Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Deadlock
From the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB to the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC: five graphics cards ranked on video memory and recommended power supply, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Deadlock's Source 2 engine runs well on mid-range cards at high refresh. Every pick sits between $300 and $600.
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 recommended PSU is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
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)
Premium Pick
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16GThree WINDFORCE fans at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB costs less.
Check price for Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OCThe cheapest way into this group, below the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro the next step up.
Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OCA triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
Best for: Buyers who want triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 V2 OC EditionA 2535MHz boost clock in OC mode.
Best for: Buyers who want 2535MHz boost clock in OC mode.
Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 V2 OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 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
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables.
Why we like it
On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC at 16GB. An RX 7800 XT gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB uses an RX 9060 XT gpu. No other pick in this guide offers a 2520MHz boost clock; compare the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro, which has a 2695MHz 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 was priced above the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 and below the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC 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 RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 5
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16G
The Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC stands out for three WINDFORCE fans, and it adds a 128-bit memory interface.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB costs less.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 16GB video memory. It matches the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend on video memory (16GB). It is the only pick here with an RX 7600 XT gpu; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend has an RX 7800 XT gpu instead.
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. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend. Buyers who need a confirmed recommended power supply should compare it with the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro, which offers 550W.
Key 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
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OC
ASRock's RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB brings AMD's RDNA 4 architecture to a budget card with 32 compute units.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro the next step up.
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
Its 8GB of memory is the compromise; the 16GB version costs more. It matches the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 on video memory (8GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 9060 XT gpu; compare the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro, which has an RX 7600 gpu.
You get a 3290MHz boost clock here, which sets it apart from the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and its a 2695MHz boost clock. It also comes with a dual-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. No dimensions are published for the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB; 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 RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB with the maker. It undercut the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 9060 XT
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Boost clock
- 3290MHz
- Outputs
- DisplayPort 2.1a, HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing
- Dual-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop
- 20Gbps memory on a 128-bit bus
- RX 9060 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory of 8GB, behind the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB)
The catch
The maker doesn't give its recommended power supply; if that figure matters, the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro offers 550W.
Strong Alternative4 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC
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
- 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
Its PCIe 4.0 x8 link is worth noting on older PCIe 3.0 boards. It matches the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 on video memory (8GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 7600 gpu; compare the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, which has an RX 9060 XT gpu.
You get a 2695MHz boost clock here, which sets it apart from the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 and its a 2535MHz (OC mode) boost clock. 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. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and the pricier ASUS Dual 4060 V2, at the time of writing.
Key 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 9060 XT Challenger 8GB at the time of writing
Worth a Look5 of 5
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 V2 OC Edition
The ASUS Dual V2 offers a 2535MHz boost in OC mode and an HDMI 2.1a output on a dual-fan RTX 4060.
Best for
- Buyers who want 2535MHz boost clock in OC mode.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
Why we like it
It supports DLSS 3 frame generation, and its OC mode boosts to 2,535MHz. Axial-tech fans keep the dual-fan cooler compact. Axial-tech fans with longer blades and a barrier ring push more air down onto the heatsink.
It matches the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro on video memory (8GB). It is the only pick here with an RTX 4060 gpu; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend has an RX 7800 XT gpu instead. A 2535MHz (OC mode) boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses a 2520MHz boost clock.
No dimensions are published for the ASUS Dual 4060 V2; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its price falls between the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, based on our last check.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 4060
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Boost clock
- 2535MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 2535MHz boost clock in OC mode
- HDMI 2.1a output
- Dual-fan cooler
- RTX 4060 gpu, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory trails the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB)
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB at the time of writing
The catch
If video memory is your priority, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB) is the stronger choice.
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.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and recommended power supply as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 7 fields compared are stated for every pick, while recommended power supply and power connector have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend to the ASUS Dual 4060 V2, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 give no recommended power supply; the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 give no power connector.
- Price range
- From the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB to the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a GPUs for Deadlock
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory
Here video memory runs from 8GB on the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 to 16GB on the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, a 100% spread. Start with the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend if video memory decides it.
How much recommended power supply you need
The ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro tops recommended power supply at 550W and the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend sits lowest at 700W. The ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro is the pick for recommended power supply. The Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 give no recommended power supply figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
The circuit board on the back of a graphics card Power connector
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend lists 2 x 8-pin; the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro lists 1 x 8-pin.
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 303mm and 2.5 slots before ordering the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro.
Features beyond the spec table
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB: a dual-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. The ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro: 32MB of Infinity Cache. The ASUS Dual 4060 V2: an HDMI 2.1a output.
How to Choose a GPUs for Deadlock
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want white-and-silver Steel Legend finish | ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | A white-and-silver Steel Legend finish |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB costs less | Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC | Three WINDFORCE fans at the highest price in the group |
| Spending as little as possible, with the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro the next step up | ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB | The cheapest way into this group, below the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro |
| 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 2535MHz boost clock in OC mode | ASUS Dual 4060 V2 | A 2535MHz boost clock in OC mode |
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 Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC at 16GB. "Not listed" marks recommended power supply where the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Recommended PSU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 700W |
| Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC | RX 7600 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB | RX 9060 XT | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro | RX 7600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 550W |
| ASUS Dual 4060 V2 | RTX 4060 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend compare with the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro on recommended power supply?
Between the top two, it is 550W on the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro against 700W on the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, a 21% difference. No recommended power supply figure is published for the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and the ASUS Dual 4060 V2, which leaves 2 of 5 picks ranked here.
Is the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC worth paying more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB?
What it brings is video memory (16GB against 8GB). Both sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, so the gains in video memory cost little extra by tier.
What makes the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB the Lowest Price Here?
The label rests on the cheapest way into this group, below the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro. It is aimed at spending as little as possible, with the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro the next step up.
Do the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC differ on GPU?
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses RX 7800 XT; the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC uses RX 7600 XT; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB uses RX 9060 XT; the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro uses RX 7600; the ASUS Dual 4060 V2 uses RTX 4060.
What should I check before buying the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC?
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. In this guide it ranks second of 5, as our Premium Pick, and second of 5 on video memory (16GB).
Beyond the specs, what sets the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC apart?
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend: a white-and-silver Steel Legend finish. The Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC: three WINDFORCE fans. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB: 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, chosen for a white-and-silver Steel Legend finish. Look at the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC for three WINDFORCE fans at the highest price in the group, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB for the cheapest way into this group, below the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro for a triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop if those matter more to you.
Lower shadow quality for more frames.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Graphics Cards
- Related guideThe Best Graphics Cards for 1440p Gaming
- Related guideThe Best Budget Graphics Cards
- Lower budgetThe Best GPUs Under $300
- Higher budgetThe Best High-End GPUs
- ExplainerHow Much VRAM Do You Need?
- ExplainerGPU Power Connectors Explained
- Check compatibility: power suppliesPSU Power Spikes and ATX 3.x: What to Check Beyond Wattage
- Similar guideThe Best AMD GPUs
- Topic hubAll graphics cards guides
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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