Recommendation for single slot graphics card

[TheDreadPirate]

The entire Arc lineup has the same media engine. And even the same number of media engines. Any difference in encoding performance MIGHT be due to differences in firmware. Some users here straight up couldn't encode on Arc until they updated their firmware. They had some super old pre-release firmware. But I have no way to verify that hypothesis. Regardless, theoretically each card in the Arc should be within margin of error with each other, all other factors being equal. Including firmware versions.

Where each model does differ is VRAM, which is important for HDR to SDR tone mapping. More VRAM = more HDR to SDR tone mapped streams.