Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Final Fantasy XIV
Five graphics cards compared, from the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D to the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Final Fantasy XIV runs on a wide range of hardware, so a Radeon card is a straightforward match. Every pick is a Radeon RX card that cost $700 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
We sorted these picks by GPU, VRAM and memory, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips length, the guide says 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.
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB
The lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing.
Best for: Getting 0dB silent cooling at light load for the least money.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OC
32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing.
Best for: Buyers who want 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC
A triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
Best for: Buyers who want triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ASUS Dual Radeon RX 7600 EVO OC Edition 8GB
0dB fan stop at light load.
Best for: Buyers who want 0dB fan stop at light load.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual Radeon RX 7600 EVO OC Edition 8GB (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 6600 Challenger D 8GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's RX 6600 Challenger D is 269mm long, uses one 8-pin connector and stops its fans at light load.
Best for
- Getting 0dB silent cooling at light load for the least money.
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
It is a previous-generation 8GB card still sold new. It supports AMD FSR upscaling for higher frame rates in supported games. Its single 8-pin connector suits older power supplies.
An RX 6600 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro uses an RX 7600 gpu. It also offers a PCIe 4.0 x8 interface and a dual-fan cooler. The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D is 269mm long; compare that with your case's GPU limit.
It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB the next step up. There is no published cooler thickness figure, whereas the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro comes in at 2.5-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 6600
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 269mm
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.1
Pros
- A single 8-pin power connector
- 0dB silent cooling at light load
- PCIe 4.0 x8 interface
- Dual-fan cooler
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
Also Consider2 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB brings AMD's RDNA 4 architecture to a budget card with 32 compute units.
Best for
- Buyers who want 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing.
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. Like the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB, it has an RX 9060 XT gpu, while the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D uses an RX 6600 gpu. A 3290MHz boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO uses a 2715MHz boost clock.
It also offers 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.
Its price falls between the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed card length should compare it with the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D, which comes in at 269mm.
Key dimensions & 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
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7600 Challenger Pro 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 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. Like the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO, it has an RX 7600 gpu, while the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB uses an RX 9060 XT gpu. A 2695MHz boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO uses a 2715MHz 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. Its price falls between the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & 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 6600 Challenger D at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
ASUS Dual Radeon RX 7600 EVO OC Edition 8GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Dual EVO RX 7600 offers a 2715MHz boost with 0dB fan stop on a 2.5-slot cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want 0dB fan stop at light load.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent game is a problem.
Why we like it
It shares an RX 7600 gpu with the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB goes with an RX 9060 XT gpu. No other pick in this guide offers a 2715MHz boost clock; compare the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, which has a 3290MHz boost clock. You also get 0dB fan stop at light load.
The ASUS Dual 7600 EVO 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 7600 EVO with the maker. It was priced above the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and below the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB at the time of writing. There is no published card length figure, whereas the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D comes in at 269mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7600
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Boost clock: 2715MHz
Pros
- 0dB fan stop at light load
- 2715MHz boost clock
- 2.5-slot dual-fan cooler
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 the most complete package.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent game is a problem.
Why we like it
Its 8GB of memory suits 1080p more than 1440p. Like the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, it has an RX 9060 XT gpu, while the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D uses an RX 6600 gpu. It also offers 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. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO. If video memory is your priority, the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D (8GB) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9060 XT
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans
- Server-grade thermal conductive gel
- RGB lighting
- The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We lined up five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and card length from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D to the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB give no card length; the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB give no cooler thickness.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D ($150 to $250) to the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Final Fantasy XIV
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much card length you need
Here card length runs from 303mm on the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro to 269mm on the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D. The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D is the pick for card length. No figure for the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB.
Setup checks
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D is 269mm long; compare that with your case's GPU limit. No dimensions are published for the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB; 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 7600 Challenger Pro: 32MB of Infinity Cache. The ASUS Dual 7600 EVO: a 2715MHz boost clock. The Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB: server-grade thermal conductive gel.
Budget
$150 to $250 buys the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D; $250 to $500 buys the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro, the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Getting 0dB silent cooling at light load for the least money: the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D. Buyers who want the most complete package: the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB.
How to Choose a GPUs for Final Fantasy XIV
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting 0dB silent cooling at light load for the least money | ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D | The lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing | ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB | 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing |
| 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 0dB fan stop at light load | ASUS Dual 7600 EVO | 0dB fan stop at light load |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D leads on card length at 269mm, ahead of the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro at 303mm. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D | RX 6600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 269mm |
| ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB | RX 9060 XT | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro | RX 7600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 303mm |
| ASUS Dual 7600 EVO | RX 7600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB | RX 9060 XT | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D was the lowest-priced pick and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D |
| About $250 to $500 | ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro, ASUS Dual 7600 EVO, Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D ahead of the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro on card length?
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D comes out best at 269mm, with the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro at 303mm. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
What makes the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing. It suits getting 0dB silent cooling at light load for the least money.
Do the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB differ on GPU?
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D uses RX 6600; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 8GB use RX 9060 XT; the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro and the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO use RX 7600.
What should I check before buying the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D?
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D is 269mm long; compare that with your case's GPU limit. Power for the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D comes through 1 x 8-pin. In this guide it ranks first of 5, as our Lowest Price Here pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB apart?
The ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D: 0dB silent cooling at light load. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB: 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing. The ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro: a triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock RX 6600 Challenger D, chosen for the lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing. Look at the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB for 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing, the ASRock RX 7600 Challenger Pro for a triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop and the ASUS Dual 7600 EVO for 0dB fan stop at light load if those matter more to you.
Lower the crowd density setting in cities if frame rates drop.