They’re stunning But these games also have the highest-spec GPU specifications. They’re the most demanding PC games on the market to the present.
When the most recent and capable computer components are made available to the general public as well as the games for the video they make the most of their capabilities. With the top hardware makers striving to release top-quality components for the most affordable price nearly every year and it’s easy to see that the gaming industry is constantly advancing in technology.
The games are not just for a fun experience, but also as a means of making use of the most modern and advanced technology in graphics. If you are who are looking to upgrade your equipment take a look at the suggested requirements of these 15 GPU-demanding games to find ideas.
Updated on November 2 2022 By Charles Burgar: The last few months have been fantastic for PC gaming, with the exception of RTX 4090 owners who had their adapters melt during prolonged usage. Graphically demanding and new hardware games are available in the market for PC gamers to play Some of them include Sony-exclusive games. We’ve updated this list to include new entries and updated all of our previous entries to take into account the release of Nvidia’s RTX 4090 GPU, as well as the latest version of AMD and Intel CPUs.
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
| Minimum | Highly Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 x64 | Windows 10 x64 |
| Processor | Intel i3-6100 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel i5-6600k / AMD Ryzen 5 1400 |
| Memory | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Graphics | Nvidia GTX 960 / AMD RX 470 | Nvidia GTX 1060 / Radeon RX 580 |
| Storage | 125 GB | 125 GB |
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2022)–not to be confused with Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009)–is the most recent version of the Call of Duty series, with numerous new weapon types, game types, and much more. As you’d expect, it’s also the most graphically demanding game to date it requires the use of a GTX 1060 or Ryzen 5 1400 in order to play at 1080p at 60 FPS.
It’s not likely to rock the boat according to modern standards however, the game offers numerous scaling options. The ability to scale up, the resolution of 4K and a myriad of detail-rich assets could make your video card an intense test using the most extreme settings. Ray tracing is missing from the game, but it does come with the NVIDIA Reflex as well as DLSS technologies, along with a wide range of sharpening and scaling options for all computers.
F1(r) 22
| Minimum | Highly Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 x64 | Windows 10 x64 |
| Processor | Intel i3-2130 AMD FX 4300 | Intel i5-9600k / AMD Ryzen 5 2600X |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti AMD RX 470 | Nvidia GTX 1660 / Radeon RX 590 |
| Storage | 80 GB | 80 GB |
F1 2022 is the most realistic Formula 1 racing simulator to present, with a rich Career Mode and detailed graphics. It’s not the prettiest race game available, as our in-depth F1 2022 evaluation revealed–but the real-life renderings of the iconic Formula 1 cars and excellent VR support more than compensate for the difference.
Getting this game up and running doesn’t require a massive system, but requires a GTX 1660 or Intel i5-9600 processor to achieve an acceptable frame rate. The true cost for performance in F1 22 is when playing the game using Ray Tracing, a VR headset, or in 4K resolution. A better PC can make plenty of miles out of F1 22’s visual options, making it a standard benchmarking game for a lot of hardware reviewers.
Halo Infinite
| Minimum | Recommend | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 x64 | Windows 10 x64 |
| Processor | Intel i5-4440 / AMD Ryzen 5 1600 | Intel i7-9700k / AMD Ryzen 7 3700X |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti AMD RX 570 | Nvidia RTX 2070/ Radeon RX 5700XT |
| Storage | 50 GB | 50 GB |
The latest installment of the Halo franchise is an accurate reimagining of the original franchise all the way to its stunning art style. It’s a PC-only version. Halo Infinite requires RTX 2070 and an Intel i7-9700k to achieve recommended settings. Both of these are pretty high requirements in comparison to other PC titles.
The majority of PCs will be capable of playing the multiplayer part in Infinite at 1080p and 60 FPS using these specifications However, players who wish to play single-player or the high-end Forge maps with greater resolutions or at higher frame rates will require a high-end gaming PC and an Xbox Series X.
Horizon Zero Dawn
| Minimum | Recommend | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 x64 | Windows 10 x64 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-2500K/ AMD FX 6300 | Intel Core i7-4770K / Ryzen 5 1500X |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce GTX 780/ AMD Radeon R9 | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (6 GB) / AMD Radeon RX 580 |
| Storage | 100 GB | 100 GB |
The game that was once an exclusive PlayStation exclusive is now making its appearance on PC at the end of 2020. Horizon Zero Dawn blew PlayStation gamers off with its stunning graphics when it first came out however its shaky PC launch drew many gamers to stay away. Since a few years have passed, how does Zero Dawn perform in the present?
