Buying Guide

The Best GPUs for Apex Legends

We weighed five graphics cards on video memory and cooler thickness, and the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE costs the least.

By , PC Hardware Editor

12 min read5 products evaluated

PC components laid out on a workbench ready for a build
Illustrative image

Apex Legends players usually aim for 1440p at a high refresh rate. Every pick is an RTX 5070, RTX 4070 or RX 9070-class card that cost $900 or less.

Apex Legends' official PC requirements list AMD Radeon R9 290, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 and 8GB of RAM for the recommended tier (source: Apex Legends on Steam). Matching brand to brand, the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 is a newer generation than the GTX 970. The list names no AMD card we can rank, so the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE, the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE, the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger and the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC can't be matched against it directly.

We ranked these graphics cards on GPU, VRAM and memory using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these graphics cards ourselves, and where a maker leaves out thickness, we say so.

Requirements source: Apex Legends on Steam

Quick Picks

Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.

  1. Lowest Price Here

    ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 GRE EVO OC Edition

    Undercutting the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE on price when we checked.

    Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE the next step up.

    Check price for ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 GRE EVO OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  2. Worth a Look

    MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ventus 3X E1 12G OC

    A triple-fan Ventus cooler.

    Best for: Buyers who want triple-fan Ventus cooler.

    Check price for MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ventus 3X E1 12G OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
  3. Premium Pick

    GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 XT Gaming OC 16G

    The top of this price range, adding a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans.

    Best for: Spending more than the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.

    Check price for GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 XT Gaming OC 16G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

Our Picks

Lowest Price Here1 of 5

ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 GRE EVO OC Edition

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, with the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE the next step up.

Skip if

Look at the others if this bothers you: video memory of 12GB, behind the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger (16GB).
ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 GRE EVO OC Edition

Why we like it

On video memory it ties with the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE and the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 at 12GB. It shares an RX 9070 GRE gpu with the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE; the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC goes with an RX 9070 XT gpu. It is the only pick here with a 2880MHz (OC mode) boost clock; the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger has a 2520MHz boost clock instead.

It also comes with 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. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE with the maker. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE was closest.

Key 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
  • 2880MHz (OC mode) boost clock, the only one here

Cons

  • Video memory of 12GB, behind the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger (16GB)

The catch

What it gives up: video memory of 12GB, behind the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger (16GB); by contrast, the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger offers 16GB.

Also Consider2 of 5

ASUS ATS Radeon RX 9070 GRE 12GB OC Edition

What the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE brings to the table is a 2.5-slot design, plus a dual BIOS switch.

Best for

Buyers who want 2.5-slot design.

Skip if

If budget leads, the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE was cheaper at our last price check.
ASUS ATS Radeon RX 9070 GRE 12GB OC Edition

Why we like it

It also offers a 12GB video memory and offers a 2.5-slot cooler thickness. It matches the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE and the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 on video memory (12GB). Like the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE, it has an RX 9070 GRE gpu, while the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger uses an RX 9070 gpu.

The ASUS ATS 9070 GRE 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 ATS 9070 GRE with the maker. Its price falls between the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE and the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger, based on our last check.

Key specs

GPU
RX 9070 GRE
VRAM
12GB
Memory
GDDR6
Thickness
2.5-slot

Pros

  • 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
  • 2.5-slot design
  • Dual BIOS switch

Cons

  • Costs more than the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE at the time of writing

Strong Alternative3 of 5

ASRock Radeon RX 9070 Challenger 16GB OC

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

Choose another pick if you can't accept this: needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables.
ASRock Radeon RX 9070 Challenger 16GB OC

Why we like it

Its 16GB of memory on a 256-bit bus suits 1440p at high settings. The card uses AMD's RDNA 4 architecture with 56 compute units and 3,584 stream processors, 3rd-gen ray tracing and 2nd-gen AI accelerators. Its game clock is 2070MHz, and the 16GB of GDDR6 runs at 20Gbps.

It measures 290 x 123 x 51mm, so verify case clearance before buying. On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC at 16GB. An RX 9070 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE uses an RX 9070 GRE 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. You also get a triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. It was priced above the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE and below the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 at the time of writing.

Key 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

The catch

It gives ground on cooler thickness, where the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE comes in at 2.5-slot.

Worth a Look4 of 5

MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ventus 3X E1 12G OC

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.
MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ventus 3X E1 12G OC

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 has three DisplayPort 1.4a outputs and one HDMI 2.1a, with 12GB of GDDR6 on a 192-bit bus and a 2520MHz clock.

