Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for BioShock Infinite
Five graphics cards compared, from the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan to the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
BioShock Infinite does not need a high-end card, which leaves room to choose on price, memory and video outputs. Every pick is a Radeon RX or Intel Arc card that cost $700 or less, ordered from the highest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for GPU, VRAM and memory; where a maker leaves out boost clock, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Premium Pick
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 Gaming OC 16G
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans.
Best for: Buyers who want a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans and can spend more than the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC costs.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 Gaming OC 16G (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7700 XT Gaming OC 12G
Three WINDFORCE fans.
Best for: Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte Radeon RX 7700 XT Gaming OC 12G (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
XFX Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 7600 XT Core
A 2755MHz boost clock.
Best for: Buyers who want 2755MHz boost clock.
Our take Check price for XFX Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 7600 XT Core (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
XFX Swift Radeon RX 9070 OC Triple Fan Gaming Edition
An XFX SWFT triple-fan cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want XFX SWFT triple-fan cooler.
Our take Check price for XFX Swift Radeon RX 9070 OC Triple Fan Gaming Edition (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
PowerColor Twin Fan AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
A lower price than the XFX Swift RX 9070 and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the XFX Swift RX 9070 the next step up.
Our take Check price for PowerColor Twin Fan AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 5
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 Gaming OC 16G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's RX 9070 Gaming OC is the lowest-cost card here, with 16GB of GDDR6 and a WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans and can spend more than the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC costs.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It leaves more of the budget for the CPU, board and memory. It matches the XFX 7600 XT SWFT210, the XFX Swift RX 9070 and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan on video memory (16GB). It also offers server-grade thermal conductive gel and RGB lighting.
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RX 9070 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 RX 9070 Gaming OC with the maker. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9070
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans
- Server-grade thermal conductive gel
- RGB lighting
Cons
- Costs more than the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7700 XT Gaming OC 12G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC brings to the table is three WINDFORCE fans, plus RGB Fusion lighting and a metal backplate.
Best for
- Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Skip if
- Skip it if video memory matters most to you; the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC offers 16GB.
Why we like it
It also offers a 12GB video memory. Its 12GB video memory is the smallest in this group; the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC leads at 16GB. It is the only pick here with an RX 7700 XT gpu; the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC has an RX 9070 gpu instead.
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 7700 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 7700 XT Gaming OC with the maker. Its price falls between the XFX 7600 XT SWFT210 and the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7700 XT
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Three WINDFORCE fans
- RGB Fusion lighting and a metal backplate
- RX 7700 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Video memory trails the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC (16GB)
- Costs more than the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
XFX Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 7600 XT Core on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
XFX's SWFT210 RX 7600 XT offers a 2755MHz boost and 16GB of memory on a dual-fan cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want 2755MHz boost clock.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It is built on AMD's RDNA 3 architecture with 16GB of GDDR6, and outputs are one HDMI and three DisplayPort. On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, the XFX Swift RX 9070 and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan at 16GB. An RX 7600 XT gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC uses an RX 7700 XT gpu.
No dimensions are published for the XFX 7600 XT SWFT210; 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 7600 XT SWFT210 with the maker. It was priced above the XFX Swift RX 9070 and below the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7600 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 2755MHz
- Outputs: 1 x HDMI, 3 x DisplayPort
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- 2755MHz boost clock
- Dual-fan SWFT210 cooler
- RX 7600 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
XFX Swift Radeon RX 9070 OC Triple Fan Gaming Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The RX 9070 keeps 16GB of memory but costs less than the XT.
Best for
- Buyers who want XFX SWFT triple-fan cooler.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
XFX's Swift version uses a triple-fan cooler with a 2700MHz boost and three DisplayPort outputs. It is the RX-97SWFB3B9 model with one HDMI port and three DisplayPort outputs, and it carries 16GB of GDDR6 under a triple-fan cooling solution. It matches the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, the XFX 7600 XT SWFT210 and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan on video memory (16GB).
