Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Chained Echoes
We weighed five graphics cards on video memory and GPU, and the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Chained Echoes runs on almost any current graphics card, so the choice comes down to price, memory and outputs. Every pick is an RTX card that cost $650 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh GPU, VRAM and memory as the makers state them; we did not test these graphics cards ourselves, and if a maker skips boost clock, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G
Undercutting the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X on price when we checked.
Best for: Getting dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler for the least money.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC
Two HDMI 2.1a outputs.
Best for: Buyers who want two HDMI 2.1a outputs.
Our take Check price for MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 OC Low Profile 8G
Three WINDFORCE fans.
Best for: Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 OC Low Profile 8G (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 V2 OC Edition
A 2535MHz boost clock in OC mode.
Best for: Buyers who want 2535MHz boost clock in OC mode.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 V2 OC Edition (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 a quiet/performance dual BIOS and can spend more than the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 costs.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5050 8GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's RTX 3050 Windforce OC V2 is the 6GB version of the RTX 3050, with DLSS support and a dual-fan cooler.
Best for
- Getting dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler for the least money.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
It has 6GB of GDDR6 on a 96-bit interface and third-generation Tensor cores for DLSS. The RTX 3050 chip has 6GB of GDDR6 on a 96-bit bus and supports DLSS and second-generation ray tracing cores. It is built on NVIDIA Ampere streaming multiprocessors, and its two Windforce fans sit on the GV-N3050WF2OCV2-6GD model.
It matches the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X on video memory (6GB). Like the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, it has an RTX 3050 gpu, while the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 uses an RTX 4060 gpu. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X was the next step up. The main gap: video memory of 6GB, behind the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile (8GB). If that matters, the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile offers 8GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 3050
- VRAM: 6GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- DLSS support
- Second-generation RT cores
- Undercutting the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X on price when we checked
Cons
- 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory of 6GB, behind the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile (8GB)
Also Consider2 of 5
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MSI's RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC has two HDMI 2.1a outputs and one DisplayPort, with DLSS support.
Best for
- Buyers who want two HDMI 2.1a outputs.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
It is built on the Ampere architecture with 6GB of GDDR6 at 14Gbps on a 96-bit interface and a 1492MHz boost clock. Its single DisplayPort output is version 1.4a, and the card carries two HDMI 2.1a ports. On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at 6GB.
It shares an RTX 3050 gpu with the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 goes with an RTX 5050 gpu. It is the only pick here with a 1492MHz boost clock; the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 has a 2535MHz (OC mode) boost clock instead. It also comes with a dual-fan Ventus cooler.
When we checked, only the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce cost less, and the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile cost more. Video memory is its weakest area, and the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile covers it better at 8GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 3050
- VRAM: 6GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 1492MHz
- Outputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 2 x HDMI 2.1a
Pros
- Two HDMI 2.1a outputs
- Dual-fan Ventus cooler
- DLSS support
- 1492MHz boost clock, the only one here
Cons
- 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory trails the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile (8GB)
- Costs more than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 OC Low Profile 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's RTX 4060 Low Profile is the previous generation, with DLSS 3 rather than DLSS 4.
Best for
- Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
Three WINDFORCE fans and a dual BIOS make it a solid fallback if the RTX 5060 cards are out of stock. The low-profile 4060 pairs three WINDFORCE fans with 8GB of GDDR6, and it supports DLSS 3 and ray tracing. On video memory it ties with the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 and the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 at 8GB.
It shares an RTX 4060 gpu with the ASUS Dual 4060 V2; the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce goes with an RTX 3050 gpu. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile; 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 4060 Low Profile with the maker. It was priced above the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and below the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Low profile: Yes
Pros
- Low-profile design for slim desktops
- Three WINDFORCE fans
- Dual BIOS
- DLSS 3 support
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 V2 OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Dual V2 offers a 2535MHz boost in OC mode and an HDMI 2.1a output on a dual-fan RTX 4060.
