Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
From the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB to the Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White: 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
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is a demanding Unreal Engine 5 game with a large open zone. Every pick is an RTX 50 or RX 9000 series card with 16GB of video memory that cost $1,000 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
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 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)
Also Consider
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)
Strong Alternative
ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB OC
A quiet/performance BIOS switch.
Best for: Buyers who want quiet/performance BIOS switch.
Our take Check price for ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge OC White Edition
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a white shroud.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge OC White Edition (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Spending as little as possible. | Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
| An XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler. | Buyers who want XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler. | Check price for XFX Swift Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Gaming Edition 16GB (opens in a new tab) |
| A quiet/performance BIOS switch. | Buyers who want quiet/performance BIOS switch. | Check price for ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB OC (opens in a new tab) |
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a white shroud. | Buyers who want the most complete package. | Check price for ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge OC White Edition (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 4
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 other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
The maker offers a 550W power supply and a single 8-pin plug, so it drops into most existing builds. On cooler thickness it ties with the Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White at 2-slot. Like the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB, it has an RX 9060 XT gpu, while the ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT uses an RX 9070 XT gpu.
It shares GDDR6 memory with the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT; the Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White goes with GDDR7 memory. A 3290MHz boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT uses a 3030MHz (OC mode) boost clock. You also get 32 compute units and 0dB fan stop at light load. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB was the next step up.
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
Also Consider2 of 4
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
- Its cooler thickness is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
It suits 1440p at medium to high settings. Like the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, it has an RX 9060 XT gpu, while the ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT uses an RX 9070 XT gpu. It shares GDDR6 memory with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB and ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT; the Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White goes with GDDR7 memory.
You get a 3320MHz boost clock here, which sets it apart from the ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT and its a 3030MHz (OC mode) boost clock. On price it sat second of 4, between the cheaper ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB and the pricier ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its cooler thickness; if that figure matters, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB comes in at 2-slot.
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
- No published cooler thickness
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 4
ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 XT 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASUS's Prime RX 9070 XT lists the highest boost clock among these Radeon cards and keeps to 2.5 slots.
Best for
- Buyers who want quiet/performance BIOS switch.
Skip if
- Skip it if cooler thickness matters most to you; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB offers 2-slot.
Why we like it
A quiet/performance BIOS switch and 0dB fan stop make it easy to live with. Its 2.5-slot cooler thickness is the thickest in this group; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB leads at 2-slot. An RX 9070 XT gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White uses an RTX 5060 Ti gpu.
Like the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB and XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB, it has GDDR6 memory, while the Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White uses GDDR7 memory. No other pick in this guide offers a 3030MHz (OC mode) boost clock; compare the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, which has a 3290MHz boost clock. It also offers dual-ball fan bearings. The ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9070 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Boost clock: 3030MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Quiet/performance BIOS switch
- 0dB fan stop
- Dual-ball fan bearings
Cons
- Cooler thickness trails the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB (2-slot)
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 4
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB Twin Edge OC White Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Zotac's RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White pairs 16GB of GDDR7 with a white shroud in a two-slot, SFF-Ready card.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
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 needs only one 8-pin plug. On cooler thickness it ties with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB at 2-slot. No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 5060 Ti gpu; compare the ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT, which has an RX 9070 XT gpu.
GDDR7 memory is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB uses GDDR6 memory. You also get two 90mm BladeLink fans and FREEZE fan stop. The Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
Power for the Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White comes through 1 x 8-pin. 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 Prime RX 9070 XT and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5060 Ti
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR7
- Thickness: 2-slot
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- SFF-Ready: Yes
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 2.1b, 1 x HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- A single 8-pin power connector
Cons
- 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.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared four cards on GPU, video memory, memory and cooler thickness as the makers state them. We did not test them in-house.
- The shared baseline
- All 4, from the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB to the Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White, state GPU, video memory and memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB gives no cooler thickness; the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and the ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT give no power connector.
- Price range
- From the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB to the Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White, all sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a GPUs for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much cooler thickness you need
Here cooler thickness runs from 2.5-slot on the ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT to 2-slot on the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB is the pick for cooler thickness. No figure for the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB.
Memory
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB and the ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT list GDDR6; the Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White lists GDDR7.
Setup checks
Measure for 249mm and 2 slots before ordering the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB. No dimensions are published for the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
Features beyond the spec table
The XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB: an XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler. The ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT: 0dB fan stop. The Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White: two 90mm BladeLink fans.
How much to spend
All 4 sat in one tier when we checked, from the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB at the low end to the Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White at the top, so decide on features first.
How to Choose a GPUs for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 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 quiet/performance BIOS switch | ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT | A quiet/performance BIOS switch |
| Buyers who want the most complete package | Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a white shroud |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB leads on cooler thickness at 2-slot, ahead of the Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White at 2-slot. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 2-slot |
| XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT | RX 9070 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 2.5-slot |
| Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White | RTX 5060 Ti | 16GB | GDDR7 | 2-slot |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB the Lowest Price Here?
It earns the label for the lowest price of the group at our last check. It suits spending as little as possible.
Do the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB and the ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT differ on GPU?
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB use RX 9060 XT; the ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT uses RX 9070 XT; the Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White uses RTX 5060 Ti.
What should I check before buying the Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White?
The Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. Power for the Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White comes through 1 x 8-pin. In this guide it ranks fourth of 4, as our Premium Pick pick.
Beyond the specs, what sets the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB apart?
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB: 32 compute units. The XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB: an XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler. The ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT: a quiet/performance BIOS switch.
Who should choose the Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White?
The Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White carries our Premium Pick label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a white shroud. It ranks fourth of 4 here.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 16GB, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB for an XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler, the ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT for a quiet/performance BIOS switch and the Zotac RTX 5060 Ti Twin Edge White for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a white shroud if those matter more to you.
Use temporal upscaling to keep frame rates up in the open zone.