Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Balatro
From the Arc B580 Challenger to the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT: five graphics cards ranked on video memory and card length, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Balatro sits well within what current cards offer, and the same card also covers heavier games in your library. Every pick has at least 12GB of video memory and cost $650 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for GPU, VRAM and memory; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves out length, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT the next step up.
Our take Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ASRock Radeon RX 7700 XT Challenger 12GB OC
0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Best for: Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7700 XT Challenger 12GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
XFX Swift AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT OC White Triple Fan 16GB
A white triple-fan SWFT cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want white triple-fan SWFT cooler.
Our take Check price for XFX Swift AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT OC White Triple Fan 16GB (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT 16GB
16GB of GDDR6.
Best for: Buyers who want 16GB of GDDR6.
Our take Check price for PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT 16GB (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Sapphire Nitro+ AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
A 2565MHz boost clock at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Arc B580 Challenger costs less.
Our take Check price for Sapphire Nitro+ AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Intel's Arc B580 brings 12GB of GDDR6 to the entry tier, more than the 8GB common at this price.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT the next step up.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: video memory of 12GB, behind the XFX Swift 9060 XT White (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). It is the only pick here with an arc B580 gpu; the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT has an RX 7700 XT gpu instead.
A 2740MHz boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT uses a 2565MHz boost clock. It also comes with 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. The main gap: video memory of 12GB, behind the XFX Swift 9060 XT White (16GB). If that matters, the XFX Swift 9060 XT White offers 16GB.
Key dimensions & 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 XFX Swift 9060 XT White (16GB)
Also Consider2 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7700 XT Challenger 12GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 XFX Swift 9060 XT White 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 XFX Swift 9060 XT White, based on our last check. If video memory is your priority, the XFX Swift 9060 XT White (16GB) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & 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 XFX Swift 9060 XT White (16GB)
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
XFX Swift AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT OC White Triple Fan 16GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The XFX Swift 9060 XT White stands out for a white triple-fan SWFT cooler, and it adds a boost clock of up to 3320MHz.
Best for
- Buyers who want white triple-fan SWFT cooler.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Arc B580 Challenger was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also offers a 16GB video memory. It matches the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT and the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT on video memory (16GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 9060 XT gpu; compare the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT, which has an RX 7800 XT gpu.
You get a 3320MHz boost clock here, which sets it apart from the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT and its a 2565MHz boost clock. No dimensions are published for the XFX Swift 9060 XT White; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the XFX Swift 9060 XT White with the maker.
On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper ASRock Challenger 7700 XT and the pricier PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its card length; if that figure matters, the Arc B580 Challenger comes in at 249mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9060 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 3320MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- White triple-fan SWFT cooler
- Boost clock of up to 3320MHz
- RX 9060 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT 16GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT is built around 16GB of GDDR6.
Best for
- Buyers who want 16GB of GDDR6.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Arc B580 Challenger cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 16GB video memory. It matches the XFX Swift 9060 XT White and the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT on video memory (16GB). Like the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT, it has an RX 7800 XT gpu, while the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT uses an RX 7700 XT gpu.
No dimensions are published for the PowerColor Fighter 7800 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 PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT with the maker. Its price falls between the XFX Swift 9060 XT White and the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed card length should compare it with the Arc B580 Challenger, which comes in at 249mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7800 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- 16GB of GDDR6
- RX 7800 XT gpu
- 16GB video memory
Cons
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Sapphire Nitro+ AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Sapphire's Nitro+ is a 320mm, 3-slot triple-fan RX 7800 XT with a 2565MHz boost.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Arc B580 Challenger costs less.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: its 3-slot cooler covers the slots below.
Why we like it
On video memory it ties with the XFX Swift 9060 XT White and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT at 16GB. It is the only pick here with a 2565MHz boost clock; the Arc B580 Challenger has a 2740MHz boost clock instead. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT with the maker.
Worth noting: 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures. At our last price check it topped the group, with the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7800 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 320mm
- Thickness: 3-slot
- Boost clock: 2565MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- 2565MHz boost clock
- 3-slot triple-fan Nitro+ cooler
- A 2565MHz boost clock at the highest price in the group
Cons
- Its 3-slot cooler covers the slots below
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- 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 Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the XFX Swift 9060 XT White and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT give no card length; the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the XFX Swift 9060 XT White and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT give no cooler thickness.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Arc B580 Challenger ($250 to $500) to the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Balatro
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much video memory you need
Across these 5 picks video memory spans 12GB (the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT) to 16GB (the XFX Swift 9060 XT White). If video memory is your first filter, the XFX Swift 9060 XT White sets the ceiling at 16GB.
Card length across these picks
Here card length runs from 320mm on the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT to 249mm on the Arc B580 Challenger, a 22% spread. Start with the Arc B580 Challenger if card length decides it. The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the XFX Swift 9060 XT White and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT give no card length figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Cooler thickness across these picks
The Arc B580 Challenger tops cooler thickness at 2-slot and the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT sits lowest at 3-slot. Start with the Arc B580 Challenger if cooler thickness decides it. The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the XFX Swift 9060 XT White and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT give no cooler thickness figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Boost clock
The Arc B580 Challenger lists 2740MHz; the XFX Swift 9060 XT White lists 3320MHz; the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT lists 2565MHz. Sort out boost clock before price: it splits 3 stated picks into groups of 1, 1 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. Measure for 320mm and 3 slots before ordering the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT.
How to Choose a GPUs for Balatro
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT the next step up | Arc B580 Challenger | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light loads | ASRock Challenger 7700 XT | 0dB silent cooling at light loads |
| Buyers who want white triple-fan SWFT cooler | XFX Swift 9060 XT White | A white triple-fan SWFT cooler |
| Buyers who want 16GB of GDDR6 | PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT | 16GB of GDDR6 |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Arc B580 Challenger costs less | Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT | A 2565MHz boost clock at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The XFX Swift 9060 XT White leads on video memory at 16GB, ahead of the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT at 16GB. "Not listed" marks card length where the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the XFX Swift 9060 XT White and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT 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 |
| XFX Swift 9060 XT White | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 320mm |
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 Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT 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 |
| About $500 to $1000 | XFX Swift 9060 XT White, PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT, Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Arc B580 Challenger ahead of the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT on card length?
The Arc B580 Challenger comes out best at 249mm, with the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT at 320mm. The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the XFX Swift 9060 XT White and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT are left out of this ranking because their card length isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Which has the slimmest cooler thickness: the Arc B580 Challenger or the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT?
The Arc B580 Challenger is lowest on cooler thickness at 2-slot; the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT follows at 3-slot, 33% apart. The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the XFX Swift 9060 XT White and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT don't state a cooler thickness figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT worth paying more than the Arc B580 Challenger?
The spec sheets show video memory (16GB against 12GB) in its favour. It does not win everywhere: the Arc B580 Challenger still leads on card length (249mm) and cooler thickness (2-slot). The Arc B580 Challenger sat in the $250 to $500 tier and the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT 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 Price Here?
It carries the badge for the lowest price of the group at our last check. It is aimed at spending as little as possible, with the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT the next step up.
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 XFX Swift 9060 XT White uses RX 9060 XT; the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT and the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT use RX 7800 XT.
What should I check before buying the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT?
Measure for 320mm and 3 slots before ordering the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT with the maker. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, as our Premium Pick, and third of 5 on video memory (16GB).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Arc B580 Challenger, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT for 0dB silent cooling at light loads, the XFX Swift 9060 XT White for a white triple-fan SWFT cooler and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT for 16GB of GDDR6 if those matter more to you.
Confirm the card fits your case; many budget cards are compact but some are long.