Best for
- Buyers who want 2535MHz boost clock in OC mode.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
It supports DLSS 3 frame generation, and its OC mode boosts to 2,535MHz. Axial-tech fans keep the dual-fan cooler compact. Axial-tech fans with longer blades and a barrier ring push more air down onto the heatsink.
On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile and the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 at 8GB. It shares an RTX 4060 gpu with the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile; the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X goes with an RTX 3050 gpu. No other pick in this guide offers a 2535MHz (OC mode) boost clock; compare the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, which has a 1492MHz boost clock.
No dimensions are published for the ASUS Dual 4060 V2; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 with the maker.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 2535MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 2535MHz boost clock in OC mode
- HDMI 2.1a output
- Dual-fan cooler
- Video memory of 8GB, ahead of the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
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 a quiet/performance dual BIOS and can spend more than the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 costs.
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 brings DLSS 4 to budget builds, with 8GB of GDDR6. It matches the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 on video memory (8GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 5050 gpu; compare the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile, which has an RTX 4060 gpu.
You get a 2677MHz (OC mode) boost clock here, which sets it apart from the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 and its a 2535MHz (OC mode) boost clock. It also comes with 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. 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 4060 V2 and the rest.
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
- Costs more than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and boost clock as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 5 picks leave out boost clock.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce to the ASUS Dual RTX 5050, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile give no boost clock.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce ($150 to $250) to the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Chained Echoes
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much video memory you need
Here video memory runs from 6GB on the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X to 8GB on the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile, a 33% spread. If video memory is your first filter, the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile sets the ceiling at 8GB.
Boost clock
The MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X lists 1492MHz; the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 lists 2535MHz (OC mode); the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 lists 2677MHz (OC mode). Settling boost clock first narrows 3 picks to 1 or 1 or 1.
Setup checks
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The ASUS Dual RTX 5050 occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
Extras that separate them
The Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile: a dual BIOS. The ASUS Dual 4060 V2: an HDMI 2.1a output. The ASUS Dual RTX 5050: 0dB fan stop.
Budget
$150 to $250 buys the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; $250 to $500 buys the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile, the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 and the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 at our last check.
How to Choose a GPUs for Chained Echoes
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler for the least money | Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | Undercutting the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want two HDMI 2.1a outputs | MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | Two HDMI 2.1a outputs |
| Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans | Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile | Three WINDFORCE fans |
| Buyers who want 2535MHz boost clock in OC mode | ASUS Dual 4060 V2 | A 2535MHz boost clock in OC mode |
| Buyers who want a quiet/performance dual BIOS and can spend more than the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 costs | 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
The Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile leads on video memory at 8GB, ahead of the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 at 8GB. "Not listed" marks boost clock where the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Boost clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | 1492MHz |
| Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile | RTX 4060 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Dual 4060 V2 | RTX 4060 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2535MHz (OC mode) |
| ASUS Dual RTX 5050 | RTX 5050 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2677MHz (OC mode) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce |
| About $250 to $500 | MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile, ASUS Dual 4060 V2, ASUS Dual RTX 5050 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 add over the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce?
On paper it adds video memory (8GB against 6GB). On our last price check the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce was in the $150 to $250 tier and the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 in the $250 to $500 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if video memory decides your purchase.
Why is the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 our Premium Pick?
The label rests on the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a quiet/performance dual BIOS. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at anyone who wants a quiet/performance dual BIOS and can spend more than the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 costs.
Do the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile differ on GPU?
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X use RTX 3050; the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 use RTX 4060; the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 uses RTX 5050.
Will the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 work with my setup?
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. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, as our Premium Pick, and third of 5 on video memory (8GB).
What extras do the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X include?
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce: a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. The MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X: two HDMI 2.1a outputs. The Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile: three WINDFORCE fans.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, chosen for undercutting the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X on price when we checked. Look at the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X for two HDMI 2.1a outputs, the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile for three WINDFORCE fans and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 for a 2535MHz boost clock in OC mode if those matter more to you.
Match the card's video outputs to your monitor's HDMI or DisplayPort inputs.