I'm choosing parts for my first PC build and was considering an ASRock Challenger graphics card. Some people say ASRock cards are perfectly fine, while others recommend avoiding them. The comparable XFX model costs about $60 more and hasn't gone on sale, so I'm wondering whether the Challenger is a safe buy or if it has a higher risk of arriving dead than other brands. This particular card uses a single 8-pin power connector.
4 Answers
ASRock Challenger cards generally don’t have a widespread DOA or reliability problem. They can run a little warmer than better-cooled models, but that doesn’t automatically make them a bad purchase. Test the card promptly so you can use the return period if there is an issue.
There’s no clear indication that ASRock GPUs have unusually high DOA rates. One thing to check is the warranty where you live; in the United States, some ASRock graphics cards only have a one-year warranty, which is shorter than what certain competitors offer.
The lower-end Challenger designs can have less effective heatsinks and shrouds, so temperatures and fan noise may be higher than on ASRock’s more expensive models. That’s more of a cooling and acoustics concern than evidence that the cards commonly arrive defective.
They’re usually fine, especially if the price difference is large. Sapphire, XFX, and PowerColor may have stronger reputations for Radeon cards, but paying $60 more isn’t necessarily worth it unless you specifically want their cooler, noise levels, or warranty support.
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