Buying Guide

The Best GPUs for Palworld

From the Arc B580 Challenger to the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB: 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

Palworld is an open-world Unreal Engine game, so video memory helps with large bases and draw distance. Every pick has 12GB or more and cost $600 or less.

Our comparison rests on published figures for GPU, VRAM and memory; nothing here was tested in-house, and where a maker leaves out length, we say so.

Quick Picks

Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.

  1. Also Consider

    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)

  2. Lowest Recommended Power Supply

    ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB OC

    The lowest recommended power supply here (550W).

    Best for: Buyers who put recommended power supply first.

    Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)

  3. 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)

  4. Premium Pick

    XFX Swift Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Gaming Edition 16GB

    An XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler at the highest price in the group.

    Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.

    Our take Check price for XFX Swift Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Gaming Edition 16GB (opens in a new tab)

  5. Lowest Price Here

    ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC

    The lowest price of the group at our last check.

    Best for: Spending as little as possible.

    Our take Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC

Also Consider1 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

Worth skipping when needs two 8-pin PCIe power cable is a problem.

Why we like it

On video memory it ties with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB at 16GB. On recommended power supply it sits mid-pack at 700W: the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB offers 550W, and the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger comes in at 750W. Like the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger, it has a 2 x 8-pin power connector, while the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB uses a 1 x 8-pin power connector.

It is the only pick here with a 2520MHz boost clock; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB has a 3290MHz boost clock instead. When we checked, only the Arc B580 Challenger cost less, and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB cost more. If you want a confirmed card length, look to the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB instead: it comes in at 249mm, while this one gives no figure.

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
  • Recommended power supply of 700W, ahead of the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger

Cons

  • Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
  • No published card length
  • No published cooler thickness
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB OC

Lowest Recommended Power Supply2 of 5

ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

ASRock's Challenger gives the RX 9060 XT a full 16GB of memory in a two-slot, 249mm card.

Best for

Buyers who put recommended power supply first.

Skip if

Skip it if price comes first: the Arc B580 Challenger cost less when we checked.

Why we like it

The maker offers a 550W power supply and a single 8-pin plug, so it drops into most existing builds. It matches the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB on video memory (16GB). It matches the Arc B580 Challenger on card length (249mm).

On cooler thickness it ties with the Arc B580 Challenger at 2-slot. Nothing else here matches its 550W recommended power supply; the Arc B580 Challenger comes closest at 650W. It shares a 1 x 8-pin power connector with the Arc B580 Challenger; the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger goes with a 2 x 8-pin power connector.

You get a 3290MHz boost clock here, which sets it apart from the Arc B580 Challenger and its a 2740MHz boost clock. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the pricier ASRock 7800 XT Challenger, at the time of writing.

Key dimensions & specs

  • GPU: RX 9060 XT
  • VRAM: 16GB
  • Memory: GDDR6
  • Length: 249mm
  • Thickness: 2-slot
  • Recommended PSU: 550W
  • Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
  • Boost clock: 3290MHz

Pros

  • 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
  • Short 249mm length suits compact cases
  • Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
  • A modest 550W PSU recommendation

Cons

  • Costs more than the Arc B580 Challenger at the time of writing
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Challenger 16GB OC

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

Look at the others if this bothers you: needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables.

Why we like it

It matches the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB on video memory (16GB). Its 267mm card length is the longest in this group; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB leads at 249mm. On cooler thickness it trails the group at 2.5-slot, while the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB comes in at 2-slot.

Its 750W recommended power supply is the highest in this group; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB leads at 550W. It shares a 2 x 8-pin power connector with the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; the Arc B580 Challenger goes with a 1 x 8-pin power connector. You get a 2475MHz boost clock here, which sets it apart from the Arc B580 Challenger and its a 2740MHz boost clock. Power for the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 750W the maker's minimum PSU.

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
  • 2475MHz boost clock, the only one here

Cons

  • Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
  • Card length trails the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB (249mm)
  • Cooler thickness trails the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB (2-slot)
XFX Swift Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Gaming Edition 16GB

Premium Pick4 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 for whom price is not the deciding factor.

Skip if

The maker gives no card length, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.

Why we like it

It suits 1440p at medium to high settings. It matches the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB and the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger on video memory (16GB). A 3320MHz boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB 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. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger. Buyers who need a confirmed card length should compare it with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, which comes in at 249mm.

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
  • An XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler at the highest price in the group

Cons

  • No published card length
  • No published cooler thickness
  • No published recommended power supply
ASRock Intel Arc B580 Challenger 12GB OC

Lowest Price Here5 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

Spending as little as possible.

