Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Dwarf Fortress
Five graphics cards compared, from the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB to the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Dwarf Fortress does not push current hardware, so this guide compares cards by price, memory and what they leave for other games. Every pick is a Radeon RX or Intel Arc card that cost $700 or less, ordered from the highest price.
Our comparison rests on published figures for GPU, VRAM and memory; where a maker leaves out thickness, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Premium Pick
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 Gaming OC 16G
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans.
Best for: Buyers who want a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans and can spend more than the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC costs.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 Gaming OC 16G (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7700 XT Gaming OC 12G
Three WINDFORCE fans.
Best for: Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte Radeon RX 7700 XT Gaming OC 12G (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 GRE EVO OC Edition
A phase-change GPU thermal pad.
Best for: Buyers who want phase-change GPU thermal pad.
Our take Check price for ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 GRE EVO OC Edition (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB OC Edition
A dual BIOS switch.
Best for: Buyers who want dual BIOS switch.
Our take Check price for ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB OC Edition (opens in a new tab)
Solid Runner-Up
XFX Swift AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT OC White Triple Fan 16GB
A white triple-fan SWFT cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want white triple-fan SWFT cooler.
Our take Check price for XFX Swift AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT OC White Triple Fan 16GB (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 5
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 Gaming OC 16G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's RX 9070 Gaming OC is the lowest-cost card here, with 16GB of GDDR6 and a WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans and can spend more than the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC costs.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It leaves more of the budget for the CPU, board and memory. It matches the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White on video memory (16GB). It is the only pick here with an RX 9070 gpu; the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC has an RX 7700 XT gpu instead.
It also offers server-grade thermal conductive gel and RGB lighting. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RX 9070 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 RX 9070 Gaming OC with the maker.
It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC. Buyers who need a confirmed cooler thickness should compare it with the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE, which comes in at 2.5-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9070
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans
- Server-grade thermal conductive gel
- RGB lighting
Cons
- Costs more than the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7700 XT Gaming OC 12G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC brings to the table is three WINDFORCE fans, plus RGB Fusion lighting and a metal backplate.
Best for
- Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also offers a 12GB video memory. It matches the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE on video memory (12GB). It is the only pick here with an RX 7700 XT gpu; the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC has an RX 9070 gpu instead.
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 7700 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 7700 XT Gaming OC with the maker. Its price falls between the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE and the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed cooler thickness should compare it with the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE, which comes in at 2.5-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7700 XT
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Three WINDFORCE fans
- RGB Fusion lighting and a metal backplate
- RX 7700 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 GRE EVO OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Prime RX 9070 GRE has 12GB of GDDR6 and a 2880MHz boost in OC mode, with a phase-change thermal pad.
Best for
- Buyers who want phase-change GPU thermal pad.
Skip if
- Skip it if video memory matters most to you; the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC offers 16GB.
Why we like it
It matches the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC on video memory (12GB). It is the only pick here with an RX 9070 GRE gpu; the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC has an RX 9070 gpu instead. A 2880MHz (OC mode) boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the XFX Swift 9060 XT White uses a 3320MHz boost clock.
It also offers a dual BIOS switch. The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE 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 Prime 9070 GRE with the maker.
Its price falls between the XFX Swift 9060 XT White and the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC, based on our last check. If video memory is your priority, the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC (16GB) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9070 GRE
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Boost clock: 2880MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Phase-change GPU thermal pad
- Dual BIOS switch
- RX 9070 GRE gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Video memory trails the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC (16GB)
- Costs more than the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB brings to the table is a dual BIOS switch, plus dual ball fan bearings.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual BIOS switch.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It also offers a 16GB video memory and offers a 2.5-slot cooler thickness. On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White at 16GB. It shares an RX 9060 XT gpu with the XFX Swift 9060 XT White; the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC goes with an RX 7700 XT gpu.
No other pick in this guide offers a 3330MHz (OC mode) boost clock; compare the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE, which has a 2880MHz (OC mode) boost clock. The ASUS Prime 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 Prime 9060 XT 16GB with the maker.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9060 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Boost clock: 3330MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Dual BIOS switch
- Dual ball fan bearings
- 3330MHz (OC mode) boost clock, the only one here
Solid Runner-Up5 of 5
XFX Swift AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT OC White Triple Fan 16GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The XFX Swift 9060 XT White stands out for a white triple-fan SWFT cooler, and it adds a boost clock of up to 3320MHz.
Best for
- Buyers who want white triple-fan SWFT cooler.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It also offers a 16GB video memory. It matches the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC and the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB on video memory (16GB). A 3320MHz boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB uses a 3330MHz (OC mode) boost clock.
No dimensions are published for the XFX Swift 9060 XT White; 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 Swift 9060 XT White with the maker. Buyers who need a confirmed cooler thickness should compare it with the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE, which comes in at 2.5-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9060 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 3320MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- White triple-fan SWFT cooler
- Boost clock of up to 3320MHz
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 cooler thickness, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out cooler thickness.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC to the XFX Swift 9060 XT White, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White give no cooler thickness; the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC give no boost clock.
- Price range
- From the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB to the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, all sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a GPUs for Dwarf Fortress
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory across these picks
The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC tops video memory at 16GB and the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE sits lowest at 12GB; 3 picks share the top figure. For less, the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB is the runner-up at 16GB ($500 to $1000 tier).
Boost clock
The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE lists 2880MHz (OC mode); the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB lists 3330MHz (OC mode); the XFX Swift 9060 XT White lists 3320MHz.
Setup checks
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
Features beyond the spec table
The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE: a dual BIOS switch. The ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB: dual ball fan bearings. The XFX Swift 9060 XT White: a boost clock of up to 3320MHz.
Budget
Price does little to separate these 5: the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB through the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC all landed in the $500 to $1000 tier, which leaves video memory to decide it.
How to Choose a GPUs for Dwarf Fortress
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans and can spend more than the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC costs | Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans |
| Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans | Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC | Three WINDFORCE fans |
| Buyers who want phase-change GPU thermal pad | ASUS Prime 9070 GRE | A phase-change GPU thermal pad |
| Buyers who want dual BIOS switch | ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB | A dual BIOS switch |
| Buyers who want white triple-fan SWFT cooler | XFX Swift 9060 XT White | A white triple-fan SWFT cooler |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC leads on video memory at 16GB, ahead of the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB at 16GB. "Not listed" marks cooler thickness where the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC | RX 9070 | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC | RX 7700 XT | 12GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Prime 9070 GRE | RX 9070 GRE | 12GB | GDDR6 | 2.5-slot |
| ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 2.5-slot |
| XFX Swift 9060 XT White | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC the Premium Pick?
It carries the badge for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans. It makes sense for anyone who wants a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans and can spend more than the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC costs.
Do the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC differ on GPU?
The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC uses RX 9070; the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC uses RX 7700 XT; the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE uses RX 9070 GRE; the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White use RX 9060 XT.
What should I check before buying the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB?
The ASUS Prime 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 Prime 9060 XT 16GB with the maker. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, and second of 5 on video memory (16GB).
Beyond the specs, what sets the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC apart?
The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC: a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans. The Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC: three WINDFORCE fans. The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE: a phase-change GPU thermal pad.
Should I pick the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC or the XFX Swift 9060 XT White?
The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC suits buyers who want a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans and can spend more than the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC costs; the XFX Swift 9060 XT White suits buyers who want white triple-fan SWFT cooler.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, chosen for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans. Look at the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC for three WINDFORCE fans, the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE for a phase-change GPU thermal pad and the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB for a dual BIOS switch if those matter more to you.
Install the latest driver from the maker after the card arrives.