Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for It Takes Two
Five graphics cards compared, from the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB to the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
For It Takes Two, the card matters less than the monitor, memory and storage around it, so compare price and memory first. Every pick is a Radeon RX or Intel Arc card that cost $700 or less, ordered from the highest price.
We sorted these picks by GPU, VRAM and memory, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips boost clock, 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.
Premium Pick
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 Gaming OC 16G
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans.
Best for: Buyers who want a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans and can spend more than the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC costs.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 Gaming OC 16G (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7700 XT Gaming OC 12G
Three WINDFORCE fans.
Best for: Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte Radeon RX 7700 XT Gaming OC 12G (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Challenger 16GB OC
A 267mm length.
Best for: Buyers who want 267mm length.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Challenger 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
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)
Solid Runner-Up
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)
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 5
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 Gaming OC 16G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's RX 9070 Gaming OC is the lowest-cost card here, with 16GB of GDDR6 and a WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans and can spend more than the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC costs.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It leaves more of the budget for the CPU, board and memory. It matches the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger, the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT on video memory (16GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 9070 gpu; compare the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB, which has an RX 9060 XT gpu.
It also comes with server-grade thermal conductive gel and RGB lighting. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RX 9070 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 Gaming OC 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 Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9070
- 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 XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7700 XT Gaming OC 12G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC brings to the table is three WINDFORCE fans, plus RGB Fusion lighting and a metal backplate.
Best for
- Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Skip if
- Skip it if video memory matters most to you; the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC offers 16GB.
Why we like it
It also offers a 12GB video memory. Its 12GB video memory is the smallest in this group; the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC leads at 16GB. No other pick in this guide offers an RX 7700 XT gpu; compare the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB, which has an RX 9060 XT gpu.
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 7700 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 7700 XT Gaming OC with the maker. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper ASRock 7800 XT Challenger and the pricier Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7700 XT
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Three WINDFORCE fans
- RGB Fusion lighting and a metal backplate
- RX 7700 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Video memory trails the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC (16GB)
- Costs more than the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 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
- Buyers who want 267mm length.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables.
Why we like it
It matches the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT on video memory (16GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 7800 XT gpu; compare the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB, which has an RX 9060 XT gpu. You get a 2475MHz boost clock here, which sets it apart from the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT and its a 3290MHz boost clock.
Power for the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 750W the maker's minimum PSU. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT and the pricier Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC, at the time of writing.
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
- Costs more than the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 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
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It suits 1440p at medium to high settings. It matches the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT on video memory (16GB). A 3320MHz boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT uses 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
Solid Runner-Up5 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
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 16GB video memory. It matches the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB on video memory (16GB). A 3290MHz boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB uses a 3320MHz 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
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and boost clock as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 4 fields compared are stated for every pick, while boost clock has gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC to the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC give no boost clock.
- Price range
- From the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB to the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, all sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a GPUs for It Takes Two
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 12GB (the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC) to 16GB (the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC). For less, the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger is the runner-up at 16GB ($500 to $1000 tier).
Boost clock
The ASRock 7800 XT Challenger lists 2475MHz; the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB lists 3320MHz; the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT lists 3290MHz.
What to check at home
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Measure for 267mm and 2.5 slots before ordering the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger.
Features beyond the spec table
The ASRock 7800 XT Challenger: a dual-fan Challenger cooler. 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.
Budget
Price does little to separate these 5: the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB through the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC all landed in the $500 to $1000 tier, which leaves video memory to decide it.
How to Choose a GPUs for It Takes Two
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans and can spend more than the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC costs | Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans |
| Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans | Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC | Three WINDFORCE fans |
| Buyers who want 267mm length | ASRock 7800 XT Challenger | A 267mm length |
| 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 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC leads on video memory at 16GB, ahead of the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger at 16GB. "Not listed" marks boost clock where the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Boost clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC | RX 9070 | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC | RX 7700 XT | 12GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock 7800 XT Challenger | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 2475MHz |
| XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 3320MHz |
| ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 3290MHz |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC the Premium Pick?
The label rests on the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans. It suits anyone who wants a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans and can spend more than the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC costs.
Do the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC differ on GPU?
The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC uses RX 9070; the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC uses RX 7700 XT; the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger uses RX 7800 XT; the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT use RX 9060 XT.
What should I check before buying the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger?
Measure for 267mm and 2.5 slots before ordering the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger. Power for the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 750W the maker's minimum PSU. In this guide it ranks third of 5, and second of 5 on video memory (16GB).
Beyond the specs, what sets the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC apart?
The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC: a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans. The Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC: three WINDFORCE fans. The ASRock 7800 XT Challenger: a 267mm length.
Should I pick the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC or the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT?
The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC suits buyers who want a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans and can spend more than the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC costs; the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT suits buyers who want factory overclock to 3290MHz.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, chosen for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans. Look at the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC for three WINDFORCE fans, the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger for a 267mm length and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB for an XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler if those matter more to you.
Install the latest driver from the maker after the card arrives.