Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for The Sims Legacy Collection
Four graphics cards compared, from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
For The Sims Legacy Collection, the card matters less than the monitor, memory and storage around it, so compare price and memory first. 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 thickness is flagged, not filled in, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Slimmest Cooler Thickness
ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC
The slimmest cooler thickness here (2.4-slot).
Best for: Buyers who put cooler thickness first.
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
ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 GRE EVO OC Edition
A phase-change GPU thermal pad.
Best for: Buyers who want phase-change GPU thermal pad.
Our take Check price for ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 GRE EVO OC Edition (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS ATS Radeon RX 9070 GRE 12GB OC Edition
The top of this price range, adding a 2.5-slot design.
Best for: Spending more than the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for ASUS ATS Radeon RX 9070 GRE 12GB OC Edition (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The slimmest cooler thickness here (2.4-slot). | Buyers who put cooler thickness first. | 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 6500 XT Phantom Gaming D 4GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
| A phase-change GPU thermal pad. | Buyers who want phase-change GPU thermal pad. | Check price for ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 GRE EVO OC Edition (opens in a new tab) |
| The top of this price range, adding a 2.5-slot design. | Spending more than the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE costs for the fullest feature set in this group. | Check price for ASUS ATS Radeon RX 9070 GRE 12GB OC Edition (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Slimmest Cooler Thickness1 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
- Buyers who put cooler thickness first.
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. On video memory it sits mid-pack at 8GB: the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE offers 12GB, and the ASRock RX 6500 XT comes in at 4GB. Its 2.4-slot cooler thickness is the slimmest here; the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE comes next at 2.5-slot.
An arc A580 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock RX 6500 XT uses an RX 6500 XT gpu. 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 cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the ASRock RX 6500 XT the next step up.
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 ASUS Prime 9070 GRE (12GB)
Also Consider2 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 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 ASUS Prime 9070 GRE leads at 12GB. It also comes with 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. Power for the ASRock RX 6500 XT comes through 1 x 8-pin, with 400W the maker's minimum PSU. Its price falls between the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE, 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 ASUS Prime 9070 GRE (12GB)
- No published cooler thickness
Strong Alternative3 of 4
ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 GRE EVO OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Prime RX 9070 GRE has 12GB of GDDR6 and a 2880MHz boost in OC mode, with a phase-change thermal pad.
Best for
- Buyers who want phase-change GPU thermal pad.
Skip if
- The maker gives no recommended power supply, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
It matches the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE on video memory (12GB). On cooler thickness it ties with the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE at 2.5-slot. Like the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE, it has an RX 9070 GRE gpu, while the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses an arc A580 gpu.
You also get a dual BIOS switch. The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE 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 9070 GRE with the maker.
Its price falls between the ASRock RX 6500 XT and the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed recommended power supply should compare it with the ASRock RX 6500 XT, which offers 400W.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9070 GRE
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Boost clock: 2880MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Phase-change GPU thermal pad
- Dual BIOS switch
Cons
- No published recommended power supply
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
ASUS ATS Radeon RX 9070 GRE 12GB OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE brings to the table is a 2.5-slot design, plus a dual BIOS switch.
Best for
- Spending more than the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Skip it if cooler thickness matters most to you; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger offers 2.4-slot.
Why we like it
It also offers a 12GB video memory and offers a 2.5-slot cooler thickness. On video memory it ties with the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE at 12GB. It matches the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE on cooler thickness (2.5-slot).
It shares an RX 9070 GRE gpu with the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE; the ASRock RX 6500 XT goes with an RX 6500 XT gpu. The ASUS ATS 9070 GRE 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 ATS 9070 GRE with the maker.
