Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Guild Wars 2
Five graphics cards ranked on video memory and cooler thickness, where the Arc B570 Challenger has the largest video memory, and it also costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Guild Wars 2 does not need a high-end card, which leaves room to choose on price, memory and video outputs. Every pick cost between $250 and $650, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects GPU, VRAM and memory from maker specifications; a missing thickness is flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
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)
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)
Slimmest Cooler Thickness
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OC
The slimmest cooler thickness here (2-slot).
Best for: Buyers who put cooler thickness first.
Our take Check price for ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OC (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
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 OC White Edition
A white shroud for light-themed builds at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Arc B570 Challenger costs less.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 OC White Edition (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Largest Video Memory1 of 5
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 cooler thickness 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. Nothing else here matches its 10GB video memory; the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge comes closest at 8GB.
You get an arc B570 gpu here, which sets it apart from the ASUS Dual 4060 White and its an RTX 4060 gpu. It is the only pick here with a 2600MHz boost clock; the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X has a 1492MHz boost clock instead. No dimensions are published for the Arc B570 Challenger; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Power for the Arc B570 Challenger comes through 1 x 8-pin. If you want a confirmed cooler thickness, look to the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge instead: it comes in at 2-slot, 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 cooler thickness
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
- Pass on it if 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games rules it out for your setup.
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 trails the group at 6GB, while the Arc B570 Challenger offers 10GB.
You get an RTX 3050 gpu here, which sets it apart from the ASUS Dual 4060 White and its an RTX 4060 gpu. It is the only pick here with a 1492MHz boost clock; the Arc B570 Challenger has a 2600MHz boost clock instead. It also offers 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.
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
- RTX 3050 gpu, the only one here
Cons
- 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory trails the Arc B570 Challenger (10GB)
- No published cooler thickness
Slimmest Cooler Thickness3 of 5
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Zotac's RTX 5050 Twin Edge is a two-slot, SFF-Ready card with two 90mm fans and one 8-pin plug.
Best for
- Buyers who put cooler thickness first.
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 is the smallest NVIDIA option here for a compact case. It matches the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO and the ASUS Dual 4060 White on video memory (8GB). On cooler thickness it leads this guide at 2-slot, ahead of the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO (2.5-slot).
It is the only pick here with an RTX 5050 gpu; the Arc B570 Challenger has an arc B570 gpu instead. You also get a pass-through airflow design and a metal backplate. The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
SFF-Ready is NVIDIA's size guideline, not a guarantee the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge fits every small case. Its price falls between the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5050
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2-slot
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- SFF-Ready: Yes
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 2.1b, 1 x HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- A single 8-pin power connector
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- Two 90mm BladeLink fans
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Arc B570 Challenger at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 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
- 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 matches the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge and the ASUS Dual 4060 White on video memory (8GB). On cooler thickness it ties with the ASUS Dual 4060 White at 2.5-slot. No other pick in this guide offers an RX 7600 gpu; compare the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge, which has an RTX 5050 gpu.
You get a 2715MHz boost clock here, which sets it apart from the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and its a 1492MHz boost clock. You also get 0dB fan stop at light load. 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. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge and the pricier ASUS Dual 4060 White, at the time of writing.
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 MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Arc B570 Challenger at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 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 for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Arc B570 Challenger costs less.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
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 Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge and the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO at 8GB.
It matches the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO on cooler thickness (2.5-slot). You get an RTX 4060 gpu here, which sets it apart from the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO and its an RX 7600 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.
At our last price check it topped the group, with the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO the nearest cheaper option. Cooler thickness is its weakest area, and the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge covers it better at 2-slot.
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 MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Cooler thickness trails the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge (2-slot)
- Costs more than the Arc B570 Challenger at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and cooler thickness, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and cooler thickness and power connector are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Arc B570 Challenger to the ASUS Dual 4060 White, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Arc B570 Challenger and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X give no cooler thickness; the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO and the ASUS Dual 4060 White give no power connector.
- Price range
- From the Arc B570 Challenger to the ASUS Dual 4060 White, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a GPUs for Guild Wars 2
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory
Across these 5 picks video memory spans 6GB (the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X) to 10GB (the Arc B570 Challenger). If video memory is your first filter, the Arc B570 Challenger sets the ceiling at 10GB.
Cooler thickness across these picks
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge tops cooler thickness at 2-slot and the ASUS Dual 4060 White sits lowest at 2.5-slot. The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge is the pick for cooler thickness. The Arc B570 Challenger and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X give no cooler thickness figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
What to check at home
No dimensions are published for the Arc B570 Challenger; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
Extras that separate them
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge: a pass-through airflow design. The ASUS Dual 7600 EVO: a 2715MHz boost clock. The ASUS Dual 4060 White: a dual BIOS switch.
Where your budget lands
All 5 sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, from the Arc B570 Challenger at the low end to the ASUS Dual 4060 White at the top, so decide on features first.
How to Choose a GPUs for Guild Wars 2
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put video memory first | Arc B570 Challenger | The largest video memory here (10GB) |
| Buyers who want two HDMI 2.1a outputs | MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | Two HDMI 2.1a outputs |
| Buyers who put cooler thickness first | Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge | The slimmest cooler thickness here (2-slot) |
| Buyers who want 0dB fan stop at light load | ASUS Dual 7600 EVO | 0dB fan stop at light load |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Arc B570 Challenger costs less | ASUS Dual 4060 White | A white shroud for light-themed builds at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Arc B570 Challenger leads on video memory at 10GB, ahead of the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge at 8GB. "Not listed" marks cooler thickness where the Arc B570 Challenger and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc B570 Challenger | Arc B570 | 10GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge | RTX 5050 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2-slot |
| ASUS Dual 7600 EVO | RX 7600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2.5-slot |
| ASUS Dual 4060 White | RTX 4060 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2.5-slot |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Arc B570 Challenger ahead of the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge on video memory?
The Arc B570 Challenger tops video memory at 10GB; the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge follows at 8GB, 25% apart. The MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X is at the other end of this group with 6GB.
How does the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO compare with the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge on cooler thickness?
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge comes out best at 2-slot, with the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO at 2.5-slot. The Arc B570 Challenger and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X don't state a cooler thickness figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the ASUS Dual 4060 White add over the Arc B570 Challenger?
The ASUS Dual 4060 White matches or trails the Arc B570 Challenger on video memory, so the extra spend buys only what the spec sheet doesn't show. It does not win everywhere: the Arc B570 Challenger still leads on video memory (10GB). Both sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, so the choice comes down to features.
Why is the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge our Slimmest Cooler Thickness pick?
It carries the badge for the slimmest cooler thickness here (2-slot). On cooler thickness it leads the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO, 2-slot against 2.5-slot, a 20% margin. The price of that: the Arc B570 Challenger, the cheapest pick, still beats it on video memory (10GB against 8GB). It makes sense for anyone who puts cooler thickness first.
Do the Arc B570 Challenger and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X differ on GPU?
The Arc B570 Challenger uses Arc B570; the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X uses RTX 3050; the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge uses RTX 5050; the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO uses RX 7600; the ASUS Dual 4060 White uses RTX 4060.
Will the Arc B570 Challenger work with my setup?
No dimensions are published for the Arc B570 Challenger; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Power for the Arc B570 Challenger comes through 1 x 8-pin. In this guide it ranks first of 5, as our Largest Video Memory pick, and first of 5 on video memory (10GB).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Arc B570 Challenger, chosen for the largest video memory here (10GB). Look at the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X for two HDMI 2.1a outputs, the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge for the slimmest cooler thickness here (2-slot) 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.