Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Counter-Strike 2
We weighed four graphics cards on video memory and card length; the Arc B570 Challenger has the largest video memory, and the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Counter-Strike 2 on Source 2 depends heavily on the CPU, so a modest card is enough for high refresh rates. Every pick cost $350 or less and has at least 8GB of video memory.
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 out length, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC
A triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
Best for: Buyers who want triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
XFX Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 7600 8GB
A 2655MHz boost clock.
Best for: Buyers who want 2655MHz boost clock.
Our take Check price for XFX Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 7600 8GB (opens in a new tab)
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)
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC
A lower price than the Arc B570 Challenger 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)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. | Buyers who want triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. | Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
| A 2655MHz boost clock. | Buyers who want 2655MHz boost clock. | Check price for XFX Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 7600 8GB (opens in a new tab) |
| 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) |
| A lower price than the Arc B570 Challenger and the rest when we checked. | Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money. | Check price for ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 4
ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The RX 7600 is a previous-generation chip, but ASRock's Challenger Pro version asks only for a 550W power supply and uses a triple-fan cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
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 PCIe 4.0 x8 link is worth noting on older PCIe 3.0 boards. On video memory it ties with the XFX 7600 SWFT210 and the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 8GB. Like the Arc B570 Challenger, it has a 1 x 8-pin power connector, while the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses a 2 x 8-pin power connector.
It is the only pick here with a 2695MHz boost clock; the XFX 7600 SWFT210 has a 2655MHz boost clock instead. It also offers 32MB of Infinity Cache and a metal backplate. Measure for 303mm and 2.5 slots before ordering the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro.
Power for the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro comes through 1 x 8-pin, with 550W the maker's minimum PSU. When we checked, only the Arc B570 Challenger and cheaper picks cost less, and the XFX 7600 SWFT210 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7600
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 303mm
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Recommended PSU: 550W
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 2695MHz
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1 x HDMI 2.1
Pros
- A modest 550W PSU recommendation
- A single 8-pin power connector
- Triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop
- 32MB of Infinity Cache
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
Strong Alternative2 of 4
XFX Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 7600 8GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
XFX's SWFT210 RX 7600 offers a 2655MHz boost and three DisplayPort outputs on a dual-fan cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want 2655MHz boost clock.
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
XFX builds it with a compact dual-fan SWFT cooler, which suits smaller cases. It carries 8GB of GDDR6, enough for 1080p at sensible settings. On video memory it ties with the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 8GB.
It is the only pick here with a 2655MHz boost clock; the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro has a 2695MHz boost clock instead. No dimensions are published for the XFX 7600 SWFT210; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the XFX 7600 SWFT210 with the maker. If you want a confirmed card length, look to the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger instead: it comes in at 271mm, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7600
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 2655MHz
- Outputs: 1 x HDMI, 3 x DisplayPort
Pros
- 2655MHz boost clock
- Dual-fan SWFT210 cooler
- Three DisplayPort outputs
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- No published card length
- No published cooler thickness
Largest Video Memory3 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
- Skip it if you need to know its card length before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It was the least expensive card here at the time of writing and still offers three DisplayPort 2.1 outputs. Its dual striped axial fans stop completely at low load, and the card supports Intel XeSS 2 upscaling. On video memory it leads this guide at 10GB, ahead of the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro (8GB).
You get an arc B570 gpu here, which sets it apart from the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and its an RX 7600 gpu. Like the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro, it has a 1 x 8-pin power connector, while the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses a 2 x 8-pin power connector. It is the only pick here with a 2600MHz boost clock; the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro has a 2695MHz boost clock instead. If you want a confirmed card length, look to the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger instead: it comes in at 271mm, while this one gives no figure.
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
Cons
- No published card length
- No published cooler thickness
- No published recommended power supply
Lowest Price Here4 of 4
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
- 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 needs two 8-pin connectors and a 650W power supply. It matches the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and the XFX 7600 SWFT210 on video memory (8GB). It is the only pick here with an arc A580 gpu; the XFX 7600 SWFT210 has an RX 7600 gpu instead.