At our last price check it topped the group, with the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE the nearest cheaper option. Cooler thickness is its weakest area, and the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger covers it better at 2.4-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9070 GRE
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- 2.5-slot design
- Dual BIOS switch
- The top of this price range, adding a 2.5-slot design
Cons
- Cooler thickness trails the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger (2.4-slot)
- No published recommended power supply
- 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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up four cards on GPU, video memory, memory and cooler thickness, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 4 picks leave out cooler thickness.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock RX 6500 XT gives no cooler thickness; the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE and the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE give no recommended power supply.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger ($150 to $250) to the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a GPUs for The Sims Legacy Collection
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much video memory you need
The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE tops video memory at 12GB and the ASRock RX 6500 XT sits lowest at 4GB; 2 picks share the top figure. The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE is the pick for video memory.
Cooler thickness across these picks
Across these 3 picks cooler thickness spans 2.5-slot (the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE) to 2.4-slot (the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger). If cooler thickness is your first filter, the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger sets the ceiling at 2.4-slot. The ASRock RX 6500 XT gives no cooler thickness figure, so 3 of 4 picks are compared here.
Recommended power supply
Across these 2 picks recommended power supply spans 650W (the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger) to 400W (the ASRock RX 6500 XT). Start with the ASRock RX 6500 XT if recommended power supply decides it. The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE and the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE give no recommended power supply 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 lists 1 x 8-pin. Settling power connector first narrows 2 picks to 1 or 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. The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
How to Choose a GPUs for The Sims Legacy Collection
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put cooler thickness first | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | The slimmest cooler thickness here (2.4-slot) |
| Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light load | ASRock RX 6500 XT | 0dB silent cooling at light load |
| Buyers who want phase-change GPU thermal pad | ASUS Prime 9070 GRE | A phase-change GPU thermal pad |
| Spending more than the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE costs for the fullest feature set in this group | ASUS ATS 9070 GRE | The top of this price range, adding a 2.5-slot design |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE leads on video memory at 12GB, ahead of the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE at 12GB. "Not listed" marks cooler thickness where the ASRock RX 6500 XT leaves the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | Arc A580 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2.4-slot |
| ASRock RX 6500 XT | RX 6500 XT | 4GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Prime 9070 GRE | RX 9070 GRE | 12GB | GDDR6 | 2.5-slot |
| ASUS ATS 9070 GRE | RX 9070 GRE | 12GB | GDDR6 | 2.5-slot |
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 ASUS ATS 9070 GRE at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, ASRock RX 6500 XT |
| About $500 to $1000 | ASUS Prime 9070 GRE, ASUS ATS 9070 GRE |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger ahead of the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE on cooler thickness?
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger is lowest on cooler thickness at 2.4-slot; the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE follows at 2.5-slot, 4% apart. The ASRock RX 6500 XT is left out of this ranking because its cooler thickness isn't stated; 3 of 4 picks are ranked.
Which has the lowest recommended power supply: the ASRock RX 6500 XT or the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger?
Between the top two, it is 400W on the ASRock RX 6500 XT against 650W on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, a 38% difference. The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE and the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE don't state a recommended power supply figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 4 picks are ranked.
Is the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE worth paying more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger?
On paper it adds video memory (12GB against 8GB). It does not win everywhere: the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger still leads on cooler thickness (2.4-slot). The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, with 2 other picks between them; pay the difference only if video memory decides your purchase.
What makes the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger the Slimmest Cooler Thickness?
It earns the label for the slimmest cooler thickness here (2.4-slot). The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE is next on cooler thickness at 2.5-slot, so this pick's 2.4-slot is 4% further out. It suits anyone who puts cooler thickness 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 ASUS Prime 9070 GRE and the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE use RX 9070 GRE.
What should I check before buying the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE?
The ASUS ATS 9070 GRE 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 ATS 9070 GRE with the maker. In this guide it ranks fourth of 4, as our Premium Pick, and second of 4 on video memory (12GB).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, chosen for the slimmest cooler thickness here (2.4-slot). Look at the ASRock RX 6500 XT for 0dB silent cooling at light load, the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE for a phase-change GPU thermal pad and the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE for the top of this price range, adding a 2.5-slot design if those matter more to you.
Confirm the card fits your case; many budget cards are compact but some are long.