Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for GTA V
From the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge to the ASUS Dual RTX 5060: five graphics cards ranked on video memory and cooler thickness, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
GTA V Enhanced adds ray-traced effects to an older game, so an RTX card makes sense. Every pick is an NVIDIA RTX card with 8GB or more that cost $500 or less.
This is a research roundup, not a lab test: GPU, VRAM and memory come from each maker's published specs; nothing here was tested in-house, and a missing thickness is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OCThe lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing.
Best for: Getting two 90mm BladeLink fans for the least money.
Check price for ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5050 WINDFORCE OC 8GA dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Check price for GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5050 WINDFORCE OC 8G 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
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 OC White EditionA white shroud for light-themed builds.
Best for: Buyers who want white shroud for light-themed builds.
Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 OC White Edition 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 ASUS Dual 4060 White 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
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OC
Zotac's RTX 5050 Twin Edge is a two-slot, SFF-Ready card with two 90mm fans and one 8-pin plug.
Best for
- Getting two 90mm BladeLink fans for the least money.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the smallest NVIDIA option here for a compact case. It matches the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 on cooler thickness (2-slot). It also offers a pass-through airflow design and a metal backplate.
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. SFF-Ready is NVIDIA's size guideline, not a guarantee the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge fits every small case. Another plus: A single 8-pin power connector. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce was closest.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 5050
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Thickness
- 2-slot
- Power connector
- 1 x 8-pin
- SFF-Ready
- Yes
- Outputs
- 3 x DisplayPort 2.1b, 1 x HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- A single 8-pin power connector
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- Two 90mm BladeLink fans
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
Also Consider2 of 5
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5050 WINDFORCE OC 8G
Gigabyte's RTX 5050 Windforce is the cheapest way into DLSS 4 here.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
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
The maker publishes few details, so confirm size and power needs on Gigabyte's page. Like the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge and ASUS Dual RTX 5050, it has an RTX 5050 gpu, while the ASUS Dual 4060 White uses an RTX 4060 gpu. It also offers a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and a PCIe 5.0 interface.
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce; 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 RTX 5050 Windforce with the maker. Its price falls between the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge and the ASUS Dual RTX 5050, based on our last check.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 5050
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
Pros
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- PCIe 5.0 interface
- RTX 5050 gpu
- 8GB video memory
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- No published cooler thickness
- Costs more than the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge at the time of writing
The catch
Buyers who need a confirmed cooler thickness should compare it with the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge, which 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. It matches the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge on cooler thickness (2-slot). It shares an RTX 5050 gpu with the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge and Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce; the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 goes with an RTX 5060 gpu.
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.
SFF-Ready is NVIDIA's size guideline, not a guarantee the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 fits every small case. It was priced above the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce and below the ASUS Dual 4060 White 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 Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 OC White Edition
The ASUS Dual White has a white shroud for light-themed builds, a dual BIOS switch and a 2.5-slot cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want white shroud for light-themed builds.
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 OC mode boosts to 2,535MHz, and Axial-tech fans with barrier rings push more air downward. Its dual ball fan bearings last up to twice as long as sleeve bearings. On cooler thickness it ties with the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 at 2.5-slot.
It is the only pick here with an RTX 4060 gpu; the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge has an RTX 5050 gpu instead. The ASUS Dual 4060 White 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 4060 White with the maker. Its price falls between the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060, based on our last check.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 4060
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Thickness
- 2.5-slot
Pros
- White shroud for light-themed builds
- Dual BIOS switch
- 2.5-slot dual-fan cooler
- RTX 4060 gpu, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge at the time of writing
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 ASUS Dual 4060 White costs.
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
Its 8GB of memory is best matched to a 1080p monitor. On cooler thickness it ties with the ASUS Dual 4060 White at 2.5-slot. No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 5060 gpu; compare the ASUS Dual RTX 5050, which has an RTX 5050 gpu.
GDDR7 memory is unique to it among these picks, while the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce uses GDDR6 memory. It also comes with 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.
Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 with the maker. 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 ASUS Dual 4060 White and the rest.
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
- Cooler thickness trails the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge (2-slot)
- Costs more than the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is video memory; for more, the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge 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 set side by side five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and cooler thickness as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 7 fields compared are stated for every pick, while cooler thickness and boost clock have gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge to the ASUS Dual RTX 5060, state GPU, video memory and memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce gives no cooler thickness; the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge, the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce and the ASUS Dual 4060 White give no boost clock.
- Price range
- From the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge 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 GTA V
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much cooler thickness you need
Across these 4 picks cooler thickness spans 2.5-slot (the ASUS Dual RTX 5060) to 2-slot (the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge). Start with the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge if cooler thickness decides it. The Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce gives no cooler thickness figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge, the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce, the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 and the ASUS Dual 4060 White list GDDR6; the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 lists GDDR7.
The circuit board on the back of a graphics card Boost clock
The ASUS Dual RTX 5050 lists 2677MHz (OC mode); the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 lists 2565MHz (OC mode). Sort out boost clock before price: it splits 2 stated picks into groups of 1 and 1.
What to check at home
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Features beyond the spec table
The ASUS Dual RTX 5050: 0dB fan stop. The ASUS Dual 4060 White: a dual BIOS switch. The ASUS Dual RTX 5060: axial-tech fans with a barrier ring.
How to Choose a GPUs for GTA V
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting two 90mm BladeLink fans for the least money | Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge | The lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler | Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce | A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler |
| Buyers who want quiet/performance dual BIOS | ASUS Dual RTX 5050 | A quiet/performance dual BIOS |
| Buyers who want white shroud for light-themed builds | ASUS Dual 4060 White | A white shroud for light-themed builds |
| Buyers who want axial-tech fans with a barrier ring and can spend more than the ASUS Dual 4060 White 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 Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge leads on cooler thickness at 2-slot, ahead of the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 at 2-slot. "Not listed" marks cooler thickness where the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce leaves the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge | RTX 5050 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2-slot |
| Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce | RTX 5050 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Dual RTX 5050 | RTX 5050 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2-slot |
| ASUS Dual 4060 White | RTX 4060 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2.5-slot |
| ASUS Dual RTX 5060 | RTX 5060 | 8GB | GDDR7 | 2.5-slot |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 worth paying more than the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge?
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 matches or trails the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge on cooler thickness. The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge leads on cooler thickness (2-slot). Both sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked, so choose on the features you need.
What makes the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge the Lowest Price Here?
It carries the badge for the lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing. It is aimed at getting two 90mm BladeLink fans for the least money.
Do the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge and the ASUS Dual 4060 White differ on GPU?
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge, the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce and the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 use RTX 5050; the ASUS Dual 4060 White uses RTX 4060; the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 uses RTX 5060.
What should I check before buying the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce?
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce; 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 RTX 5050 Windforce with the maker. In this guide it ranks second of 5.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge and the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce apart?
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge: two 90mm BladeLink fans. The Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce: a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. The ASUS Dual RTX 5050: a quiet/performance dual BIOS.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge, chosen for the lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing. Look at the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce for a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler, the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 for a quiet/performance dual BIOS and the ASUS Dual 4060 White for a white shroud for light-themed builds if those matter more to you.
Choose the Enhanced edition to use ray tracing and DLSS.
Related Guides
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- 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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