Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Red Dead Redemption 2
From the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB to the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White: 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
RDR2 is demanding at high settings and uses plenty of VRAM. Every pick has 12GB+ and sits between $450 and $900.
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.
Also Consider
ASRock Radeon RX 7900 XT Phantom Gaming OC 20GB
80MB of Infinity Cache.
Best for: Buyers who want 80MB of Infinity Cache.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7900 XT Phantom Gaming OC 20GB (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASRock Radeon RX 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White 20GB OC
The top of this price range, adding a white shroud and backplate.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White 20GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB OC
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB OC (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
PowerColor Twin Fan AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
A 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here.
Best for: Buyers who want 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here.
Our take Check price for PowerColor Twin Fan AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 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 want 80MB of Infinity Cache.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables.
Why we like it
It was the least expensive 7900 XT here at the time of writing. On video memory it ties with the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White at 20GB. It shares an RX 7900 XT gpu with the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White; the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan goes with an RX 7800 XT gpu.
Like the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan, 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 2450MHz boost clock; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB has a 3290MHz boost clock instead. No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. 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 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
- 2450MHz boost clock, the only one here
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White 20GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Phantom Gaming White is ASRock's white 7900 XT, with a white shroud and backplate on a 320-bit memory bus.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
A reinforced metal frame keeps the card from sagging in the slot. Like the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, it has an RX 7900 XT gpu, while the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB uses an RX 9060 XT gpu. No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White; 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 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White 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 ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming and the rest. The maker doesn't give its card length; if that figure matters, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB comes in at 249mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7900 XT
- VRAM: 20GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- 20GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- White shroud and backplate
- 320-bit memory bus
- The top of this price range, adding a white shroud and backplate
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 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
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: video memory of 16GB, behind the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming (20GB).
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 XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan on video memory (16GB). A 1 x 8-pin power connector is unique to it among these picks, while the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan uses a 2 x 8-pin power connector.
You get a 3290MHz boost clock here, which sets it apart from the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and its a 3320MHz boost clock. It also offers 32 compute units and 0dB fan stop at light load. It undercut the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: video memory of 16GB, behind the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming (20GB). If that matters, the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming offers 20GB.
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
- Video memory of 16GB, behind the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming (20GB)
Strong Alternative4 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 ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It suits 1440p at medium to high settings. It matches the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan on video memory (16GB). Like the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, it has an RX 9060 XT gpu, while the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming uses an RX 7900 XT gpu.
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 price falls between the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan, based on our last check. 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
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB at the time of writing
Worth a Look5 of 5
PowerColor Twin Fan AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
PowerColor's Twin Fan is 260mm long, the shortest RX 7800 XT here, with two 8-pin connectors.
Best for
- Buyers who want 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here.
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 RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB on video memory (16GB). It is the only pick here with an RX 7800 XT gpu; the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming has an RX 7900 XT gpu instead. It shares a 2 x 8-pin power connector with the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB goes with a 1 x 8-pin power connector.
You also get a dual-fan cooler. Power for the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 750W the maker's minimum PSU. Its price falls between the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, based on our last check. If video memory is your priority, the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming (20GB) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7800 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 260mm
- Recommended PSU: 750W
- Power connector: 2 x 8-pin
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Short 260mm length suits compact cases
- 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here
- Dual-fan cooler
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Video memory trails the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming (20GB)
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB 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 set side by side five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and card length as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming to the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB give no card length; the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB give no recommended power supply.
- Price range
- From the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB to the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White, all sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a GPUs for Red Dead Redemption 2
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory
Here video memory runs from 16GB on the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan to 20GB on the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming. The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming is the pick for video memory.
How much card length you need
Here card length runs from 260mm on the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan to 249mm on the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB. Start with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB if card length decides it. No figure for the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB.
How much recommended power supply you need
Here recommended power supply runs from 750W on the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan to 550W on the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB is the pick for recommended power supply. No figure for the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB.
Power connector
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming and the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan list 2 x 8-pin; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB lists 1 x 8-pin.
Setup checks
No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming; 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. The PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan is 260mm long; compare that with your case's GPU limit.
Treat 8GB of VRAM as the floor
Some recent games already push past 8GB at high texture settings. Cards with 12GB or 16GB give more room, especially at 1440p and above.
Two versions of the same chip can differ only in memory; check the capacity in the exact model name.
How to Choose a GPUs for Red Dead Redemption 2
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want 80MB of Infinity Cache | ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming | 80MB of Infinity Cache |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White | The top of this price range, adding a white shroud and backplate |
| Spending as little as possible | ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler | XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB | An XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler |
| Buyers who want 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here | PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan | A 260mm length, the shortest 7800 XT here |
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 ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White at 20GB. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming | RX 7900 XT | 20GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White | RX 7900 XT | 20GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 249mm |
| XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 260mm |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan compare with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB on card length?
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB comes out best at 249mm, with the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan at 260mm. The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
Is the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB ahead of the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan on recommended power supply?
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB comes out best at 550W, with the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan at 750W. The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
Is the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White worth paying more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB?
On paper it adds video memory (20GB against 16GB). The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
What makes the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White the Premium Pick?
It earns the label for the top of this price range, adding a white shroud and backplate. It suits spending more for the fullest feature set.
Do the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB differ on GPU?
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming and the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White use RX 7900 XT; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB use RX 9060 XT; the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan uses RX 7800 XT.
What should I check before buying the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan?
The PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan is 260mm long; compare that with your case's GPU limit. Power for the PowerColor 7800 XT Twin Fan comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 750W the maker's minimum PSU. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, chosen for 80MB of Infinity Cache. Look at the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White for the top of this price range, adding a white shroud and backplate, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB for the lowest price of the group at our last check and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB for an XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler if those matter more to you.
Use DLSS or FSR for higher frame rates.