Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Resident Evil 2
We weighed four graphics cards on video memory and card length; the Arc B580 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
Resident Evil 2 recommends a GTX 1060 or RX 480 class card. Every pick is an Intel Arc or older-generation Radeon card that cost $330 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
Resident Evil 2's official PC requirements list NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 480 and 8GB of RAM for the recommended tier (source: Steam store page). Matching brand to brand, the ASRock RX 6500 XT is a newer generation than the RX 480. The list names no Intel card we can rank, so the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, the Arc B570 Challenger and the Arc B580 Challenger can't be matched against it directly.
Rankings weigh GPU, VRAM and memory as the makers state them; we did not test these graphics cards ourselves, and if a maker skips length, the guide says so.
Requirements source: Steam store page
Quick Picks
Our 4 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)
Lowest Recommended Power Supply
ASRock Radeon RX 6500 XT Phantom Gaming D 4GB OC
The lowest recommended power supply here (400W).
Best for: Buyers who put recommended power supply first.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6500 XT Phantom Gaming D 4GB OC (opens in a new tab)
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)
Largest Video Memory
ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC
The largest video memory here (12GB).
Best for: Buyers who put video memory first.
Our take Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the ASRock RX 6500 XT 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) |
| The lowest recommended power supply here (400W). | Buyers who put recommended power supply first. | Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6500 XT Phantom Gaming D 4GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
| A 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps. | Buyers who want 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps. | Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
| The largest video memory here (12GB). | Buyers who put video memory first. | Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 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
- 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 needs two 8-pin connectors and a 650W power supply. Its 8GB video memory ranks third of 4 here, behind the Arc B580 Challenger (12GB) and ahead of the ASRock RX 6500 XT (4GB). It matches the Arc B580 Challenger on recommended power supply (650W).
No other pick in this guide offers an arc A580 gpu; compare the Arc B570 Challenger, which has an arc B570 gpu. A 2 x 8-pin power connector is unique to it among these picks, while the Arc B580 Challenger uses 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 undercut the ASRock RX 6500 XT and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
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
- Video memory of 8GB, behind the Arc B580 Challenger (12GB)
Lowest Recommended Power Supply2 of 4
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 put recommended power supply first.
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. On video memory it trails the group at 4GB, while the Arc B580 Challenger offers 12GB. Nothing else here matches its 400W recommended power supply; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger comes closest at 650W.
You get an RX 6500 XT gpu here, which sets it apart from the Arc B580 Challenger and its an arc B580 gpu. Like the Arc B570 Challenger and Arc B580 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 2820MHz boost clock; the Arc B570 Challenger has a 2600MHz boost clock instead.
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.
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 Arc B580 Challenger (12GB)
- No published card length
Also Consider3 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 want 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps.
Skip if
- Pass if a published card length matters; this one has none.
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 Arc B580 Challenger offers 12GB, and the ASRock RX 6500 XT comes in at 4GB.
An arc B570 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses an arc A580 gpu. Like the ASRock RX 6500 XT and Arc B580 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 was priced above the ASRock RX 6500 XT and below the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing. There is no published card length figure, whereas the Arc B580 Challenger comes in at 249mm.
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
Largest Video Memory4 of 4
ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Intel's Arc B580 brings 12GB of GDDR6 to the entry tier, more than the 8GB common at this price.
Best for
- Buyers who put video memory first.
Skip if
- Skip it if recommended power supply matters most to you; the ASRock RX 6500 XT offers 400W.
Why we like it
ASRock's Challenger version is 249mm long and needs one 8-pin plug and a 650W PSU. Nothing else here matches its 12GB video memory; the Arc B570 Challenger comes closest at 10GB. On recommended power supply it ties with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 650W.
An arc B580 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the Arc B570 Challenger uses an arc B570 gpu. Like the ASRock RX 6500 XT and 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. No other pick in this guide offers a 2740MHz boost clock; compare the ASRock RX 6500 XT, which has a 2820MHz boost clock.
