Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Alan Wake 2
We weighed four graphics cards on video memory and cooler thickness, and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Alan Wake 2 needs a card with mesh shader support and offers path tracing on RTX hardware. Every pick is an RTX 40 or 50 series card with 16GB of video memory that cost $1,300 or less, ordered from the lowest 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 power connector, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB OC
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge OC
Two 90mm fans with FREEZE fan stop.
Best for: Buyers who want two 90mm fans with FREEZE fan stop.
Our take Check price for ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge OC (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS Prime GeForce RTX 5070 Ti OC
A dual BIOS switch between quiet and performance modes.
Best for: Buyers who want dual BIOS switch between quiet and performance modes.
Our take Check price for ASUS Prime GeForce RTX 5070 Ti OC (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ZOTAC RTX 5070 Ti Solid SFF OC
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a metal backplate.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for ZOTAC RTX 5070 Ti Solid SFF OC (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
| Two 90mm fans with FREEZE fan stop. | Buyers who want two 90mm fans with FREEZE fan stop. | Check price for ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge OC (opens in a new tab) |
| A dual BIOS switch between quiet and performance modes. | Buyers who want dual BIOS switch between quiet and performance modes. | Check price for ASUS Prime GeForce RTX 5070 Ti OC (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a metal backplate. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for ZOTAC RTX 5070 Ti Solid SFF OC (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB is the lower-cost NVIDIA route to 16GB at 1440p.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: cooler thickness of 2.5-slot, behind the Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge (2-slot).
Why we like it
It is a 2.5-slot card with 0dB fan stop and dual-ball fan bearings. On cooler thickness it ties with the ASUS Prime at 2.5-slot. Like the Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge, it has an RTX 5060 Ti gpu, while the ASUS Prime uses an RTX 5070 Ti gpu.
It also offers a quiet/performance dual BIOS. The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB with the maker.
It undercut the Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: cooler thickness of 2.5-slot, behind the Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge (2-slot). If that matters, the Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge comes in at 2-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5060 Ti
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR7
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Boost clock: 2632MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Quiet/performance dual BIOS
- 0dB fan stop
Cons
- Cooler thickness of 2.5-slot, behind the Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge (2-slot)
Also Consider2 of 4
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Zotac's RTX 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge OC is a 2-slot, SFF-Ready card powered by a single 8-pin connector.
Best for
- Buyers who want two 90mm fans with FREEZE fan stop.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It matches the Zotac Solid SFF on cooler thickness (2-slot). It shares an RTX 5060 Ti gpu with the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB; the Zotac Solid SFF goes with an RTX 5070 Ti gpu. It also offers two 90mm fans with FREEZE fan stop and a metal backplate.
The Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. SFF-Ready is NVIDIA's size guideline, not a guarantee the Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge fits every small case. When we checked, only the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB cost less, and the ASUS Prime cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5060 Ti
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR7
- Thickness: 2-slot
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- SFF-Ready: Yes
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 2.1b, 1 x HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- A single 8-pin power connector
Cons
- Costs more than the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
ASUS Prime GeForce RTX 5070 Ti OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Prime is the best-documented card here: ASUS offers a 306mm length, a 2.5-slot cooler, a 750W minimum power supply and a 2527MHz OC-mode boost.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual BIOS switch between quiet and performance modes.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: needs a 16-pin 12V-2x6 power cable.
Why we like it
A dual BIOS switch toggles quiet and performance modes, and the fans stop at light load. It matches the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB on cooler thickness (2.5-slot). It shares an RTX 5070 Ti gpu with the Zotac Solid SFF; the Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge goes with an RTX 5060 Ti gpu.
