Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Dead Cells
We weighed five graphics cards on video memory and GPU, and the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Dead Cells does not push current hardware, so this guide compares cards by price, memory and what they leave for other games. Every pick is an RTX card that cost $650 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects GPU, VRAM and memory from maker specifications; we did not test these graphics cards ourselves, and a missing outputs is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G
Undercutting the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X on price when we checked.
Best for: Getting dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler for the least money.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC
Two HDMI 2.1a outputs.
Best for: Buyers who want two HDMI 2.1a outputs.
Our take Check price for MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 V2 OC Edition
A 2-slot dual-fan design.
Best for: Buyers who want 2-slot dual-fan design.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 V2 OC Edition (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB Twin Edge OC
Two 90mm BladeLink fans.
Best for: Buyers who want two 90mm BladeLink fans.
Our take Check price for ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB Twin Edge OC (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G
A WINDFORCE cooling system at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce costs less.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
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
- Getting dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler for the least money.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
It has 6GB of GDDR6 on a 96-bit interface and third-generation Tensor cores for DLSS. The RTX 3050 chip has 6GB of GDDR6 on a 96-bit bus and supports DLSS and second-generation ray tracing cores. It is built on NVIDIA Ampere streaming multiprocessors, and its two Windforce fans sit on the GV-N3050WF2OCV2-6GD model.
It matches the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X on video memory (6GB). Like the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, it has an RTX 3050 gpu, while the Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB uses an RTX 5060 Ti gpu. It shares GDDR6 memory with the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC; the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G goes with GDDR7 memory.
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 3050
- VRAM: 6GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- DLSS support
- Second-generation RT cores
- Undercutting the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X on price when we checked
Cons
- 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory of 6GB, behind the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC (8GB)
Also Consider2 of 5
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MSI's RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC has two HDMI 2.1a outputs and one DisplayPort, with DLSS support.
Best for
- Buyers who want two HDMI 2.1a outputs.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
It is built on the Ampere architecture with 6GB of GDDR6 at 14Gbps on a 96-bit interface and a 1492MHz boost clock. Its single DisplayPort output is version 1.4a, and the card carries two HDMI 2.1a ports. On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at 6GB.
It shares an RTX 3050 gpu with the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; the Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB goes with an RTX 5060 Ti gpu. Like the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC, it has GDDR6 memory, while the Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB uses GDDR7 memory. It also offers a dual-fan Ventus cooler.
No dimensions are published for the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Video memory is its weakest area, and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC covers it better at 8GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 3050
- VRAM: 6GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 1492MHz
- Outputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 2 x HDMI 2.1a
Pros
- Two HDMI 2.1a outputs
- Dual-fan Ventus cooler
- DLSS support
Cons
- 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory trails the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC (8GB)
- Costs more than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 V2 OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC brings to the table is a 2-slot dual-fan design, plus DLSS 3 support.
Best for
- Buyers who want 2-slot dual-fan design.
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 also offers an 8GB video memory. It matches the Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB and the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G on video memory (8GB). It is the only pick here with an RTX 4060 gpu; the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce has an RTX 3050 gpu instead.
It shares GDDR6 memory with the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X; the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G goes with GDDR7 memory. No dimensions are published for the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 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 ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC with the maker. Its price falls between the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- 2-slot dual-fan design
- DLSS 3 support
- Video memory of 8GB, ahead of the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce
- RTX 4060 gpu, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB Twin Edge OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB stands out for two 90mm BladeLink fans, and it adds a 2-slot SFF-ready body.
Best for
- Buyers who want two 90mm BladeLink fans.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also offers an 8GB video memory and offers a 2-slot cooler thickness. On video memory it ties with the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC and the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G at 8GB. It shares an RTX 5060 Ti gpu with the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G; the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X goes with an RTX 3050 gpu.
Like the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G, it has GDDR7 memory, while the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X uses GDDR6 memory. The Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB 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 Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB with the maker. SFF-Ready is NVIDIA's size guideline, not a guarantee the Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB fits every small case.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5060 Ti
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR7
- Thickness: 2-slot
- SFF-Ready: Yes
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 2.1b, 1 x HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- Two 90mm BladeLink fans
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G brings to the table is a WINDFORCE cooling system, plus a 128-bit memory interface.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce costs less.
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 matches the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC and the Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB on video memory (8GB). No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G; 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 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G with the maker.
You also get this: faster GDDR7 memory. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5060 Ti
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR7
Pros
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- WINDFORCE cooling system
- 128-bit memory interface
- Video memory of 8GB, ahead of the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We lined up five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and outputs, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and outputs is missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce to the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G, state GPU, video memory and memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC and the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G give no outputs.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce ($150 to $250) to the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Dead Cells
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much video memory you need
Here video memory runs from 6GB on the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X to 8GB on the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC, a 33% spread. If video memory is your first filter, the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC sets the ceiling at 8GB.
Memory
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC list GDDR6; the Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB and the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G list GDDR7. Settling memory first narrows 5 picks to 3 or 2.
What to check at home
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
Extras that separate them
The ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC: DLSS 3 support. The Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB: a 2-slot SFF-ready body. The Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G: a 128-bit memory interface.
Where your budget lands
$150 to $250 buys the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; $250 to $500 buys the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC; $500 to $1000 buys the Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB and the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G at our last check.
How to Choose a GPUs for Dead Cells
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler for the least money | Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | Undercutting the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want two HDMI 2.1a outputs | MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | Two HDMI 2.1a outputs |
| Buyers who want 2-slot dual-fan design | ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC | A 2-slot dual-fan design |
| Buyers who want two 90mm BladeLink fans | Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB | Two 90mm BladeLink fans |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce costs less | Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G | A WINDFORCE cooling system at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC leads on video memory at 8GB, ahead of the Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB at 8GB. "Not listed" marks outputs where the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC and the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Outputs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | 1 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 2 x HDMI 2.1a |
| ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC | RTX 4060 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB | RTX 5060 Ti | 8GB | GDDR7 | 3 x DisplayPort 2.1b, 1 x HDMI 2.1b |
| Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G | RTX 5060 Ti | 8GB | GDDR7 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce |
| About $250 to $500 | MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC |
| About $500 to $1000 | Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB, Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G add over the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce?
The spec sheets show video memory (8GB against 6GB) in its favour. On our last price check the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce was in the $150 to $250 tier and the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G 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 Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G our Premium Pick?
It carries the badge for a WINDFORCE cooling system at the highest price in the group. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $500 to $1000 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce costs less.
Do the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC differ on GPU?
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X use RTX 3050; the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC uses RTX 4060; the Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB and the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G use RTX 5060 Ti.
Will the Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB work with my setup?
The Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB 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 Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB with the maker. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, and second of 5 on video memory (8GB).
What extras do the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X include?
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce: a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. The MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X: two HDMI 2.1a outputs. The ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC: a 2-slot dual-fan design.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, chosen for undercutting the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X on price when we checked. Look at the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X for two HDMI 2.1a outputs, the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 OC for a 2-slot dual-fan design and the Zotac 5060 Ti Twin Edge 8GB for two 90mm BladeLink fans if those matter more to you.
Confirm the card fits your case; many budget cards are compact but some are long.