Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Borderlands 2
From the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 to the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC: five graphics cards ranked on video memory and cooler thickness, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Borderlands 2 is a light PC game, which makes price, memory size and driver support the main buying points for a card. Every pick has at least 8GB of video memory and cost $600 or less, ordered by memory.
Our comparison rests on published figures for GPU, VRAM and memory; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves out thickness, we say so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC
A white-and-silver Steel Legend finish.
Best for: Buyers who want white-and-silver Steel Legend finish.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16G
Three WINDFORCE fans at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 costs less.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16G (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5050 8GB OC
Undercutting the ASUS Dual 4060 White on price when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the ASUS Dual 4060 White.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5050 8GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 OC White Edition
A white shroud for light-themed builds.
Best for: Buyers who want white shroud for light-themed builds.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 OC White Edition (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 Ti WINDFORCE OC 8G
A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 Ti WINDFORCE OC 8G (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Steel Legend adds a white-and-silver finish and a 2520MHz boost, and it has a 700W recommended power supply.
Best for
- Buyers who want white-and-silver Steel Legend finish.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables is a problem.
Why we like it
On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC at 16GB. An RX 7800 XT gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 uses an RTX 5050 gpu. No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Power for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 700W the maker's minimum PSU. It was priced above the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce and below the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC at the time of writing. There is no published cooler thickness figure, whereas the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 comes in at 2-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7800 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Recommended PSU: 700W
- Power connector: 2 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 2520MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- White-and-silver Steel Legend finish
- 700W recommended PSU
- RX 7800 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Costs more than the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 5
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC stands out for three WINDFORCE fans, and it adds a 128-bit memory interface.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 costs less.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also offers a 16GB video memory. It matches the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend on video memory (16GB). It is the only pick here with an RX 7600 XT gpu; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend has an RX 7800 XT gpu instead.
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 7600 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 7600 XT Gaming OC with the maker. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend. Buyers who need a confirmed cooler thickness should compare it with the ASUS Dual RTX 5050, which comes in at 2-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7600 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Three WINDFORCE fans
- 128-bit memory interface
- RX 7600 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5050 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Dual RTX 5050 is the least expensive GeForce here, a two-slot card with a dual BIOS and 0dB fan stop.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the ASUS Dual 4060 White.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
It brings DLSS 4 to budget builds, with 8GB of GDDR6. On video memory it ties with the ASUS Dual 4060 White and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce at 8GB. You get an RTX 5050 gpu here, which sets it apart from the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce and its an RTX 4060 Ti gpu.
You also get dual-ball fan bearings. The ASUS Dual RTX 5050 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 ASUS Dual RTX 5050 with the maker.
No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the ASUS Dual 4060 White was closest. What it gives up: video memory of 8GB, behind the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB); by contrast, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend offers 16GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5050
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2-slot
- Boost clock: 2677MHz (OC mode)
- SFF-Ready: Yes
Pros
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- Quiet/performance dual BIOS
- 0dB fan stop
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory of 8GB, behind the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB)
Strong Alternative4 of 5
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 OC White Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Dual White has a white shroud for light-themed builds, a dual BIOS switch and a 2.5-slot cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want white shroud for light-themed builds.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
Its OC mode boosts to 2,535MHz, and Axial-tech fans with barrier rings push more air downward. Its dual ball fan bearings last up to twice as long as sleeve bearings. It matches the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce on video memory (8GB).
The ASUS Dual 4060 White 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 4060 White with the maker. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper ASUS Dual RTX 5050 and the pricier Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
Pros
- White shroud for light-themed builds
- Dual BIOS switch
- 2.5-slot dual-fan cooler
- RTX 4060 gpu, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 at the time of writing
Worth a Look5 of 5
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 Ti WINDFORCE OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's Windforce OC is a factory-overclocked dual-fan RTX 4060 Ti.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
It was the least expensive 4060 Ti here at the time of writing. It carries 8GB of GDDR6 on a 128-bit memory interface and a two-fan WINDFORCE cooling system. A metal back plate protects the card, and the maker lists DLSS 3 support with fourth-generation Tensor cores.
