Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for ARK: Survival Ascended
Five graphics cards ranked on video memory and GPU, where the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White has the largest video memory, and it also costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
ARK: Survival Ascended uses Unreal Engine 5 and is one of the most demanding games around. Every pick has 16GB of VRAM and sits between $700 and $1,800.
ARK: Survival Ascended's official PC requirements list AMD Radeon RX 6800, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 and 32GB of RAM for the recommended tier (source: ARK: Survival Ascended on Steam). Matching brand to brand, the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the XFX Swift RX 9070 XT are a newer generation than the RX 6800; the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto and the ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB are a newer generation than the RTX 3080.
We ranked these graphics cards on GPU, VRAM and memory using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out boost clock, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Requirements source: ARK: Survival Ascended on Steam
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Largest Video Memory
ASRock Radeon RX 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White 20GB OCThe largest video memory here (20GB).
Best for: Buyers who put video memory first.
Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White 20GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB Verto Dual FanA dual-fan cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want dual-fan cooler.
Check price for PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB Verto Dual Fan on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16GThree WINDFORCE fans.
Best for: Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Check price for Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ASUS Prime GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GBA 2.5-slot design.
Best for: Buyers who want 2.5-slot design.
Check price for ASUS Prime GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
XFX Swift Radeon RX 9070 XT Triple Fan Gaming EditionThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an XFX SWFT triple-fan cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want an XFX SWFT triple-fan cooler and can spend more than the ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB costs.
Check price for XFX Swift Radeon RX 9070 XT Triple Fan Gaming Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Largest Video Memory1 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White 20GB OC
The Phantom Gaming White is ASRock's white 7900 XT, with a white shroud and backplate on a 320-bit memory bus.
Best for
- Buyers who put video memory first.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
A reinforced metal frame keeps the card from sagging in the slot. On video memory it leads this guide at 20GB, ahead of the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto (16GB). You get an RX 7900 XT gpu here, which sets it apart from the XFX Swift RX 9070 XT and its an RX 9070 XT gpu.
No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White; 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 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White with the maker. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto was closest.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 7900 XT
- VRAM
- 20GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
Pros
- 20GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- White shroud and backplate
- 320-bit memory bus
- RX 7900 XT gpu, the only one here
Also Consider2 of 5
PNY GeForce RTX 4060 Ti 16GB Verto Dual Fan
The PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto is built around a dual-fan cooler, with a 2535MHz boost clock on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual-fan cooler.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 16GB video memory. It matches the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC, the ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB and the XFX Swift RX 9070 XT on video memory (16GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 4060 Ti gpu; compare the ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB, which has an RTX 5060 Ti gpu.
No dimensions are published for the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto with the maker. On price it sat second of 5, between the cheaper ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White and the pricier Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 4060 Ti
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Boost clock
- 2535MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Dual-fan cooler
- 2535MHz boost clock
- RTX 4060 Ti gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16G
Gigabyte's RX 7600 XT Gaming OC carries 16GB of GDDR6 under three Windforce fans, with two HDMI and two DisplayPort outputs.
Best for
- Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On video memory it ties with the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto, the ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB and the XFX Swift RX 9070 XT at 16GB. An RX 7600 XT gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto uses an RTX 4060 Ti gpu. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 7600 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 7600 XT Gaming OC with the maker. Worth noting: 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 7600 XT
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Outputs
- 2 x DisplayPort, 2 x HDMI
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Three WINDFORCE fans
- Two HDMI and two DisplayPort outputs
- RX 7600 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
ASUS Prime GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 16GB
The ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB is built around a 2.5-slot design, with a dual BIOS switch on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want 2.5-slot design.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 16GB video memory and offers a 2.5-slot cooler thickness. It matches the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the XFX Swift RX 9070 XT on video memory (16GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 5060 Ti gpu; compare the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC, which has an RX 7600 XT gpu.
GDDR7 memory is unique to it among these picks, while the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto uses GDDR6 memory. The ASUS Prime 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 Prime 5060 Ti 16GB with the maker. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the pricier XFX Swift RX 9070 XT, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 5060 Ti
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR7
- Thickness
- 2.5-slot
- SFF-Ready
- Yes
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- 2.5-slot design
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
XFX Swift Radeon RX 9070 XT Triple Fan Gaming Edition
XFX's Swift RX 9070 XT uses AMD's top RDNA 4 chip with 16GB of memory and a 2970MHz boost.
Best for
- Buyers who want an XFX SWFT triple-fan cooler and can spend more than the ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB costs.
Skip if
- Skip it if video memory matters most to you; the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White offers 20GB.