It’s in a much better state right now. Enhancements to the game’s shader compilation, and DLSS compatibility, as well as lots of performance enhancements, have created Horizon Zero Dawn a solid PC port that pushes the latest gaming systems to the limit. A GTX 1060 is the recommended GPU to play the game at 1080p. However, anyone who wants a game that runs at 4K or 1440p resolution will require a more powerful GPU. The game’s dynamic scaling implies that mid-range PCs as well as Steam Decks Steam Deck can run the game with respectable frame rates.
Bright Memory Infinite
| Minimum | Recommend | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 x64 | Windows 10 x64 |
| Processor | Intel E3-1230v2/ AMD FX-8350 | Intel i7-4790K / AMD XX-9590 |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | Nvidia GTX 960 | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (6 GB) |
| Storage | 13 GB | 13 GB |
It’s hard for you to come across an FPS game with a better design than Bright Memory Infinite. The rapid-paced FPS game features one of the finest light and particle effects that you will find in any contemporary game. It also has the ability to ray trace when you have a compatible gaming card.
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The game’s requirements for system components aren’t that high compared to other games on this list, however, it does not necessarily mean that Bright Memory: Infinite isn’t a demanding graphic game. If you play this game at higher resolutions and high frame rates will require a high-end GPU and CPU. If you’re planning to the game’s settings to their maximum using RTX enabled it will require an RTX 3080 or higher.
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered
| Minimum | Recommend | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 x64 | Windows 10 x64 |
| Processor | Intel the i3-4160 processor or equivalent AMD | Intel I5-4670, AMD or an equivalent |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | Nvidia GTX 950/ AMD RX 470 | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 (6 GB) / AMD RX 580 |
| Storage | 75 GB | 75 GB |
Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered is now available on your PC, with new graphics and exclusive settings. Features like DLSS and upscaling options, ray tracer, as well as ultrawide compatibility make this the ultimate edition of Insomniac Games’ superhero masterpiece.
Indeed, this edition of Spider-Man is Sony’s most impressive port of an PlayStation game so far. Soaring through New York will take a lot of strain on your computer when it is at high settings, which is was to be expected. GTX 1060 and an Intel i5-4670 is required for playing the game at a high frame rate and those wanting to play in 4K will require an Nvidia 30 or 40 series GPU. If you are sensitive for frame loss, then this game is compatible with Nvidia’s latest DLSS 3.0 frames-generating tech. It’s one of the very few PC games that can benefit from this feature.
RIDE 4
| Minimum | Highly Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 8.1 64 bits | Windows 8.1 64 bit |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-2500K / AMD FX-6350 | Intel Core i7-5820K / AMD Ryzen 5 2600 |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | GeForce GTX 960 or AMD equivalent | GeForce GTX 1060/ Radeon RX 580 |
| Storage | 43 GB | 43 GB |
The racing games usually feature cutting-edge graphics which is why RIDE 4 is no exception. The speed-based gameplay and the latest graphics work to create RIDE 4 among the best realistic games on the market. The majority of PS5 gamers believed RIDE 4 was GoPro footage prior to playing the game.
Naturally the game with this kind of visual appeal requires a powerful computer to function properly. It’s a GTX 1060, or RX 580 is required to play the game at 1080p. However, the game’s visuals shine in 4K. If you’re looking to be fully totally immersed within RIDE 4, you’ll require an RTX 30 series card.
The Ascent
| Minimum(1080p, 30 FPS) | Recommended(1080p, 60 FPS) | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 x64 | Windows 10 x64 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-3470/ AMD FX-8350 | Intel Core i7-6700K / AMD Ryzen 5 2600 |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | GeForce GTX660 / Radeon R9 390X | Nvidia GTX 1070/ Radeon RX 5700 |
| Storage | 35 GB | 35 GB |
Few games display the style of cyberpunk quite like the Ascent The Ascent, an open-world top-down shooter with a co-operative element that has amazing lighting effects and particle effects. Although the game is stunning in its appears, you’ll need an amazing PC to make the most of this title.