You get a 2 x 8-pin power connector here, which sets it apart from the Arc B570 Challenger and its a 1 x 8-pin power connector. It also offers 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 was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Arc B570 Challenger was the next step up. If video memory is your priority, the Arc B570 Challenger (10GB) is the stronger choice.
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
- Shortest card length of the picks (271mm)
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Video memory trails the Arc B570 Challenger (10GB)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up four cards on GPU, video memory, memory and card length, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro to the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The XFX 7600 SWFT210 and the Arc B570 Challenger give no card length; the XFX 7600 SWFT210 and the Arc B570 Challenger give no cooler thickness.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger ($150 to $250) to the XFX 7600 SWFT210 ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Counter-Strike 2
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much video memory you need
Here video memory runs from 8GB on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to 10GB on the Arc B570 Challenger. Start with the Arc B570 Challenger if video memory decides it.
Card length
Here card length runs from 303mm on the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro to 271mm on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger. The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger is the pick for card length. No figure for the XFX 7600 SWFT210 and the Arc B570 Challenger.
Cooler thickness across these picks
Here cooler thickness runs from 2.5-slot on the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro to 2.4-slot on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger. Start with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger if cooler thickness decides it. No figure for the XFX 7600 SWFT210 and the Arc B570 Challenger.
Power connector
The ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and the Arc B570 Challenger list 1 x 8-pin; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger lists 2 x 8-pin. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Setup checks
Measure for 303mm and 2.5 slots before ordering the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro. No dimensions are published for the XFX 7600 SWFT210; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Measure for 271mm and 2.4 slots before ordering the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger.
How to Choose a GPUs for Counter-Strike 2
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop | ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro | A triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop |
| Buyers who want 2655MHz boost clock | XFX 7600 SWFT210 | A 2655MHz boost clock |
| Buyers who put video memory first | Arc B570 Challenger | The largest video memory here (10GB) |
| Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | A lower price than the Arc B570 Challenger and the rest when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Arc B570 Challenger leads on video memory at 10GB, ahead of the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro at 8GB. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro | RX 7600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 303mm |
| XFX 7600 SWFT210 | RX 7600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Arc B570 Challenger | Arc B570 | 10GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | Arc A580 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 271mm |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger was the lowest-priced pick and the XFX 7600 SWFT210 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger |
| About $250 to $500 | Arc B570 Challenger, ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro, XFX 7600 SWFT210 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the largest video memory: the Arc B570 Challenger or the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro?
The Arc B570 Challenger leads at 10GB, with the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro at 8GB.
Is the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger ahead of the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro on card length?
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger comes out best at 271mm, with the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro at 303mm. The XFX 7600 SWFT210 and the Arc B570 Challenger don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
Is the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger ahead of the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro on cooler thickness?
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger comes out best at 2.4-slot, with the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro at 2.5-slot. The XFX 7600 SWFT210 and the Arc B570 Challenger don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
Why is the Arc B570 Challenger our Largest Video Memory pick?
It earns the label for the largest video memory here (10GB). It suits anyone who put video memory first.
Do the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and the Arc B570 Challenger differ on GPU?
The ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and the XFX 7600 SWFT210 use RX 7600; the Arc B570 Challenger uses Arc B570; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses Arc A580.
Will the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro work with my setup?
Measure for 303mm and 2.5 slots before ordering the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro. Power for the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro comes through 1 x 8-pin, with 550W the maker's minimum PSU. In this guide it ranks first of 4.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro, chosen for a triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. Look at the XFX 7600 SWFT210 for a 2655MHz boost clock, the Arc B570 Challenger for the largest video memory here (10GB) and the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger for a lower price than the Arc B570 Challenger and the rest when we checked if those matter more to you.
Spend leftover budget on the processor and a high-refresh monitor.