Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Minecraft
From the Arc B580 Challenger to the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger: five graphics cards ranked on video memory and card length, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Minecraft 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 12GB of video memory and cost $650 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
We sorted these picks by GPU, VRAM and memory, working from the makers' own data; nothing here was tested in-house, and if a maker skips length, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Recommended Power Supply
ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC
The lowest recommended power supply here (650W).
Best for: Buyers who put recommended power supply first.
Our take Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ASRock Radeon RX 7700 XT Challenger 12GB OC
0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Best for: Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7700 XT Challenger 12GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC
A white-and-silver Steel Legend finish.
Best for: Buyers who want white-and-silver Steel Legend finish.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
PNY GeForce RTX 4070 12GB XLR8 Gaming Verto Epic-X RGB
A triple-fan cooler with Epic-X RGB lighting.
Best for: Buyers who want triple-fan cooler with Epic-X RGB lighting.
Our take Check price for PNY GeForce RTX 4070 12GB XLR8 Gaming Verto Epic-X RGB (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASRock Radeon RX 9070 Challenger 16GB OC
56 compute units at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Arc B580 Challenger costs less.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9070 Challenger 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Recommended Power Supply1 of 5
ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Intel's Arc B580 brings 12GB of GDDR6 to the entry tier, more than the 8GB common at this price.
Best for
- Buyers who put recommended power supply first.
Skip if
- Pass on it if video memory of 12GB, behind the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB) rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
ASRock's Challenger version is 249mm long and needs one 8-pin plug and a 650W PSU. It matches the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT and the PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto on video memory (12GB). On recommended power supply it leads this guide at 650W, ahead of the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (700W).
No other pick in this guide offers an arc B580 gpu; compare the PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto, which has an RTX 4070 gpu. A 1 x 8-pin power connector is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger uses a 2 x 8-pin power connector. It undercut the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: video memory of 12GB, behind the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB). If that matters, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend offers 16GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: Arc B580
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 249mm
- Thickness: 2-slot
- Recommended PSU: 650W
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 2740MHz
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 2.1, 1 x HDMI 2.1a
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Short 249mm length suits compact cases
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- A single 8-pin power connector
Cons
- Video memory of 12GB, behind the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB)
Also Consider2 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7700 XT Challenger 12GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT stands out for 0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Best for
- Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Skip if
- Its recommended power supply is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It also offers a 12GB video memory. It matches the Arc B580 Challenger and the PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto on video memory (12GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 7700 XT gpu; compare the PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto, which has an RTX 4070 gpu.
No dimensions are published for the ASRock Challenger 7700 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 7700 XT with the maker. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper Arc B580 Challenger and the pricier ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its card length; if that figure matters, the Arc B580 Challenger comes in at 249mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7700 XT
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- 0dB silent cooling at light loads
- RX 7700 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- No published recommended power supply
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Steel Legend adds a white-and-silver finish and a 2520MHz boost, and it has a 700W recommended power supply.
Best for
- Buyers who want white-and-silver Steel Legend finish.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables.
Why we like it
On video memory it ties with the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger at 16GB. On recommended power supply it ties with the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger at 700W. An RX 7800 XT gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT uses an RX 7700 XT gpu.
Like the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger, it has a 2 x 8-pin power connector, while the Arc B580 Challenger uses a 1 x 8-pin power connector. Like the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger, it has a 2520MHz boost clock, while the Arc B580 Challenger uses a 2740MHz boost clock. No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
It was priced above the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT and below the PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto at the time of writing. There is no published card length figure, whereas the Arc B580 Challenger comes in at 249mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7800 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Recommended PSU: 700W
- Power connector: 2 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 2520MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- White-and-silver Steel Legend finish
- 700W recommended PSU
- RX 7800 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
PNY GeForce RTX 4070 12GB XLR8 Gaming Verto Epic-X RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto is built around a triple-fan cooler with Epic-X RGB lighting, with a 2475MHz boost clock on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want triple-fan cooler with Epic-X RGB lighting.
Skip if
- Skip it if video memory matters most to you; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend offers 16GB.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 12GB video memory. It matches the Arc B580 Challenger and the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT on video memory (12GB). It is the only pick here with an RTX 4070 gpu; the Arc B580 Challenger has an arc B580 gpu instead.
You get GDDR6X memory here, which sets it apart from the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger and its GDDR6 memory. A 2475MHz boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses a 2520MHz boost clock. No dimensions are published for the PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Its price falls between the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger, based on our last check. If video memory is your priority, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4070
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6X
- Boost clock: 2475MHz
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Triple-fan cooler with Epic-X RGB lighting
- 2475MHz boost clock
- RTX 4070 gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Video memory trails the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB)
- No published recommended power supply
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 9070 Challenger 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's RX 9070 Challenger is the most completely documented card here: 290mm long, 2.5 slots, two 8-pin plugs and a 700W PSU.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Arc B580 Challenger costs less.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables.
