Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Streaming
From the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce: five graphics cards ranked on video memory and GPU, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Streaming from the GPU depends on its hardware encoder, which AV1 support improves. Every pick is an RTX 40, RTX 50 or Arc card that cost $700 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; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing power connector is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC
A lower price than the Arc B570 Challenger and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money.
Our take Check price for ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Largest Video Memory
ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC
The largest video memory here (10GB).
Best for: Buyers who put video memory first.
Our take Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5050 WINDFORCE OC 8G
A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5050 WINDFORCE OC 8G (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 OC Low Profile 8G
Three WINDFORCE fans.
Best for: Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 OC Low Profile 8G (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 Ti WINDFORCE OC 8G
The top of this price range, adding a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 Ti WINDFORCE OC 8G (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 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
- 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 Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce, the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce at 8GB. You get an arc A580 gpu here, which sets it apart from the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce and its an RTX 4060 Ti 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.
No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Arc B570 Challenger was closest. What it gives up: video memory of 8GB, behind the Arc B570 Challenger (10GB); by contrast, the Arc B570 Challenger offers 10GB.
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
- Arc A580 gpu, the only one here
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 Arc B570 Challenger (10GB)
Largest Video Memory2 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 put video memory first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger cost less when we checked.
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. Nothing else here matches its 10GB video memory; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger comes closest at 8GB.
No dimensions are published for the Arc B570 Challenger; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Power for the Arc B570 Challenger comes through 1 x 8-pin. Its price falls between the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce, based on our last check.
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
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5050 WINDFORCE OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's RTX 5050 Windforce is the cheapest way into DLSS 4 here.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
The maker publishes few details, so confirm size and power needs on Gigabyte's page. It matches the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce on video memory (8GB). You also get a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and a PCIe 5.0 interface.
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 5050 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 5050 Windforce with the maker. Its price falls between the Arc B570 Challenger and the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5050
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- PCIe 5.0 interface
- RTX 5050 gpu, the only one here
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
Strong Alternative4 of 5
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 OC Low Profile 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's RTX 4060 Low Profile is the previous generation, with DLSS 3 rather than DLSS 4.
Best for
- Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
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
Three WINDFORCE fans and a dual BIOS make it a solid fallback if the RTX 5060 cards are out of stock. The low-profile 4060 pairs three WINDFORCE fans with 8GB of GDDR6, and it supports DLSS 3 and ray tracing. It matches the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce on video memory (8GB).
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile; 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 4060 Low Profile with the maker. Half-height cases need the low-profile bracket; confirm it ships with the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce and the pricier Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Low profile: Yes
Pros
- Low-profile design for slim desktops
- Three WINDFORCE fans
- Dual BIOS
- DLSS 3 support
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
Premium Pick5 of 5
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 Ti WINDFORCE OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's Windforce OC is a factory-overclocked dual-fan RTX 4060 Ti.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent game is a problem.
Why we like it
It was the least expensive 4060 Ti here at the time of writing. It matches the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce and the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile on video memory (8GB). It also offers a 128-bit memory bus.
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 4060 Ti 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 4060 Ti Windforce with the maker. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile and the rest. The trade-off is video memory; for more, the Arc B570 Challenger offers 10GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4060 Ti
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- 128-bit memory bus
- Factory overclock
- RTX 4060 Ti gpu, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory trails the Arc B570 Challenger (10GB)
- 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 power connector from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce, the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce give no power connector; the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce, the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce give no outputs.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger ($150 to $250) to the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Streaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much video memory you need
Here video memory runs from 8GB on the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce to 10GB on the Arc B570 Challenger. The Arc B570 Challenger is the pick for video memory.
Power connector
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger lists 2 x 8-pin; the Arc B570 Challenger lists 1 x 8-pin. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
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 Arc B570 Challenger; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Features beyond the spec table
The Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce: a PCIe 5.0 interface. The Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile: a dual BIOS. The Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce: a 128-bit memory bus.
Where your budget lands
$150 to $250 buys the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger; $250 to $500 buys the Arc B570 Challenger, the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce, the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce at our last check.
How to Choose a GPUs for Streaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | A lower price than the Arc B570 Challenger and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who put video memory first | Arc B570 Challenger | The largest video memory here (10GB) |
| Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler | Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce | A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler |
| Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans | Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile | Three WINDFORCE fans |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce | The top of this price range, adding a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Arc B570 Challenger leads on video memory at 10GB, ahead of the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 8GB. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Power connector |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | Arc A580 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2 x 8-pin |
| Arc B570 Challenger | Arc B570 | 10GB | GDDR6 | 1 x 8-pin |
| Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce | RTX 5050 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile | RTX 4060 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce | RTX 4060 Ti | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger was the lowest-priced pick and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger |
| About $250 to $500 | Arc B570 Challenger, Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce, Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile, Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Arc B570 Challenger ahead of the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger on video memory?
The Arc B570 Challenger leads at 10GB, with the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 8GB.
What makes the Arc B570 Challenger the Largest Video Memory?
It earns the label for the largest video memory here (10GB). It suits anyone who put video memory first.
Do the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the Arc B570 Challenger differ on GPU?
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses Arc A580; the Arc B570 Challenger uses Arc B570; the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce uses RTX 5050; the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile uses RTX 4060; the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce uses RTX 4060 Ti.
What should I check before buying the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce?
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 4060 Ti 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 4060 Ti Windforce with the maker. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, as our Premium Pick pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the Arc B570 Challenger apart?
The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger: a 256-bit memory bus. The Arc B570 Challenger: a 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps. The Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce: a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, chosen for a lower price than the Arc B570 Challenger and the rest when we checked. Look at the Arc B570 Challenger for the largest video memory here (10GB), the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce for a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and the Gigabyte RTX 4060 Low Profile for three WINDFORCE fans if those matter more to you.
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