Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for League of Legends
From the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro: three graphics cards ranked on video memory and card length, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
League of Legends is light on the GPU, so a budget card already runs it at a high refresh rate. Every pick cost $350 or less.
We sorted these picks by GPU, VRAM and memory, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips length, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OCA lower price than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money.
Check price for ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6GA dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OCA triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger costs less.
Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A lower price than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the rest when we checked. | Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money. | Check price for ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. | Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. | Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger costs less. | Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC
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
- 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 ties with the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro at 8GB. An arc A580 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro uses an RX 7600 gpu.
It also comes with 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 3 picks at the time of writing, with the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce the next step up.
Key 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
- Recommended power supply of 650W, behind the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro (550W)
The catch
What it gives up: recommended power supply of 650W, behind the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro (550W); by contrast, the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro offers 550W.
Also Consider2 of 3
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G
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 trails the group at 6GB, while the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger offers 8GB. An RTX 3050 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro uses an RX 7600 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. It was priced above the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and below the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro at the time of writing.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 3050
- VRAM
- 6GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
Pros
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- DLSS support
- Second-generation RT cores
- 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 Arc A580 Challenger (8GB)
- No published card length
The catch
It gives ground on video memory, where the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger offers 8GB.
Premium Pick3 of 3
ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC
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 for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger costs less.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
Why we like it
Its PCIe 4.0 x8 link is worth noting on older PCIe 3.0 boards. It matches the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger on video memory (8GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 7600 gpu; compare the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, which has an arc A580 gpu.
It also comes with 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. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the rest.
Key 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 Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared three cards on GPU, video memory, memory and card length as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 8 fields compared are stated for every pick, while card length and cooler thickness have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce gives no card length; the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce gives no cooler thickness.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger ($150 to $250) to the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a GPUs for League of Legends
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory across these picks
Across these 3 picks video memory spans 6GB (the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce) to 8GB (the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger). Start with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger if video memory decides it.
Card length
Here card length runs from 303mm on the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro to 271mm on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, an 11% spread. The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger is the pick for card length. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce gives no card length figure, so 2 of 3 picks are compared here.
The circuit board on the back of a graphics card How much cooler thickness you need
Here cooler thickness runs from 2.5-slot on the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro to 2.4-slot on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, a 4% spread. If cooler thickness is your first filter, the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger sets the ceiling at 2.4-slot. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce gives no cooler thickness figure, so 2 of 3 picks are compared here.
Power connector
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger lists 2 x 8-pin; the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro lists 1 x 8-pin.
Setup checks
Measure for 271mm and 2.4 slots before ordering the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Measure for 303mm and 2.5 slots before ordering the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro.
How to Choose a GPUs for League of Legends
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | A lower price than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler | Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger costs less | ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro | A triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop at the highest price in the group |
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 ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro at 8GB. "Not listed" marks card length where the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce leaves the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | Arc A580 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 271mm |
| Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro | RX 7600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 303mm |
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 7600 Challenger Pro at $250 to $500; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce |
| About $250 to $500 | ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the shortest card length: the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger or the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro?
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger is lowest on card length at 271mm; the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro follows at 303mm, 11% apart. No card length figure is published for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, which leaves 2 of 3 picks ranked here.
How does the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro compare with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger on cooler thickness?
Between the top two, it is 2.4-slot on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger against 2.5-slot on the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro, a 4% difference. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce is left out of this ranking because its cooler thickness isn't stated; 2 of 3 picks are ranked.
How does the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger compare with the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro on recommended power supply?
Between the top two, it is 550W on the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro against 650W on the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, a 15% difference. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce is left out of this ranking because its recommended power supply isn't stated; 2 of 3 picks are ranked.
Is the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro worth paying more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger?
On paper it adds recommended power supply (550W against 650W). It does not win everywhere: the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger still leads on card length (271mm) and cooler thickness (2.4-slot). The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger sat in the $150 to $250 tier and the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, with 1 other pick between them; pay the difference only if recommended power supply decides your purchase.
What makes the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger the Lowest Price Here?
The label rests on a lower price than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the rest when we checked. It is aimed at getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money.
Do the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce differ on GPU?
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses Arc A580; the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce uses RTX 3050; the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro uses RX 7600.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, chosen for a lower price than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the rest when we checked. Look at the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce for a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro for a triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
A fast CPU matters as much as the GPU for high frame rates in League.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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