Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Factorio
Five graphics cards compared, from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Factorio sits well within what current cards offer, and the same card also covers heavier games in your library. Every pick cost $600 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for GPU, VRAM and memory; where a maker leaves out recommended PSU, we say so, 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)
Strong Alternative
Gigabyte Radeon RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G
A dual BIOS for Performance or Silent.
Best for: Buyers who want dual BIOS for Performance or Silent.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte Radeon RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 Gaming OC 8G
Three WINDFORCE fans.
Best for: Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 Gaming 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 RX 7600 Gaming OC 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
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
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 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. On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G, the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce at 8GB. You get an arc A580 gpu here, which sets it apart from the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce and its an RTX 5060 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.
No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the ASRock RX 6500 XT was closest. 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
- Worth skipping when 4GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
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. No other pick in this guide offers an RX 6500 XT gpu; compare the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC, which has an RX 7600 gpu.
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. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the pricier Gigabyte 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G, at the time of writing.
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 Radeon RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Gigabyte 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G stands out for a dual BIOS for Performance or Silent, and it adds a WINDFORCE cooling system with RGB lighting.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual BIOS for Performance or Silent.
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 also offers an 8GB video memory. It matches the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce on video memory (8GB). No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G; 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 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G with the maker. Its price falls between the ASRock RX 6500 XT and the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed recommended power supply should compare it with the ASRock RX 6500 XT, which offers 400W.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9060 XT
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 3320MHz
Pros
- Dual BIOS for Performance or Silent
- WINDFORCE cooling system with RGB lighting
- Video memory of 8GB, ahead of the ASRock RX 6500 XT
- RX 9060 XT gpu, the only one here
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
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 Gaming OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's RX 7600 Gaming OC is a previous-generation card with three WINDFORCE fans and a metal backplate.
Best for
- Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
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 has two DisplayPort 2.1 outputs and one HDMI 2.1. On video memory it ties with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, the Gigabyte 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G and the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce at 8GB. You get an RX 7600 gpu here, which sets it apart from the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce and its an RTX 5060 gpu.
You also get RGB Fusion lighting. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC; 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 RX 7600 Gaming OC 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
- Outputs: 1 x HDMI 2.1, 2 x DisplayPort 2.1
Pros
- Three WINDFORCE fans
- RGB Fusion lighting
- Metal backplate
- 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 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 RX 7600 Gaming OC costs.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
Why we like it
The maker publishes few details, so confirm length and power needs on Gigabyte's spec page before buying. On video memory it ties with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, the Gigabyte 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G and the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC at 8GB. An RTX 5060 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock RX 6500 XT uses an RX 6500 XT gpu.
It is the only pick here with GDDR7 memory; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger has GDDR6 memory instead. It also comes with 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.
Only the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. There is no published recommended power supply figure, whereas the ASRock RX 6500 XT offers 400W.
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 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.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and recommended power supply from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and recommended power supply and power connector are missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce, state GPU, video memory and memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G, the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce give no recommended power supply; the Gigabyte 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G, the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce give no power connector.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger ($150 to $250) to the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Factorio
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. Start with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger if video memory decides it.
How much recommended power supply you need
The ASRock RX 6500 XT tops recommended power supply at 400W and the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger sits lowest at 650W. The ASRock RX 6500 XT is the pick for recommended power supply. The Gigabyte 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G, the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce give no recommended power supply figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, the ASRock RX 6500 XT, the Gigabyte 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G and the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC 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.
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.
How to Choose a GPUs for Factorio
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 dual BIOS for Performance or Silent | Gigabyte 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G | A dual BIOS for Performance or Silent |
| Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans | Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC | Three WINDFORCE fans |
| Buyers who want a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and can spend more than the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC 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 ASRock Arc A580 Challenger leads on video memory at 8GB, ahead of the Gigabyte 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G at 8GB. "Not listed" marks recommended power supply where the Gigabyte 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G, the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Recommended PSU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | Arc A580 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 650W |
| ASRock RX 6500 XT | RX 6500 XT | 4GB | GDDR6 | 400W |
| Gigabyte 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G | RX 9060 XT | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC | RX 7600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce | RTX 5060 | 8GB | GDDR7 | 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 RTX 5060 Windforce 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 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G, Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC, Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce |
Frequently Asked Questions
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 Gigabyte 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G, the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte RTX 5060 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 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 makes sense for 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 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G uses RX 9060 XT; the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC uses RX 7600; the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce uses RTX 5060.
What should I check before buying the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger?
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. In this guide it ranks first of 5, as our Lowest Price Here pick, and first of 5 on video memory (8GB).
Beyond the specs, what sets the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the ASRock RX 6500 XT apart?
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger: a 256-bit memory bus. The ASRock RX 6500 XT: 0dB silent cooling at light load. The Gigabyte 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G: a dual BIOS for Performance or Silent.
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 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G for a dual BIOS for Performance or Silent and the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC for three WINDFORCE fans if those matter more to you.
Install the latest driver from the maker after the card arrives.