Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Five graphics cards compared, from the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB 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
XCOM: Enemy Unknown is a light PC game, which makes price, memory size and driver support the main buying points for a card. 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; any figure a maker omits is noted as missing, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Video Memory
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 Gaming OC 16G
The largest video memory here (16GB).
Best for: Buyers who put video memory first.
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 7700 XT Challenger 12GB OC
0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Best for: Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7700 XT Challenger 12GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Acer Nitro Intel Arc B570 OC 10GB
A dual-fan Frostblade cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want dual-fan Frostblade cooler.
Our take Check price for Acer Nitro Intel Arc B570 OC 10GB (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OC
The cheapest way into this group, below the Acer Nitro Arc B570.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the Acer Nitro Arc B570 the next step up.
Our take Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Largest Video Memory1 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 put video memory first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It leaves more of the budget for the CPU, board and memory. Its 16GB video memory is the largest here; the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC comes next at 12GB. No other pick in this guide offers an RX 9070 gpu; compare the Acer Nitro Arc B570, which has an arc B570 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 ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB 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 ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 12GB video memory. It matches the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT on video memory (12GB). Like the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT, it has an RX 7700 XT gpu, while the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB uses 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 Challenger 7700 XT 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
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7700 XT Challenger 12GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASRock Challenger 7700 XT stands out for 0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Best for
- Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It also offers a 12GB video memory. It matches the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC on video memory (12GB). Like the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC, it has an RX 7700 XT gpu, while the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC uses an RX 9070 gpu.
No dimensions are published for the ASRock Challenger 7700 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 ASRock Challenger 7700 XT with the maker. Its price falls between the Acer Nitro Arc B570 and the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7700 XT
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- 0dB silent cooling at light loads
- RX 7700 XT gpu
- 12GB video memory
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Acer Nitro Intel Arc B570 OC 10GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Acer Nitro Arc B570 brings to the table is a dual-fan Frostblade cooler, plus 18 Xe2 cores.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual-fan Frostblade cooler.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, which cost less when we checked.
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 ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB comes in at 8GB. You get an arc B570 gpu here, which sets it apart from the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB and its an RX 9060 XT gpu.
No dimensions are published for the Acer Nitro Arc B570; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the Acer Nitro Arc B570 with the maker. When we checked, only the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB cost less, and the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: Arc B570
- VRAM: 10GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- 10GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Dual-fan Frostblade cooler
- 18 Xe2 cores
- Arc B570 gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
ASRock's RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB brings AMD's RDNA 4 architecture to a budget card with 32 compute units.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the Acer Nitro Arc B570 the next step up.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
Its 8GB of memory is the compromise; the 16GB version costs more. Its 8GB video memory is the smallest in this group; the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC leads at 16GB. It is the only pick here with an RX 9060 XT gpu; the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC has an RX 9070 gpu instead.
It also comes with a dual-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. No dimensions are published for the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 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 ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB with the maker. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Acer Nitro Arc B570 was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9060 XT
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 3290MHz
- Outputs: DisplayPort 2.1a, HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- 32 compute units with third-generation ray tracing
- Dual-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop
- 20Gbps memory on a 128-bit bus
- 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)
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five cards on GPU, video memory and memory, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results, and every compared field is stated for all 5 picks.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC to the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Who each pick suits
- The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC for the largest video memory here (16GB); the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC for three WINDFORCE fans; the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT for 0dB silent cooling at light loads.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB ($250 to $500) to the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a GPUs for XCOM: Enemy Unknown
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much video memory you need
Across these 5 picks video memory spans 8GB (the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB) to 16GB (the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC). For less, the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC is the runner-up at 12GB ($500 to $1000 tier).
Setup checks
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 Challenger 7700 XT: 0dB silent cooling at light loads. The Acer Nitro Arc B570: 18 Xe2 cores. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB: a dual-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop.
Budget
$250 to $500 buys the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, the Acer Nitro Arc B570 and the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT; $500 to $1000 buys the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC and the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who put video memory first: the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC. Spending as little as possible, with the Acer Nitro Arc B570 the next step up: the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB.
How to Choose a GPUs for XCOM: Enemy Unknown
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put video memory first | Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC | The largest video memory here (16GB) |
| Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans | Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC | Three WINDFORCE fans |
| Buyers who want 0dB silent cooling at light loads | ASRock Challenger 7700 XT | 0dB silent cooling at light loads |
| Buyers who want dual-fan Frostblade cooler | Acer Nitro Arc B570 | A dual-fan Frostblade cooler |
| Spending as little as possible, with the Acer Nitro Arc B570 the next step up | ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB | The cheapest way into this group, below the Acer Nitro Arc B570 |
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 Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC at 12GB.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC | RX 9070 | 16GB | GDDR6 |
| Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC | RX 7700 XT | 12GB | GDDR6 |
| ASRock Challenger 7700 XT | RX 7700 XT | 12GB | GDDR6 |
| Acer Nitro Arc B570 | Arc B570 | 10GB | GDDR6 |
| ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB | RX 9060 XT | 8GB | GDDR6 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, 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 | ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, Acer Nitro Arc B570, ASRock Challenger 7700 XT |
| About $500 to $1000 | Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC, Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC ahead of the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC on video memory?
The Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC leads at 16GB, with the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC at 12GB. The spread runs down to the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB at 8GB.
Is the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC worth paying more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB?
The spec sheets show video memory (16GB against 8GB) in its favour. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB 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 Largest Video Memory?
It carries the badge for the largest video memory here (16GB). The Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC is next on video memory at 12GB, so this pick's 16GB is 33% further out. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB, the cheapest pick, sat in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It is aimed at anyone who puts video memory first.
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 and the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT use RX 7700 XT; the Acer Nitro Arc B570 uses Arc B570; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Challenger 8GB uses RX 9060 XT.
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 second 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 Challenger 7700 XT: 0dB silent cooling at light loads.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Gigabyte RX 9070 Gaming OC, chosen for the largest video memory here (16GB). Look at the Gigabyte 7700 XT Gaming OC for three WINDFORCE fans, the ASRock Challenger 7700 XT for 0dB silent cooling at light loads and the Acer Nitro Arc B570 for a dual-fan Frostblade cooler if those matter more to you.
Put leftover budget toward a higher-refresh monitor or an SSD.