Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Rocket League
Three graphics cards ranked on video memory and card length; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 products evaluated
Rocket League is an esports title where high frame rates matter more than detail. Every pick cost $300 or less, ordered by boost clock.
The order reflects GPU, VRAM and memory from maker specifications; a missing length is flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 3 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 6600 Challenger D 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 6600 Challenger D 8GB
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 6600 Challenger D 8GB (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D 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) |
| 0dB silent cooling at light load. | Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light load. | Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
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
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent game is a problem.
Why we like it
It needs two 8-pin connectors and a 650W power supply. It matches the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D on video memory (8GB). No other pick in this guide offers an arc A580 gpu; compare the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D, which has an RX 6600 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 undercut the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: card length of 271mm, behind the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D (269mm). If that matters, the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D comes in at 269mm.
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 Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Card length of 271mm, behind the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D (269mm)
Also Consider2 of 3
ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's RX 6600 Challenger D is 269mm long, uses one 8-pin connector and stops its fans at light load.
Best for
- Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling 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 is a previous-generation 8GB card still sold new. It supports AMD FSR upscaling for higher frame rates in supported games. Its single 8-pin connector suits older power supplies.
It matches the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger on video memory (8GB). It also offers a PCIe 4.0 x8 interface and a dual-fan cooler. The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D is 269mm long; compare that with your case's GPU limit.
It also brings 0dB silent cooling at light load. Another plus is shortest card length of the picks (269mm). Its price falls between the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 6600
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 269mm
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.1
Pros
- A single 8-pin power connector
- 0dB silent cooling at light load
- PCIe 4.0 x8 interface
- Dual-fan cooler
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 Pick3 of 3
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's RTX 3050 Windforce OC V2 is the 6GB version of the RTX 3050, with DLSS support and a dual-fan cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
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 has 6GB of GDDR6 on a 96-bit interface and third-generation Tensor cores for DLSS. Its 6GB video memory is the smallest in this group; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger leads at 8GB. No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 3050 gpu; compare the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, which has an arc A580 gpu.
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; 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 RTX 3050 Windforce with the maker. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 3050
- VRAM: 6GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- DLSS support
- Second-generation RT cores
- 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 Arc A580 Challenger (8GB)
- No published card length
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side three cards on GPU, video memory, memory and card length, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce gives no card length; the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce gives no power connector.
- Price range
- From the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, all sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a GPUs for Rocket League
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory
Here video memory runs from 6GB on the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce to 8GB on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger. Start with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger if video memory decides it.
Card length across these picks
Here card length runs from 271mm on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to 269mm on the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D. The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D is the pick for card length. No figure for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce.
Power connector
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger lists 2 x 8-pin; the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D lists 1 x 8-pin. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Fit and compatibility
Measure for 271mm and 2.4 slots before ordering the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger. The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D is 269mm long; compare that with your case's GPU limit. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Extras that separate them
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger: 0dB silent cooling at light load. The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D: a PCIe 4.0 x8 interface. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce: DLSS support.
Compare upscaling and encoders
NVIDIA cards support DLSS, AMD cards FSR and Intel cards XeSS. Each game supports a different mix, so check the titles you play.
Streamers should also compare hardware video encoders.
How to Choose a GPUs for Rocket League
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 6600 Challenger D and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light load | ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D | 0dB silent cooling at light load |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | Gigabyte RTX 3050 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 ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D at 8GB. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | Arc A580 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 271mm |
| ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D | RX 6600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 269mm |
| Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the shortest card length: the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D or the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger?
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D comes out best at 269mm, with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 271mm. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce doesn't state a figure, so it sits outside this comparison.
What does the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce add over the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger?
On the figures both makers state, it adds little. It does not win everywhere: the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger still leads on video memory (8GB). The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if a feature outside the spec sheet matters to you.
Why is the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce our Premium Pick pick?
It earns the label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. It suits anyone who wants the most complete package.
Do the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D differ on GPU?
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses Arc A580; the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D uses RX 6600; the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce uses RTX 3050.
Will the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger work with my setup?
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 3, as our Lowest Price Here pick.
What extras do the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D include?
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger: a 256-bit memory bus. The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D: 0dB silent cooling at light load. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce: a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, chosen for a lower price than the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the rest when we checked. Look at the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D for 0dB silent cooling at light load and the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler if those matter more to you.
Use a high-refresh monitor; the game can drive one easily.