Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Minecraft Shaders
We weighed five graphics cards on video memory and cooler thickness; the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB has the largest video memory, and the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Shader packs and RTX lean on ray tracing. Every pick is an NVIDIA RTX card with 8GB+ that cost $800 or less.
Rankings weigh GPU, VRAM and memory as the makers state them; we did not test these graphics cards ourselves, and if a maker skips thickness, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Video Memory
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB OC
The largest video memory here (16GB).
Best for: Buyers who put video memory first.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12G
A dual BIOS switch.
Best for: Buyers who want dual BIOS switch.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12G (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OC
The lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing.
Best for: Getting two 90mm BladeLink fans for the least money.
Our take Check price for ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OC (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5050 WINDFORCE OC 8G
A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5050 WINDFORCE OC 8G (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5050 8GB OC
A quiet/performance dual BIOS.
Best for: Buyers who want quiet/performance dual BIOS.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5050 8GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Largest Video Memory1 of 5
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB is the lower-cost NVIDIA route to 16GB at 1440p.
Best for
- Buyers who put video memory first.
Skip if
- Skip it if cooler thickness matters most to you; the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge offers 2-slot.
Why we like it
It is a 2.5-slot card with 0dB fan stop and dual-ball fan bearings. Nothing else here matches its 16GB video memory; the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce comes closest at 12GB. On cooler thickness it trails the group at 2.5-slot, while the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge comes in at 2-slot.
It is the only pick here with an RTX 5060 Ti gpu; the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce has an RTX 4070 gpu instead. You get GDDR7 memory here, which sets it apart from the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 and its GDDR6 memory. It also offers a quiet/performance dual BIOS.
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5060 Ti
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR7
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Boost clock: 2632MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Quiet/performance dual BIOS
- 0dB fan stop
Cons
- 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
Also Consider2 of 5
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 WINDFORCE OC 12G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
This Gigabyte Windforce OC RTX 4070 adds a dual BIOS switch and an anti-sag bracket, and it was the least expensive RTX 4070 here at the time of writing.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual BIOS switch.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its cooler thickness before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
It supports DLSS 3 frame generation, and third-generation RT cores give up to twice the ray tracing performance. On video memory it sits mid-pack at 12GB: the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB offers 16GB, and the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 comes in at 8GB. You get an RTX 4070 gpu here, which sets it apart from the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 and its an RTX 5050 gpu.
No other pick in this guide offers GDDR6X memory; compare the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce, which has GDDR6 memory. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 4070 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 4070 Windforce with the maker. If you want a confirmed cooler thickness, look to the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge instead: it comes in at 2-slot, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4070
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6X
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Dual BIOS switch
- Anti-sag bracket in the box
- RTX 4070 gpu, the only one here
Cons
- No published cooler thickness
- Costs more than the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent game is a problem.
Why we like it
It is the smallest NVIDIA option here for a compact case. It matches the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce and the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 on video memory (8GB). On cooler thickness it ties with the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 at 2-slot.
You also get 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.
It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce was the next step up. The main gap: video memory of 8GB, behind the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB (16GB). If that matters, the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB offers 16GB.
Key dimensions & 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
- Video memory of 8GB, behind the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB (16GB)
Strong Alternative4 of 5
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5050 WINDFORCE OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's RTX 5050 Windforce is the cheapest way into DLSS 4 here.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
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
The maker publishes few details, so confirm size and power needs on Gigabyte's page. On video memory it ties with the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge and the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 at 8GB. 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. If you want a confirmed cooler thickness, look to the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge instead: it comes in at 2-slot, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & 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
Worth a Look5 of 5
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5050 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- 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
It brings DLSS 4 to budget builds, with 8GB of GDDR6. It matches the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge and the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce on video memory (8GB). On cooler thickness it ties with the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge at 2-slot.
Like the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge and Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce, it has an RTX 5050 gpu, while the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB uses an RTX 5060 Ti 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. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce and the pricier Gigabyte 4070 Windforce, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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
- Video memory trails the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB (16GB)
- Costs more than the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and cooler thickness as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB to the ASUS Dual RTX 5050, state GPU, video memory and memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte 4070 Windforce and the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce give no cooler thickness; the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce, the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge and the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce give no boost clock.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge ($250 to $500) to the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Minecraft Shaders
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much video memory you need
Here video memory runs from 8GB on the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 to 16GB on the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB. The Gigabyte 4070 Windforce comes second for less money.
Cooler thickness
Here cooler thickness runs from 2.5-slot on the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB to 2-slot on the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge. The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge is the pick for cooler thickness. No figure for the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce and the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce.
Memory
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB lists GDDR7; the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce lists GDDR6X; the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge, the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce and the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 list GDDR6.
Boost clock
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB lists 2632MHz (OC mode); the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 lists 2677MHz (OC mode). Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Setup checks
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Check length and thickness
Partner cards of the same GPU can differ by several centimetres. Compare the card's length with the case's GPU clearance, allowing for front fans or a radiator, and check how many slots it covers.
How to Choose a GPUs for Minecraft Shaders
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put video memory first | ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB | The largest video memory here (16GB) |
| Buyers who want dual BIOS switch | Gigabyte 4070 Windforce | A dual BIOS switch |
| 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 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB leads on video memory at 16GB, ahead of the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce at 12GB. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB | RTX 5060 Ti | 16GB | GDDR7 | 2.5-slot |
| Gigabyte 4070 Windforce | RTX 4070 | 12GB | GDDR6X | Not listed |
| 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 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge was the lowest-priced pick and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge, Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce, ASUS Dual RTX 5050 |
| About $500 to $1000 | Gigabyte 4070 Windforce, ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB ahead of the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce on video memory?
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB leads at 16GB, with the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce at 12GB. The ASUS Dual RTX 5050 is at the other end of this group with 8GB.
What does the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB add over the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge?
On paper it adds video memory (16GB against 8GB). It does not win everywhere: the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge still leads on cooler thickness (2-slot). The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB our Largest Video Memory pick?
It earns the label for the largest video memory here (16GB). It suits anyone who put video memory first.
Do the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB and the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce differ on GPU?
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB uses RTX 5060 Ti; the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce uses RTX 4070; the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge, the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce and the ASUS Dual RTX 5050 use RTX 5050.
Will the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce work with my setup?
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 4070 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 4070 Windforce with the maker. In this guide it ranks second of 5.
What extras do the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB and the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce include?
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB: a quiet/performance dual BIOS. The Gigabyte 4070 Windforce: a dual BIOS switch. The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge: two 90mm BladeLink fans.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, chosen for the largest video memory here (16GB). Look at the Gigabyte 4070 Windforce for a dual BIOS switch, the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge for the lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing and the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce for a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler if those matter more to you.
Allocate more RAM to Minecraft for big shader packs.