It matches the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 and the ASUS Dual 4060 White on video memory (8GB). It is the only pick here with an RTX 4060 Ti gpu; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend has an RX 7800 XT gpu instead. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Its price falls between the ASUS Dual 4060 White and the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, based on our last check. If video memory is your priority, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4060 Ti
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- 128-bit memory bus
- Factory overclock
- RTX 4060 Ti gpu, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory trails the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB)
- Costs more than the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We lined up five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and cooler thickness, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out cooler thickness.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend to the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce give no cooler thickness; the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC, the ASUS Dual 4060 White and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce give no boost clock.
- Price range
- From the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 to the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a GPUs for Borderlands 2
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory
Here video memory runs from 8GB on the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce to 16GB on the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, a 100% spread. Start with the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend if video memory decides it.
How much cooler thickness you need
The ASUS Dual RTX 5050 tops cooler thickness at 2-slot and the ASUS Dual 4060 White sits lowest at 2.5-slot. The ASUS Dual RTX 5050 is the pick for cooler thickness. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce give no cooler thickness figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Boost clock
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend lists 2520MHz; the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 lists 2677MHz (OC mode). Settling boost clock first narrows 2 picks to 1 or 1.
What to check at home
No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The ASUS Dual RTX 5050 occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
Features beyond the spec table
The ASUS Dual RTX 5050: 0dB fan stop. The ASUS Dual 4060 White: a dual BIOS switch. The Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce: a 128-bit memory bus.
How to Choose a GPUs for Borderlands 2
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want white-and-silver Steel Legend finish | ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | A white-and-silver Steel Legend finish |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 costs less | Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC | Three WINDFORCE fans at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the ASUS Dual 4060 White | ASUS Dual RTX 5050 | Undercutting the ASUS Dual 4060 White on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want white shroud for light-themed builds | ASUS Dual 4060 White | A white shroud for light-themed builds |
| Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler | Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce | A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend leads on video memory at 16GB, ahead of the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC at 16GB. "Not listed" marks cooler thickness where the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC | RX 7600 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Dual RTX 5050 | RTX 5050 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2-slot |
| ASUS Dual 4060 White | RTX 4060 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2.5-slot |
| Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce | RTX 4060 Ti | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the ASUS Dual 4060 White compare with the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 on cooler thickness?
Between the top two, it is 2-slot on the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 against 2.5-slot on the ASUS Dual 4060 White, a 20% difference. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce don't state a cooler thickness figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC worth paying more than the ASUS Dual RTX 5050?
What it brings is video memory (16GB against 8GB). Both sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, so the gains in video memory cost little extra by tier.
What makes the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC the Premium Pick?
It carries the badge for three WINDFORCE fans at the highest price in the group. It makes sense for buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 costs less.
Do the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC differ on GPU?
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses RX 7800 XT; the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC uses RX 7600 XT; the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 uses RTX 5050; the ASUS Dual 4060 White uses RTX 4060; the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce uses RTX 4060 Ti.
What should I check before buying the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend?
No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Power for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 700W the maker's minimum PSU. In this guide it ranks first of 5, and first of 5 on video memory (16GB).
Beyond the specs, what sets the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC apart?
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend: a white-and-silver Steel Legend finish. The Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC: three WINDFORCE fans. The ASUS Dual RTX 5050: a quiet/performance dual BIOS.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, chosen for a white-and-silver Steel Legend finish. Look at the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC for three WINDFORCE fans at the highest price in the group, the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 for undercutting the ASUS Dual 4060 White on price when we checked and the ASUS Dual 4060 White for a white shroud for light-themed builds if those matter more to you.
Put leftover budget toward a higher-refresh monitor or an SSD.