Buying Guide
The Best Graphics Card for 1440p Gaming
Five graphics cards compared, from the Arc B580 Challenger to the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
1440p is comfortable with 12GB to 16GB of VRAM. Every pick has VRAM in that range, ordered from the lowest listed price.
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
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Recommended Power Supply
ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OCThe lowest recommended power supply here (650W).
Best for: Buyers who put recommended power supply first.
Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ASRock Radeon RX 7700 XT Challenger 12GB OC0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Best for: Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7700 XT Challenger 12GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OCA white-and-silver Steel Legend finish.
Best for: Buyers who want white-and-silver Steel Legend finish.
Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16GThree WINDFORCE fans.
Best for: Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Check price for Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
PowerColor Twin Fan AMD Radeon RX 7800 XTThe top of this price range, adding a 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here.
Best for: Spending more than the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for PowerColor Twin Fan AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Recommended Power Supply1 of 5
ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC
Intel's Arc B580 brings 12GB of GDDR6 to the entry tier, more than the 8GB common at this price.
Best for
- Buyers who put recommended power supply first.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: video memory of 12GB, behind the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB).
Why we like it
ASRock's Challenger version is 249mm long and needs one 8-pin plug and a 650W PSU. It matches the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT on video memory (12GB). Nothing else here matches its 650W recommended power supply; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend comes closest at 700W.
It is the only pick here with an arc B580 gpu; the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT has an RX 7700 XT gpu instead. You get a 1 x 8-pin power connector here, which sets it apart from the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan and its a 2 x 8-pin power connector. It also offers a 192-bit memory bus at 19Gbps and dual-fan cooling with 0dB fan stop.
Measure for 249mm and 2 slots before ordering the Arc B580 Challenger. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT was the next step up.
Key specs
- GPU
- Arc B580
- VRAM
- 12GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Length
- 249mm
- Thickness
- 2-slot
- Recommended PSU
- 650W
- Power connector
- 1 x 8-pin
- Boost clock
- 2740MHz
- Outputs
- 3 x DisplayPort 2.1, 1 x HDMI 2.1a
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Short 249mm length suits compact cases
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- A single 8-pin power connector
Cons
- Video memory of 12GB, behind the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB)
The catch
The main gap: video memory of 12GB, behind the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB). If that matters, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend offers 16GB.
Also Consider2 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7700 XT Challenger 12GB OC
The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT stands out for 0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Best for
- Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Skip if
- Skip it if video memory matters most to you; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend offers 16GB.
Why we like it
It also offers a 12GB video memory. It matches the Arc B580 Challenger on video memory (12GB). It is the only pick here with an RX 7700 XT gpu; the Arc B580 Challenger has an arc B580 gpu instead.
No dimensions are published for the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT with the maker. Its price falls between the Arc B580 Challenger and the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, based on our last check. If video memory is your priority, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB) is the stronger choice.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 7700 XT
- VRAM
- 12GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- 0dB silent cooling at light loads
- RX 7700 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Video memory trails the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB)
- No published recommended power supply
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC
The Steel Legend adds a white-and-silver finish and a 2520MHz boost, and it has a 700W recommended power supply.
Best for
- Buyers who want white-and-silver Steel Legend finish.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables.
Why we like it
On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan at 16GB. On recommended power supply it sits mid-pack at 700W: the Arc B580 Challenger offers 650W, and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan comes in at 750W. It shares an RX 7800 XT gpu with the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan; the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT goes with an RX 7700 XT gpu.
Like the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan, it has a 2 x 8-pin power connector, while the Arc B580 Challenger uses a 1 x 8-pin power connector. No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. When we checked, only the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT and cheaper picks cost less, and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC cost more.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 7800 XT
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Recommended PSU
- 700W
- Power connector
- 2 x 8-pin
- Boost clock
- 2520MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- White-and-silver Steel Legend finish
- 700W recommended PSU
- Recommended power supply of 700W, ahead of the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
The catch
If you want a confirmed card length, look to the Arc B580 Challenger instead: it comes in at 249mm, while this one gives no figure.
Worth a Look4 of 5
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16G
The Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC stands out for three WINDFORCE fans, and it adds a 128-bit memory interface.
Best for
- Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Skip if
- Its recommended power supply is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It also offers a 16GB video memory. It matches the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan on video memory (16GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 7600 XT gpu; compare the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, which has an RX 7800 XT gpu.
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC; 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 7600 XT Gaming OC with the maker. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the pricier PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 7600 XT
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Three WINDFORCE fans
- 128-bit memory interface
- RX 7600 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- No published recommended power supply
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its card length; if that figure matters, the Arc B580 Challenger comes in at 249mm.
Premium Pick5 of 5
PowerColor Twin Fan AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
PowerColor's Twin Fan is 260mm long, the shortest RX 7800 XT here, with two 8-pin connectors.
Best for
- Spending more than the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables is a problem.