Why we like it
It is the card to choose for a 240Hz 1440p monitor. It matches the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB on video memory (16GB). No other pick in this guide offers an RX 9070 XT gpu; compare the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC, which has an RX 7600 XT gpu.
It also comes with an XFX SWFT triple-fan cooler. No dimensions are published for the XFX Swift RX 9070 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 XFX Swift RX 9070 XT 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 ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB and the rest.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 9070 XT
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Boost clock
- 2970MHz
- Outputs
- 1 x HDMI, 3 x DisplayPort
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- XFX SWFT triple-fan cooler
- RX 9070 XT gpu, the only one here
- The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an XFX SWFT triple-fan cooler
Cons
- Video memory trails the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White (20GB)
- Costs more than the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is video memory; for more, the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White offers 20GB.
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 figures behind the order
- We set side by side five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and boost clock, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and boost clock and outputs are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White to the XFX Swift RX 9070 XT, state GPU, video memory and memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB give no boost clock; the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White, the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto and the ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB give no outputs.
- Price range
- From the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White to the XFX Swift RX 9070 XT, all sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a GPUs for ARK: Survival Ascended
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory across these picks
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White tops video memory at 20GB and the XFX Swift RX 9070 XT sits lowest at 16GB. If video memory is your first filter, the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White sets the ceiling at 20GB.
Memory
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White, the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the XFX Swift RX 9070 XT list GDDR6; the ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB lists GDDR7. Sort out memory before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 4 and 1.
A graphics card's bare circuit board around the GPU die Boost clock
The PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto lists 2535MHz; the XFX Swift RX 9070 XT lists 2970MHz. Sort out boost clock before price: it splits 2 stated picks into groups of 1 and 1.
What to check at home
No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
Extras that separate them
The Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC: two HDMI and two DisplayPort outputs. The ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB: a dual BIOS switch. The XFX Swift RX 9070 XT: an XFX SWFT triple-fan cooler.
How to Choose a GPUs for ARK: Survival Ascended
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put video memory first | ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White | The largest video memory here (20GB) |
| Buyers who want dual-fan cooler | PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto | A dual-fan cooler |
| Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans | Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC | Three WINDFORCE fans |
| Buyers who want 2.5-slot design | ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB | A 2.5-slot design |
| Buyers who want an XFX SWFT triple-fan cooler and can spend more than the ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB costs | XFX Swift RX 9070 XT | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with an XFX SWFT triple-fan cooler |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White leads on video memory at 20GB, ahead of the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto at 16GB. "Not listed" marks boost clock where the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Boost clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White | RX 7900 XT | 20GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto | RTX 4060 Ti | 16GB | GDDR6 | 2535MHz |
| Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC | RX 7600 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB | RTX 5060 Ti | 16GB | GDDR7 | Not listed |
| XFX Swift RX 9070 XT | RX 9070 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 2970MHz |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will these cards run ARK: Survival Ascended at recommended settings?
In ARK: Survival Ascended's list, the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White, the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC, the ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB and the XFX Swift RX 9070 XT meet the recommended card on brand, generation and model number. ARK: Survival Ascended also lists 32GB of system RAM for that tier, which is separate from the card.
Which has the largest video memory: the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White or the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto?
Between the top two, it is 20GB on the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White against 16GB on the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto, a 25% difference.
What does the XFX Swift RX 9070 XT add over the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White?
The XFX Swift RX 9070 XT matches or trails the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White on video memory. The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White leads on video memory (20GB). Both sat in the $500 to $1000 tier when we checked, so choose on the features you need.
Why is the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White our Largest Video Memory pick?
The label rests on the largest video memory here (20GB). On video memory it leads the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto, 20GB against 16GB, a 25% margin. It makes sense for anyone who puts video memory first.
Do the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White and the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto differ on GPU?
The ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White uses RX 7900 XT; the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto uses RTX 4060 Ti; the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC uses RX 7600 XT; the ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB uses RTX 5060 Ti; the XFX Swift RX 9070 XT uses RX 9070 XT.
Will the XFX Swift RX 9070 XT work with my setup?
No dimensions are published for the XFX Swift RX 9070 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 XFX Swift RX 9070 XT with the maker. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, as our Premium Pick, and fifth of 5 on video memory (16GB).
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock 7900 XT Phantom Gaming White, chosen for the largest video memory here (20GB). Look at the PNY 4060 Ti 16GB Verto for a dual-fan cooler, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC for three WINDFORCE fans and the ASUS Prime 5060 Ti 16GB for a 2.5-slot design if those matter more to you.
Use DLSS or FSR in ARK; native rendering is heavy even on high-end cards.
Related Guides
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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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