Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for XCOM 2
Five graphics cards ranked on video memory and cooler thickness, where the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming has the largest video memory; the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
XCOM 2 is a light PC game, which makes price, memory size and driver support the main buying points for a card. Every pick has at least 16GB of video memory and cost $800 or less, ordered from the highest price.
Rankings weigh GPU, VRAM and memory as the makers state them; if a maker skips thickness, the guide says 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.
Largest Video Memory
ASRock Radeon RX 7900 XT Phantom Gaming OC 20GB
The largest video memory here (20GB).
Best for: Buyers who put video memory first.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7900 XT Phantom Gaming OC 20GB (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
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)
Strong Alternative
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB OC
A quiet/performance dual BIOS.
Best for: Buyers who want quiet/performance dual BIOS.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Sapphire Nitro+ AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
A 2565MHz boost clock.
Best for: Buyers who want 2565MHz boost clock.
Our take Check price for Sapphire Nitro+ AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT 16GB
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT the next step up.
Our take Check price for PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT 16GB (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Largest Video Memory1 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7900 XT Phantom Gaming OC 20GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's Phantom Gaming OC offers a 2450MHz boost, 80MB of Infinity Cache and two 8-pin power connectors.
Best for
- Buyers who put video memory first.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables.
Why we like it
It was the least expensive 7900 XT here at the time of writing. On video memory it leads this guide at 20GB, ahead of the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC (16GB). It is the only pick here with an RX 7900 XT gpu; the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC has an RX 9070 XT gpu instead.
A 2450MHz boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT uses a 2565MHz boost clock. No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC. Buyers who need a confirmed cooler thickness should compare it with the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, which comes in at 2.5-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7900 XT
- VRAM: 20GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Power connector: 2 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 2450MHz
Pros
- 20GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- 80MB of Infinity Cache
- Triple-fan Phantom Gaming cooler
- RX 7900 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
- Costs more than the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT at the time of writing
Also Consider2 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
- Skip it if price comes first: the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT 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 ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT on video memory (16GB). It is the only pick here with an RX 9070 XT gpu; the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming has an RX 7900 XT gpu instead.
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 ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB and the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed cooler thickness should compare it with the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, 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 PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB is the lower-cost NVIDIA route to 16GB at 1440p.
Best for
- Buyers who want quiet/performance dual BIOS.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It is a 2.5-slot card with 0dB fan stop and dual-ball fan bearings. It matches the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT on video memory (16GB). It is the only pick here with an RTX 5060 Ti gpu; the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming has an RX 7900 XT gpu instead.
You get GDDR7 memory here, which sets it apart from the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT and its GDDR6 memory. A 2632MHz (OC mode) boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT uses a 2565MHz boost clock. It also comes with a quiet/performance dual BIOS.
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. Its price falls between the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT and the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5060 Ti
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR7
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Boost clock: 2632MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Quiet/performance dual BIOS
- 0dB fan stop
Cons
- Costs more than the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Sapphire Nitro+ AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Sapphire's Nitro+ is a 320mm, 3-slot triple-fan RX 7800 XT with a 2565MHz boost.
Best for
- Buyers who want 2565MHz boost clock.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: its 3-slot cooler covers the slots below.
Why we like it
It matches the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT on video memory (16GB). A 2565MHz boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB uses a 2632MHz (OC mode) boost clock. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT with the maker.
Another plus: 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures. Its price falls between the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7800 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 320mm
- Thickness: 3-slot
- Boost clock: 2565MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- 2565MHz boost clock
- 3-slot triple-fan Nitro+ cooler
Cons
- Its 3-slot cooler covers the slots below
- Costs more than the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
PowerColor Fighter AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT 16GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT is built around 16GB of GDDR6.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT the next step up.
Skip if
- Skip it if video memory matters most to you; the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming offers 20GB.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 16GB video memory. On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB and the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT at 16GB. It shares an RX 7800 XT gpu with the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT; the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming goes with an RX 7900 XT gpu.
No dimensions are published for the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT with the maker. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT was closest. Video memory is its weakest area, and the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming covers it better at 20GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7800 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- 16GB of GDDR6
- The lowest price of the group at our last check
Cons
- Video memory trails the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming (20GB)
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. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while cooler thickness and boost clock have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming to the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT, state GPU, video memory and memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT give no cooler thickness; the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT give no boost clock.
- Price range
- From the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT to the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, all sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a GPUs for XCOM 2
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much video memory you need
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming tops video memory at 20GB and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT sits lowest at 16GB. The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming is the pick for video memory.
Cooler thickness
Here cooler thickness runs from 3-slot on the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT to 2.5-slot on the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, a 17% spread. Start with the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB if cooler thickness decides it. The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT give no cooler thickness figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT list GDDR6; the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB lists GDDR7. Sort out memory before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 4 and 1.
Boost clock
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming lists 2450MHz; the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB lists 2632MHz (OC mode); the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT lists 2565MHz. Sort out boost clock before price: it splits 3 stated picks into groups of 1, 1 and 1.
What to check at home
No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. Measure for 320mm and 3 slots before ordering the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT.
How to Choose a GPUs for XCOM 2
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put video memory first | ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming | The largest video memory here (20GB) |
| Buyers who want WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans | Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC | A WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans |
| Buyers who want quiet/performance dual BIOS | ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB | A quiet/performance dual BIOS |
| Buyers who want 2565MHz boost clock | Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT | A 2565MHz boost clock |
| Spending as little as possible, with the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT the next step up | PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming leads on video memory at 20GB, ahead of the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC at 16GB. "Not listed" marks cooler thickness where the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming | RX 7900 XT | 20GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC | RX 9070 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB | RTX 5060 Ti | 16GB | GDDR7 | 2.5-slot |
| Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 3-slot |
| PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the largest video memory: the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming or the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC?
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming tops video memory at 20GB; the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC follows at 16GB, 25% apart.
Is the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB ahead of the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT on cooler thickness?
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB comes out best at 2.5-slot, with the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT at 3-slot. The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT don't state a cooler thickness figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming add over the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT?
On paper it adds video memory (20GB against 16GB). Both sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, so the gains in video memory cost little extra by tier.
Why is the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming our Largest Video Memory pick?
It earns the label for the largest video memory here (20GB). On video memory it leads the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, 20GB against 16GB, a 25% margin. It suits anyone who puts video memory first.
Do the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming and the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC differ on GPU?
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming uses RX 7900 XT; the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC uses RX 9070 XT; the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB uses RTX 5060 Ti; the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT and the PowerColor Fighter 7800 XT use RX 7800 XT.
Will the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB work with my setup?
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB occupies 2.5 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 ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB with the maker. In this guide it ranks third of 5, and third of 5 on video memory (16GB).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming, chosen for the largest video memory here (20GB). Look at the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC for a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans, the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB for a quiet/performance dual BIOS and the Sapphire Nitro+ 7800 XT for a 2565MHz boost clock if those matter more to you.
Install the latest driver from the maker after the card arrives.