Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for World of Warcraft
Four graphics cards compared, from the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D to the XFX 7600 SWFT210, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
World of Warcraft depends more on CPU speed than on the graphics card, particularly in raids. Every pick cost $350 or less with at least 8GB, so more of the budget can go to the processor.
We sorted these picks by GPU, VRAM and memory, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips length, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC
A triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
Best for: Buyers who want triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
XFX Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 7600 8GB
A 2655MHz boost clock.
Best for: Buyers who want 2655MHz boost clock.
Our take Check price for XFX Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 7600 8GB (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OC
Two 90mm BladeLink fans.
Best for: Buyers who want two 90mm BladeLink fans.
Our take Check price for ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OC (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB
The lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing.
Best for: Getting 0dB silent cooling at light load for the least money.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. | Buyers who want triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. | Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
| A 2655MHz boost clock. | Buyers who want 2655MHz boost clock. | Check price for XFX Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 7600 8GB (opens in a new tab) |
| Two 90mm BladeLink fans. | Buyers who want two 90mm BladeLink fans. | Check price for ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OC (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing. | Getting 0dB silent cooling at light load for the least money. | Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 4
ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The RX 7600 is a previous-generation chip, but ASRock's Challenger Pro version asks only for a 550W power supply and uses a triple-fan cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
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
Its PCIe 4.0 x8 link is worth noting on older PCIe 3.0 boards. Like the XFX 7600 SWFT210, it has an RX 7600 gpu, while the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge uses an RTX 5050 gpu. You also get 32MB of Infinity Cache and a metal backplate.
Measure for 303mm and 2.5 slots before ordering the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro. Power for the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro comes through 1 x 8-pin, with 550W the maker's minimum PSU. Its price falls between the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge and the XFX 7600 SWFT210, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7600
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 303mm
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Recommended PSU: 550W
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 2695MHz
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1 x HDMI 2.1
Pros
- A modest 550W PSU recommendation
- A single 8-pin power connector
- Triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop
- 32MB of Infinity Cache
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D at the time of writing
Strong Alternative2 of 4
XFX Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 7600 8GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
XFX's SWFT210 RX 7600 offers a 2655MHz boost and three DisplayPort outputs on a dual-fan cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want 2655MHz boost clock.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
XFX builds it with a compact dual-fan SWFT cooler, which suits smaller cases. It carries 8GB of GDDR6, enough for 1080p at sensible settings. Like the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro, it has an RX 7600 gpu, while the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge uses an RTX 5050 gpu.
No dimensions are published for the XFX 7600 SWFT210; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the XFX 7600 SWFT210 with the maker. Buyers who need a confirmed card length should compare it with the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D, which comes in at 269mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7600
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 2655MHz
- Outputs: 1 x HDMI, 3 x DisplayPort
Pros
- 2655MHz boost clock
- Dual-fan SWFT210 cooler
- Three DisplayPort outputs
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- No published card length
- No published cooler thickness
Worth a Look3 of 4
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Zotac's RTX 5050 Twin Edge is a two-slot, SFF-Ready card with two 90mm fans and one 8-pin plug.
Best for
- Buyers who want two 90mm BladeLink fans.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent game rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the smallest NVIDIA option here for a compact case. You get an RTX 5050 gpu here, which sets it apart from the XFX 7600 SWFT210 and its an RX 7600 gpu. It also offers a pass-through airflow design and a metal backplate.
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. SFF-Ready is NVIDIA's size guideline, not a guarantee the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge fits every small case. When we checked, only the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D cost less, and the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro cost more. If you want a confirmed card length, look to the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D instead: it comes in at 269mm, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5050
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2-slot
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- SFF-Ready: Yes
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 2.1b, 1 x HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- A single 8-pin power connector
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- Two 90mm BladeLink fans
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- No published card length
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here4 of 4
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
- Getting 0dB silent cooling at light load for the least money.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent game rules it out for your setup.
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.
An RX 6600 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro uses an RX 7600 gpu. You also get 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 cost the least of the 4 picks at the time of writing, with the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge the next step up. It gives ground on video memory, where the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro offers 8GB.
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
- No published cooler thickness
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up four cards on GPU, video memory, memory and card length from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro to the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The XFX 7600 SWFT210 and the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge give no card length; the XFX 7600 SWFT210 and the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D give no cooler thickness.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D ($150 to $250) to the XFX 7600 SWFT210 ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a GPUs for World of Warcraft
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Card length across these picks
Here card length runs from 303mm on the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro 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 XFX 7600 SWFT210 and the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge.
Cooler thickness
Here cooler thickness runs from 2.5-slot on the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro to 2-slot on the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge. Start with the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge if cooler thickness decides it. No figure for the XFX 7600 SWFT210 and the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D.
What to check at home
Measure for 303mm and 2.5 slots before ordering the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro. No dimensions are published for the XFX 7600 SWFT210; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
Features beyond the spec table
The XFX 7600 SWFT210: a dual-fan SWFT210 cooler. The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge: a pass-through airflow design. The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D: a PCIe 4.0 x8 interface.
Budget
$150 to $250 buys the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D; $250 to $500 buys the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge, the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and the XFX 7600 SWFT210 at our last check.
How to Choose a GPUs for World of Warcraft
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop | ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro | A triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop |
| Buyers who want 2655MHz boost clock | XFX 7600 SWFT210 | A 2655MHz boost clock |
| Buyers who want two 90mm BladeLink fans | Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge | Two 90mm BladeLink fans |
| Getting 0dB silent cooling at light load for the least money | ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D | The lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D leads on card length at 269mm, ahead of the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro at 303mm. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro | RX 7600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 303mm |
| XFX 7600 SWFT210 | RX 7600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge | RTX 5050 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D | RX 6600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 269mm |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D was the lowest-priced pick and the XFX 7600 SWFT210 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D |
| About $250 to $500 | Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge, ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro, XFX 7600 SWFT210 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D ahead of the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro on card length?
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D comes out best at 269mm, with the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro at 303mm. The XFX 7600 SWFT210 and the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
Which has the slimmest cooler thickness: the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge or the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro?
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge comes out best at 2-slot, with the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro at 2.5-slot. The XFX 7600 SWFT210 and the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
What makes the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing. It suits getting 0dB silent cooling at light load for the least money.
Do the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge differ on GPU?
The ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and the XFX 7600 SWFT210 use RX 7600; the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge uses RTX 5050; the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D uses RX 6600.
What should I check before buying the XFX 7600 SWFT210?
No dimensions are published for the XFX 7600 SWFT210; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the XFX 7600 SWFT210 with the maker. In this guide it ranks second of 4.
Beyond the specs, what sets the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and the XFX 7600 SWFT210 apart?
The ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro: a triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. The XFX 7600 SWFT210: a 2655MHz boost clock. The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge: two 90mm BladeLink fans.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro, chosen for a triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. Look at the XFX 7600 SWFT210 for a 2655MHz boost clock, the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge for two 90mm BladeLink fans and the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D for the lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing if those matter more to you.
Cap the frame rate and use DirectX 12 for smoother raids.