Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Dead Space
Five graphics cards compared, from the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend to the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
The 2023 Dead Space remake is DirectX 12 only and recommends an RTX 2070 or RX 6700 XT class card. Every pick carries 16GB of video memory and cost $600 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
Dead Space's official PC requirements list NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 or AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT and 16GB of RAM for the recommended tier (source: Steam store page). Matching brand to brand, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB and the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger are a newer generation than the RX 6700 XT.
Our comparison rests on published figures for GPU, VRAM and memory; where a maker leaves out length, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Requirements source: Steam store page
Quick Picks
Our 5 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
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16G
Three WINDFORCE fans.
Best for: Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16G (opens in a new tab)

Slimmest Cooler Thickness
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB OC
The slimmest cooler thickness here (2-slot).
Best for: Buyers who put cooler thickness first.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)

Strong Alternative
ASUS Dual Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB
A dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles.
Best for: Buyers who want dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB (opens in a new tab)

Premium Pick
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Challenger 16GB OC
A 267mm length at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend costs less.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Challenger 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 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
- Getting white-and-silver Steel Legend finish for the least money.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables.
Why we like it
On recommended power supply it sits mid-pack at 700W: the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB offers 550W, and the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger comes in at 750W. It shares an RX 7800 XT gpu with the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger; the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB goes with an RX 9060 XT gpu. Like the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger, it has a 2 x 8-pin power connector, while the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB uses a 1 x 8-pin power connector.
It is the only pick here with a 2520MHz boost clock; the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger has a 2475MHz boost clock instead. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC was closest. If you want a confirmed card length, look to the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB instead: it comes in at 249mm, while this one gives no figure.
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
- Recommended power supply of 700W, ahead of the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- No published cooler thickness
Also Consider2 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 who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Skip if
- Its cooler thickness is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It also offers a 16GB video memory. No other pick in this guide offers an RX 7600 XT gpu; compare the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, which has an RX 9060 XT gpu. 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. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the pricier ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its card length; if that figure matters, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB comes in at 249mm.
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
- No published cooler thickness
- No published recommended power supply
- Costs more than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at the time of writing
Slimmest Cooler Thickness3 of 5
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 put cooler thickness first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend 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. Nothing else here matches its 2-slot cooler thickness; the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB comes closest at 2.5-slot. On recommended power supply it leads this guide at 550W, ahead of the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (700W).
Like the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, it has an RX 9060 XT gpu, while the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC uses an RX 7600 XT gpu. A 1 x 8-pin power connector is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger uses a 2 x 8-pin power connector. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the pricier ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, at the time of writing.
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
Strong Alternative4 of 5
ASUS Dual Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- The maker gives no recommended power supply, so skip it if that figure decides your choice.
Why we like it
On cooler thickness it ties with the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger at 2.5-slot. Like the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, it has an RX 9060 XT gpu, while the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC uses an RX 7600 XT gpu. A 3250MHz (OC mode) boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger uses a 2475MHz 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. Its price falls between the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB and the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed card length should compare it with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, which comes in at 249mm.
Key dimensions & 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
- No published recommended power supply
- Costs more than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Challenger 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's Challenger is a 267mm, 2.5-slot dual-fan RX 7800 XT with two 8-pin connectors and a 750W recommended power supply.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend costs less.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables.
Why we like it
On cooler thickness it ties with the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB at 2.5-slot. Its 750W recommended power supply is the highest in this group; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB leads at 550W. Like the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, it has an RX 7800 XT gpu, while the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC uses an RX 7600 XT gpu.
You get a 2475MHz boost clock here, which sets it apart from the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB and its a 3250MHz (OC mode) boost clock. Power for the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 750W the maker's minimum PSU. 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 ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB and the rest. The trade-off is video memory; for more, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend offers 16GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7800 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 267mm
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Recommended PSU: 750W
- Power connector: 2 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 2475MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- 267mm length
- Dual-fan Challenger cooler
- 2475MHz boost clock, the only one here
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Cooler thickness trails the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB (2-slot)
- Recommended power supply trails the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB (550W)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and card length as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 8 fields compared are stated for every pick, while card length and cooler thickness have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend to the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger, 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 ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB give no card length; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC give no cooler thickness.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend ($250 to $500) to the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Dead Space
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Cooler thickness
Here cooler thickness runs from 2.5-slot on the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger to 2-slot on the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, a 20% spread. Start with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB if cooler thickness decides it. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC give no cooler thickness figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
How much recommended power supply you need
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB tops recommended power supply at 550W and the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger sits lowest at 750W. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend comes second at 700W, in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 for the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB. The Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB give no recommended power supply figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
How much card length you need
Across these 2 picks card length spans 267mm (the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger) to 249mm (the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB). The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB is the pick for card length. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB give no card length figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Power connector
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger list 2 x 8-pin; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB lists 1 x 8-pin. Settling power connector first narrows 3 picks to 2 or 1.
Fit and compatibility
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. 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.
How to Choose a GPUs for Dead Space
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 three WINDFORCE fans | Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC | Three WINDFORCE fans |
| Buyers who put cooler thickness first | ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB | The slimmest cooler thickness here (2-slot) |
| 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 for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend costs less | ASRock 7800 XT Challenger | A 267mm length at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB leads on cooler thickness at 2-slot, ahead of the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB at 2.5-slot. "Not listed" marks card length where the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC | RX 7600 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 249mm |
| ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock 7800 XT Challenger | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 267mm |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, sat in the $250 to $500 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC |
| About $500 to $1000 | ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, ASRock 7800 XT Challenger |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these cards run Dead Space at recommended settings?
In Dead Space's list, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB and the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger meet the recommended card on brand, generation and model number. Dead Space also lists 16GB of system RAM for that tier, which is separate from the card.
How does the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB compare with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB on cooler thickness?
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB comes out best at 2-slot, with the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB at 2.5-slot. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC are left out of this ranking because their cooler thickness isn't stated; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB ahead of the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend on recommended power supply?
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB is lowest on recommended power supply at 550W; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend follows at 700W, 21% apart. The ASRock 7800 XT Challenger is at the other end of this group with 750W. The Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB don't state a recommended power supply figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
Which has the shortest card length: the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB or the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger?
Between the top two, it is 249mm on the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB against 267mm on the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger, a 7% difference. No card length figure is published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, which leaves 2 of 5 picks ranked here.
Is the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger worth paying more than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend?
The ASRock 7800 XT Challenger matches or trails the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend on recommended power supply, so the extra spend buys only what the spec sheet doesn't show. It does not win everywhere: the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend still leads on recommended power supply (700W). The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend sat in the $250 to $500 tier and the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them.
What makes the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB the Slimmest Cooler Thickness?
It carries the badge for the slimmest cooler thickness here (2-slot). The ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB is next on cooler thickness at 2.5-slot, so this pick's 2-slot is 20% further out. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the cheapest pick, sat in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at anyone who puts cooler thickness first.
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 Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC for three WINDFORCE fans, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB for the slimmest cooler thickness here (2-slot) and the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB for a dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles if those matter more to you.
Confirm your Windows version is up to date, since the game requires DirectX 12.
