Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Splinter Cell Chaos Theory
Five graphics cards compared, from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Splinter Cell Chaos Theory does not push current hardware, so this guide compares cards by price, memory and what they leave for other games. Every pick cost $600 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: GPU, VRAM and memory come from each maker's published specs; a missing recommended PSU is flagged, not filled in, 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 GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G
A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G (opens in a new tab)
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)
Premium Pick
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OC
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing.
Best for: Buyers who want 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing and can spend more than the Arc B570 Challenger costs.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OC (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
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
Why we like it
It needs two 8-pin connectors and a 650W power supply. On video memory it ties with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB at 8GB. An arc A580 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce uses an RTX 3050 gpu.
You also get 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 cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the ASRock RX 6500 XT the next step up. What it gives up: video memory of 8GB, behind the Arc B570 Challenger (10GB); by contrast, the Arc B570 Challenger offers 10GB.
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
- Video memory of 8GB, behind the Arc B570 Challenger (10GB)
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
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 4GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
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 Arc B570 Challenger leads at 10GB. It is the only pick here with an RX 6500 XT gpu; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger has an arc A580 gpu instead.
It shares a 1 x 8-pin power connector with the Arc B570 Challenger; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger goes with a 2 x 8-pin power connector. A 2820MHz boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB uses a 3290MHz boost clock. It also offers 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. 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 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 B570 Challenger (10GB)
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
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 dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 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. The RTX 3050 chip has 6GB of GDDR6 on a 96-bit bus and supports DLSS and second-generation ray tracing cores. It is built on NVIDIA Ampere streaming multiprocessors, and its two Windforce fans sit on the GV-N3050WF2OCV2-6GD model.
On video memory it sits mid-pack at 6GB: the Arc B570 Challenger offers 10GB, and the ASRock RX 6500 XT comes in at 4GB. An RTX 3050 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock RX 6500 XT uses an RX 6500 XT 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. There is no published recommended power supply figure, whereas the ASRock RX 6500 XT offers 400W.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 3050
- VRAM: 6GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- DLSS support
- Second-generation RT cores
- Video memory of 6GB, ahead of the ASRock RX 6500 XT
Cons
- 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
Largest Video Memory4 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
- Price-first buyers should look at the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, which cost less when we checked.
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 ASRock Arc A580 Challenger comes closest at 8GB.
No other pick in this guide offers an arc B570 gpu; compare the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, which has an RTX 3050 gpu. It shares a 1 x 8-pin power connector with the ASRock RX 6500 XT; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger goes with a 2 x 8-pin power connector. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the pricier ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its recommended power supply; if that figure matters, the ASRock RX 6500 XT offers 400W.
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
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB brings AMD's RDNA 4 architecture to a budget card with 32 compute units.
Best for
- Buyers who want 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing and can spend more than the Arc B570 Challenger costs.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Its 8GB of memory is the compromise; the 16GB version costs more. It matches the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger on video memory (8GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 9060 XT gpu; compare the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, which has an RTX 3050 gpu.
You get a 3290MHz boost clock here, which sets it apart from the Arc B570 Challenger and its a 2600MHz boost clock. It also comes with a dual-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. No dimensions are published for the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Arc B570 Challenger and the rest. The maker doesn't give its recommended power supply; if that figure matters, the ASRock RX 6500 XT offers 400W.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9060 XT
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 3290MHz
- Outputs: DisplayPort 2.1a, HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing
- Dual-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop
- 20Gbps memory on a 128-bit bus
- Video memory of 8GB, ahead of the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce
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.
- What we compared
- We compared five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and recommended power supply as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 7 fields compared are stated for every pick, while recommended power supply and power connector have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the Arc B570 Challenger and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB give no recommended power supply; the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB give no power connector.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger ($150 to $250) to the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Splinter Cell Chaos Theory
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory
The Arc B570 Challenger tops video memory at 10GB and the ASRock RX 6500 XT sits lowest at 4GB. For less, the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger is the runner-up at 8GB ($150 to $250 tier).
How much recommended power supply you need
Across these 2 picks recommended power supply spans 650W (the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger) to 400W (the ASRock RX 6500 XT). If recommended power supply is your first filter, the ASRock RX 6500 XT sets the ceiling at 400W. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the Arc B570 Challenger and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB give no recommended power supply figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Power connector
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger lists 2 x 8-pin; the ASRock RX 6500 XT and the Arc B570 Challenger list 1 x 8-pin. Sort out power connector before price: it splits 3 stated picks into groups of 2 and 1.
Fit and compatibility
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.
Features beyond the spec table
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce: DLSS support. The Arc B570 Challenger: 0dB fan stop. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB: a dual-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
How to Choose a GPUs for Splinter Cell Chaos Theory
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-fan WINDFORCE cooler | Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler |
| Buyers who put video memory first | Arc B570 Challenger | The largest video memory here (10GB) |
| Buyers who want 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing and can spend more than the Arc B570 Challenger costs | ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Arc B570 Challenger leads on video memory at 10GB, ahead of the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 8GB. "Not listed" marks recommended power supply where the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the Arc B570 Challenger and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB 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 RTX 3050 Windforce | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Arc B570 Challenger | Arc B570 | 10GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB | RX 9060 XT | 8GB | GDDR6 | 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 ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB 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, Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce |
| About $250 to $500 | Arc B570 Challenger, ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger compare with the Arc B570 Challenger on video memory?
Between the top two, it is 10GB on the Arc B570 Challenger against 8GB on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, a 25% difference. The ASRock RX 6500 XT is at the other end of this group with 4GB.
Is the ASRock RX 6500 XT ahead of the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger on recommended power supply?
The ASRock RX 6500 XT comes out best at 400W, with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 650W. No recommended power supply figure is published for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the Arc B570 Challenger and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, which leaves 2 of 5 picks ranked here.
What makes the Arc B570 Challenger the Largest Video Memory?
The label rests on the largest video memory here (10GB). The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger is next on video memory at 8GB, so this pick's 10GB is 25% further out. 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 is aimed at anyone who puts video memory first.
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 RTX 3050 Windforce uses RTX 3050; the Arc B570 Challenger uses Arc B570; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB uses RX 9060 XT.
What should I check before buying the ASRock RX 6500 XT?
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. In this guide it ranks second of 5, and fifth of 5 on video memory (4GB).
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 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 6500 XT and the rest when we checked. Look at the ASRock RX 6500 XT for 0dB silent cooling at light load, the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce for a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and the Arc B570 Challenger for the largest video memory here (10GB) if those matter more to you.
Check the card's power connector against your power supply before ordering.