Buying Guide
The Best GPUs with DLSS
We weighed five graphics cards on video memory and cooler thickness, and the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
DLSS upscaling lifts frame rates on RTX cards, and the RTX 50 series adds multi frame generation. Every pick is an NVIDIA RTX card that cost $600 or less, ordered by video memory.
Rankings weigh GPU, VRAM and memory as the makers state them; we did not test these graphics cards ourselves, and if a maker skips thickness, the guide says so.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OC
The lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing.
Best for: Getting two 90mm BladeLink fans for the least money.
Our take Check price for ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OC (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5050 WINDFORCE OC 8G
A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Our take Check price for GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5050 WINDFORCE OC 8G (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 Ti V2 OC Edition 8GB
0dB fan stop at light load.
Best for: Buyers who want 0dB fan stop at light load.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 Ti V2 OC Edition 8GB (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 Ti Eagle 8G
A dual BIOS switch.
Best for: Buyers who want dual BIOS switch.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 Ti Eagle 8G (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS GeForce RTX 5060 LP BRK 8GB OC
The top of this price range, adding IP5X dust resistance.
Best for: Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Our take Check price for ASUS GeForce RTX 5060 LP BRK 8GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 5050 Twin Edge OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Zotac's RTX 5050 Twin Edge is a two-slot, SFF-Ready card with two 90mm fans and one 8-pin plug.
Best for
- Getting two 90mm BladeLink fans for the least money.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent game is a problem.
Why we like it
It is the smallest NVIDIA option here for a compact case. Like the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce, it has an RTX 5050 gpu, while the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Eagle uses an RTX 4060 Ti gpu. You also get a pass-through airflow design and a metal backplate.
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. SFF-Ready is NVIDIA's size guideline, not a guarantee the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge fits every small case. It undercut the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5050
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2-slot
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- SFF-Ready: Yes
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 2.1b, 1 x HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- A single 8-pin power connector
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- Two 90mm BladeLink fans
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
Also Consider2 of 5
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5050 WINDFORCE OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's RTX 5050 Windforce is the cheapest way into DLSS 4 here.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
The maker publishes few details, so confirm size and power needs on Gigabyte's page. It shares an RTX 5050 gpu with the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge; the ASUS RTX 5060 LP BRK goes with an RTX 5060 gpu. It also offers a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and a PCIe 5.0 interface.
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce; 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 RTX 5050 Windforce with the maker. It was priced above the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge and below the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 at the time of writing. There is no published cooler thickness figure, whereas the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge comes in at 2-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5050
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- PCIe 5.0 interface
- RTX 5050 gpu
- 8GB video memory
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 Ti V2 OC Edition 8GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Dual V2 is a 2-slot, SFF-Ready RTX 4060 Ti with 0dB fan stop and a 2595MHz boost in OC mode.
Best for
- Buyers who want 0dB fan stop at light load.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
Its 0dB fan mode keeps it quiet during light games, and it supports DLSS 3. Like the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Eagle, it has an RTX 4060 Ti gpu, while the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce uses an RTX 5050 gpu. The ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 occupies 2 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 4060 Ti V2 with the maker. SFF-Ready is NVIDIA's size guideline, not a guarantee the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 fits every small case. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce and the pricier Gigabyte 4060 Ti Eagle, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4060 Ti
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2-slot
- Boost clock: 2595MHz (OC mode)
- SFF-Ready: Yes
Pros
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- 0dB fan stop at light load
- 2595MHz boost clock in OC mode
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 Ti Eagle 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's Eagle puts three Windforce fans and a dual BIOS switch on the RTX 4060 Ti.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual BIOS switch.
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
It supports DLSS 3 frame generation with fourth-generation Tensor cores. Like the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2, it has an RTX 4060 Ti gpu, while the ASUS RTX 5060 LP BRK uses an RTX 5060 gpu. You also get a 128-bit memory bus.
