Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Torchlight II
Five graphics cards compared, from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the MSI RTX 3050 LP, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Torchlight II runs on almost any current graphics card, so the choice comes down to price, memory and outputs. 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.
Largest Video Memory
ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC
The largest video memory here (8GB).
Best for: Buyers who put video memory 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
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)
Worth a Look
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)
Premium Pick
MSI Gaming RTX 3050 LP 6G OC
The top of this price range, adding 14Gbps memory on a 96-bit bus.
Best for: Spending more than the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for MSI Gaming RTX 3050 LP 6G OC (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Largest Video Memory1 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
- Buyers who put video memory 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 leads this guide at 8GB, ahead of the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce (6GB). 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: recommended power supply of 650W, behind the ASRock RX 6500 XT (400W); by contrast, the ASRock RX 6500 XT offers 400W.
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
- Largest video memory of the picks (8GB)
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Recommended power supply of 650W, behind the ASRock RX 6500 XT (400W)
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 ASRock Arc A580 Challenger leads at 8GB. A 2820MHz boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the MSI RTX 3050 LP uses a 1492MHz boost clock.
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. 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 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 ASRock Arc A580 Challenger (8GB)
- 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 ties with the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the MSI RTX 3050 LP at 6GB. It shares an RTX 3050 gpu with the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and MSI RTX 3050 LP; the ASRock RX 6500 XT goes with 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
Worth a Look4 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
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
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. It matches the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the MSI RTX 3050 LP on video memory (6GB).
Like the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and MSI RTX 3050 LP, it has an RTX 3050 gpu, while the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses an arc A580 gpu. It shares a 1492MHz boost clock with the MSI RTX 3050 LP; the ASRock RX 6500 XT goes with a 2820MHz boost clock. It also comes with a dual-fan Ventus cooler.
On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the pricier MSI RTX 3050 LP, 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: 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
- 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
Premium Pick5 of 5
MSI Gaming RTX 3050 LP 6G OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MSI's RTX 3050 LP is an entry card with 6GB of memory, fine for older games and esports titles.
Best for
- Spending more than the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
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
Two HDMI 2.1a ports and a DisplayPort make it useful in a multi-monitor work PC. On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X at 6GB. Like the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, it has a 1492MHz boost clock, while the ASRock RX 6500 XT uses a 2820MHz boost clock.
No dimensions are published for the MSI RTX 3050 LP; 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 LP with the maker. Half-height cases need the low-profile bracket; confirm it ships with the MSI RTX 3050 LP.
At our last price check it topped the group, with the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed recommended power supply, look to the ASRock RX 6500 XT instead: it offers 400W, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 3050
- VRAM: 6GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 1492MHz
- Low profile: Yes
- Outputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 2 x HDMI 2.1a
Pros
- Low-profile design for slim desktops
- 14Gbps memory on a 96-bit bus
- Two HDMI 2.1a outputs
- 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
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and recommended power supply, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out recommended power supply.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the MSI RTX 3050 LP, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the MSI RTX 3050 LP give no recommended power supply; the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the MSI RTX 3050 LP give no power connector.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger ($150 to $250) to the MSI RTX 3050 LP ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Torchlight II
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory across these picks
Across these 5 picks video memory spans 4GB (the ASRock RX 6500 XT) to 8GB (the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger). If video memory is your first filter, the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger sets the ceiling at 8GB.
Recommended power supply
Here recommended power supply runs from 650W on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to 400W on the ASRock RX 6500 XT, a 38% spread. Start with the ASRock RX 6500 XT if recommended power supply decides it. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the MSI RTX 3050 LP 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 lists 1 x 8-pin.
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.
Features beyond the spec table
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce: DLSS support. The MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X: a dual-fan Ventus cooler. The MSI RTX 3050 LP: two HDMI 2.1a outputs.
How to Choose a GPUs for Torchlight II
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put video memory first | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | The largest video memory here (8GB) |
| 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 want two HDMI 2.1a outputs | MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | Two HDMI 2.1a outputs |
| Spending more than the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X costs for the fullest feature set in this group | MSI RTX 3050 LP | The top of this price range, adding 14Gbps memory on a 96-bit bus |
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 Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at 6GB. "Not listed" marks recommended power supply where the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the MSI RTX 3050 LP 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 |
| MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| MSI RTX 3050 LP | RTX 3050 | 6GB | 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 MSI RTX 3050 LP 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 | MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, MSI RTX 3050 LP |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger ahead of the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce on video memory?
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger tops video memory at 8GB; the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce follows at 6GB, 33% apart. The spread runs down to the ASRock RX 6500 XT at 4GB.
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 Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the MSI RTX 3050 LP are left out of this ranking because their recommended power supply isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the MSI RTX 3050 LP worth paying more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger?
The MSI RTX 3050 LP matches or trails the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger on video memory, so the extra spend buys only what the spec sheet doesn't show. It does not win everywhere: the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger still leads on video memory (8GB). The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the MSI RTX 3050 LP in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them.
What makes the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger the Largest Video Memory?
It earns the label for the largest video memory here (8GB). The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce is next on video memory at 6GB, so this pick's 8GB is 33% further out. It suits 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, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the MSI RTX 3050 LP use RTX 3050.
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).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, chosen for the largest video memory here (8GB). 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 MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X for two HDMI 2.1a outputs if those matter more to you.
Install the latest driver from the maker after the card arrives.