Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Slay the Princess
From the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend to the ASUS TUF 5060 OC: four graphics cards ranked on video memory and cooler thickness, with who should skip each one.
By The PC Journal editorial team
11 min read4 products evaluated
Slay the Princess runs on almost any current graphics card, so the choice comes down to price, memory and outputs. Every pick has at least 8GB of video memory and cost $600 or less, ordered by memory.
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 thickness, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 4 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Getting white-and-silver Steel Legend finish for the least money.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16G
Three WINDFORCE fans.
Best for: Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16G (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB OC Edition
A dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles.
Best for: Buyers who want dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB OC Edition (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 8GB OC Edition
The top of this price range, adding military-grade components with a protective PCB coating.
Best for: Spending more than the ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 8GB OC Edition (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
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
- Getting white-and-silver Steel Legend finish for the least money.
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 7600 XT Gaming OC at 16GB. You get an RX 7800 XT gpu here, which sets it apart from the ASUS TUF 5060 OC and its an RTX 5060 gpu. Like the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC, it has GDDR6 memory, while the ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB uses GDDR7 memory.
It is the only pick here with a 2520MHz boost clock; the ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB has a 2632MHz (OC mode) boost clock instead. No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC was closest. If you want a confirmed cooler thickness, look to the ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB instead: it comes in at 2.5-slot, 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
- RX 7800 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- No published cooler thickness
Also Consider2 of 4
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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
- Its cooler thickness is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It also offers a 16GB video memory. It matches the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend 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.
It shares GDDR6 memory with the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; the ASUS TUF 5060 OC goes with GDDR7 memory. 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 4, between the cheaper ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the pricier ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its cooler thickness; if that figure matters, the ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB comes in at 2.5-slot.
Key dimensions & 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
- No published cooler thickness
- Costs more than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB is built around a dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles, with 0dB fan stop at light load on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers an 8GB video memory and offers a 2.5-slot cooler thickness. On video memory it ties with the ASUS TUF 5060 OC at 8GB. You get an RTX 5060 Ti gpu here, which sets it apart from the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and its an RX 7600 XT gpu.
Like the ASUS TUF 5060 OC, it has GDDR7 memory, while the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses GDDR6 memory. It is the only pick here with a 2632MHz (OC mode) boost clock; the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend has a 2520MHz boost clock instead. You also get dual ball fan bearings.
The ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. When we checked, only the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and cheaper picks cost less, and the ASUS TUF 5060 OC cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5060 Ti
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR7
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Boost clock: 2632MHz (OC mode)
- SFF-Ready: Yes
Pros
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- Dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles
- 0dB fan stop at light load
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 8GB OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS TUF 5060 OC stands out for military-grade components with a protective PCB coating, and it adds ASUS GPU Guard support hardware.
Best for
- Spending more than the ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB costs for the fullest feature set in this group.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It also offers an 8GB video memory and offers a 3.1-slot cooler thickness. It matches the ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB on video memory (8GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 5060 gpu; compare the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC, which has an RX 7600 XT gpu.
It shares GDDR7 memory with the ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB; the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC goes with GDDR6 memory. You get a 2677MHz (OC mode) boost clock here, which sets it apart from the ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB and its a 2632MHz (OC mode) boost clock. It was the highest-priced of the 4 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB and the rest. The trade-off is video memory; for more, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend offers 16GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR7
- Thickness: 3.1-slot
- Boost clock: 2677MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Military-grade components with a protective PCB coating
- ASUS GPU Guard support hardware
- RTX 5060 gpu, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Its 3.1-slot cooler covers the slots below
- 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.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared four cards on GPU, video memory, memory and cooler thickness, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 4 picks leave out cooler thickness.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend to the ASUS TUF 5060 OC, state GPU, video memory and memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC give no cooler thickness; the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC gives no boost clock.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend ($250 to $500) to the ASUS TUF 5060 OC ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Slay the Princess
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much video memory you need
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend tops video memory at 16GB and the ASUS TUF 5060 OC sits lowest at 8GB; 2 picks share the top figure. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend is the pick for video memory.
Cooler thickness across these picks
Across these 2 picks cooler thickness spans 3.1-slot (the ASUS TUF 5060 OC) to 2.5-slot (the ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB). If cooler thickness is your first filter, the ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB sets the ceiling at 2.5-slot. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC give no cooler thickness figure, so 2 of 4 picks are compared here.
Memory
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC list GDDR6; the ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB and the ASUS TUF 5060 OC list GDDR7. Sort out memory before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 2 and 2.
Boost clock
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend lists 2520MHz; the ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB lists 2632MHz (OC mode); the ASUS TUF 5060 OC lists 2677MHz (OC mode).
Setup checks
No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
How to Choose a GPUs for Slay the Princess
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 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 dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles | ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB | A dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles |
| Spending more than the ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB costs for the fullest feature set in this group | ASUS TUF 5060 OC | The top of this price range, adding military-grade components with a protective PCB coating |
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 Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC at 16GB. "Not listed" marks cooler thickness where the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC | RX 7600 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB | RTX 5060 Ti | 8GB | GDDR7 | 2.5-slot |
| ASUS TUF 5060 OC | RTX 5060 | 8GB | GDDR7 | 3.1-slot |
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 ASUS TUF 5060 OC 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 | ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB, ASUS TUF 5060 OC |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the ASUS TUF 5060 OC compare with the ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB on cooler thickness?
The ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB comes out best at 2.5-slot, with the ASUS TUF 5060 OC at 3.1-slot. No cooler thickness figure is published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC, which leaves 2 of 4 picks ranked here.
Is the ASUS TUF 5060 OC worth paying more than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend?
The ASUS TUF 5060 OC matches or trails the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend on video memory, so the extra spend buys only what the spec sheet doesn't show. It does not win everywhere: the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend still leads on video memory (16GB). The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend sat in the $250 to $500 tier and the ASUS TUF 5060 OC in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, with 2 other picks between them.
What makes the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend the Lowest Price Here?
The label rests on the lowest price of the group at our last check. It suits getting white-and-silver Steel Legend finish for the least money.
Do the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC differ on GPU?
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses RX 7800 XT; the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC uses RX 7600 XT; the ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB uses RTX 5060 Ti; the ASUS TUF 5060 OC uses RTX 5060.
What should I check before buying the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC?
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. In this guide it ranks second of 4, and second of 4 on video memory (16GB).
Beyond the specs, what sets the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC apart?
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend: a white-and-silver Steel Legend finish. The Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC: three WINDFORCE fans. The ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB: a dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC for three WINDFORCE fans, the ASUS Dual 5060 Ti 8GB for a dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles and the ASUS TUF 5060 OC for the top of this price range, adding military-grade components with a protective PCB coating if those matter more to you.
Put leftover budget toward a higher-refresh monitor or an SSD.