The recommended specifications call for GTX 1070 and Ryzen 5 2600. with a goal to provide a 1080p and 60 FPS game experience. Frame drops in busy games are expected with this game, but the issues with stuttering that occurred initially appear to be resolved currently. It’s recommended to have the RTX 20 and 30 series cards, or an AMD-compatible card for more resolution, frame rates and frame rate or to take advantage of The Ascent’s stunning implementation of Ray Tracing. If you’ve had the pleasure of playing The Ascent, the game’s Cyber Heist DLC provides you with a tempting incentive to go back to its intricate cyberpunk setting.
Resident Evil Village
| Minimum(Performance, 1080p, 60 FPS) | Recommended(Quality, 1080p, 60 FPS) | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 x64 | Windows 10 x64 |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-7500 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel Core i7 8700 / AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Nvidia AMD Radeon 560 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070/ AMD Radeon 5700 |
| Storage | 28 GB | 28 GB |
Resident Evil Village is among the most graphically demanding games within the series. You’ll require the GTX 1050 Ti to play the game, even though the minimum specifications call for 1080p resolution and 60 frames per second. If you’re prepared to live with a slower frame rate, you can play the game with an older GPU However, anyone looking to maximize the performance of RE8 requires a top GPU.
The recommended specs are GTX 1070 or more however, you’ll require an RTX card to play this game’s ray tracing feature or increase the resolution. Given how stunning this game’s graphics are sometimes, it’s well worth upgrading.
Control
| Minimum | Recommend | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7 (64-bit) | Windows 10 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-4690/ AMD FX 4350 | Intel Core i5-7600K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600X |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GTX 780/ AMD Radeon R9 280X | NVIDIA GTX 1660/1060 AMD Radeon RX 580 |
| Storage | 42 GB | 42 GB |
Control is among the most GPU-intensive games that has ever been released on PC. The game’s greatest achievement, at most visually–is the implementation of Ray Tracing. Effects on particle and environment are beautiful when RTX is in play, however it comes at a high price, both metaphorically and physically.
It’s necessary to have an RTX 2060 or higher GPU to run Ray Tracing. When you consider how excellent the RTX’s implementation of ray tracing is and how well it performs, it’s definitely enough to warrant the GPU requirement. DLSS is also accessible in the RTX series of cards, boosting performance significantly while ensuring no visual compromises. There is also the option of playing Control without having an RTX card, but that is quite demanding, and requires an GTX 1660 in order to get good frame rates. Whatever way you decide to put Control, Control requires a decent PC and a premium device to shine.
Hitman 3
| Minimum | Highly Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 x64 | Windows 10 x64 |
| Processor | Intel CPU Core I5-2500K 3.3GHz AMD CPU Phenom II X4 940 | Intel Core CPU i7 4790 with 4 GHz |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | Nvidia GeForce GTX 660/ Radeon HD 7870 | Nvidia GPU GeForce GTX 1070 / AMD GPU Radeon RX Vega 56 8GB |
| Storage | 60 GB | 60 GB |
Hitman 3.0 is now an iconic game for Intel’s Alder Lake CPUs, yet it is also an ideal benchmark for current GPUs. It can run with as little as an GTX 660, but Hitman 3 truly shines with an GTX 1070 or more.
Incredibly, Hitman 3 has a VR version which can provide an immersive experience however it comes at the cost of performance. This VR version requires RTX 2060 Super and higher to play, which is the minimum requirement for a GPU to run ray tracing using the regular version of the game. When combined with the various graphics options Hitman 3 offers, this can be a good benchmarking tool for PC gamers.
Shadows of the Tomb Raider
| Minimum | Highly Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7 (64-bit) | Windows 10 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-3220/ AMD Equivalent | Intel Core i7 4770K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600 |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | Nvidia 650TI / AMD 250x | Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB AMD Radeon Pro 480 |
| Storage | 40 GB | 40 GB |
The latest chapter of Lara Croft’s epic story is more visually stunning and full of variety than ever before. The previous game wasn’t a simple task in terms of requirements for the system as well. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is a continuation of the storyline.
Even at low refresh rates even at mediocre refresh rates, you’ll be unable to play the game with any other than a GTX 1060 video card with the brain power of an Intel i7 4770K. Its performance scales quite easily when you push it into higher resolutions, however, you’ll still require twenty or thirty range RTX cards from Nvidia for those who plan to explore tombs with 1440p or 4K. Shadow of the Tomb Raider is often benchmarked because of a reason.
