Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Delta Force
We weighed five graphics cards on video memory and cooler thickness, and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Delta Force runs well on current mid-range cards. Every pick is an RTX 50 or RX 9000 card that cost $800 or less.
Delta Force's official PC requirements list Nvidia Geforce GTX 1060 5G / AMD RX5500 XT / Intel Arc A580 and 16GB of RAM for the recommended tier (source: Delta Force on Steam). Matching brand to brand, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB are a newer generation than the RX5500 XT; the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 are a newer generation than the GTX 1060.
Rankings weigh GPU, VRAM and memory as the makers state them; we did not test these graphics cards ourselves, and if a maker skips thickness, the guide says so.
Requirements source: Delta Force on Steam
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OCThe cheapest way into this group, below the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend the next step up.
Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Steel Legend 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 9060 XT Steel Legend 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5050 8GB OCA quiet/performance dual BIOS.
Best for: Buyers who want quiet/performance dual BIOS.
Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5050 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GA WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans.
Best for: Buyers who want WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans.
Check price for GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 8GB OCThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with axial-tech fans with a barrier ring.
Best for: Buyers who want axial-tech fans with a barrier ring and can spend more than the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB costs.
Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 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 9060 XT Steel Legend the next step up.
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
Its 8GB of memory is the compromise; the 16GB version costs more. It shares an RX 9060 XT gpu with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend and Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB; the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 goes with an RTX 5060 gpu. It is the only pick here with a 3290MHz boost clock; the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 has a 2565MHz (OC mode) boost clock instead.
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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend was closest.
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
- 3290MHz boost clock, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
The catch
If you want a confirmed cooler thickness, look to the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 instead: it comes in at 2-slot, while this one gives no figure.
Also Consider2 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Steel Legend 8GB OC
ASRock's RX 9060 XT Steel Legend 8GB uses a triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop and a reinforced metal backplate.
Best for
- Buyers who want triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
Why we like it
Its 3320MHz boost is the highest among these cards. It shares an RX 9060 XT gpu with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB; the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 goes with an RTX 5060 gpu. No other pick in this guide offers a 3320MHz boost clock; compare the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, which has a 3290MHz boost clock.
It also offers 20Gbps memory on a 128-bit bus. No dimensions are published for the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend; 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 Steel Legend with the maker. It was priced above the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and below the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 at the time of writing.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 9060 XT
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Boost clock
- 3320MHz
- Outputs
- DisplayPort 2.1a, HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- Triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop
- Reinforced metal backplate
- 20Gbps memory on a 128-bit bus
- 3320MHz boost clock, the only one here
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
The catch
There is no published cooler thickness figure, whereas the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 comes in at 2-slot.
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5050 8GB OC
The ASUS Dual RTX 5050 is the least expensive GeForce here, a two-slot card with a dual BIOS and 0dB fan stop.
Best for
- Buyers who want quiet/performance dual BIOS.
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
It brings DLSS 4 to budget builds, with 8GB of GDDR6. No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 5050 gpu; compare the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB, which has an RX 9060 XT gpu. You get a 2677MHz (OC mode) boost clock here, which sets it apart from the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and its a 3290MHz boost clock.
It also offers dual-ball fan bearings. The ASUS Dual RTX 5050 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 ASUS Dual RTX 5050 with the maker. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend and the pricier Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 5050
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Thickness
- 2-slot
- Boost clock
- 2677MHz (OC mode)
- SFF-Ready
- Yes
Pros
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- Quiet/performance dual BIOS
- 0dB fan stop
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 Look4 of 5
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G
Gigabyte's RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB is the entry to AMD's RDNA 4 generation, with Hawk fans and RGB lighting.
Best for
- Buyers who want WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
Why we like it
Its 8GB of memory suits 1080p more than 1440p. It shares an RX 9060 XT gpu with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend; the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 goes with an RTX 5060 gpu. It also comes with server-grade thermal conductive gel.
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 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 Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB with the maker. When we checked, only the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 and cheaper picks cost less, and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 cost more.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 9060 XT
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
Pros
- WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans
- Server-grade thermal conductive gel
- RGB lighting
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
The catch
If you want a confirmed cooler thickness, look to the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 instead: it comes in at 2-slot, while this one gives no figure.
Premium Pick5 of 5
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 8GB OC
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 is a 2.5-slot, SFF-Ready card with GDDR7 memory and DisplayPort 2.1b.