Skip if

Skip it if video memory matters most to you; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend offers 16GB.

Why we like it

ASRock's Challenger version is 249mm long and needs one 8-pin plug and a 650W PSU. Its 12GB video memory is the smallest in this group; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend leads at 16GB. It matches the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB on card length (249mm).

On cooler thickness it ties with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB at 2-slot. Its 650W recommended power supply ranks second of 4 here, behind the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB (550W) and ahead of the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger (750W). It is the only pick here with an arc B580 gpu; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend has an RX 7800 XT gpu instead. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend was the next step up.

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 trails the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB)

How We Chose

Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.

What we compared
We lined up five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and card length from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
The shared baseline
All 5, from the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend to the Arc B580 Challenger, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
Where the specs have gaps
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB give no card length; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB give no cooler thickness.
Price range
At our last check the picks ran from the Arc B580 Challenger ($250 to $500) to the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB ($500 to $1000).

What to Look for in a GPUs for Palworld

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. Video memory across these picks

    Here video memory runs from 12GB on the Arc B580 Challenger to 16GB on the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend is the pick for video memory.

  2. Recommended power supply

    Here recommended power supply runs from 750W on the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger to 550W on the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB. The Arc B580 Challenger comes second for less money. No figure for the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB.

  3. Card length

    Here card length runs from 267mm on the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger to 249mm on the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB. For less, the Arc B580 Challenger is the runner-up at 249mm. No figure for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB.

  4. Power connector

    The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger list 2 x 8-pin; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB and the Arc B580 Challenger list 1 x 8-pin. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.

  5. Fit and compatibility

    No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Measure for 249mm and 2 slots before ordering the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB. Measure for 267mm and 2.5 slots before ordering the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger.

  6. Cooler size affects noise

    Larger triple-fan coolers usually run quieter under load than compact dual-fan designs. A 0dB mode stops the fans at light load.

How to Choose a GPUs for Palworld

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Buyers who want white-and-silver Steel Legend finishASRock 7800 XT Steel LegendA white-and-silver Steel Legend finish
Buyers who put recommended power supply firstASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GBThe lowest recommended power supply here (550W)
Buyers who want 267mm lengthASRock 7800 XT ChallengerA 267mm length
Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factorXFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GBAn XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler at the highest price in the group
Spending as little as possibleArc B580 ChallengerThe lowest price of the group at our last check

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 9060 XT Challenger 16GB at 16GB. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.

CardGPUVRAMMemoryLength
ASRock 7800 XT Steel LegendRX 7800 XT16GBGDDR6Not listed
ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GBRX 9060 XT16GBGDDR6249mm
ASRock 7800 XT ChallengerRX 7800 XT16GBGDDR6267mm
XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GBRX 9060 XT16GBGDDR6Not listed
Arc B580 ChallengerArc B58012GBGDDR6249mm

Scroll sideways to see every column.

By price at the time of writing

The Arc B580 Challenger was the lowest-priced pick and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB the highest when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.

Price tierCards
About $250 to $500Arc B580 Challenger, ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend
About $500 to $1000ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, ASRock 7800 XT Challenger, XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has the lowest recommended power supply: the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB or the Arc B580 Challenger?

The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB comes out best at 550W, with the Arc B580 Challenger at 650W. The ASRock 7800 XT Challenger is at the other end of this group with 750W. The XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB doesn't state a figure, so it sits outside this comparison.

Is the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB worth paying more than the Arc B580 Challenger?

On paper it adds video memory (16GB against 12GB). The Arc B580 Challenger was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.

What makes the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB the Lowest Recommended Power Supply?

It earns the label for the lowest recommended power supply here (550W). It suits anyone who put recommended power supply first.

Do the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB differ on GPU?

The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger use RX 7800 XT; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB use RX 9060 XT; the Arc B580 Challenger uses Arc B580.

What should I check before buying the Arc B580 Challenger?

Measure for 249mm and 2 slots before ordering the Arc B580 Challenger. Power for the Arc B580 Challenger comes through 1 x 8-pin, with 650W the maker's minimum PSU. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, as our Lowest Price Here pick.

Beyond the specs, what sets the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB apart?

The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend: a white-and-silver Steel Legend finish. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB: 32 compute units. The ASRock 7800 XT Challenger: a 267mm length.

Bottom Line

Our first pick is the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, chosen for a white-and-silver Steel Legend finish. Look at the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB for the lowest recommended power supply here (550W), the ASRock 7800 XT Challenger for a 267mm length and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB for an XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.

Lower shadow quality first if frame rates dip in busy bases.