Forza Horizon 5
| Minimum | Recommend | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 10 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel i5-4460 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel i5-8400 / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | Nvidia GTX 970 / AMD RX 470 | Nvidia GTX 1070/ AMD RX 590 |
| Storage | 110 GB | 110 GB |
Forza Horizon 5 is among the most breathtaking games to be released in 2021. Gorgeous lighting, realistic car models, and stunning weather effects create an experience that every fan of racing will appreciate. This also makes for an extremely demanding PC game.
Its suggested GPU recommended for Horizon 5 is GTX 1070. This is an increase from Horizon 4’s GTX 970 recommendation. This is for 1080p resolution with 60 FPS. According to Digital Foundry, if you’re planning to push Horizon 5 into 4K territory it’s best to have the RTX 2080ti or RTX 3070. Also, you’ll need a better CPU such as the R5 3600, which can maintain the 60 FPS that you’re used to during the more intense races in this game.
Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla
| Minimum(Low, 1080p, 30 FPS) | Recommended(High, 1080p, 60 FPS) | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 10 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-4460 / AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel Core i7-6700 / AMD Ryzen 7 1700 |
| Memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Graphics | Nvidia GTX 960/ AMD R9 380 | Nvidia GTX 1080 / AMD Vega 64 |
| Storage | 50 GB | 50 GB SSD |
Ubisoft’s newest Assassin’s Creed game is, without a doubt, the most demanding game in the series. The minimum GPU required for running this game is a GTX 960 and that’s 1080p resolution and 30 FPS at low settings. If you want 60 FPS on higher settings, you’ll require a GTX 1080 or greater. This shouldn’t be an unexpected result given Valhalla’s open-world nature, but when you increase the resolution these demands increase to extremely.
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If you’re looking to enjoy smooth 1440p performance at 60 FPS, with no frame drops, you’ll require an RTX 2080ti or 30 series graphics card, as reported by Digital Foundry. A solid 60 FPS at 4K resolution–mimicking what the PlayStation 5 outputs–is going to require an RTX 3080 or 3090 with a high-end CPU from AMD or Intel. However, you can expect some frame drops during scenes that are a lot of performance.
The Red Dead 2 Redemption
| Minimum | Recommend | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7 – SP1 (64-bit) | Windows 10 (64-bit) |
| Processor | AMD FX-6300 | Intel Core i7-4770K / AMD Ryzen 5 1500X |
| Memory | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Graphics | Nvidia GTX 770/ AMD Radeon R9 280 | Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB AMD Radeon RX480 |
| Storage | 150 GB | 150 GB |
Although it performs well on consoles, Red Dead Redemption 2’s PC port is extremely demanding, even when compared with newer open-world titles. Stuttering and FPS drops are not uncommon with recommended hardware, but changing your settings may aid in reducing this.
The minimum requirements for a computer aren’t something to be laughed at either. For Nvidia users who are using the Nvidia GPU, a GTX 1060 or higher is vital for a smooth experience. AMD gamers should select the Ryzen 5 1300X or greater to enjoy these outcomes. Similar to GTA V, Red Dead Redemption 2 will require a significant amount of RAM with recommended settings suggesting 12GB. If you can meet the specifications, you’ll be able to play the most visually stunning Rockstar game ever with no problems. For those who have RTX 30 series graphics cards Try this game out for an attempt at 1440p to provide your graphics card with a thorough exercise.
Final Fantasy 5/20Final Fantasy
| Minimum(720p, 30 FPS) | Recommended(1080p, 30 FPS) | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7 – SP1 (64-bit) | Windows 10 (64-bit) |
| Processor | AMD FX-6100 | Intel Core i7-3770/ AMD FX-8350 |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | Nvidia GTX 760/1050/AMD Radeon R9 280 | Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB Radeon RX 480 |
| Storage | 100 GB | 100 GB |
In 2018, we finally got to experience Final Fantasy XV on our monitors for desktops. But the port comes with a cost: With the settings set to maximum, FFXV is one of the most graphically challenging games you can get. The advanced physics and the rich textures can make modern GPUs sweat.
We’re still puzzled by the 155GB of available space to play the game in 4K and that’s correct you’ll require 155GB of storage space in order to play this game on the highest setting. Even so, we’re not able to assure 60 FPS even with something smaller than an RTX card and 16GB of RAM. The GTX 1060 (6GB) is the recommended card in this video game however this recommendation is for 1080p resolution and 30 FPS. For the majority of PC gamers, that’s not acceptable. Run this game at 60 FPS requires a high-end GPU. If you want to play FFXIV at 4K or 1440p, you’ll require an RTX 30-series RTX card, or possibly 4090.