Why we like it
The card is 260mm long, needs two 8-pin power connectors and lists a 750W minimum system power rating. Outputs are one HDMI 2.1 and three DisplayPort 2.1, and the card measures 260 x 109 x 50mm. It matches the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC on video memory (16GB).
Its 750W recommended power supply is the highest in this group; the Arc B580 Challenger leads at 650W. Like the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, it has an RX 7800 XT gpu, while the Arc B580 Challenger uses an arc B580 gpu. It shares a 2 x 8-pin power connector with the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; the Arc B580 Challenger goes with a 1 x 8-pin power connector.
It also comes with a dual-fan cooler. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 7800 XT
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Length
- 260mm
- Recommended PSU
- 750W
- Power connector
- 2 x 8-pin
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Short 260mm length suits compact cases
- 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here
- Dual-fan cooler
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Recommended power supply trails the Arc B580 Challenger (650W)
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
The catch
If recommended power supply is your priority, the Arc B580 Challenger (650W) is the stronger choice.
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.
- What we compared
- We compared five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and card length, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out card length.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Arc B580 Challenger to the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC give no card length; the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC give no recommended power supply.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Arc B580 Challenger ($250 to $500) to the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a Graphics Card for 1440p Gaming
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend tops video memory at 16GB and the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT sits lowest at 12GB; 3 picks share the top figure. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend is the pick for video memory.
How much recommended power supply you need
Across these 3 picks recommended power supply spans 750W (the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan) to 650W (the Arc B580 Challenger). If recommended power supply is your first filter, the Arc B580 Challenger sets the ceiling at 650W. The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC give no recommended power supply figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
The circuit board on the back of a graphics card How much card length you need
Here card length runs from 260mm on the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan to 249mm on the Arc B580 Challenger, a 4% spread. If card length is your first filter, the Arc B580 Challenger sets the ceiling at 249mm. The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC give no card length figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Power connector
The Arc B580 Challenger lists 1 x 8-pin; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan list 2 x 8-pin. Sort out power connector before price: it splits 3 stated picks into groups of 2 and 1.
Fit and compatibility
Measure for 249mm and 2 slots before ordering the Arc B580 Challenger. No dimensions are published for the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan is 260mm long; compare that with your case's GPU limit.
How to Choose a Graphics Card for 1440p Gaming
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put recommended power supply first | Arc B580 Challenger | The lowest recommended power supply here (650W) |
| Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light loads | ASRock Challenger 7700 XT | 0dB silent cooling at light loads |
| Buyers who want white-and-silver Steel Legend finish | ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | A white-and-silver Steel Legend finish |
| Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans | Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC | Three WINDFORCE fans |
| Spending more than the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC costs for the fullest feature set in this group | PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan | The top of this price range, adding a 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend leads on video memory at 16GB, ahead of the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC at 16GB. "Not listed" marks card length where the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc B580 Challenger | Arc B580 | 12GB | GDDR6 | 249mm |
| ASRock Challenger 7700 XT | RX 7700 XT | 12GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC | RX 7600 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 260mm |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Arc B580 Challenger, sat in the $250 to $500 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | Arc B580 Challenger, ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC |
| About $500 to $1000 | PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend compare with the Arc B580 Challenger on recommended power supply?
The Arc B580 Challenger comes out best at 650W, with the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at 700W. The spread runs down to the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan at 750W. No recommended power supply figure is published for the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC, which leaves 3 of 5 picks ranked here.
Is the Arc B580 Challenger ahead of the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan on card length?
The Arc B580 Challenger is lowest on card length at 249mm; the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan follows at 260mm, 4% apart. The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC are left out of this ranking because their card length isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan worth paying more than the Arc B580 Challenger?
On paper it adds video memory (16GB against 12GB). It does not win everywhere: the Arc B580 Challenger still leads on recommended power supply (650W) and card length (249mm). The Arc B580 Challenger sat in the $250 to $500 tier and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if video memory decides your purchase.
What makes the Arc B580 Challenger the Lowest Recommended Power Supply?
The label rests on the lowest recommended power supply here (650W). The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend is next on recommended power supply at 700W, so this pick's 650W is 7% further out. It suits anyone who puts recommended power supply first.
Do the Arc B580 Challenger and the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT differ on GPU?
The Arc B580 Challenger uses Arc B580; the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT uses RX 7700 XT; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan use RX 7800 XT; the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC uses RX 7600 XT.
What should I check before buying the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT?
No dimensions are published for the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT with the maker. In this guide it ranks second of 5, and fifth of 5 on video memory (12GB).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Arc B580 Challenger, chosen for the lowest recommended power supply here (650W). Look at the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT for 0dB silent cooling at light loads, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend for a white-and-silver Steel Legend finish and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC for three WINDFORCE fans if those matter more to you.
Upscaling helps higher-refresh 1440p play.
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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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