It matches the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE and the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE on video memory (12GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 4070 gpu; compare the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger, which has an RX 9070 gpu. It shares a 2520MHz boost clock with the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger; the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE goes with a 2880MHz (OC mode) boost clock. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper ASRock RX 9070 Challenger and the pricier Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, at the time of writing.

Key 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)
  • No published cooler thickness
  • Costs more than the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE at the time of writing

The catch

The trade-off is video memory; for more, the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger offers 16GB.

Premium Pick5 of 5

GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 XT Gaming OC 16G

Gigabyte's RX 9070 XT Gaming OC pairs AMD's top RDNA 4 chip with 16GB of GDDR6 and a WINDFORCE cooler.

Best for

Spending more than the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.

Skip if

Its cooler thickness is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 9070 XT Gaming OC 16G

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 on video memory (16GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 9070 XT gpu; compare the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger, which has an RX 9070 gpu.

It also comes with 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 power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT 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 MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 and the rest.

Key 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

  • No published cooler thickness
  • Costs more than the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE at the time of writing

The catch

The maker doesn't give its cooler thickness; if that figure matters, the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE comes in at 2.5-slot.

How We Chose

Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.

The circuit board on the back of a graphics card
The circuit board on the back of a graphics card
What we compared
We compared 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 ASUS Prime 9070 GRE to the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
Where the specs have gaps
The MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 and the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC give no cooler thickness; the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE and the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC give no boost clock.
Price range
From the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE to the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC, all sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked.

What to Look for in a GPUs for Apex Legends

Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.

  1. Video memory across these picks

    Here video memory runs from 12GB on the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 to 16GB on the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger, a 33% spread. Start with the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger if video memory decides it.

  2. 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. Settling boost clock first narrows 3 picks to 2 or 1.

    A graphics card's bare circuit board around the GPU die
    A graphics card's bare circuit board around the GPU die
  3. 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.

  4. Extras that separate them

    The ASRock RX 9070 Challenger: a 256-bit memory bus at 20Gbps. 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.

  5. Where your budget lands

    All 5 sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, from the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE at the low end to the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC at the top, so decide on features first.

How to Choose a GPUs for Apex Legends

By priority

PriorityConsiderWhy
Spending as little as possible, with the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE the next step upASUS Prime 9070 GREUndercutting the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE on price when we checked
Buyers who want 2.5-slot designASUS ATS 9070 GREA 2.5-slot design
Buyers who want 56 compute unitsASRock RX 9070 Challenger56 compute units
Buyers who want triple-fan Ventus coolerMSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1A triple-fan Ventus cooler
Spending more than the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 costs for the fullest feature set in this groupGigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OCThe top of this price range, adding a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans

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" marks cooler thickness where the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 and the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC leave the figure out.

CardGPUVRAMMemoryThickness
ASUS Prime 9070 GRERX 9070 GRE12GBGDDR62.5-slot
ASUS ATS 9070 GRERX 9070 GRE12GBGDDR62.5-slot
ASRock RX 9070 ChallengerRX 907016GBGDDR62.5-slot
MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1RTX 407012GBGDDR6Not listed
Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OCRX 9070 XT16GBGDDR6Not listed

Scroll sideways to see every column.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will these cards run Apex Legends at recommended settings?

In Apex Legends' list, the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 meets the recommended card on brand, generation and model number. The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE, the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE, the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger and the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC are outside the brands the list names, so look for an equivalent on Apex Legends' page. Apex Legends also lists 8GB of system RAM for that tier, which is separate from the card.

What does the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC add over the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE?

What it brings is video memory (16GB against 12GB). 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 Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC our Premium Pick?

It carries the badge for the top of this price range, adding a WINDFORCE cooler with Hawk fans. It suits spending more than the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 costs for the fullest feature set in this group.

Do the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE and the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger differ on GPU?

The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE and the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE use 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 uses RX 9070 XT.

Will the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger work with my setup?

Measure for 290mm and 2.5 slots before ordering the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger. Power for the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 700W the maker's minimum PSU. In this guide it ranks third of 5, and first of 5 on video memory (16GB).

What extras do the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE and the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE include?

The ASUS Prime 9070 GRE: a phase-change GPU thermal pad. The ASUS ATS 9070 GRE: a 2.5-slot design. The ASRock RX 9070 Challenger: 56 compute units.

Bottom Line

Our first pick is the ASUS Prime 9070 GRE, chosen for undercutting the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE on price when we checked. Look at the ASUS ATS 9070 GRE for a 2.5-slot design, the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger for 56 compute units and the MSI 4070 Ventus 3X E1 for a triple-fan Ventus cooler if those matter more to you.

Apex caps at 300fps; a faster card won't help beyond that.

About the author

PC Hardware Editor

Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.

Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility

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