Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Civilization III
Five graphics cards compared, from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the Gigabyte 4060 Windforce, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
For Civilization III, the card matters less than the monitor, memory and storage around it, so compare price and memory first. Every pick cost $600 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: GPU, VRAM and memory come from each maker's published specs; a missing thickness is flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC
A lower price than the ASRock RX 6500 XT 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 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)
Largest Video Memory
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger Pro 16GB OC
The largest video memory here (16GB).
Best for: Buyers who put video memory first.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger Pro 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB OC Edition
A 2.5-slot design.
Best for: Buyers who want 2.5-slot design.
Our take Check price for ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB OC Edition (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 WINDFORCE OC 8G
The top of this price range, adding a dual BIOS switch.
Best for: Spending more than the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 WINDFORCE OC 8G (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
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
- Pass on it if 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It needs two 8-pin connectors and a 650W power supply. On video memory it ties with the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB and the Gigabyte 4060 Windforce at 8GB. An arc A580 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT uses an RX 9060 XT gpu.
It also comes with 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.
It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the ASRock RX 6500 XT the next step up. What it gives up: video memory of 8GB, behind the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT (16GB); by contrast, the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT offers 16GB.
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 ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT (16GB)
Also Consider2 of 5
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 ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT leads at 16GB. It is the only pick here with an RX 6500 XT gpu; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger has an arc A580 gpu instead.
It also comes with 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. Its price falls between the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT, based on our last check.
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 ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT (16GB)
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
Largest Video Memory3 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 put video memory first.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 16GB video memory. Nothing else here matches its 16GB video memory; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger comes closest at 8GB. Like the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB, it has an RX 9060 XT gpu, while the ASRock RX 6500 XT uses an RX 6500 XT gpu.
No dimensions are published for the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 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 Pro 9060 XT with the maker. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper ASRock RX 6500 XT and the pricier ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its cooler thickness; if that figure matters, the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger comes in at 2.4-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
- The largest video memory here (16GB)
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB brings to the table is a 2.5-slot design, plus 0dB fan stop at light loads.
Best for
- Buyers who want 2.5-slot design.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also offers an 8GB video memory and offers a 2.5-slot cooler thickness. It matches the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the Gigabyte 4060 Windforce on video memory (8GB). Like the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT, it has an RX 9060 XT gpu, while the Gigabyte 4060 Windforce uses an RTX 4060 gpu.
The ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB 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 Prime 9060 XT 8GB with the maker. The maker doesn't give its recommended power supply; if that figure matters, the ASRock RX 6500 XT offers 400W.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9060 XT
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
Pros
- 2.5-slot design
- 0dB fan stop at light loads
- Video memory of 8GB, ahead of the ASRock RX 6500 XT
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 WINDFORCE OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's Windforce OC adds a dual BIOS switch to a dual-fan RTX 4060 with a 128-bit memory bus.
Best for
- Spending more than the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It supports DLSS 3 frame generation, and third-generation RT cores give up to twice the ray tracing performance of the last generation. Two WINDFORCE fans cool the 8GB of GDDR6 on a 128-bit bus, and DLSS 3 is supported through fourth-generation tensor cores. On video memory it ties with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB at 8GB.
An RTX 4060 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock RX 6500 XT uses an RX 6500 XT gpu. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 4060 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Only the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. There is no published cooler thickness figure, whereas the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger comes in at 2.4-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- Dual BIOS switch
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- 128-bit memory bus
- Video memory of 8GB, ahead of the ASRock RX 6500 XT
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- 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 ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the Gigabyte 4060 Windforce, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock RX 6500 XT, the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT and the Gigabyte 4060 Windforce give no cooler thickness; the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT, the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB and the Gigabyte 4060 Windforce 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 Gigabyte 4060 Windforce ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Civilization III
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory across these picks
Across these 5 picks video memory spans 4GB (the ASRock RX 6500 XT) to 16GB (the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT). For less, the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger is the runner-up at 8GB ($150 to $250 tier).
Cooler thickness
Here cooler thickness runs from 2.5-slot on the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB to 2.4-slot on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, a 4% spread. The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger is the pick for cooler thickness. The ASRock RX 6500 XT, the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT and the Gigabyte 4060 Windforce give no cooler thickness figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
How much recommended power supply you need
Here recommended power supply runs from 650W on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to 400W on the ASRock RX 6500 XT, a 38% spread. If recommended power supply is your first filter, the ASRock RX 6500 XT sets the ceiling at 400W. The ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT, the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB and the Gigabyte 4060 Windforce give no recommended power supply figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Power connector
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger lists 2 x 8-pin; the ASRock RX 6500 XT lists 1 x 8-pin. Sort out power connector before price: it splits 2 stated picks into groups of 1 and 1.
Fit and compatibility
Measure for 271mm and 2.4 slots before ordering the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger. No dimensions are published for the ASRock RX 6500 XT; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB 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 Civilization III
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | A lower price than the ASRock RX 6500 XT and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light load | ASRock RX 6500 XT | 0dB silent cooling at light load |
| Buyers who put video memory first | ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT | The largest video memory here (16GB) |
| Buyers who want 2.5-slot design | ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB | A 2.5-slot design |
| Spending more than the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Gigabyte 4060 Windforce | The top of this price range, adding a dual BIOS switch |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT leads on video memory at 16GB, ahead of the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 8GB. "Not listed" marks cooler thickness where the ASRock RX 6500 XT, the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT and the Gigabyte 4060 Windforce leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | Arc A580 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2.4-slot |
| ASRock RX 6500 XT | RX 6500 XT | 4GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB | RX 9060 XT | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2.5-slot |
| Gigabyte 4060 Windforce | RTX 4060 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, sat in the $150 to $250 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Gigabyte 4060 Windforce at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, ASRock RX 6500 XT |
| About $500 to $1000 | ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT, ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB, Gigabyte 4060 Windforce |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT ahead of the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger on video memory?
The ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT tops video memory at 16GB; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger follows at 8GB, 100% apart. The ASRock RX 6500 XT closes the ranking at 4GB.
Which has the slimmest cooler thickness: the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger or the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB?
Between the top two, it is 2.4-slot on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger against 2.5-slot on the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB, a 4% difference. The ASRock RX 6500 XT, the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT and the Gigabyte 4060 Windforce are left out of this ranking because their cooler thickness isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Which has the lowest recommended power supply: the ASRock RX 6500 XT or the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger?
Between the top two, it is 400W on the ASRock RX 6500 XT against 650W on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, a 38% difference. The ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT, the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB and the Gigabyte 4060 Windforce are left out of this ranking because their recommended power supply isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
What makes the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT the Largest Video Memory?
The label rests on the largest video memory here (16GB). The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger is next on video memory at 8GB, so this pick's 16GB is 100% further out. The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $500 to $1000 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at anyone who puts video memory first.
Do the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the ASRock RX 6500 XT differ on GPU?
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses Arc A580; the ASRock RX 6500 XT uses RX 6500 XT; the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT and the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB use RX 9060 XT; the Gigabyte 4060 Windforce uses RTX 4060.
What should I check before buying the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB?
The ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB 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 Prime 9060 XT 8GB with the maker. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, and third of 5 on video memory (8GB).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, chosen for a lower price than the ASRock RX 6500 XT and the rest when we checked. Look at the ASRock RX 6500 XT for 0dB silent cooling at light load, the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT for the largest video memory here (16GB) and the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 8GB for a 2.5-slot design if those matter more to you.
Check the card's power connector against your power supply before ordering.