Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Graphic Design
We weighed five graphics cards on video memory and cooler thickness, and the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Design apps use the GPU for canvas acceleration and AI features, and extra VRAM helps with large files. Every pick has 12GB or more and cost $700 or less.
The order reflects GPU, VRAM and memory from maker specifications; we did not test these graphics cards ourselves, and a missing thickness is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Lowest Price Here
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OCThe lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Getting white-and-silver Steel Legend finish for the least money.
Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
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)
Strong Alternative
ASUS Dual Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GBA dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles.
Best for: Buyers who want dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles.
Check price for ASUS Dual Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger Pro 16GB OCA factory overclock to 3290MHz.
Best for: Buyers who want factory overclock to 3290MHz.
Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger Pro 16GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB OC EditionThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a dual BIOS switch.
Best for: Buyers who want a dual BIOS switch and can spend more than the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT costs.
Check price for ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 7800 XT Steel Legend 16GB OC
The Steel Legend adds a white-and-silver finish and a 2520MHz boost, and it has a 700W recommended power supply.
Best for
- Getting white-and-silver Steel Legend finish for the least money.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables.
Why we like it
It is the only pick here with an RX 7800 XT gpu; the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC has an RX 7600 XT gpu instead. A 2520MHz boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB uses a 3330MHz (OC mode) boost clock. No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Power for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend comes through 2 x 8-pin, with 700W the maker's minimum PSU. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed cooler thickness should compare it with the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, which comes in at 2.5-slot.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 7800 XT
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Recommended PSU
- 700W
- Power connector
- 2 x 8-pin
- Boost clock
- 2520MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- White-and-silver Steel Legend finish
- 700W recommended PSU
- RX 7800 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Needs two 8-pin PCIe power cables
Also Consider2 of 5
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC 16G
The Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC stands out for three WINDFORCE fans, and it adds a 128-bit memory interface.
Best for
- Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 16GB video memory. An RX 7600 XT gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB uses an RX 9060 XT 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. It was priced above the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and below the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB at the time of writing. There is no published cooler thickness figure, whereas the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB comes in at 2.5-slot.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 7600 XT
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Three WINDFORCE fans
- 128-bit memory interface
- RX 7600 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ASUS Dual Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB
The ASUS Dual RX 9060 XT 16GB offers a 3250MHz boost in OC mode with Quiet and Performance BIOS profiles and 0dB fan stop.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It shares an RX 9060 XT gpu with the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT and ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB; the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC goes with an RX 7600 XT gpu. You also get 0dB fan stop at light load. The ASUS Dual 9060 XT 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 9060 XT 16GB with the maker. When we checked, only the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and cheaper picks cost less, and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT cost more.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 9060 XT
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Thickness
- 2.5-slot
- Boost clock
- 3250MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles
- 0dB fan stop at light load
- 3250MHz (OC mode) boost clock, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Challenger Pro 16GB OC
The ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT is built around a factory overclock to 3290MHz, with a triple-fan cooler with a customizable LED indicator on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want factory overclock to 3290MHz.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 16GB video memory. It shares an RX 9060 XT gpu with the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB and ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB; the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC goes with an RX 7600 XT gpu. It is the only pick here with a 3290MHz boost clock; the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB has a 3330MHz (OC mode) boost clock instead.
No dimensions are published for the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 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 Pro 9060 XT with the maker. If you want a confirmed cooler thickness, look to the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB instead: it comes in at 2.5-slot, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 9060 XT
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Boost clock
- 3290MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Factory overclock to 3290MHz
- Triple-fan cooler with a customizable LED indicator
- 3290MHz boost clock, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB OC Edition
What the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB brings to the table is a dual BIOS switch, plus dual ball fan bearings.
Best for
- Buyers who want a dual BIOS switch and can spend more than the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT costs.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 16GB video memory and offers a 2.5-slot cooler thickness. Like the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB and ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT, it has an RX 9060 XT gpu, while the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses an RX 7800 XT gpu. A 3330MHz (OC mode) boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT uses a 3290MHz boost clock.
The ASUS Prime 9060 XT 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 9060 XT 16GB with the maker. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 9060 XT
- VRAM
- 16GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Thickness
- 2.5-slot
- Boost clock
- 3330MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Dual BIOS switch
- Dual ball fan bearings
- 3330MHz (OC mode) boost clock, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend at the time of writing
The catch
If video memory is your priority, the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend (16GB) is the stronger choice.
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.
- What we compared
- We compared five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and cooler thickness as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 3 of 5 picks leave out cooler thickness.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend to the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT give no cooler thickness; the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC gives no boost clock.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend ($250 to $500) to the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Graphic Design
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Boost clock
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend lists 2520MHz; the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB lists 3250MHz (OC mode); the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT lists 3290MHz; the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB lists 3330MHz (OC mode). Sort out boost clock before price: it splits 4 stated picks into groups of 1, 1, 1 and 1.
What to check at home
No dimensions are published for the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
A graphics card's bare circuit board around the GPU die Extras that separate them
The ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB: 0dB fan stop at light load. The ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT: a triple-fan cooler with a customizable LED indicator. The ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB: dual ball fan bearings.
Budget
$250 to $500 buys the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC; $500 to $1000 buys the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT and the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Getting white-and-silver Steel Legend finish for the least money: the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend. Buyers who want a dual BIOS switch and can spend more than the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT costs: the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB.
How to Choose a GPUs for Graphic Design
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting white-and-silver Steel Legend finish for the least money | ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers who want three WINDFORCE fans | Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC | Three WINDFORCE fans |
| Buyers who want dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles | ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB | A dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles |
| Buyers who want factory overclock to 3290MHz | ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT | A factory overclock to 3290MHz |
| Buyers who want a dual BIOS switch and can spend more than the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT costs | ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a dual BIOS switch |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend | RX 7800 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC | RX 7600 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 2.5-slot |
| ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 2.5-slot |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend was the lowest-priced pick ($250 to $500) and the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC |
| About $500 to $1000 | ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT, ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB our Premium Pick?
The label rests on the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with a dual BIOS switch. The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, 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 wants a dual BIOS switch and can spend more than the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT costs.
Do the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC differ on GPU?
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend uses RX 7800 XT; the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC uses RX 7600 XT; the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB, the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT and the ASUS Prime 9060 XT 16GB use RX 9060 XT.
Will the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC work with my setup?
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. In this guide it ranks second of 5.
What extras do the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend and the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC include?
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend: a white-and-silver Steel Legend finish. The Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC: three WINDFORCE fans. The ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB: a dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles.
Who should choose the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend?
The ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend carries our Lowest Price Here label for the lowest price of the group at our last check. It ranks first of 5 here and sat in the $250 to $500 tier at our last price check; it suits getting white-and-silver Steel Legend finish for the least money.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the ASRock 7800 XT Steel Legend, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the Gigabyte 7600 XT Gaming OC for three WINDFORCE fans, the ASUS Dual 9060 XT 16GB for a dual BIOS switch with Quiet and Performance profiles and the ASRock Challenger Pro 9060 XT for a factory overclock to 3290MHz if those matter more to you.
Output colour accuracy depends on the monitor, not the GPU; calibrate the display.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Graphics Cards
- Related guideThe Best Graphics Cards for 1440p Gaming
- Related guideThe Best Budget Graphics Cards
- Lower budgetThe Best GPUs Between $280 and $400
- Similar guideThe Best Graphics Cards
- ExplainerHow Much VRAM Do You Need?
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- Topic hubAll graphics cards guides
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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