Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Warzone
Five graphics cards ranked on video memory and cooler thickness; the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Warzone players chase high refresh at 1440p. Every pick is an RTX 5070/4070-class or RX 9070-class card that cost $1,000 or less.
We ranked these graphics cards on GPU, VRAM and memory using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out thickness, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 GRE EVO OC Edition
Undercutting the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger on price when we checked.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 GRE EVO OC Edition (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ASRock Radeon RX 9070 Challenger 16GB OC
56 compute units.
Best for: Buyers who want 56 compute units.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9070 Challenger 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ventus 3X E1 12G OC
A triple-fan Ventus cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want triple-fan Ventus cooler.
Our take Check price for MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ventus 3X E1 12G OC (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 XT Gaming OC 16G
A WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans.
Best for: Buyers who want WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 XT Gaming OC 16G (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASRock Radeon RX 9070 XT Challenger 16GB OC
64 compute units at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9070 XT Challenger 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 GRE EVO OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Prime RX 9070 GRE has 12GB of GDDR6 and a 2880MHz boost in OC mode, with a phase-change thermal pad.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when video memory of 12GB, behind the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger (16GB is a problem.
Why we like it
On video memory it ties with the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 at 12GB. An RX 9070 GRE gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 uses an RTX 4070 gpu. No other pick in this guide offers a 2880MHz (OC mode) boost clock; compare the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1, which has a 2520MHz boost clock.
It also offers a dual BIOS switch. The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. It cost the least of the 5 picks at the time of writing, with the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger the next step up. What it gives up: video memory of 12GB, behind the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger (16GB); by contrast, the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger offers 16GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9070 GRE
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Boost clock: 2880MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Phase-change GPU thermal pad
- Dual BIOS switch
- RX 9070 GRE gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Video memory of 12GB, behind the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger (16GB)
Also Consider2 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 9070 Challenger 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's RX 9070 Challenger is the most completely documented card here: 290mm long, 2.5 slots, two 8-pin plugs and a 700W PSU.
Best for
- Buyers who want 56 compute units.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables.
Why we like it
Its 16GB of memory on a 256-bit bus suits 1440p at high settings. On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC and the ASRock RX 9070 XT Challenger at 16GB. You get an RX 9070 gpu here, which sets it apart from the ASRock RX 9070 XT Challenger and its an RX 9070 XT gpu.
Like the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1, it has a 2520MHz boost clock, while the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE uses a 2880MHz (OC mode) boost clock. It also comes with 56 compute units and a triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. Power for the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 700W the maker's minimum PSU.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9070
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 290mm
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Recommended PSU: 700W
- Power connector: 2 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 2520MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- 56 compute units
- 256-bit memory bus at 20Gbps
- Triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Costs more than the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ventus 3X E1 12G OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MSI's Ventus 3X E1 is a triple-fan RTX 4070 that uses GDDR6 memory rather than the GDDR6X on the other 4070 cards here, with a 2520MHz boost.
Best for
- Buyers who want triple-fan Ventus cooler.
Skip if
- Skip it if video memory matters most to you; the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger offers 16GB.
Why we like it
It has three DisplayPort 1.4a outputs and one HDMI 2.1a on a 192-bit memory interface. It uses the GeForce RTX 4070 chip with MSI's three-fan cooler. It matches the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE on video memory (12GB).
It is the only pick here with an RTX 4070 gpu; the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE has an RX 9070 GRE gpu instead. It shares a 2520MHz boost clock with the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger; the ASRock RX 9070 XT Challenger goes with a 2970MHz boost clock. No dimensions are published for the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Its price falls between the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger and the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, based on our last check. If video memory is your priority, the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger (16GB) is the stronger choice.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4070
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 2520MHz
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1 x HDMI 2.1a
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Triple-fan Ventus cooler
- GDDR6 memory rather than the GDDR6X on other 4070 cards
- RTX 4070 gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Video memory trails the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger (16GB)
- Costs more than the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 XT Gaming OC 16G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's RX 9070 XT Gaming OC pairs AMD's top RDNA 4 chip with 16GB of GDDR6 and a WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
At the time of writing it cost about half as much as the RTX 5080 cards we researched, which makes it the strongest value in the upper tiers. It matches the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger and the ASRock RX 9070 XT Challenger on video memory (16GB). Like the ASRock RX 9070 XT Challenger, it has an RX 9070 XT gpu, while the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 uses an RTX 4070 gpu.