Like the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, it has an RX 9070 gpu, while the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC uses an RX 7700 XT gpu. No dimensions are published for the XFX Swift RX 9070; 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 RX 9070 with the maker. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan and the pricier XFX 7600 XT SWFT210, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9070
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 2700MHz
- Outputs: 1 x HDMI, 3 x DisplayPort
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- XFX SWFT triple-fan cooler
- RX 9070 gpu
- 16GB video memory
Cons
- Costs more than the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
PowerColor Twin Fan AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
PowerColor's Twin Fan is 260mm long, the shortest RX 7800 XT here, with two 8-pin connectors.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the XFX Swift RX 9070 the next step up.
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 Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, the XFX 7600 XT SWFT210 and the XFX Swift RX 9070 on video memory (16GB).
No other pick in this guide offers an RX 7800 XT gpu; compare the XFX 7600 XT SWFT210, which has an RX 7600 XT gpu. It also comes with a dual-fan cooler. Power for the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 750W the maker's minimum PSU. It undercut the XFX Swift RX 9070 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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
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 boost clock as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while boost clock and outputs have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC to the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan give no boost clock; the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan give no outputs.
- Price range
- From the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan to the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, all sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a GPUs for BioShock Infinite
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory across these picks
The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC tops video memory at 16GB and the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC sits lowest at 12GB; 4 picks share the top figure. For less, the XFX 7600 XT SWFT210 is the runner-up at 16GB ($500 to $1000 tier).
Boost clock
The XFX 7600 XT SWFT210 lists 2755MHz; the XFX Swift RX 9070 lists 2700MHz.
Fit and compatibility
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC; 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.
Features beyond the spec table
The XFX 7600 XT SWFT210: a dual-fan SWFT210 cooler. The XFX Swift RX 9070: an XFX SWFT triple-fan cooler. The PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan: a dual-fan cooler.
Where your budget lands
Price does little to separate these 5: the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan through the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC all landed in the $500 to $1000 tier, which leaves video memory to decide it.
How to Choose a GPUs for BioShock Infinite
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans and can spend more than the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC costs | Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans |
| Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans | Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC | Three WINDFORCE fans |
| Buyers who want 2755MHz boost clock | XFX 7600 XT SWFT210 | A 2755MHz boost clock |
| Buyers who want XFX SWFT triple-fan cooler | XFX Swift RX 9070 | An XFX SWFT triple-fan cooler |
| Spending as little as possible, with the XFX Swift RX 9070 the next step up | PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan | A lower price than the XFX Swift RX 9070 and the rest when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC leads on video memory at 16GB, ahead of the XFX 7600 XT SWFT210 at 16GB. "Not listed" marks boost clock where the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Boost clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC | RX 9070 | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC | RX 7700 XT | 12GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| XFX 7600 XT SWFT210 | RX 7600 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 2755MHz |
| XFX Swift RX 9070 | RX 9070 | 16GB | GDDR6 | 2700MHz |
| PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC the Premium Pick?
The label rests on the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans. It is aimed at anyone who wants a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans and can spend more than the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC costs.
Do the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC differ on GPU?
The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC and the XFX Swift RX 9070 use RX 9070; the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC uses RX 7700 XT; the XFX 7600 XT SWFT210 uses RX 7600 XT; the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan uses RX 7800 XT.
What should I check before buying the XFX Swift RX 9070?
No dimensions are published for the XFX Swift RX 9070; 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 RX 9070 with the maker. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, and third of 5 on video memory (16GB).
Beyond the specs, what sets the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC apart?
The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC: a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans. The Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC: three WINDFORCE fans. The XFX 7600 XT SWFT210: a 2755MHz boost clock.
Who should choose the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan?
The PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan carries our Lowest Price Here label for a lower price than the XFX Swift RX 9070 and the rest when we checked. It ranks fifth of 5 here and sat in the $500 to $1000 tier at our last price check; it suits spending as little as possible, with the XFX Swift RX 9070 the next step up.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, chosen for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans. Look at the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC for three WINDFORCE fans, the XFX 7600 XT SWFT210 for a 2755MHz boost clock and the XFX Swift RX 9070 for an XFX SWFT triple-fan cooler if those matter more to you.
Check the card's power connector against your power supply before ordering.