Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for DayZ
Three graphics cards ranked on video memory and recommended power supply; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read3 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.
We ranked these graphics cards on GPU, VRAM and memory using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out recommended PSU, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 3 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Getting white-and-silver Steel Legend finish for the least money.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB OC
32 compute units.
Best for: Buyers who want 32 compute units.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ventus 3X E1 12G OC
A triple-fan Ventus cooler at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ventus 3X E1 12G OC (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Getting white-and-silver Steel Legend finish for the least money. | Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
| 32 compute units. | Buyers who want 32 compute units. | Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
| A triple-fan Ventus cooler at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ventus 3X E1 12G OC (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 3
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
- Getting white-and-silver Steel Legend finish for the least money.
Skip if
- Pass on it if needs two 8-pin PCIe power cable rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It matches the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB on video memory (16GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 7800 XT gpu; compare the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, which has an RX 9060 XT gpu. It shares a 2520MHz boost clock with the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB goes with a 3290MHz 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. It undercut the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: recommended power supply of 700W, behind the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB (550W). If that matters, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB offers 550W.
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
- Recommended power supply of 700W, behind the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB (550W)
Also Consider2 of 3
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's Challenger gives the RX 9060 XT a full 16GB of memory in a two-slot, 249mm card.
Best for
- Buyers who want 32 compute units.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The maker offers a 550W power supply and a single 8-pin plug, so it drops into most existing builds. On video memory it ties with the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at 16GB. You get an RX 9060 XT gpu here, which sets it apart from the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 and its an RTX 4070 gpu.
It is the only pick here with a 3290MHz boost clock; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend has a 2520MHz boost clock instead. It also comes with 32 compute units and 0dB fan stop at light load. Power for the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB comes through 1 x 8-pin, with 550W the maker's minimum PSU. When we checked, only the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend cost less, and the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9060 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 249mm
- Thickness: 2-slot
- Recommended PSU: 550W
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 3290MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Short 249mm length suits compact cases
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- A modest 550W PSU recommendation
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at the time of writing
Premium Pick3 of 3
MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ventus 3X E1 12G OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MSI's Ventus 3X E1 is a triple-fan RTX 4070 that uses GDDR6 memory rather than the GDDR6X on the other 4070 cards here, with a 2520MHz boost.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Skip it if video memory matters most to you; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend offers 16GB.
Why we like it
It has three DisplayPort 1.4a outputs and one HDMI 2.1a on a 192-bit memory interface. It uses the GeForce RTX 4070 chip with MSI's three-fan cooler. Its 12GB video memory is the smallest in this group; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend leads at 16GB.
No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 4070 gpu; compare the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, which has an RX 7800 XT gpu. It shares a 2520MHz boost clock with the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB goes with a 3290MHz boost clock. No dimensions are published for the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4070
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 2520MHz
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1 x HDMI 2.1a
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Triple-fan Ventus cooler
- GDDR6 memory rather than the GDDR6X on other 4070 cards
- RTX 4070 gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Video memory trails the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB)
- No published recommended power supply
- Costs more than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side three cards on GPU, video memory, memory and recommended power supply, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend to the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 gives no recommended power supply; the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 gives no power connector.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend ($250 to $500) to the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 ($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
Here video memory runs from 12GB on the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 to 16GB on the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend. Start with the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend if video memory decides it.
Recommended power supply
Here recommended power supply runs from 700W on the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend to 550W on the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB is the pick for recommended power supply. No figure for the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1.
Power connector
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend lists 2 x 8-pin; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB lists 1 x 8-pin. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Setup checks
No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Measure for 249mm and 2 slots before ordering the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB.
Extras that separate them
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend: a 700W recommended PSU. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB: 20Gbps memory on a 128-bit bus. The MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1: GDDR6 memory rather than the GDDR6X on other 4070 cards.
Count the display outputs
Most cards offer three DisplayPort outputs and one HDMI, but some swap that balance. Check that the ports match your monitors, TV or VR headset.
How to Choose a GPUs for DayZ
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting white-and-silver Steel Legend finish for the least money | ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want 32 compute units | ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB | 32 compute units |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 | A triple-fan Ventus cooler at the highest price in the group |
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 ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB at 16GB. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Recommended PSU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 700W |
| ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 550W |
| MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 | RTX 4070 | 12GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend was the lowest-priced pick and the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend |
| About $500 to $1000 | ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend compare with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB on recommended power supply?
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB comes out best at 550W, with the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at 700W. The MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 doesn't state a figure, so it sits outside this comparison.
What does the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 add over the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend?
On the figures both makers state, it adds little. It does not win everywhere: the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend still leads on video memory (16GB). The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if a feature outside the spec sheet matters to you.
Why is the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 our Premium Pick pick?
It earns the label for a triple-fan Ventus cooler at the highest price in the group. It suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Do the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB differ on GPU?
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses RX 7800 XT; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB uses RX 9060 XT; the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 uses RTX 4070.
Will the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 work with my setup?
No dimensions are published for the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 with the maker. In this guide it ranks third of 3, as our Premium Pick pick.
What extras do the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB include?
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend: a white-and-silver Steel Legend finish. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB: 32 compute units. The MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1: a triple-fan Ventus cooler.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB for 32 compute units and the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 for a triple-fan Ventus cooler at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Lower object detail before resolution when the frame rate drops in cities.