Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Inertial Drift
Five graphics cards ranked on video memory and GPU, where the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming has the largest video memory; the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Inertial Drift sits well within what current cards offer, and the same card also covers heavier games in your library. 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 boost clock, 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
XFX Swift Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Gaming Edition 16GB
An XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler.
Our take Check price for XFX Swift Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Gaming Edition 16GB (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger Pro 16GB OC
A factory overclock to 3290MHz.
Best for: Buyers who want factory overclock to 3290MHz.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger Pro 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ASUS Dual Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB
The cheapest way into this group, below the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB.
Best for: Keeping the cost under $1000.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual Radeon RX 9060 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
- 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 ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT, which has an RX 9060 XT gpu.
You get a 2450MHz boost clock here, which sets it apart from the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB and its a 3250MHz (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.
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 ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB 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
- Price-first buyers should look at the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, which 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 XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB, the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT and the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB on video memory (16GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 9070 XT gpu; compare the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT, 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 ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT and the pricier ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, at the time of writing.
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 ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
XFX Swift Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Gaming Edition 16GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
XFX's Swift RX 9060 XT is the cheapest 16GB card in this guide, with a dual-fan cooler and a 3320MHz boost.
Best for
- Buyers who want XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It suits 1440p at medium to high settings. On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT and the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB at 16GB. No other pick in this guide offers a 3320MHz boost clock; compare the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT, which has a 3290MHz boost clock.
No dimensions are published for the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB; 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 RX 9060 XT 16GB with the maker.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9060 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 3320MHz
- Outputs: 1 x HDMI, 2 x DisplayPort
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler
- 3320MHz boost clock, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger Pro 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT is built around a factory overclock to 3290MHz, with a triple-fan cooler with a customizable LED indicator on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want factory overclock to 3290MHz.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, which cost less when we checked.
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 XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB at 16GB. No other pick in this guide offers a 3290MHz boost clock; compare the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, which has a 3250MHz (OC mode) boost clock.
No dimensions are published for the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 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 ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT with the maker.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9060 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 3290MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Factory overclock to 3290MHz
- Triple-fan cooler with a customizable LED indicator
- 3290MHz boost clock, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
ASUS Dual Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Dual RX 9060 XT 16GB offers a 3250MHz boost in OC mode with Quiet and Performance BIOS profiles and 0dB fan stop.
Best for
- Keeping the cost under $1000.
Skip if
- Skip it if video memory matters most to you; the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming offers 20GB.
Why we like it
On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT at 16GB. No other pick in this guide offers a 3250MHz (OC mode) boost clock; compare the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, which has a 2450MHz boost clock. The ASUS Dual 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 Dual 9060 XT 16GB with the maker. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB the next step up. It gives ground on video memory, where the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming offers 20GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9060 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Boost clock: 3250MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles
- 0dB fan stop at light load
- 3250MHz (OC mode) boost clock, the only one here
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.
- What we compared
- We compared five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and boost clock from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 4 fields compared are stated for every pick, while boost clock has gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming to the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC gives no boost clock.
- Price range
- From the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB 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 Inertial Drift
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much video memory you need
Across these 5 picks video memory spans 16GB (the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB) to 20GB (the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming). Start with the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming if video memory decides it.
Boost clock
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming lists 2450MHz; the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB lists 3320MHz; the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT lists 3290MHz; the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB lists 3250MHz (OC mode). Sort out boost clock before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 1, 1, 1 and 1.
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 Dual 9060 XT 16GB occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
Extras that separate them
The XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB: an XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler. The ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT: a triple-fan cooler with a customizable LED indicator. The ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB: 0dB fan stop at light load.
How much to spend
All 5 sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, from the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB at the low end to the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming at the top, so decide on features first.
How to Choose a GPUs for Inertial Drift
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 XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler | XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB | An XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler |
| Buyers who want factory overclock to 3290MHz | ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT | A factory overclock to 3290MHz |
| Keeping the cost under $1000 | ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB | The cheapest way into this group, below the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB |
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 boost clock where the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC leaves the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Boost clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming | RX 7900 XT | 20GB | GDDR6 | 2450MHz |
| Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC | RX 9070 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 3320MHz |
| ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 3290MHz |
| ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 3250MHz (OC mode) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming ahead of the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC on video memory?
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming leads at 20GB, with the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC at 16GB.
What does the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming add over the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB?
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 ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB our Lowest Price Here pick?
The label rests on the cheapest way into this group, below the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB. It makes sense for keeping the cost under $1000.
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 XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB, the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT and the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB use RX 9060 XT.
Will the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB work with my setup?
The ASUS Dual 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 Dual 9060 XT 16GB with the maker. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, as our Lowest Price Here pick, and fifth 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 XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB: an XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler.
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 XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB for an XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT for a factory overclock to 3290MHz if those matter more to you.
Install the latest driver from the maker after the card arrives.