Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Red Dead Redemption 2
From the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend to the Sapphire 7900 XT: five graphics cards ranked on video memory and GPU, with who should skip each one.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
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.
Red Dead Redemption 2's official PC requirements list Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6GB / AMD Radeon RX 480 4GB and 12GB of RAM for the recommended tier (source: Red Dead Redemption 2 on Steam). Matching brand to brand, the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White, the Sapphire 7900 XT, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the XFX Swift 9060 XT 16GB are a newer generation than the RX 480.
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 boost clock, the guide says so.
Requirements source: Red Dead Redemption 2 on Steam
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Also Consider
ASRock Radeon RX 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White 20GB OCA white shroud and backplate.
Best for: Buyers who want white shroud and backplate.
Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White 20GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Sapphire AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT 20GBThe top of this price range, adding a USB-C display output.
Best for: Spending more than the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Check price for Sapphire AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT 20GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OCThe lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Getting white-and-silver Steel Legend finish for the least money.
Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16GThree WINDFORCE fans.
Best for: Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Check price for Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
XFX Swift AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Triple Fan 16GBA triple-fan SWFT cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want triple-fan SWFT cooler.
Check price for XFX Swift AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Triple Fan 16GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White 20GB OC
The Phantom Gaming White is ASRock's white 7900 XT, with a white shroud and backplate on a 320-bit memory bus.
Best for
- Buyers who want white shroud and backplate.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
A reinforced metal frame keeps the card from sagging in the slot. It matches the Sapphire 7900 XT on video memory (20GB). Like the Sapphire 7900 XT, it has an RX 7900 XT gpu, while the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses an RX 7800 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. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper XFX Swift 9060 XT 16GB and the pricier Sapphire 7900 XT, at the time of writing.
Key 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
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at the time of writing
Premium Pick2 of 5
Sapphire AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT 20GB
Sapphire's 7900 XT keeps a USB-C display output alongside two DisplayPort and one HDMI port on a 3-slot cooler.
Best for
- Spending more than the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when its 3-slot cooler covers the slots below is a problem.
Why we like it
Its 320-bit memory interface feeds 20GB of VRAM, and it takes three slots. It uses PCIe 4.0 and takes three slots, so check your case clearance. 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 ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend goes with an RX 7800 XT gpu. The Sapphire 7900 XT occupies 3 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 Sapphire 7900 XT with the maker. Only the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 7900 XT
- VRAM
- 20GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Thickness
- 3-slot
- Outputs
- 2 x DisplayPort, 1 x HDMI, 1 x USB-C
Pros
- 20GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- USB-C display output
- 3-slot reference-style cooler
- The top of this price range, adding a USB-C display output
Cons
- Its 3-slot cooler covers the slots below
- Costs more than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC
The Steel Legend adds a white-and-silver finish and a 2520MHz boost, and it has a 700W recommended power supply.
Best for
- Getting white-and-silver Steel Legend finish for the least money.
Skip if
- Pass on it if needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the XFX Swift 9060 XT 16GB at 16GB. You get an RX 7800 XT gpu here, which sets it apart from the XFX Swift 9060 XT 16GB and its an RX 9060 XT gpu. No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Power for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 700W the maker's minimum PSU. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC was closest. What it gives up: video memory of 16GB, behind the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White (20GB); by contrast, the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White offers 20GB.
Key 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
- Video memory of 16GB, behind the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White (20GB)
Strong Alternative4 of 5
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16G
The Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC stands out for three WINDFORCE fans, and it adds a 128-bit memory interface.
Best for
- Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 16GB video memory. It matches the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the XFX Swift 9060 XT 16GB on video memory (16GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 7600 XT gpu; compare the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, which has an RX 7800 XT gpu.
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 7600 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 7600 XT Gaming OC with the maker. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the pricier XFX Swift 9060 XT 16GB, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 7600 XT
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Three WINDFORCE fans
- 128-bit memory interface
- RX 7600 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at the time of writing
Worth a Look5 of 5
XFX Swift AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Triple Fan 16GB
The XFX Swift 9060 XT 16GB stands out for a triple-fan SWFT cooler, and it adds a boost clock of up to 3320MHz.
Best for
- Buyers who want triple-fan SWFT cooler.
