Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Europa Universalis IV
Five graphics cards ranked on video memory and card length, where the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming has the largest video memory; the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Europa Universalis IV does not push current hardware, so this guide compares cards by price, memory and what they leave for other games. Every pick has at least 16GB of video memory and cost $800 or less, ordered from the highest price.
We ranked these graphics cards on GPU, VRAM and memory using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out length, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Video Memory
ASRock Radeon RX 7900 XT Phantom Gaming OC 20GB
The largest video memory here (20GB).
Best for: Buyers who put video memory first.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7900 XT Phantom Gaming OC 20GB (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 XT Gaming OC 16G
A WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans.
Best for: Buyers who want WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 XT Gaming OC 16G (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASRock Radeon RX 9070 Challenger 16GB OC
56 compute units.
Best for: Buyers who want 56 compute units.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9070 Challenger 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
PowerColor Twin Fan AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
A 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here.
Best for: Buyers who want 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here.
Our take Check price for PowerColor Twin Fan AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT 16GB
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan the next step up.
Our take Check price for PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT 16GB (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Largest Video Memory1 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7900 XT Phantom Gaming OC 20GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's Phantom Gaming OC offers a 2450MHz boost, 80MB of Infinity Cache and two 8-pin power connectors.
Best for
- Buyers who put video memory first.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables.
Why we like it
It was the least expensive 7900 XT here at the time of writing. Its 20GB video memory is the largest here; the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC comes next at 16GB. No other pick in this guide offers an RX 7900 XT gpu; compare the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan, which has an RX 7800 XT gpu.
No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. 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 Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC and the rest. The maker doesn't give its card length; if that figure matters, the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan comes in at 260mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7900 XT
- VRAM: 20GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Power connector: 2 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 2450MHz
Pros
- 20GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- 80MB of Infinity Cache
- Triple-fan Phantom Gaming cooler
- RX 7900 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Costs more than the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 XT Gaming OC 16G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's RX 9070 XT Gaming OC pairs AMD's top RDNA 4 chip with 16GB of GDDR6 and a WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
At the time of writing it cost about half as much as the RTX 5080 cards we researched, which makes it the strongest value in the upper tiers. It matches the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger, the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT on video memory (16GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 9070 XT gpu; compare the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan, which has an RX 7800 XT gpu.
You also get server-grade thermal conductive gel and RGB lighting. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper ASRock RX 9070 Challenger and the pricier ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its card length; if that figure matters, the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan comes in at 260mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9070 XT
- 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 PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 9070 Challenger 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's RX 9070 Challenger is the most completely documented card here: 290mm long, 2.5 slots, two 8-pin plugs and a 700W PSU.
Best for
- Buyers who want 56 compute units.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables is a problem.
Why we like it
Its 16GB of memory on a 256-bit bus suits 1440p at high settings. The card uses AMD's RDNA 4 architecture with 56 compute units and 3,584 stream processors, 3rd-gen ray tracing and 2nd-gen AI accelerators. Its game clock is 2070MHz, and the 16GB of GDDR6 runs at 20Gbps.
It measures 290 x 123 x 51mm, so verify case clearance before buying. On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT at 16GB. An RX 9070 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC uses an RX 9070 XT gpu.
It also comes with a triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. It was priced above the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan and below the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9070
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 290mm
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Recommended PSU: 700W
- Power connector: 2 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 2520MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- 56 compute units
- 256-bit memory bus at 20Gbps
- Triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Costs more than the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
PowerColor Twin Fan AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
PowerColor's Twin Fan is 260mm long, the shortest RX 7800 XT here, with two 8-pin connectors.
Best for
- Buyers who want 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here.
Skip if
- Pass on it if needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
The card is 260mm long, needs two 8-pin power connectors and lists a 750W minimum system power rating. Outputs are one HDMI 2.1 and three DisplayPort 2.1, and the card measures 260 x 109 x 50mm. On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT at 16GB.
It also comes with a dual-fan cooler. Power for the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 750W the maker's minimum PSU. It was priced above the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT and below the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7800 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 260mm
- Recommended PSU: 750W
- Power connector: 2 x 8-pin
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Short 260mm length suits compact cases
- 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here
- Dual-fan cooler
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Costs more than the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT 16GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT is built around 16GB of GDDR6.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan the next step up.
Skip if
- Skip it if video memory matters most to you; the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming offers 20GB.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 16GB video memory. On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan at 16GB. No dimensions are published for the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT with the maker. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan the next step up. It gives ground on video memory, where the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming offers 20GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7800 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- 16GB of GDDR6
- The lowest price of the group at our last check
Cons
- Video memory trails the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming (20GB)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and card length from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 7 fields compared are stated for every pick, while card length and recommended power supply have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming to the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT give no card length; the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT give no recommended power supply.
- Price range
- From the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT to the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, all sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a GPUs for Europa Universalis IV
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much video memory you need
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming tops video memory at 20GB and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT sits lowest at 16GB. Start with the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming if video memory decides it.
Card length
Here card length runs from 290mm on the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger to 260mm on the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan, a 10% spread. If card length is your first filter, the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan sets the ceiling at 260mm. The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT give no card length figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Recommended power supply
Across these 2 picks recommended power supply spans 750W (the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan) to 700W (the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger). If recommended power supply is your first filter, the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger sets the ceiling at 700W. The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT give no recommended power supply figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Fit and compatibility
No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Measure for 290mm and 2.5 slots before ordering the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger. The PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan is 260mm long; compare that with your case's GPU limit.
Extras that separate them
The ASRock RX 9070 Challenger: a 256-bit memory bus at 20Gbps. The PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan: a dual-fan cooler. The PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT: 16GB of GDDR6.
How to Choose a GPUs for Europa Universalis IV
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put video memory first | ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming | The largest video memory here (20GB) |
| Buyers who want WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans | Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC | A WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans |
| Buyers who want 56 compute units | ASRock RX 9070 Challenger | 56 compute units |
| Buyers who want 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here | PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan | A 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here |
| Spending as little as possible, with the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan the next step up | PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming leads on video memory at 20GB, ahead of the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC at 16GB. "Not listed" marks card length where the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming | RX 7900 XT | 20GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC | RX 9070 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock RX 9070 Challenger | RX 9070 | 16GB | GDDR6 | 290mm |
| PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 260mm |
| PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC compare with the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming on video memory?
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming leads at 20GB, with the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC at 16GB.
Which has the shortest card length: the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan or the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger?
Between the top two, it is 260mm on the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan against 290mm on the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger, a 10% difference. The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT don't state a card length figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger ahead of the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan on recommended power supply?
The ASRock RX 9070 Challenger is lowest on recommended power supply at 700W; the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan follows at 750W, 7% apart. The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT are left out of this ranking because their recommended power supply isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming add over the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT?
The spec sheets show video memory (20GB against 16GB) in its favour. Both sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, so the gains in video memory cost little extra by tier.
Why is the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming our Largest Video Memory pick?
The label rests on the largest video memory here (20GB). On video memory it leads the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, 20GB against 16GB, a 25% margin. It makes sense for anyone who puts video memory first.
Do the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming and the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC differ on GPU?
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming uses RX 7900 XT; the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC uses RX 9070 XT; the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger uses RX 9070; the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT use RX 7800 XT.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, chosen for the largest video memory here (20GB). Look at the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC for a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans, the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger for 56 compute units and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan for a 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here if those matter more to you.
Match the card's video outputs to your monitor's HDMI or DisplayPort inputs.