Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Company of Heroes
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
Company of Heroes sits well within what current cards offer, and the same card also covers heavier games in your library. Every pick is an RTX card that cost $650 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these graphics cards on GPU, VRAM and memory using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these graphics cards ourselves, and where a maker leaves a figure out, we say 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
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 OC White Edition
A white shroud for light-themed builds.
Best for: Buyers who want white shroud for light-themed builds.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 OC White Edition (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 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 4060 Ti WINDFORCE OC 8G (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5060 WINDFORCE OC 8G
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and can spend more than the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce costs.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5060 WINDFORCE OC 8G (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
- Worth skipping when 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
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 Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce uses an RTX 4060 Ti gpu. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
It undercut the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: video memory of 6GB, behind the ASUS Dual 4060 White (8GB). If that matters, the ASUS Dual 4060 White 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 ASUS Dual 4060 White (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 also comes with a dual-fan Ventus cooler. No dimensions are published for the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X with the maker.
It was priced above the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and below the ASUS Dual 4060 White at the time of writing. It gives ground on video memory, where the ASUS Dual 4060 White offers 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
Cons
- 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory trails the ASUS Dual 4060 White (8GB)
- Costs more than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 OC White Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Dual White has a white shroud for light-themed builds, a dual BIOS switch and a 2.5-slot cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want white shroud for light-themed builds.
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 OC mode boosts to 2,535MHz, and Axial-tech fans with barrier rings push more air downward. Its dual ball fan bearings last up to twice as long as sleeve bearings. On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce and the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce at 8GB.
An RTX 4060 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X uses an RTX 3050 gpu. The ASUS Dual 4060 White 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 4060 White with the maker. It was priced above the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and below the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
Pros
- White shroud for light-themed builds
- Dual BIOS switch
- 2.5-slot 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
Worth a Look4 of 5
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 Ti WINDFORCE OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's Windforce OC is a factory-overclocked dual-fan RTX 4060 Ti.
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
It was the least expensive 4060 Ti here at the time of writing. It carries 8GB of GDDR6 on a 128-bit memory interface and a two-fan WINDFORCE cooling system. A metal back plate protects the card, and the maker lists DLSS 3 support with fourth-generation Tensor cores.
On video memory it ties with the ASUS Dual 4060 White and the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce at 8GB. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 4060 Ti 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 4060 Ti Windforce with the maker.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4060 Ti
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- 128-bit memory bus
- Factory overclock
- 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
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5060 WINDFORCE OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's RTX 5060 Windforce is the budget route to DLSS 4 and GDDR7 memory.
Best for
- Buyers who want a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and can spend more than the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce costs.
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
The maker publishes few details, so confirm length and power needs on Gigabyte's spec page before buying. It matches the ASUS Dual 4060 White and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce on video memory (8GB). It is the only pick here with an RTX 5060 gpu; the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce has an RTX 3050 gpu instead.
You get GDDR7 memory here, which sets it apart from the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce and its GDDR6 memory. It also offers a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and a PCIe 5.0 interface. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 5060 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 5060 Windforce with the maker. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR7
Pros
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- PCIe 5.0 interface
- 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
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 and memory from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 3 fields compared are stated for every pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce to the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce, state GPU, video memory and memory.
- Who each pick suits
- The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce for undercutting the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X on price when we checked; the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X for two HDMI 2.1a outputs; the ASUS Dual 4060 White for a white shroud for light-themed builds.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce ($150 to $250) to the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Company of Heroes
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory
Here video memory runs from 6GB on the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X to 8GB on the ASUS Dual 4060 White, a 33% spread. Start with the ASUS Dual 4060 White if video memory decides it.
Memory
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, the ASUS Dual 4060 White and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce list GDDR6; the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce lists GDDR7. Sort out memory before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 4 and 1.
What to check at home
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The ASUS Dual 4060 White occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
Extras that separate them
The ASUS Dual 4060 White: a dual BIOS switch. The Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce: a 128-bit memory bus. The Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce: a PCIe 5.0 interface.
Where your budget lands
$150 to $250 buys the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; $250 to $500 buys the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, the ASUS Dual 4060 White, the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce and the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce at our last check.
How to Choose a GPUs for Company of Heroes
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 white shroud for light-themed builds | ASUS Dual 4060 White | A white shroud for light-themed builds |
| Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler | Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce | A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler |
| Buyers who want a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and can spend more than the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce costs | Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASUS Dual 4060 White leads on video memory at 8GB, ahead of the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce at 8GB.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 |
| MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 |
| ASUS Dual 4060 White | RTX 4060 | 8GB | GDDR6 |
| Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce | RTX 4060 Ti | 8GB | GDDR6 |
| Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce | RTX 5060 | 8GB | GDDR7 |
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 Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce 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, ASUS Dual 4060 White, Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce, Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce 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 Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce 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 Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce our Premium Pick?
It carries the badge for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. 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 suits anyone who wants a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and can spend more than the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce costs.
Do the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the ASUS Dual 4060 White differ on GPU?
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X use RTX 3050; the ASUS Dual 4060 White uses RTX 4060; the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce uses RTX 4060 Ti; the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce uses RTX 5060.
Will the ASUS Dual 4060 White work with my setup?
The ASUS Dual 4060 White 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 4060 White with the maker. In this guide it ranks third of 5, and first 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 ASUS Dual 4060 White: a white shroud for light-themed builds.
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 ASUS Dual 4060 White for a white shroud for light-themed builds and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce for a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler if those matter more to you.
Check the card's power connector against your power supply before ordering.