Why we like it
Its 16GB of memory on a 256-bit bus suits 1440p at high settings. The card uses AMD's RDNA 4 architecture with 56 compute units and 3,584 stream processors, 3rd-gen ray tracing and 2nd-gen AI accelerators. Its game clock is 2070MHz, and the 16GB of GDDR6 runs at 20Gbps.
It measures 290 x 123 x 51mm, so verify case clearance before buying. It matches the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend on video memory (16GB). It matches the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend on recommended power supply (700W).
No other pick in this guide offers an RX 9070 gpu; compare the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, which has an RX 7800 XT gpu. 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 PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto and the rest. The trade-off is recommended power supply; for more, the Arc B580 Challenger offers 650W.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9070
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 290mm
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Recommended PSU: 700W
- Power connector: 2 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 2520MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- 56 compute units
- 256-bit memory bus at 20Gbps
- Triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Recommended power supply trails the Arc B580 Challenger (650W)
- Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
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 card length, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out card length.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Arc B580 Challenger to the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger, state GPU, video memory and memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto give no card length; the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto give no cooler thickness.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Arc B580 Challenger ($250 to $500) to the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Minecraft
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much video memory you need
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend tops video memory at 16GB and the PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto sits lowest at 12GB; 2 picks share the top figure. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend is the pick for video memory.
Recommended power supply across these picks
Across these 3 picks recommended power supply spans 700W (the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger) to 650W (the Arc B580 Challenger). If recommended power supply is your first filter, the Arc B580 Challenger sets the ceiling at 650W. The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT and the PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto give no recommended power supply figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Card length
Across these 2 picks card length spans 290mm (the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger) to 249mm (the Arc B580 Challenger). Start with the Arc B580 Challenger if card length decides it. The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto give no card length figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Arc B580 Challenger, the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger list GDDR6; the PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto lists GDDR6X. Sort out memory before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 4 and 1.
Power connector
The Arc B580 Challenger lists 1 x 8-pin; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger list 2 x 8-pin.
How to Choose a GPUs for Minecraft
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put recommended power supply first | Arc B580 Challenger | The lowest recommended power supply here (650W) |
| Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light loads | ASRock Challenger 7700 XT | 0dB silent cooling at light loads |
| Buyers who want white-and-silver Steel Legend finish | ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | A white-and-silver Steel Legend finish |
| Buyers who want triple-fan cooler with Epic-X RGB lighting | PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto | A triple-fan cooler with Epic-X RGB lighting |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Arc B580 Challenger costs less | ASRock RX 9070 Challenger | 56 compute units at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend leads on video memory at 16GB, ahead of the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger at 16GB. "Not listed" marks card length where the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc B580 Challenger | Arc B580 | 12GB | GDDR6 | 249mm |
| ASRock Challenger 7700 XT | RX 7700 XT | 12GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto | RTX 4070 | 12GB | GDDR6X | Not listed |
| ASRock RX 9070 Challenger | RX 9070 | 16GB | GDDR6 | 290mm |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Arc B580 Challenger, sat in the $250 to $500 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | Arc B580 Challenger, ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend |
| About $500 to $1000 | PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto, ASRock RX 9070 Challenger |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Arc B580 Challenger ahead of the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend on recommended power supply?
The Arc B580 Challenger comes out best at 650W, with the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at 700W. The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT and the PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto are left out of this ranking because their recommended power supply isn't stated; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
Which has the shortest card length: the Arc B580 Challenger or the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger?
The Arc B580 Challenger is lowest on card length at 249mm; the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger follows at 290mm, 14% apart. The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto don't state a card length figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Which has the slimmest cooler thickness: the Arc B580 Challenger or the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger?
The Arc B580 Challenger is lowest on cooler thickness at 2-slot; the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger follows at 2.5-slot, 20% apart. The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto don't state a cooler thickness figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Is the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger worth paying more than the Arc B580 Challenger?
On paper it adds video memory (16GB against 12GB). It does not win everywhere: the Arc B580 Challenger still leads on recommended power supply (650W) and card length (249mm). The Arc B580 Challenger sat in the $250 to $500 tier and the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if video memory decides your purchase.
What makes the Arc B580 Challenger the Lowest Recommended Power Supply?
It carries the badge for the lowest recommended power supply here (650W). The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend is next on recommended power supply at 700W, so this pick's 650W is 7% further out. It makes sense for anyone who puts recommended power supply first.
Do the Arc B580 Challenger and the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT differ on GPU?
The Arc B580 Challenger uses Arc B580; the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT uses RX 7700 XT; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses RX 7800 XT; the PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto uses RTX 4070; the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger uses RX 9070.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Arc B580 Challenger, chosen for the lowest recommended power supply here (650W). Look at the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT for 0dB silent cooling at light loads, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend for a white-and-silver Steel Legend finish and the PNY 4070 XLR8 Verto for a triple-fan cooler with Epic-X RGB lighting if those matter more to you.
Put leftover budget toward a higher-refresh monitor or an SSD.