Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Pillars of Eternity II
Five graphics cards ranked on video memory and GPU, where the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend has the largest video memory; the Arc B570 Challenger is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Pillars of Eternity II does not push current hardware, so this guide compares cards by price, memory and what they leave for other games. Every pick cost between $250 and $650, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh GPU, VRAM and memory as the makers state them; if a maker skips power connector, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC
A 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps.
Best for: Buyers who want 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps.
Our take Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
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)
Worth a Look
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 8GB White OC Edition
A white finish.
Best for: Buyers who want white finish.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 8GB White OC Edition (opens in a new tab)
Solid Runner-Up
ASUS Prime GeForce RTX 5060 8GB
A quiet/performance dual BIOS switch.
Best for: Buyers who want quiet/performance dual BIOS switch.
Our take Check price for ASUS Prime GeForce RTX 5060 8GB (opens in a new tab)
Largest Video Memory
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC
The largest video memory here (16GB).
Best for: Buyers who put video memory first.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 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 want 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: video memory of 10GB, behind the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB).
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 sits mid-pack at 10GB: the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend offers 16GB, and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X comes in at 6GB.
An arc B570 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS Dual 5060 White uses an RTX 5060 gpu. Like the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, it has GDDR6 memory, while the ASUS Dual 5060 White uses GDDR7 memory. No other pick in this guide offers a 2600MHz boost clock; compare the ASUS Prime RTX 5060, which has a 2527MHz (OC mode) boost clock. No dimensions are published for the Arc B570 Challenger; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
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
- Video memory of 10GB, behind the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB)
Strong Alternative2 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 trails the group at 6GB, while the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend offers 16GB.
An RTX 3050 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS Dual 5060 White uses an RTX 5060 gpu. Like the Arc B570 Challenger and ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, it has GDDR6 memory, while the ASUS Dual 5060 White uses GDDR7 memory. No other pick in this guide offers a 1492MHz boost clock; compare the ASUS Prime RTX 5060, which has a 2527MHz (OC mode) boost clock.
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.
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 ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB)
Worth a Look3 of 5
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 8GB White OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the ASUS Dual 5060 White brings to the table is a white finish, plus a dual BIOS switch.
Best for
- Buyers who want white finish.
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 also offers an 8GB video memory. On video memory it ties with the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 at 8GB. It shares an RTX 5060 gpu with the ASUS Prime RTX 5060; the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X goes with an RTX 3050 gpu.
Like the ASUS Prime RTX 5060, it has GDDR7 memory, while the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses GDDR6 memory. No dimensions are published for the ASUS Dual 5060 White; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASUS Dual 5060 White with the maker. SFF-Ready is NVIDIA's size guideline, not a guarantee the ASUS Dual 5060 White fits every small case.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR7
- SFF-Ready: Yes
Pros
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- White finish
- Dual BIOS switch
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
Solid Runner-Up4 of 5
ASUS Prime GeForce RTX 5060 8GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Prime RTX 5060 is a well-rounded 1080p card: GDDR7 memory, a quiet/performance BIOS switch and 0dB fan stop in a 2.5-slot, SFF-Ready design.
Best for
- Buyers who want quiet/performance dual BIOS switch.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
Why we like it
On video memory it ties with the ASUS Dual 5060 White at 8GB. It shares an RTX 5060 gpu with the ASUS Dual 5060 White; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend goes with an RX 7800 XT gpu. Like the ASUS Dual 5060 White, it has GDDR7 memory, while the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses GDDR6 memory.
It is the only pick here with a 2527MHz (OC mode) boost clock; the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X has a 1492MHz boost clock instead. You also get dual-ball fan bearings. The ASUS Prime RTX 5060 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 Prime RTX 5060 with the maker. SFF-Ready is NVIDIA's size guideline, not a guarantee the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 fits every small case.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR7
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Boost clock: 2527MHz (OC mode)
- SFF-Ready: Yes
Pros
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- Quiet/performance dual BIOS switch
- 0dB fan stop
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
Largest Video Memory5 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Steel Legend adds a white-and-silver finish and a 2520MHz boost, and it has a 700W recommended power supply.
