Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for DayZ
Five graphics cards ranked on video memory and GPU; the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
DayZ leans on the CPU in towns, so a mid-range card is enough once the processor is sorted. Every pick has 12GB or more and cost between $350 and $700.
DayZ's official PC requirements list NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD RX 580 and 12GB of RAM for the recommended tier (source: DayZ on Steam). Matching brand to brand, the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White are a newer generation than the RX 580.
We ranked these graphics cards on GPU, VRAM and memory using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out boost clock, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Requirements source: DayZ on Steam
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Radeon RX 7700 XT Challenger 12GB OCA lower price than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $500.
Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7700 XT Challenger 12GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OCA white-and-silver Steel Legend finish.
Best for: Buyers who want white-and-silver Steel Legend finish.
Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS Dual Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GBA dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles.
Best for: Buyers who want dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles.
Check price for ASUS Dual Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
XFX Swift Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Gaming Edition 16GBAn XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler.
Check price for XFX Swift Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Gaming Edition 16GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
XFX Swift AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT OC White Triple Fan 16GBThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a white triple-fan SWFT cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want a white triple-fan SWFT cooler and can spend more than the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB costs.
Check price for XFX Swift AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT OC White Triple Fan 16GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7700 XT Challenger 12GB OC
The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT stands out for 0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $500.
Skip if
- Skip it if video memory matters most to you; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend offers 16GB.
Why we like it
It also offers a 12GB video memory. On video memory it trails the group at 12GB, while the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend offers 16GB. An RX 7700 XT gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB uses an RX 9060 XT gpu.
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. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend the next step up.
Key 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
- A lower price than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the rest when we checked
Cons
- Video memory trails the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB)
Also Consider2 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC
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
- Pass on it if needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It matches the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White on video memory (16GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 7800 XT gpu; compare the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB, which has an RX 9060 XT gpu. You get a 2520MHz boost clock here, which sets it apart from the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and its a 3320MHz boost clock.
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. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper ASRock Challenger 7700 XT and the pricier ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, at the time of writing.
Key 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 ASRock Challenger 7700 XT at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ASUS Dual Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB
The ASUS Dual RX 9060 XT 16GB offers a 3250MHz boost in OC mode with Quiet and Performance BIOS profiles and 0dB fan stop.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On video memory it ties with the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White at 16GB. No other pick in this guide offers a 3250MHz (OC mode) boost clock; compare the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB, which has a 3320MHz boost clock. The ASUS Dual 9060 XT 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 9060 XT 16GB with the maker.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 9060 XT
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Thickness
- 2.5-slot
- Boost clock
- 3250MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles
- 0dB fan stop at light load
- 3250MHz (OC mode) boost clock, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
XFX Swift Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Gaming Edition 16GB
XFX's Swift RX 9060 XT is the cheapest 16GB card in this guide, with a dual-fan cooler and a 3320MHz boost.
Best for
- Buyers who want XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It suits 1440p at medium to high settings. On video memory it ties with the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White at 16GB. Like the XFX Swift 9060 XT White, it has a 3320MHz boost clock, while the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses a 2520MHz boost clock.
No dimensions are published for the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB; 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 9060 XT 16GB with the maker.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 9060 XT
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Boost clock
- 3320MHz
- Outputs
- 1 x HDMI, 2 x DisplayPort
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler
- RX 9060 XT gpu
- 16GB video memory
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
XFX Swift AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT OC White Triple Fan 16GB
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 a white triple-fan SWFT cooler and can spend more than the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB costs.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 16GB video memory. On video memory it ties with the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB at 16GB. Like the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB, it has a 3320MHz boost clock, while the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses a 2520MHz 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. At our last price check it topped the group, with the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB the nearest cheaper option.
Key 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
- The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a white triple-fan SWFT cooler
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT at the time of writing
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and boost clock, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and boost clock is missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT to the XFX Swift 9060 XT White, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT gives no boost clock.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT ($250 to $500) to the XFX Swift 9060 XT White ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a GPUs for DayZ
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 ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend). If video memory is your first filter, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend sets the ceiling at 16GB.
Boost clock
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend lists 2520MHz; the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB lists 3250MHz (OC mode); the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White list 3320MHz. Sort out boost clock before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 2, 1 and 1.
A graphics card's bare circuit board around the GPU die Setup checks
No dimensions are published for the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
Extras that separate them
The ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB: 0dB fan stop at light load. The XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB: an XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler. The XFX Swift 9060 XT White: a boost clock of up to 3320MHz.
How much to spend
$250 to $500 buys the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT and the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; $500 to $1000 buys the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White at our last check.
How to Choose a GPUs for DayZ
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping the cost under $500 | ASRock Challenger 7700 XT | A lower price than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want white-and-silver Steel Legend finish | ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | A white-and-silver Steel Legend finish |
| Buyers who want dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles | ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB | A dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles |
| Buyers who want XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler | XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB | An XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler |
| Buyers who want a white triple-fan SWFT cooler and can spend more than the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB costs | XFX Swift 9060 XT White | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a white triple-fan SWFT 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 ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB at 16GB. "Not listed" marks boost clock where the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT leaves the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Boost clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock Challenger 7700 XT | RX 7700 XT | 12GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 2520MHz |
| ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 3250MHz (OC mode) |
| XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 3320MHz |
| XFX Swift 9060 XT White | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 3320MHz |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT was the lowest-priced pick ($250 to $500) and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend |
| About $500 to $1000 | ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB, XFX Swift 9060 XT White |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these cards run DayZ at recommended settings?
In DayZ's list, the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White meet the recommended card on brand, generation and model number. DayZ also lists 12GB of system RAM for that tier, which is separate from the card.
What does the XFX Swift 9060 XT White add over the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT?
What it brings is video memory (16GB against 12GB). On our last price check the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT was in the $250 to $500 tier and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White in the $500 to $1000 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if video memory decides your purchase.
Why is the XFX Swift 9060 XT White our Premium Pick?
It earns the label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a white triple-fan SWFT cooler. The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the cheapest pick, sat in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for anyone who wants a white triple-fan SWFT cooler and can spend more than the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB costs.
Do the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT and the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend differ on GPU?
The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT uses RX 7700 XT; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses RX 7800 XT; the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White use RX 9060 XT.
Will the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT work with my setup?
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. In this guide it ranks first of 5, as our Lowest Price Here pick, and fifth of 5 on video memory (12GB).
What extras do the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT and the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend include?
The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT: 0dB silent cooling at light loads. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend: a white-and-silver Steel Legend finish. The ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB: a dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, chosen for a lower price than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the rest when we checked. Look at the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend for a white-and-silver Steel Legend finish, the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB for a dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB for an XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler if those matter more to you.
Lower object detail before resolution when the frame rate drops in cities.
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- Lower budgetThe Best GPUs Under $300
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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