Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Dark Souls III
Five graphics cards compared, from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the ASUS Dual 4060 V2, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Dark Souls III is a light PC game, which makes price, memory size and driver support the main buying points for a card. Every pick cost $600 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
Dark Souls III's official PC requirements list GeForce GTX 750 or Radeon HD 7850 and 8GB of RAM for the recommended tier (source: Steam store page). Matching brand to brand, the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 are a newer generation than the GTX 750. The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, the ASRock RX 6500 XT and the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO can't be matched directly against that list.
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.
Requirements source: Steam store page
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)
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 Radeon RX 7600 EVO OC Edition 8GB
0dB fan stop at light load.
Best for: Buyers who want 0dB fan stop at light load.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual Radeon RX 7600 EVO OC Edition 8GB (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 V2 OC Edition
The top of this price range, adding a 2535MHz boost clock in OC mode.
Best for: Spending more than the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 V2 OC Edition (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 Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile, the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 at 8GB. An arc A580 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile uses an RTX 4060 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: recommended power supply of 650W, behind the ASRock RX 6500 XT (400W); by contrast, the ASRock RX 6500 XT offers 400W.
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
- Recommended power supply of 650W, behind the ASRock RX 6500 XT (400W)
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 Arc A580 Challenger leads at 8GB. A 2820MHz boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 uses a 2535MHz (OC mode) boost clock.
You also get 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 Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile, 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 Arc A580 Challenger (8GB)
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger 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
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
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. It matches the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 on video memory (8GB).
Like the ASUS Dual 4060 V2, it has an RTX 4060 gpu, while the ASRock RX 6500 XT uses an RX 6500 XT gpu. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its price falls between the ASRock RX 6500 XT and the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed cooler thickness should compare it with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, which comes in at 2.4-slot.
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 ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
ASUS Dual Radeon RX 7600 EVO OC Edition 8GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Dual EVO RX 7600 offers a 2715MHz boost with 0dB fan stop on a 2.5-slot cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want 0dB fan stop at light load.
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
On video memory it ties with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 at 8GB. You get an RX 7600 gpu here, which sets it apart from the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 and its an RTX 4060 gpu. It is the only pick here with a 2715MHz boost clock; the ASRock RX 6500 XT has a 2820MHz boost clock instead.
The ASUS Dual 7600 EVO 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 7600 EVO with the maker. If you want a confirmed recommended power supply, look to the ASRock RX 6500 XT instead: it offers 400W, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7600
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Boost clock: 2715MHz
Pros
- 0dB fan stop at light load
- 2715MHz boost clock
- 2.5-slot dual-fan cooler
- 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
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
- Spending more than the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
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.
It matches the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile and the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO on video memory (8GB). A 2535MHz (OC mode) boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO uses a 2715MHz boost clock. No dimensions are published for the ASUS Dual 4060 V2; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO. Buyers who need a confirmed cooler thickness should compare it with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, which comes in at 2.4-slot.
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 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 ASUS Dual 4060 V2, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock RX 6500 XT, the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 give no cooler thickness; the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile, the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 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 ASUS Dual 4060 V2 ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Dark Souls III
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory
Here video memory runs from 4GB on the ASRock RX 6500 XT to 8GB on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, a 100% spread. The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger is the pick for video memory.
How much cooler thickness you need
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger tops cooler thickness at 2.4-slot and the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO sits lowest at 2.5-slot. If cooler thickness is your first filter, the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger sets the ceiling at 2.4-slot. The ASRock RX 6500 XT, the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 give no cooler thickness figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Recommended power supply across these picks
The ASRock RX 6500 XT tops recommended power supply at 400W and the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger sits lowest at 650W. Start with the ASRock RX 6500 XT if recommended power supply decides it. The Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile, the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 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.
What to check at home
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 Dual 7600 EVO 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 Dark Souls 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 want three WINDFORCE fans | Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile | Three WINDFORCE fans |
| Buyers who want 0dB fan stop at light load | ASUS Dual 7600 EVO | 0dB fan stop at light load |
| Spending more than the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO costs for the fullest feature set in this group | ASUS Dual 4060 V2 | The top of this price range, adding a 2535MHz boost clock in OC mode |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger leads on video memory at 8GB, ahead of the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile at 8GB. "Not listed" marks cooler thickness where the ASRock RX 6500 XT, the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 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 |
| Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile | RTX 4060 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Dual 7600 EVO | RX 7600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2.5-slot |
| ASUS Dual 4060 V2 | 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 ASUS Dual 4060 V2 at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, ASRock RX 6500 XT |
| About $250 to $500 | Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile, ASUS Dual 7600 EVO, ASUS Dual 4060 V2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these cards run Dark Souls III at recommended settings?
In Dark Souls III's list, the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 meet the recommended card on brand, generation and model number. The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, the ASRock RX 6500 XT and the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO are outside the brands the list names, so look for an equivalent on Dark Souls III's page. Dark Souls III also lists 8GB of system RAM for that tier, which is separate from the card.
How does the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO compare with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger on cooler thickness?
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger comes out best at 2.4-slot, with the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO at 2.5-slot. The ASRock RX 6500 XT, the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 don't state a cooler thickness figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the ASRock RX 6500 XT ahead of the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger on recommended power supply?
The ASRock RX 6500 XT is lowest on recommended power supply at 400W; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger follows at 650W, 38% apart. No recommended power supply figure is published for the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile, the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2, which leaves 2 of 5 picks ranked here.
What makes the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for a lower price than the ASRock RX 6500 XT and the rest when we checked. It suits getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money.
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 Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 use RTX 4060; the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO uses RX 7600.
What should I check before buying the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO?
The ASUS Dual 7600 EVO 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 7600 EVO 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 Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile for three WINDFORCE fans and the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO for 0dB fan stop at light load if those matter more to you.
Confirm the card fits your case; many budget cards are compact but some are long.