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Eagle; 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 4060 Ti Eagle with the maker. On price it sat fourth of 5, between the cheaper ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 and the pricier ASUS RTX 5060 LP BRK, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its cooler thickness; if that figure matters, the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge comes in at 2-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4060 Ti
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- Dual BIOS switch
- Three WINDFORCE fans
- 128-bit memory bus
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
ASUS GeForce RTX 5060 LP BRK 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS RTX 5060 LP BRK brings the current mainstream GeForce to half-height cases, with GDDR7 memory and IP5X dust resistance.
Best for
- Spending more for the fullest feature set.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent game is a problem.
Why we like it
The maker doesn't give thickness or power needs, so check those on the ASUS spec page. No other pick in this guide offers an RTX 5060 gpu; compare the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2, which has an RTX 4060 Ti gpu. GDDR7 memory is unique to it among these picks, while the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce uses GDDR6 memory.
It also offers dual-ball fan bearings. No dimensions are published for the ASUS RTX 5060 LP BRK; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASUS RTX 5060 LP BRK 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 4060 Ti Eagle and the rest. The trade-off is video memory; for more, the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge offers 8GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR7
- Boost clock: 2580MHz (OC mode)
- Low profile: Yes
Pros
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Low-profile design for slim desktops
- IP5X dust resistance
- Dual-ball fan bearings
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge at the time of writing
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, memory and cooler thickness from manufacturer specifications. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge to the ASUS RTX 5060 LP BRK, state GPU, video memory and memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce, the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Eagle and the ASUS RTX 5060 LP BRK give no cooler thickness; the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge, the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Eagle give no boost clock.
- Price range
- From the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge to the ASUS RTX 5060 LP BRK, all sat in the $250 to $500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a GPUs with DLSS
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Memory
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge, the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce, the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Eagle list GDDR6; the ASUS RTX 5060 LP BRK lists GDDR7. Settle this first, then compare prices.
Boost clock
The ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 lists 2595MHz (OC mode); the ASUS RTX 5060 LP BRK lists 2580MHz (OC mode). Settle this first, then compare prices.
Fit and compatibility
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Extras that separate them
The ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2: a 2595MHz boost clock in OC mode. The Gigabyte 4060 Ti Eagle: three WINDFORCE fans. The ASUS RTX 5060 LP BRK: dual-ball fan bearings.
How much to spend
All 5 sat in one tier when we checked, from the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge at the low end to the ASUS RTX 5060 LP BRK at the top, so decide on features first.
How to Choose a GPUs with DLSS
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting two 90mm BladeLink fans for the least money | Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge | The lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing |
| Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler | Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce | A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler |
| Buyers who want 0dB fan stop at light load | ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 | 0dB fan stop at light load |
| Buyers who want dual BIOS switch | Gigabyte 4060 Ti Eagle | A dual BIOS switch |
| Spending more for the fullest feature set | ASUS RTX 5060 LP BRK | The top of this price range, adding IP5X dust resistance |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge, the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge | RTX 5050 | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2-slot |
| Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce | RTX 5050 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 | RTX 4060 Ti | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2-slot |
| Gigabyte 4060 Ti Eagle | RTX 4060 Ti | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS RTX 5060 LP BRK | RTX 5060 | 8GB | GDDR7 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the ASUS RTX 5060 LP BRK our Premium Pick pick?
It earns the label for the top of this price range, adding IP5X dust resistance. It suits spending more for the fullest feature set.
Do the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge and the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 differ on GPU?
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge and the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce use RTX 5050; the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Eagle use RTX 4060 Ti; the ASUS RTX 5060 LP BRK uses RTX 5060.
Will the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge work with my setup?
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. Power for the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge comes through 1 x 8-pin. In this guide it ranks first of 5, as our Lowest Price Here pick.
What extras do the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge and the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce include?
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge: two 90mm BladeLink fans. The Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce: a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. The ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2: 0dB fan stop at light load.
Who should choose the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge?
The Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge carries our Lowest Price Here label for the lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing. It ranks first of 5 here.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Zotac RTX 5050 Twin Edge, chosen for the lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing. Look at the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce for a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler, the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 for 0dB fan stop at light load and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Eagle for a dual BIOS switch if those matter more to you.
Check which DLSS version a game supports; frame generation needs an RTX 40 or 50 card.