Buying Guide

The Best GPUs for Grand Theft Auto IV

Five graphics cards ranked on video memory and cooler thickness, where the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming has the largest video memory; the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger is the cheapest route in.

By The PC Journal editorial team

12 min read5 products evaluated

Grand Theft Auto IV is a light PC game, which makes price, memory size and driver support the main buying points for a card. Every pick has at least 16GB of video memory and cost $800 or less, ordered from the highest price.

Rankings weigh GPU, VRAM and memory as the makers state them; if a maker skips thickness, the guide says 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.

  1. 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)

  2. 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)

  3. Strong Alternative

    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)

  4. Worth a Look

    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)

  5. Lowest Price Here

    ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Challenger 16GB OC

    Undercutting the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB on price when we checked.

    Best for: Keeping the cost under $1000.

    Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Challenger 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

ASRock Radeon RX 7900 XT Phantom Gaming OC 20GB

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

Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for 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 XFX Swift 9060 XT White, which has an RX 9060 XT gpu.

You get a 2450MHz boost clock here, which sets it apart from the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB and its a 3330MHz (OC mode) boost clock. 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 cooler thickness; if that figure matters, the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB comes in at 2.5-slot.

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 ASRock 7800 XT Challenger at the time of writing
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 XT Gaming OC 16G

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

Skip it if price comes first: the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger cost less when we checked.

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 ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB, the XFX Swift 9060 XT White and the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger on video memory (16GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 9070 XT gpu; compare the XFX Swift 9060 XT White, which has an RX 9060 XT gpu.

It also offers 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 XFX Swift 9060 XT White and the pricier ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its cooler thickness; if that figure matters, the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB comes in at 2.5-slot.

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 ASRock 7800 XT Challenger at the time of writing
ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB OC Edition

Strong Alternative3 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

Skip it if price comes first: the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger cost less when we checked.

Why we like it

It also offers a 16GB video memory and offers a 2.5-slot cooler thickness. It matches the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, the XFX Swift 9060 XT White and the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger on video memory (16GB). You get a 3330MHz (OC mode) boost clock here, which sets it apart from the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming and its a 2450MHz 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. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper ASRock 7800 XT Challenger and the pricier XFX Swift 9060 XT White, at the time of writing.

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

Cons

  • Costs more than the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger at the time of writing
XFX Swift AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT OC White Triple Fan 16GB

Worth a Look4 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

Skip it if price comes first: the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger cost less when we checked.

Why we like it

It also offers a 16GB video memory. On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB and the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger at 16GB. It is the only pick here with a 3320MHz boost clock; the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming has a 2450MHz boost clock instead.

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. If you want a confirmed cooler thickness, look to the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB instead: it comes in at 2.5-slot, while this one gives no figure.

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

Cons

  • Costs more than the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger at the time of writing
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Challenger 16GB OC

Lowest Price Here5 of 5

ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Challenger 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

ASRock's Challenger is a 267mm, 2.5-slot dual-fan RX 7800 XT with two 8-pin connectors and a 750W recommended power supply.

Best for

Keeping the cost under $1000.

Skip if

Look at the others if this bothers you: needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables.

Why we like it

On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White at 16GB. You get an RX 7800 XT gpu here, which sets it apart from the XFX Swift 9060 XT White and its an RX 9060 XT gpu. It is the only pick here with a 2475MHz boost clock; the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB has a 3330MHz (OC mode) boost clock instead.

Power for the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 750W the maker's minimum PSU. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB was closest. Video memory is its weakest area, and the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming covers it better at 20GB.

Key dimensions & specs

  • GPU: RX 7800 XT
  • VRAM: 16GB
  • Memory: GDDR6
  • Length: 267mm
  • Thickness: 2.5-slot
  • Recommended PSU: 750W
  • Power connector: 2 x 8-pin
  • Boost clock: 2475MHz

Pros

  • 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
  • 267mm length
  • Dual-fan Challenger cooler
  • RX 7800 XT gpu, the only one here

Cons

  • Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
  • 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.

How these picks were ranked
We lined up five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and cooler thickness as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out cooler thickness.
What every pick has in common
All 5, from the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming to the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger, 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 XFX Swift 9060 XT White give no cooler thickness; the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White give no power connector.
Price range
From the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger 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 Grand Theft Auto IV

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. Video memory

    Here video memory runs from 16GB on the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger to 20GB on the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, a 25% spread. Start with the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming if video memory decides it.

  2. Setup checks

    No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. 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. Measure for 267mm and 2.5 slots before ordering the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger.

  3. Extras that separate them

    The ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB: dual ball fan bearings. The XFX Swift 9060 XT White: a boost clock of up to 3320MHz. The ASRock 7800 XT Challenger: a dual-fan Challenger cooler.

  4. How much to spend

    All 5 sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, from the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger at the low end to the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming at the top, so decide on features first.

  5. Start from what matters most

    Buyers who put video memory first: the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming. Keeping the cost under $1000: the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger.

How to Choose a GPUs for Grand Theft Auto IV

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Buyers who put video memory firstASRock 7900 XT Phantom GamingThe largest video memory here (20GB)
Buyers who want WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fansGigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OCA WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans
Buyers who want dual BIOS switchASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GBA dual BIOS switch
Buyers who want white triple-fan SWFT coolerXFX Swift 9060 XT WhiteA white triple-fan SWFT cooler
Keeping the cost under $1000ASRock 7800 XT ChallengerUndercutting the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB on price when we checked

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 cooler thickness where the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White leave the figure out.

CardGPUVRAMMemoryThickness
ASRock 7900 XT Phantom GamingRX 7900 XT20GBGDDR6Not listed
Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OCRX 9070 XT16GBGDDR6Not listed
ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GBRX 9060 XT16GBGDDR62.5-slot
XFX Swift 9060 XT WhiteRX 9060 XT16GBGDDR6Not listed
ASRock 7800 XT ChallengerRX 7800 XT16GBGDDR62.5-slot

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the largest video memory: the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming or the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC?

Between the top two, it is 20GB on the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming against 16GB on the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, a 25% difference.

What does the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming add over the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger?

What it brings is video memory (20GB against 16GB). 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?

It carries the badge for 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 suits 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 ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White use RX 9060 XT; the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger uses RX 7800 XT.

Will the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC work with my setup?

No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RX 9070 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 RX 9070 XT Gaming OC with the maker. In this guide it ranks second of 5, and second of 5 on video memory (16GB).

What extras do the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming and the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC include?

The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming: 80MB of Infinity Cache. The Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC: a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans. The ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB: a dual BIOS switch.

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 ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB for a dual BIOS switch and the XFX Swift 9060 XT White for a white triple-fan SWFT cooler if those matter more to you.

Put leftover budget toward a higher-refresh monitor or an SSD.