Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Valorant
We weighed four graphics cards on video memory and GPU, and the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Valorant is a light shooter, so an entry card is enough and a high-refresh monitor does more for the experience. Every pick has at least 6GB of video memory and cost $250 or less, ordered from the highest price.
Rankings weigh GPU, VRAM and memory as the makers state them; we did not test these graphics cards ourselves, and if a maker skips memory, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Premium Pick
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and can spend more than the Arc A750 Limited Edition costs.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Intel Arc A750 Limited Edition 8GB
A PCIe 4.0 interface.
Best for: Buyers who want PCIe 4.0 interface.
Our take Check price for Intel Arc A750 Limited Edition 8GB (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASRock Intel Arc A750 Challenger D 8GB OC
A 256-bit memory bus.
Best for: Buyers who want 256-bit memory bus.
Our take Check price for ASRock Intel Arc A750 Challenger D 8GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Intel Arc A580 Challenger 8GB OC
A lower price than the Arc A750 Challenger D 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)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. | Buyers who want a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and can spend more than the Arc A750 Limited Edition costs. | Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G (opens in a new tab) |
| A PCIe 4.0 interface. | Buyers who want PCIe 4.0 interface. | Check price for Intel Arc A750 Limited Edition 8GB (opens in a new tab) |
| A 256-bit memory bus. | Buyers who want 256-bit memory bus. | Check price for ASRock Intel Arc A750 Challenger D 8GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
| A lower price than the Arc A750 Challenger D 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 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 4
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 a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and can spend more than the Arc A750 Limited Edition costs.
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 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.
Its 6GB video memory is the smallest in this group; the Arc A750 Limited Edition leads at 8GB. No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 3050 gpu; compare the Arc A750 Challenger D, which has an arc A750 gpu. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Arc A750 Limited Edition and the rest.
Key dimensions & 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 Arc A750 Limited Edition (8GB)
- Costs more than the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 4
Intel Arc A750 Limited Edition 8GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Arc A750 Limited Edition is built around a PCIe 4.0 interface, with Intel's Limited Edition build on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want PCIe 4.0 interface.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers an 8GB video memory. On video memory it ties with the Arc A750 Challenger D and the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at 8GB. No dimensions are published for the Arc A750 Limited Edition; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the Arc A750 Limited Edition with the maker. When we checked, only the Arc A750 Challenger D and cheaper picks cost less, and the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: Arc A750
- VRAM: 8GB
Pros
- PCIe 4.0 interface
- Intel's Limited Edition build
- Video memory of 8GB, ahead of the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce
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 Alternative3 of 4
ASRock Intel Arc A750 Challenger D 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Arc A750 Challenger D brings to the table is a 256-bit memory bus, plus a dual-fan cooler with 0dB silent cooling.
Best for
- Buyers who want 256-bit memory bus.
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 also offers an 8GB video memory. It matches the Arc A750 Limited Edition and the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger on video memory (8GB). Like the Arc A750 Limited Edition, it has an arc A750 gpu, while the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce uses an RTX 3050 gpu.
It also offers a metal backplate. No dimensions are published for the Arc A750 Challenger D; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the Arc A750 Challenger D with the maker. Its price falls between the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger and the Arc A750 Limited Edition, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: Arc A750
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 2200MHz
Pros
- 256-bit memory bus
- Dual-fan cooler with 0dB silent cooling
- Metal backplate
- Video memory of 8GB, ahead of the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce
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
Lowest Price Here4 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
- Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money.
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
It needs two 8-pin connectors and a 650W power supply. It matches the Arc A750 Limited Edition and the Arc A750 Challenger D on video memory (8GB). No other pick in this guide offers an arc A580 gpu; compare the Arc A750 Challenger D, which has an arc A750 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 undercut the Arc A750 Challenger D and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
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 Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side four cards on GPU, video memory and memory, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and memory is missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce to the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger, state GPU and video memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Arc A750 Limited Edition gives no memory.
- Price range
- From the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger to the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, all sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a GPUs for Valorant
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory across these picks
Across these 4 picks video memory spans 6GB (the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce) to 8GB (the Arc A750 Limited Edition). The Arc A750 Challenger D comes second at 8GB, in the same price tier as the Arc A750 Limited Edition.
Setup checks
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Measure for 271mm and 2.4 slots before ordering the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger.
Extras that separate them
The Arc A750 Limited Edition: Intel's Limited Edition build. The Arc A750 Challenger D: a dual-fan cooler with 0dB silent cooling. The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger: 0dB silent cooling at light load.
Budget
All 4 sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, from the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger at the low end to the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at the top, so decide on features first.
Start from what matters most
Buyers who want a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and can spend more than the Arc A750 Limited Edition costs: the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce. Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money: the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger.
How to Choose a GPUs for Valorant
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and can spend more than the Arc A750 Limited Edition costs | Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler |
| Buyers who want PCIe 4.0 interface | Arc A750 Limited Edition | A PCIe 4.0 interface |
| Buyers who want 256-bit memory bus | Arc A750 Challenger D | A 256-bit memory bus |
| Getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money | ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | A lower price than the Arc A750 Challenger D and the rest when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Arc A750 Limited Edition leads on video memory at 8GB, ahead of the Arc A750 Challenger D at 8GB. "Not listed" marks memory where the Arc A750 Limited Edition leaves the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 |
| Arc A750 Limited Edition | Arc A750 | 8GB | Not listed |
| Arc A750 Challenger D | Arc A750 | 8GB | GDDR6 |
| ASRock Arc A580 Challenger | Arc A580 | 8GB | GDDR6 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce add over the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger?
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce matches or trails the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger on video memory. The ASRock Arc A580 Challenger leads on video memory (8GB). Both sat in the $150 to $250 tier when we checked, so choose on the features you need.
Why is the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger our Lowest Price Here pick?
It carries the badge for a lower price than the Arc A750 Challenger D and the rest when we checked. It suits getting 256-bit memory bus for the least money.
Do the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the Arc A750 Limited Edition differ on GPU?
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce uses RTX 3050; the Arc A750 Limited Edition and the Arc A750 Challenger D use Arc A750; the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger uses Arc A580.
Will the Arc A750 Challenger D work with my setup?
No dimensions are published for the Arc A750 Challenger D; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the Arc A750 Challenger D with the maker. In this guide it ranks third of 4, and second of 4 on video memory (8GB).
What extras do the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the Arc A750 Limited Edition include?
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce: a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. The Arc A750 Limited Edition: a PCIe 4.0 interface. The Arc A750 Challenger D: a 256-bit memory bus.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, chosen for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. Look at the Arc A750 Limited Edition for a PCIe 4.0 interface, the Arc A750 Challenger D for a 256-bit memory bus and the ASRock Arc A580 Challenger for a lower price than the Arc A750 Challenger D and the rest when we checked if those matter more to you.
Spend leftover budget on a monitor with a high refresh rate rather than a faster card.