Power for the ASUS Prime comes through 16-pin 12V-2x6, with 750W the maker's minimum PSU. SFF-Ready is NVIDIA's size guideline, not a guarantee the ASUS Prime fits every small case. It gives ground on cooler thickness, where the Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge comes in at 2-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5070 Ti
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR7
- Length: 306mm
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Recommended PSU: 750W
- Power connector: 16-pin 12V-2x6
- Boost clock: 2527MHz (OC mode)
- SFF-Ready: Yes
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- Dual BIOS switch between quiet and performance modes
Cons
- Needs a 16-pin 12V-2x6 power cable
- Cooler thickness trails the Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge (2-slot)
- Costs more than the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
ZOTAC RTX 5070 Ti Solid SFF OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Zotac Solid SFF is the dual-slot SFF-Ready pick, with three 90mm BladeLink fans, a metal backplate and a support stand in the box.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It has three DisplayPort 2.1b outputs and one HDMI 2.1b. On cooler thickness it ties with the Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge at 2-slot. Like the ASUS Prime, it has an RTX 5070 Ti gpu, while the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB uses an RTX 5060 Ti gpu.
The Zotac Solid SFF occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the Zotac Solid SFF with the maker. SFF-Ready is NVIDIA's size guideline, not a guarantee the Zotac Solid SFF fits every small case. 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 ASUS Prime and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5070 Ti
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR7
- Thickness: 2-slot
- SFF-Ready: Yes
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 2.1b, 1 x HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
Cons
- Costs more than the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB 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 compared four cards on GPU, video memory, memory and cooler thickness, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 4, from the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB to the Zotac Solid SFF, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR7 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB and the Zotac Solid SFF give no power connector; the Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge and the Zotac Solid SFF give no boost clock.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB ($500 to $1000) to the Zotac Solid SFF ($1000 to $1500).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Alan Wake 2
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Cooler thickness
Here cooler thickness runs from 2.5-slot on the ASUS Prime to 2-slot on the Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge. Start with the Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge if cooler thickness decides it.
Power connector
The Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge lists 1 x 8-pin; the ASUS Prime lists 16-pin 12V-2x6. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Fit and compatibility
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. Measure for 306mm and 2.5 slots before ordering the ASUS Prime.
Extras that separate them
The Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge: a metal backplate. The ASUS Prime: 0dB fan stop at light load. The Zotac Solid SFF: a bundled GPU support stand.
How much to spend
$500 to $1000 buys the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB and the Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge; $1000 to $1500 buys the ASUS Prime and the Zotac Solid SFF at our last check.
How to Choose a GPUs for Alan Wake 2
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want two 90mm fans with FREEZE fan stop | Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge | Two 90mm fans with FREEZE fan stop |
| Buyers who want dual BIOS switch between quiet and performance modes | ASUS Prime | A dual BIOS switch between quiet and performance modes |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | Zotac Solid SFF | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a metal backplate |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge leads on cooler thickness at 2-slot, ahead of the Zotac Solid SFF at 2-slot.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB | RTX 5060 Ti | 16GB | GDDR7 | 2.5-slot |
| Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge | RTX 5060 Ti | 16GB | GDDR7 | 2-slot |
| ASUS Prime | RTX 5070 Ti | 16GB | GDDR7 | 2.5-slot |
| Zotac Solid SFF | RTX 5070 Ti | 16GB | GDDR7 | 2-slot |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB was the lowest-priced pick and the Zotac Solid SFF the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $500 to $1000 | ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge |
| About $1000 to $1500 | ASUS Prime, Zotac Solid SFF |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Zotac Solid SFF add over the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB?
On paper it adds cooler thickness (2-slot against 2.5-slot). The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the Zotac Solid SFF our Premium Pick pick?
It earns the label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a metal backplate. It suits anyone who wants the most complete package.
Do the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB and the ASUS Prime differ on GPU?
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB and the Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge use RTX 5060 Ti; the ASUS Prime and the Zotac Solid SFF use RTX 5070 Ti.
Will the ASUS Prime work with my setup?
Measure for 306mm and 2.5 slots before ordering the ASUS Prime. Power for the ASUS Prime comes through 16-pin 12V-2x6, with 750W the maker's minimum PSU. In this guide it ranks third of 4.
What extras do the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB and the Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge include?
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB: a quiet/performance dual BIOS. The Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge: two 90mm fans with FREEZE fan stop. The ASUS Prime: a dual BIOS switch between quiet and performance modes.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the Zotac 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge for two 90mm fans with FREEZE fan stop, the ASUS Prime for a dual BIOS switch between quiet and performance modes and the Zotac Solid SFF for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a metal backplate if those matter more to you.
Check the game's mesh shader requirement before reusing an older card.