Metro Exodus
| Minimum | Highly Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7 (64-bit) | Windows 10 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-4440 or AMD equivalent | Intel Core i7-4770k or AMD equivalent |
| Memory | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Graphics | Nvidia GTX 670/1050 AMD Radeon HD 7870 | Nvidia GTX 1070/ RTX 2060/AMD RX VEGA 56 |
| Storage | 59 GB | 59 GB |
Metro Exodus Metro Exodus features the well-known real-time ray tracing technology that allows you to fully utilize the power of Nvidia’s graphics card line-up. If you plan on playing the game with low settings could face problems, since the game provides only some tweaks that could boost performance for systems with lower quality.
Benchmarks made by PC Gamer at most settings show an average of fewer than 60 FPS with anything less than a GTX 1070. The ability to crank everything to its maximum is likely to require an RTX GPU that is 2060 or more. It’s not the fastest FPS available however Metro certainly rewards powerful computers with stunning visual quality and a compelling story.
Dying Light 2
| Minimum | Highly Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7 | Windows 10 |
| Processor | Intel Core i3-9100 / AMD Ryzen 3 2300X | Intel i5-8600K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600X |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | NVIDIA(r) GeForce GTX 1050 Ti / AMD Radeon 560 | NVIDIA(r) GeForce RTX 2060 / AMD RX Vega 56 |
| Storage | 60 GB | 60 GB |
Drop-kicking across rooftops and jumping zombies has never been so amazing. Dying Light 2 is among the latest releases on this list and the specs recommended are absolutely terrifying. An RTX 2060 is required to run this game at 1080p at 60 FPS. However, don’t expect to play this game on ultra or high settings using 2060.
While it is amazing how Dying Light 2 looks, it’s one of the most demanding PC games available. In order to run the game efficiently on a 2060 monitor is a matter of playing using a mixture of high and medium settings, as shown by Digital Foundry’s examination of Dying Light 2’s performance on PC. If you’re planning to play the game at 1440p with ultra settings, then you’ll need top-of-the-line hardware.
Far Cry 6
| Minimum(30 FPS) | Recommended(60 FPS) | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 10 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-4460K / AMD Ryzen 3 1200 | Intel Core i7-7700K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600X |
| Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| Graphics | Nvidia GTX 960 / AMD RX 460 | Nvidia GTX 1080 / AMD RX Vega 64 |
| Storage | 60 GB | 60 GB |
Far Cry 6 is the most challenging Far Cry title yet, it requires the use of a GTX 1080 or Ryzen 5 3600X to achieve 60 FPS in 1080p resolution. If you’d like to play the game in 4K resolution, you’re likely to require 16 GB of VRAM which means you’ll require an RTX 3090 or greater to play the game in 4K. Additionally, you’ll require a powerful CPU to take the sport to greater resolutions, or the goal FPS of 120 or more.
Cyberpunk 2077
| Minimum | Recommend | |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 7 (64-bit) | Windows 10 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-3570K / AMD FX-8310 | Intel Core i7-4790 / AMD Ryzen 3 |
| Memory | 8 GB | 12 GB |
| Graphics | Nvidia GTX 780 / AMD Radeon RX 470 | Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB / GTX 1660 Super / Radeon RX 590 |
| Storage | 70 GB | 70 GB |
You’ll need an extremely powerful computer in order to play Cyberpunk’s Night City. The game eats up the memory of your system and requires at minimum a GTX 780 and 8GB of RAM in order to play at the minimum setting. If you’re looking to showcase the splendor of Cyberpunk’s futuristic setting You’ll require a minimum of the GTX 1060 (6GB version) and 12GB of RAM.
Even with these specifications, Cyberpunk will struggle to keep a steady framerate, at times. If you’re planning to play this game on maximum settings at the 4K resolution, then you’ll require a powerful PC that’s in a literal sense, since just those with the RTX 4090 as well as a high-end processor can play Cyberpunk at these levels regularly. It’s good to know that Cyberpunk offers quite a several settings that you can adjust to boost the performance. Digital Foundry has an excellent guide on how to enhance the game’s performance while having a little visual impact.