Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Dead by Daylight
From the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D to the XFX 7600 SWFT210: four graphics cards ranked on video memory and card length, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Dead by Daylight is not demanding, so an entry card is enough for high frame rates at 1080p. Every pick is an NVIDIA or AMD card that cost $350 or less.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: GPU, VRAM and memory come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing length is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB
The lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing.
Best for: Getting 0dB silent cooling at light load for the least money.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G
A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC
A triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
Best for: Buyers who want triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
XFX Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 7600 8GB
A 2655MHz boost clock.
Best for: Buyers who want 2655MHz boost clock.
Our take Check price for XFX Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 7600 8GB (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing. | Getting 0dB silent cooling at light load for the least money. | Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB (opens in a new tab) |
| A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. | Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. | Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G (opens in a new tab) |
| A triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. | Buyers who want triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. | Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
| A 2655MHz boost clock. | Buyers who want 2655MHz boost clock. | Check price for XFX Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 7600 8GB (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's RX 6600 Challenger D is 269mm long, uses one 8-pin connector and stops its fans at light load.
Best for
- Getting 0dB silent cooling at light load for the least money.
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 is a previous-generation 8GB card still sold new. It supports AMD FSR upscaling for higher frame rates in supported games. Its single 8-pin connector suits older power supplies.
On video memory it ties with the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and the XFX 7600 SWFT210 at 8GB. You get an RX 6600 gpu here, which sets it apart from the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and its an RTX 3050 gpu. It also offers a PCIe 4.0 x8 interface and a dual-fan cooler.
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D is 269mm long; compare that with your case's GPU limit. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 6600
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 269mm
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.1
Pros
- A single 8-pin power connector
- 0dB silent cooling at light load
- PCIe 4.0 x8 interface
- Dual-fan cooler
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
Also Consider2 of 4
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's RTX 3050 Windforce OC V2 is the 6GB version of the RTX 3050, with DLSS support and a dual-fan cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent game is a problem.
Why we like it
It has 6GB of GDDR6 on a 96-bit interface and third-generation Tensor cores for DLSS. On video memory it trails the group at 6GB, while the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D offers 8GB. An RTX 3050 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D uses an RX 6600 gpu.
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; 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 RTX 3050 Windforce with the maker. It was priced above the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and below the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 3050
- VRAM: 6GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- DLSS support
- Second-generation RT cores
- RTX 3050 gpu, the only one here
Cons
- 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory trails the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D (8GB)
- No published card length
Strong Alternative3 of 4
ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The RX 7600 is a previous-generation chip, but ASRock's Challenger Pro version asks only for a 550W power supply and uses a triple-fan cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
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
Its PCIe 4.0 x8 link is worth noting on older PCIe 3.0 boards. It matches the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the XFX 7600 SWFT210 on video memory (8GB). You also get 32MB of Infinity Cache and a metal backplate.
Measure for 303mm and 2.5 slots before ordering the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro. Power for the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro comes through 1 x 8-pin, with 550W the maker's minimum PSU. Worth noting too: A modest 550W PSU recommendation. On price it sat third of 4, between the cheaper Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the pricier XFX 7600 SWFT210, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7600
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 303mm
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Recommended PSU: 550W
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 2695MHz
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1 x HDMI 2.1
Pros
- A modest 550W PSU recommendation
- A single 8-pin power connector
- Triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop
- 32MB of Infinity Cache
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 4
XFX Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 7600 8GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
XFX's SWFT210 RX 7600 offers a 2655MHz boost and three DisplayPort outputs on a dual-fan cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want 2655MHz boost clock.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
XFX builds it with a compact dual-fan SWFT cooler, which suits smaller cases. It carries 8GB of GDDR6, enough for 1080p at sensible settings. It matches the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro on video memory (8GB).
No dimensions are published for the XFX 7600 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 SWFT210 with the maker. The maker doesn't give its card length; if that figure matters, the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D comes in at 269mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7600
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 2655MHz
- Outputs: 1 x HDMI, 3 x DisplayPort
Pros
- 2655MHz boost clock
- Dual-fan SWFT210 cooler
- Three DisplayPort outputs
- Video memory of 8GB, ahead of the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- No published card length
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared four cards on GPU, video memory, memory and card length as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D to the XFX 7600 SWFT210, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the XFX 7600 SWFT210 give no card length; the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the XFX 7600 SWFT210 give no power connector.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D ($150 to $250) to the XFX 7600 SWFT210 ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Dead by Daylight
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory
Here video memory runs from 6GB on the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce to 8GB on the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D. The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D is the pick for video memory.
How much card length you need
Here card length runs from 303mm on the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro to 269mm on the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D. Start with the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D if card length decides it. No figure for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the XFX 7600 SWFT210.
Setup checks
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D is 269mm long; compare that with your case's GPU limit. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Measure for 303mm and 2.5 slots before ordering the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro.
Features beyond the spec table
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce: DLSS support. The ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro: 32MB of Infinity Cache. The XFX 7600 SWFT210: a dual-fan SWFT210 cooler.
How much to spend
$150 to $250 buys the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; $250 to $500 buys the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and the XFX 7600 SWFT210 at our last check.
Match the card to your monitor
Resolution and refresh rate decide how much GPU you need. A 1080p screen at 144Hz asks far less than 1440p at 165Hz or 4K.
Buy for the monitor you use now or will buy soon, not for a resolution you may never run.
How to Choose a GPUs for Dead by Daylight
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting 0dB silent cooling at light load for the least money | ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D | The lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler | Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler |
| Buyers who want triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop | ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro | A triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop |
| Buyers who want 2655MHz boost clock | XFX 7600 SWFT210 | A 2655MHz boost clock |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D leads on video memory at 8GB, ahead of the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro at 8GB. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D | RX 6600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 269mm |
| Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro | RX 7600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 303mm |
| XFX 7600 SWFT210 | RX 7600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D was the lowest-priced pick and the XFX 7600 SWFT210 the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D, Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce |
| About $250 to $500 | ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro, XFX 7600 SWFT210 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the shortest card length: the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D or the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro?
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D comes out best at 269mm, with the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro at 303mm. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the XFX 7600 SWFT210 don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
What makes the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing. It suits getting 0dB silent cooling at light load for the least money.
Do the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce differ on GPU?
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D uses RX 6600; the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce uses RTX 3050; the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and the XFX 7600 SWFT210 use RX 7600.
What should I check before buying the XFX 7600 SWFT210?
No dimensions are published for the XFX 7600 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 SWFT210 with the maker. In this guide it ranks fourth of 4.
Beyond the specs, what sets the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce apart?
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D: 0dB silent cooling at light load. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce: a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. The ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro: a triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D, chosen for the lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing. Look at the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce for a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler, the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro for a triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop and the XFX 7600 SWFT210 for a 2655MHz boost clock if those matter more to you.
Keep drivers current; the game updates often.