Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for The Sims 2 Legacy Collection
Five graphics cards ranked on video memory and cooler thickness; the Arc B570 Challenger is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
The Sims 2 Legacy Collection runs on almost any current graphics card, so the choice comes down to price, memory and outputs. Every pick cost between $250 and $650, ordered from the lowest price.
We ranked these graphics cards on GPU, VRAM and memory using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out thickness, we say 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 4060 V2 OC Edition
A 2-slot dual-fan design.
Best for: Buyers who want 2-slot dual-fan design.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 V2 OC Edition (opens in a new tab)
Solid Runner-Up
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB OC
32 compute units.
Best for: Buyers who want 32 compute units.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS Dual Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB
The top of this price range, adding a dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles.
Best for: Spending more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB (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
- Look at the others if this bothers you: video memory of 10GB, behind the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB (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 RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB offers 16GB, and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X comes in at 6GB.
You get an arc B570 gpu here, which sets it apart from the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB and its an RX 9060 XT gpu. It is the only pick here with a 2600MHz boost clock; the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB has a 3250MHz (OC mode) boost clock instead. If you want a confirmed cooler thickness, look to the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB 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
- Video memory of 10GB, behind the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB (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
- Worth skipping when 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
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 RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB offers 16GB.
You get an RTX 3050 gpu here, which sets it apart from the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB and its an RX 9060 XT gpu. It is the only pick here with a 1492MHz boost clock; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB has a 3290MHz 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 ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB (16GB)
Worth a Look3 of 5
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 V2 OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC brings to the table is a 2-slot dual-fan design, plus DLSS 3 support.
Best for
- Buyers who want 2-slot dual-fan design.
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. Its 8GB video memory ranks fourth of 5 here, behind the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB (16GB) and ahead of the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X (6GB). It is the only pick here with an RTX 4060 gpu; the Arc B570 Challenger has an arc B570 gpu instead.
No dimensions are published for the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC; 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 4060 V2 OC with the maker. Its price falls between the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed cooler thickness should compare it with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, which comes in at 2-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- 2-slot dual-fan design
- DLSS 3 support
- Video memory of 8GB, ahead of the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X
- RTX 4060 gpu, the only one here
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
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's Challenger gives the RX 9060 XT a full 16GB of memory in a two-slot, 249mm card.
Best for
- Buyers who want 32 compute units.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Arc B570 Challenger, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The maker offers a 550W power supply and a single 8-pin plug, so it drops into most existing builds. On video memory it ties with the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB at 16GB. It shares an RX 9060 XT gpu with the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB; the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC goes with an RTX 4060 gpu.
No other pick in this guide offers a 3290MHz boost clock; compare the Arc B570 Challenger, which has a 2600MHz boost clock. It also offers 32 compute units and 0dB fan stop at light load. Power for the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB comes through 1 x 8-pin, with 550W the maker's minimum PSU.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9060 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 249mm
- Thickness: 2-slot
- Recommended PSU: 550W
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 3290MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Short 249mm length suits compact cases
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- A modest 550W PSU recommendation
Cons
- Costs more than the Arc B570 Challenger at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
ASUS Dual Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Dual RX 9060 XT 16GB offers a 3250MHz boost in OC mode with Quiet and Performance BIOS profiles and 0dB fan stop.
Best for
- Spending more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Arc B570 Challenger cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On video memory it ties with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB at 16GB. It shares an RX 9060 XT gpu with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB; the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X goes with an RTX 3050 gpu. It is the only pick here with a 3250MHz (OC mode) boost clock; the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X has a 1492MHz boost clock instead.
The ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB 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 9060 XT 16GB with the maker. At our last price check it topped the group, with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9060 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Boost clock: 3250MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles
- 0dB fan stop at light load
- 3250MHz (OC mode) boost clock, the only one here
Cons
- 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 compared five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and cooler thickness as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out cooler thickness.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Arc B570 Challenger to the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Arc B570 Challenger, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC give no cooler thickness; the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC and the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB give no power connector.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Arc B570 Challenger ($250 to $500) to the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a GPUs for The Sims 2 Legacy Collection
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory across these picks
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB tops video memory at 16GB and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X sits lowest at 6GB; 2 picks share the top figure. Start with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB if video memory decides it.
How much cooler thickness you need
Here cooler thickness runs from 2.5-slot on the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB to 2-slot on the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, a 20% spread. If cooler thickness is your first filter, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB sets the ceiling at 2-slot. The Arc B570 Challenger, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC give no cooler thickness figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Fit and compatibility
No dimensions are published for the Arc B570 Challenger; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Measure for 249mm and 2 slots before ordering the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB. The ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
Extras that separate them
The ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC: DLSS 3 support. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB: 20Gbps memory on a 128-bit bus. The ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB: 0dB fan stop at light load.
How much to spend
$250 to $500 buys the Arc B570 Challenger, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC; $500 to $1000 buys the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB and the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB at our last check.
How to Choose a GPUs for The Sims 2 Legacy Collection
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 2-slot dual-fan design | ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC | A 2-slot dual-fan design |
| Buyers who want 32 compute units | ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB | 32 compute units |
| Spending more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB costs for the fullest feature set in this group | ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB | The top of this price range, adding a dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB leads on video memory at 16GB, ahead of the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB at 16GB. "Not listed" marks cooler thickness where the Arc B570 Challenger, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC 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 |
| ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC | RTX 4060 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 2-slot |
| ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 2.5-slot |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Arc B570 Challenger was the lowest-priced pick ($250 to $500) and the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | Arc B570 Challenger, MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC |
| About $500 to $1000 | ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB compare with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB on cooler thickness?
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB comes out best at 2-slot, with the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB at 2.5-slot. The Arc B570 Challenger, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC don't state a cooler thickness figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB add over the Arc B570 Challenger?
On paper it adds video memory (16GB against 10GB). On our last price check the Arc B570 Challenger was in the $250 to $500 tier and the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB in the $500 to $1000 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if video memory decides your purchase.
Why is the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB our Premium Pick?
It earns the label for the top of this price range, adding a dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles. The Arc B570 Challenger, the cheapest pick, sat in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits spending more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
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 4060 V2 OC uses RTX 4060; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB and the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB use RX 9060 XT.
Will the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB work with my setup?
The ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB 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 9060 XT 16GB with the maker. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, as our Premium Pick, and second of 5 on video memory (16GB).
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 4060 V2 OC: a 2-slot dual-fan design.
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 4060 V2 OC for a 2-slot dual-fan design and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB for 32 compute units if those matter more to you.
Confirm the card fits your case; many budget cards are compact but some are long.