and-silver Steel Legend finish |
| Buyers who want dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles | ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB | A dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles |
| Buyers who want a factory overclock to 3290MHz and can spend more than the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB costs | ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a factory overclock to 3290MHz |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend leads on video memory at 16GB, ahead of the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB at 16GB. "Not listed" marks cooler thickness where the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc B580 Challenger | Arc B580 | 12GB | GDDR6 | 2-slot |
| ASRock Challenger 7700 XT | RX 7700 XT | 12GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 2.5-slot |
| ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Arc B580 Challenger, sat in the $250 to $500 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | Arc B580 Challenger, ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend |
| About $500 to $1000 | ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the slimmest cooler thickness: the Arc B580 Challenger or the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB?
The Arc B580 Challenger is lowest on cooler thickness at 2-slot; the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB follows at 2.5-slot, 20% apart. No cooler thickness figure is published for the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT, which leaves 2 of 5 picks ranked here.
How does the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend compare with the Arc B580 Challenger on recommended power supply?
Between the top two, it is 650W on the Arc B580 Challenger against 700W on the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, a 7% difference. The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT are left out of this ranking because their recommended power supply isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT worth paying more than the Arc B580 Challenger?
What it brings is video memory (16GB against 12GB). The Arc B580 Challenger sat in the $250 to $500 tier and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if video memory decides your purchase.
What makes the Arc B580 Challenger the Lowest Price Here?
The label rests on the lowest price of the group at our last check. It is aimed at spending as little as possible, with the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT the next step up.
Do the Arc B580 Challenger and the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT differ on GPU?
The Arc B580 Challenger uses Arc B580; the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT uses RX 7700 XT; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses RX 7800 XT; the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT use RX 9060 XT.
What should I check before buying the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend?
No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Power for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 700W the maker's minimum PSU. In this guide it ranks third of 5, and first of 5 on video memory (16GB).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Arc B580 Challenger, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT for 0dB silent cooling at light loads, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend for a white-and-silver Steel Legend finish and the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB for a dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles if those matter more to you.
Put leftover budget toward a higher-refresh monitor or an SSD.