Best for
- Buyers who put video memory first.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables.
Why we like it
Nothing else here matches its 16GB video memory; the Arc B570 Challenger comes closest at 10GB. No other pick in this guide offers an RX 7800 XT gpu; compare the ASUS Dual 5060 White, which has an RTX 5060 gpu. It shares GDDR6 memory with the Arc B570 Challenger and MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X; the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 goes with GDDR7 memory.
You get a 2520MHz boost clock here, which sets it apart from the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 and its a 2527MHz (OC mode) boost clock. No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Power for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 700W the maker's minimum PSU.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7800 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Recommended PSU: 700W
- Power connector: 2 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 2520MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- White-and-silver Steel Legend finish
- 700W recommended PSU
- RX 7800 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- 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.
- What we compared
- We lined up five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and power connector as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out power connector.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Arc B570 Challenger to the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, state GPU, video memory and memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, the ASUS Dual 5060 White and the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 give no power connector; the ASUS Dual 5060 White gives no boost clock.
- Price range
- From the Arc B570 Challenger to the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a GPUs for Pillars of Eternity II
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much video memory you need
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend tops video memory at 16GB and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X sits lowest at 6GB. The Arc B570 Challenger comes second at 10GB, in the $250 to $500 tier against $250 to $500 for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend.
Memory
The Arc B570 Challenger, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend list GDDR6; the ASUS Dual 5060 White and the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 list GDDR7.
Power connector
The Arc B570 Challenger lists 1 x 8-pin; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend lists 2 x 8-pin. Sort out power connector before price: it splits 2 stated picks into groups of 1 and 1.
Setup checks
No dimensions are published for the Arc B570 Challenger; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The ASUS Prime RTX 5060 occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
Extras that separate them
The MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X: a dual-fan Ventus cooler. The ASUS Dual 5060 White: a dual BIOS switch. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend: a 700W recommended PSU.
How to Choose a GPUs for Pillars of Eternity II
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps | Arc B570 Challenger | A 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps |
| Buyers who want two HDMI 2.1a outputs | MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | Two HDMI 2.1a outputs |
| Buyers who want white finish | ASUS Dual 5060 White | A white finish |
| Buyers who want quiet/performance dual BIOS switch | ASUS Prime RTX 5060 | A quiet/performance dual BIOS switch |
| Buyers who put video memory first | ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | The largest video memory here (16GB) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend leads on video memory at 16GB, ahead of the Arc B570 Challenger at 10GB. "Not listed" marks power connector where the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, the ASUS Dual 5060 White and the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Power connector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc B570 Challenger | Arc B570 | 10GB | GDDR6 | 1 x 8-pin |
| MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Dual 5060 White | RTX 5060 | 8GB | GDDR7 | Not listed |
| ASUS Prime RTX 5060 | RTX 5060 | 8GB | GDDR7 | Not listed |
| ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 2 x 8-pin |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend ahead of the Arc B570 Challenger on video memory?
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend tops video memory at 16GB; the Arc B570 Challenger follows at 10GB, 60% apart. The MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X is at the other end of this group with 6GB.
What does the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend add over the Arc B570 Challenger?
On paper it adds video memory (16GB against 10GB). Both sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, so the gains in video memory cost little extra by tier.
Why is the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend our Largest Video Memory pick?
The label rests on the largest video memory here (16GB). On video memory it leads the Arc B570 Challenger, 16GB against 10GB, a 60% margin. It makes sense for anyone who puts video memory 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 ASUS Dual 5060 White and the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 use RTX 5060; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses RX 7800 XT.
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, and second of 5 on video memory (10GB).
What extras do the Arc B570 Challenger and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X include?
The Arc B570 Challenger: a 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps. The MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X: two HDMI 2.1a outputs. The ASUS Dual 5060 White: a white finish.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Arc B570 Challenger, chosen for a 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps. Look at the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X for two HDMI 2.1a outputs, the ASUS Dual 5060 White for a white finish and the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 for a quiet/performance dual BIOS switch if those matter more to you.
Install the latest driver from the maker after the card arrives.