Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Sid Meier's Pirates!
Five graphics cards compared, from the Sparkle Arc B570 Luna to the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Sid Meier's Pirates! sits well within what current cards offer, and the same card also covers heavier games in your library. Every pick is a Radeon RX or Intel Arc card that cost $700 or less, ordered from the highest price.
We sorted these picks by GPU, VRAM and memory, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips boost clock, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Premium Pick
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 Gaming OC 16G
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans.
Best for: Buyers who want a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans and can spend more than the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC costs.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 Gaming OC 16G (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7700 XT Gaming OC 12G
Three WINDFORCE fans.
Best for: Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte Radeon RX 7700 XT Gaming OC 12G (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
XFX Swift AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Gaming Edition 8GB
A dual-fan SWFT cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want dual-fan SWFT cooler.
Our take Check price for XFX Swift AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Gaming Edition 8GB (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Sparkle Intel Arc B570 Guardian Luna OC
Undercutting the XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB on price when we checked.
Best for: Getting 10GB of GDDR6 for the least money.
Our take Check price for Sparkle Intel Arc B570 Guardian Luna OC (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 5
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 Gaming OC 16G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's RX 9070 Gaming OC is the lowest-cost card here, with 16GB of GDDR6 and a WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans and can spend more than the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC costs.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Sparkle Arc B570 Luna was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It leaves more of the budget for the CPU, board and memory. It matches the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend on video memory (16GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 9070 gpu; compare the XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB, which has an RX 9060 XT gpu.
It also comes with server-grade thermal conductive gel and RGB lighting. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RX 9070 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 RX 9070 Gaming OC 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 Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9070
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans
- Server-grade thermal conductive gel
- RGB lighting
Cons
- Costs more than the Sparkle Arc B570 Luna at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7700 XT Gaming OC 12G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC brings to the table is three WINDFORCE fans, plus RGB Fusion lighting and a metal backplate.
Best for
- Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Sparkle Arc B570 Luna, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 12GB video memory. Its 12GB video memory ranks third of 5 here, behind the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC (16GB) and ahead of the XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB (8GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 7700 XT gpu; compare the XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB, which has an RX 9060 XT gpu.
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 7700 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 7700 XT Gaming OC with the maker. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the pricier Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7700 XT
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Three WINDFORCE fans
- RGB Fusion lighting and a metal backplate
- RX 7700 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Sparkle Arc B570 Luna 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
- Look at the others if this bothers you: needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables.
Why we like it
On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC at 16GB. You get an RX 7800 XT gpu here, which sets it apart from the Sparkle Arc B570 Luna and its an arc B570 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. When we checked, only the XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB and cheaper picks cost less, and the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC cost more.
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 Sparkle Arc B570 Luna at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
XFX Swift AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Gaming Edition 8GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB brings to the table is a dual-fan SWFT cooler, plus a boost clock of up to 3320MHz.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual-fan SWFT cooler.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
Why we like it
It also offers an 8GB video memory. On video memory it trails the group at 8GB, while the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC offers 16GB. An RX 9060 XT gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC uses an RX 7700 XT gpu.
No dimensions are published for the XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB; 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 8GB with the maker. It was priced above the Sparkle Arc B570 Luna and below the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9060 XT
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 3320MHz
Pros
- Dual-fan SWFT cooler
- Boost clock of up to 3320MHz
- RX 9060 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory trails the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC (16GB)
- Costs more than the Sparkle Arc B570 Luna at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
Sparkle Intel Arc B570 Guardian Luna OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Sparkle Arc B570 Luna stands out for 10GB of GDDR6, and it adds 1 x HDMI and 3 x DisplayPort outputs.
Best for
- Getting 10GB of GDDR6 for the least money.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: video memory of 10GB, behind the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC (16GB).
Why we like it
It also offers a 10GB video memory. On video memory it sits mid-pack at 10GB: the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC offers 16GB, and the XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB comes in at 8GB. You get an arc B570 gpu here, which sets it apart from the XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB and its an RX 9060 XT gpu.
No dimensions are published for the Sparkle Arc B570 Luna; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the Sparkle Arc B570 Luna with the maker. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: Arc B570
- VRAM: 10GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- 10GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- 10GB of GDDR6
- 1 x HDMI and 3 x DisplayPort outputs
- Arc B570 gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Video memory of 10GB, behind the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC (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 boost clock from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house, and boost clock is missing for at least one pick.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC to the Sparkle Arc B570 Luna, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC and the Sparkle Arc B570 Luna give no boost clock.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Sparkle Arc B570 Luna ($250 to $500) to the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Sid Meier's Pirates!
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory across these picks
Here video memory runs from 8GB on the XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB to 16GB on the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, a 100% spread. For less, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend is the runner-up at 16GB ($250 to $500 tier).
Boost clock
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend lists 2520MHz; the XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB lists 3320MHz.
Fit and compatibility
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Features beyond the spec table
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend: a 700W recommended PSU. The XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB: a boost clock of up to 3320MHz. The Sparkle Arc B570 Luna: 1 x HDMI and 3 x DisplayPort outputs.
How much to spend
$250 to $500 buys the Sparkle Arc B570 Luna, the XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB and the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; $500 to $1000 buys the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC and the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC at our last check.
How to Choose a GPUs for Sid Meier's Pirates!
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans and can spend more than the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC costs | Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans |
| Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans | Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC | Three WINDFORCE fans |
| Buyers who want white-and-silver Steel Legend finish | ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | A white-and-silver Steel Legend finish |
| Buyers who want dual-fan SWFT cooler | XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB | A dual-fan SWFT cooler |
| Getting 10GB of GDDR6 for the least money | Sparkle Arc B570 Luna | Undercutting the XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB on price when we checked |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC leads on video memory at 16GB, ahead of the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at 16GB. "Not listed" marks boost clock where the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC and the Sparkle Arc B570 Luna leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Boost clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC | RX 9070 | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC | RX 7700 XT | 12GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 2520MHz |
| XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB | RX 9060 XT | 8GB | GDDR6 | 3320MHz |
| Sparkle Arc B570 Luna | Arc B570 | 10GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the Sparkle Arc B570 Luna, sat in the $250 to $500 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC at $500 to $1000; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | Sparkle Arc B570 Luna, XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB, ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend |
| About $500 to $1000 | Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC, Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC worth paying more than the Sparkle Arc B570 Luna?
What it brings is video memory (16GB against 10GB). The Sparkle Arc B570 Luna sat in the $250 to $500 tier and the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC 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 Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC the Premium Pick?
It earns the label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans. The Sparkle Arc B570 Luna, the cheapest pick, sat in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for anyone who wants a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans and can spend more than the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC costs.
Do the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC differ on GPU?
The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC uses RX 9070; the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC uses RX 7700 XT; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses RX 7800 XT; the XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB uses RX 9060 XT; the Sparkle Arc B570 Luna uses Arc B570.
What should I check before buying the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC?
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 7700 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 7700 XT Gaming OC with the maker. In this guide it ranks second of 5, and third of 5 on video memory (12GB).
Beyond the specs, what sets the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC apart?
The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC: a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans. The Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC: three WINDFORCE fans. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend: a white-and-silver Steel Legend finish.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, chosen for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans. Look at the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC for three WINDFORCE fans, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend for a white-and-silver Steel Legend finish and the XFX Swift 9060 XT 8GB for a dual-fan SWFT cooler if those matter more to you.
Install the latest driver from the maker after the card arrives.