It also offers server-grade thermal conductive gel and RGB lighting. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its price falls between the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 and the ASRock RX 9070 XT Challenger, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed cooler thickness should compare it with the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE, which comes in at 2.5-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9070 XT
- 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 ASUS Prime 9070 GRE at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 9070 XT Challenger 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's RX 9070 XT Challenger gives an all-AMD build 16GB of memory on a 256-bit bus and a triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Three DisplayPort 2.1a outputs suit high-refresh monitors. It shares an RX 9070 XT gpu with the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC; the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 goes with an RTX 4070 gpu. It is the only pick here with a 2970MHz boost clock; the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE has a 2880MHz (OC mode) boost clock instead.
It also comes with 64 compute units. No dimensions are published for the ASRock RX 9070 XT Challenger; 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 RX 9070 XT Challenger with the maker.
At our last price check it topped the group, with the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed cooler thickness, look to the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE instead: it comes in at 2.5-slot, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9070 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 2970MHz
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 2.1a, 1 x HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- 64 compute units
- 256-bit memory bus
- Triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop
Cons
- Costs more than the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We set side by side five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and cooler thickness from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE to the ASRock RX 9070 XT Challenger, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1, the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC and the ASRock RX 9070 XT Challenger give no cooler thickness; the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC gives no boost clock.
- Price range
- From the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE to the ASRock RX 9070 XT Challenger, all sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a GPUs for Warzone
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory
Here video memory runs from 12GB on the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 to 16GB on the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger. Start with the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger if video memory decides it.
Boost clock
The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE lists 2880MHz (OC mode); the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger and the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 list 2520MHz; the ASRock RX 9070 XT Challenger lists 2970MHz. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
What to check at home
The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. Measure for 290mm and 2.5 slots before ordering the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger. No dimensions are published for the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Extras that separate them
The MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1: GDDR6 memory rather than the GDDR6X on other 4070 cards. The Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC: server-grade thermal conductive gel. The ASRock RX 9070 XT Challenger: a 256-bit memory bus.
Where your budget lands
All 5 sat in one tier when we checked, from the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE at the low end to the ASRock RX 9070 XT Challenger at the top, so decide on features first.
Cooler size affects noise
Larger triple-fan coolers usually run quieter under load than compact dual-fan designs. A 0dB mode stops the fans at light load.
How to Choose a GPUs for Warzone
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Spending as little as possible | ASUS Prime 9070 GRE | Undercutting the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want 56 compute units | ASRock RX 9070 Challenger | 56 compute units |
| Buyers who want triple-fan Ventus cooler | MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 | A triple-fan Ventus cooler |
| Buyers who want WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans | Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC | A WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | ASRock RX 9070 XT Challenger | 64 compute units at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock RX 9070 Challenger leads on video memory at 16GB, ahead of the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC at 16GB. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS Prime 9070 GRE | RX 9070 GRE | 12GB | GDDR6 | 2.5-slot |
| ASRock RX 9070 Challenger | RX 9070 | 16GB | GDDR6 | 2.5-slot |
| MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 | RTX 4070 | 12GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC | RX 9070 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASRock RX 9070 XT Challenger | RX 9070 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the ASRock RX 9070 XT Challenger add over the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE?
On paper it adds video memory (16GB against 12GB). The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the ASRock RX 9070 XT Challenger our Premium Pick pick?
It earns the label for 64 compute units at the highest price in the group. It suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Do the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE and the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger differ on GPU?
The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE uses RX 9070 GRE; the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger uses RX 9070; the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 uses RTX 4070; the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC and the ASRock RX 9070 XT Challenger use RX 9070 XT.
Will the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC work with my setup?
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RX 9070 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 RX 9070 XT Gaming OC with the maker. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5.
What extras do the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE and the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger include?
The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE: a phase-change GPU thermal pad. The ASRock RX 9070 Challenger: 56 compute units. The MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1: a triple-fan Ventus cooler.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE, chosen for undercutting the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger on price when we checked. Look at the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger for 56 compute units, the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 for a triple-fan Ventus cooler and the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC for a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans if those matter more to you.
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