Only the Arc B570 Challenger came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 4 picks. It gives ground on recommended power supply, where the ASRock RX 6500 XT offers 400W.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: Arc B580
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 249mm
- Thickness: 2-slot
- Recommended PSU: 650W
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 2740MHz
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 2.1, 1 x HDMI 2.1a
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Short 249mm length suits compact cases
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- A single 8-pin power connector
Cons
- Recommended power supply trails the ASRock RX 6500 XT (400W)
- 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 compared four cards on GPU, video memory, memory and card length from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 9 fields compared are stated for every pick, while card length and cooler thickness have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the Arc B580 Challenger, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock RX 6500 XT and the Arc B570 Challenger give no card length; the ASRock RX 6500 XT 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 Arc B580 Challenger ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Resident Evil 2
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory across these picks
Here video memory runs from 4GB on the ASRock RX 6500 XT to 12GB on the Arc B580 Challenger, a 200% spread. The Arc B570 Challenger comes second at 10GB, in the $250 to $500 tier against $250 to $500 for the Arc B580 Challenger.
How much recommended power supply you need
Across these 3 picks recommended power supply spans 650W (the Arc B580 Challenger) to 400W (the ASRock RX 6500 XT). The ASRock RX 6500 XT is the pick for recommended power supply. The Arc B570 Challenger gives no recommended power supply figure, so 3 of 4 picks are compared here.
How much card length you need
The Arc B580 Challenger tops card length at 249mm and the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger sits lowest at 271mm. The Arc B580 Challenger is the pick for card length. The ASRock RX 6500 XT and the Arc B570 Challenger give no card length figure, so 2 of 4 picks are compared here.
Power connector
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger lists 2 x 8-pin; the ASRock RX 6500 XT, the Arc B570 Challenger and the Arc B580 Challenger list 1 x 8-pin. Settling power connector first narrows 4 picks to 3 or 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. Measure for 249mm and 2 slots before ordering the Arc B580 Challenger.
How to Choose a GPUs for Resident Evil 2
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 put recommended power supply first | ASRock RX 6500 XT | The lowest recommended power supply here (400W) |
| Buyers who want 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps | Arc B570 Challenger | A 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps |
| Buyers who put video memory first | Arc B580 Challenger | The largest video memory here (12GB) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Arc B580 Challenger leads on video memory at 12GB, ahead of the Arc B570 Challenger at 10GB. "Not listed" marks card length where the ASRock RX 6500 XT and the Arc B570 Challenger leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | Arc A580 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 271mm |
| ASRock RX 6500 XT | RX 6500 XT | 4GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Arc B570 Challenger | Arc B570 | 10GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Arc B580 Challenger | Arc B580 | 12GB | GDDR6 | 249mm |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the Arc B580 Challenger the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, ASRock RX 6500 XT |
| About $250 to $500 | Arc B570 Challenger, Arc B580 Challenger |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these cards run Resident Evil 2 at recommended settings?
In Resident Evil 2's list, the ASRock RX 6500 XT meets the recommended card on brand, generation and model number. The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, the Arc B570 Challenger and the Arc B580 Challenger are outside the brands the list names, so look for an equivalent on Resident Evil 2's page. Resident Evil 2 also lists 8GB of system RAM for that tier, which is separate from the card.
Is the Arc B580 Challenger ahead of the Arc B570 Challenger on video memory?
The Arc B580 Challenger tops video memory at 12GB; the Arc B570 Challenger follows at 10GB, 20% apart. The ASRock RX 6500 XT closes the ranking at 4GB.
How does the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger compare with the ASRock RX 6500 XT on recommended power supply?
The ASRock RX 6500 XT comes out best at 400W, with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 650W. The Arc B570 Challenger doesn't state a recommended power supply figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 3 of 4 picks are ranked.
Which has the shortest card length: the Arc B580 Challenger or the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger?
Between the top two, it is 249mm on the Arc B580 Challenger against 271mm on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, an 8% difference. The ASRock RX 6500 XT and the Arc B570 Challenger are left out of this ranking because their card length isn't stated; 2 of 4 picks are ranked.
What does the Arc B580 Challenger add over the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger?
On paper it adds video memory (12GB against 8GB), card length (249mm against 271mm) and cooler thickness (2-slot against 2.4-slot). On our last price check the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger was in the $150 to $250 tier and the Arc B580 Challenger in the $250 to $500 tier, with 2 other picks between them; pay the difference only if video memory and card length decide your purchase.
Why is the Arc B580 Challenger our Largest Video Memory pick?
The label rests on the largest video memory here (12GB). On video memory it leads the Arc B570 Challenger, 12GB against 10GB, a 20% margin. The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for anyone who puts video memory first.
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 the lowest recommended power supply here (400W), the Arc B570 Challenger for a 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps and the Arc B580 Challenger for the largest video memory here (12GB) if those matter more to you.
Check the card's driver support for older DirectX 11 games before buying a first-generation Arc.