Skip if
- Skip it if video memory matters most to you; the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White offers 20GB.
Why we like it
It also offers a 16GB video memory. It matches the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC on video memory (16GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 9060 XT gpu; compare the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, which has an RX 7800 XT gpu.
No dimensions are published for the XFX Swift 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 9060 XT 16GB with the maker. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the pricier ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 9060 XT
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Boost clock
- 3320MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Triple-fan SWFT cooler
- Boost clock of up to 3320MHz
- RX 9060 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Video memory trails the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White (20GB)
- Costs more than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is video memory; for more, the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White offers 20GB.
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- How these picks were ranked
- 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 ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White to the XFX Swift 9060 XT 16GB, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White, the Sapphire 7900 XT and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC give no boost clock.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend ($250 to $500) to the Sapphire 7900 XT ($500 to $1000).
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 XFX Swift 9060 XT 16GB to 20GB on the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White, a 25% spread. Start with the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White if video memory decides it.
Boost clock
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend lists 2520MHz; the XFX Swift 9060 XT 16GB lists 3320MHz.
The circuit board on the back of a graphics card Setup checks
No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The Sapphire 7900 XT occupies 3 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
Features beyond the spec table
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend: a 700W recommended PSU. The Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC: a 128-bit memory interface. The XFX Swift 9060 XT 16GB: a boost clock of up to 3320MHz.
Budget
$250 to $500 buys the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC; $500 to $1000 buys the XFX Swift 9060 XT 16GB, the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White and the Sapphire 7900 XT at our last check.
How to Choose a GPUs for Red Dead Redemption 2
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want white shroud and backplate | ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White | A white shroud and backplate |
| Spending more than the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White costs for the fullest feature set in this group | Sapphire 7900 XT | The top of this price range, adding a USB-C display output |
| Getting white-and-silver Steel Legend finish for the least money | ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans | Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC | Three WINDFORCE fans |
| Buyers who want triple-fan SWFT cooler | XFX Swift 9060 XT 16GB | A triple-fan SWFT cooler |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White leads on video memory at 20GB, ahead of the Sapphire 7900 XT at 20GB. "Not listed" marks boost clock where the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White, the Sapphire 7900 XT and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Boost clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White | RX 7900 XT | 20GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Sapphire 7900 XT | RX 7900 XT | 20GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 2520MHz |
| Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC | RX 7600 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| XFX Swift 9060 XT 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 3320MHz |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, sat in the $250 to $500 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Sapphire 7900 XT at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC |
| About $500 to $1000 | XFX Swift 9060 XT 16GB, ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White, Sapphire 7900 XT |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these cards run Red Dead Redemption 2 at recommended settings?
In Red Dead Redemption 2's list, the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White, the Sapphire 7900 XT, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the XFX Swift 9060 XT 16GB meet the recommended card on brand, generation and model number. Red Dead Redemption 2 also lists 12GB of system RAM for that tier, which is separate from the card.
Is the Sapphire 7900 XT worth paying more than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend?
The spec sheets show video memory (20GB against 16GB) in its favour. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend sat in the $250 to $500 tier and the Sapphire 7900 XT 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 Sapphire 7900 XT the Premium Pick?
It carries the badge for the top of this price range, adding a USB-C display output. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the cheapest pick, sat in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at spending more than the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Do the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White and the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend differ on GPU?
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White and the Sapphire 7900 XT use RX 7900 XT; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses RX 7800 XT; the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC uses RX 7600 XT; the XFX Swift 9060 XT 16GB uses RX 9060 XT.
What should I check before buying the XFX Swift 9060 XT 16GB?
No dimensions are published for the XFX Swift 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 9060 XT 16GB with the maker. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, and fifth of 5 on video memory (16GB).
Beyond the specs, what sets the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White and the Sapphire 7900 XT apart?
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White: a white shroud and backplate. The Sapphire 7900 XT: a USB-C display output. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend: a white-and-silver Steel Legend finish.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White, chosen for a white shroud and backplate. Look at the Sapphire 7900 XT for the top of this price range, adding a USB-C display output, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend for the lowest price of the group at our last check and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC for three WINDFORCE fans if those matter more to you.
Use DLSS or FSR for higher frame rates.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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