Best for
- Buyers who want axial-tech fans with a barrier ring and can spend more than the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB costs.
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
Its 8GB of memory is best matched to a 1080p monitor. An RTX 5060 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend uses an RX 9060 XT gpu. It is the only pick here with GDDR7 memory; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB has GDDR6 memory instead.
No other pick in this guide offers a 2565MHz (OC mode) boost clock; compare the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend, which has a 3320MHz boost clock. You also get axial-tech fans with a barrier ring. The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. Only the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 5060
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Memory
- GDDR7
- Thickness
- 2.5-slot
- Boost clock
- 2565MHz (OC mode)
- SFF-Ready
- Yes
- Outputs
- HDMI 2.1b, DisplayPort 2.1b
Pros
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- Axial-tech fans with a barrier ring
- RTX 5060 gpu, the only one here
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
The catch
It gives ground on video memory, where the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB offers 8GB.
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.
- What we compared
- We lined up five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and cooler thickness, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and cooler thickness and boost clock are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB to the ASUS Dual RTX 5060, state GPU, video memory and memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB give no cooler thickness; the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB gives no boost clock.
- Price range
- From the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB to the ASUS Dual RTX 5060, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a GPUs for Delta Force
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much cooler thickness you need
Here cooler thickness runs from 2.5-slot on the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 to 2-slot on the ASUS Dual RTX 5050, a 20% spread. If cooler thickness is your first filter, the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 sets the ceiling at 2-slot. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB give no cooler thickness figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend, the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB list GDDR6; the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 lists GDDR7.
A graphics card's bare circuit board around the GPU die Boost clock
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB lists 3290MHz; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend lists 3320MHz; the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 lists 2677MHz (OC mode); the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 lists 2565MHz (OC mode).
What to check at home
No dimensions are published for the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The ASUS Dual RTX 5050 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 RTX 5050: 0dB fan stop. The Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB: server-grade thermal conductive gel. The ASUS Dual RTX 5060: axial-tech fans with a barrier ring.
How to Choose a GPUs for Delta Force
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible, with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend the next step up | ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB | The cheapest way into this group, below the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend |
| Buyers who want triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop | ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend | A triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop |
| Buyers who want quiet/performance dual BIOS | ASUS Dual RTX 5050 | A quiet/performance dual BIOS |
| Buyers who want WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans | Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB | A WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans |
| Buyers who want axial-tech fans with a barrier ring and can spend more than the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB costs | ASUS Dual RTX 5060 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with axial-tech fans with a barrier ring |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASUS Dual RTX 5050 leads on cooler thickness at 2-slot, ahead of the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 at 2.5-slot. "Not listed" marks cooler thickness where the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB | RX 9060 XT | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend | RX 9060 XT | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Dual RTX 5050 | RTX 5050 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2-slot |
| Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB | RX 9060 XT | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Dual RTX 5060 | RTX 5060 | 8GB | GDDR7 | 2.5-slot |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these cards run Delta Force at recommended settings?
In Delta Force's list, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend, the ASUS Dual RTX 5050, the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 meet the recommended card on brand, generation and model number. Delta Force also lists 16GB of system RAM for that tier, which is separate from the card.
How does the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 compare with the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 on cooler thickness?
Between the top two, it is 2-slot on the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 against 2.5-slot on the ASUS Dual RTX 5060, a 20% difference. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB are left out of this ranking because their cooler thickness isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Why is the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB our Lowest Price Here pick?
It carries the badge for the cheapest way into this group, below the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend. It makes sense for spending as little as possible, with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend the next step up.
Do the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 differ on GPU?
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB use RX 9060 XT; the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 uses RTX 5050; the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 uses RTX 5060.
Will the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 work with my setup?
The ASUS Dual RTX 5050 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 ASUS Dual RTX 5050 with the maker. In this guide it ranks third of 5, and first of 2 on cooler thickness (2-slot).
What extras do the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend include?
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB: 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend: a triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. The ASUS Dual RTX 5050: a quiet/performance dual BIOS.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, chosen for the cheapest way into this group, below the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend. Look at the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend for a triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop, the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 for a quiet/performance dual BIOS and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB for a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans if those matter more to you.
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Related Guides
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- Related guideThe Best Budget Graphics Cards
- Lower budgetThe Best GPUs Under $300
- Higher budgetThe Best High-End GPUs
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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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