The popular perspective with Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is that the boss battles are extremely hard. On its own, the game is not the easiest to get through and the latest DLC takes things to the next level. While the game is pretty forgiving for most gaming setups, the difficulty level goes up if the visuals are not the best and if the frame rate is not consistent. Being a single-player campaign, you don’t need to hit a high frame rate, so it would make more sense to target a higher resolution like 1440p or even 4K. For that, you will need a decent GPU that can power through long gaming sessions without slowing down.
Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree is the largest expansion for the game yet, and it brings a lot of new content, including a new map with 70 new weapons, 30 new armor sets, new skills, magic, and more. The game, at the time of writing, has received “Mixed” reviews because of how hard it is and fans have called for balancing updates. With that said, Elden Ring was the 2022 Game of the Year, and the expansion adds tons more content to the beloved game.
Elden Ring on PC is locked at 60 FPS, so whichever GPU you get, a consistent 60 FPS is what you should be targeting. However, with mods, you can play offline at an unlocked FPS.
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The following are the minimum and recommended requirements for the game, straight from the developers:
Minimum Requirements:
OS: Windows 10
Processor: Intel Core I5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 3 3300X
Memory: 12 GB RAM
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 3 GB or AMD Radeon RX 580 4 GB
DirectX: Version 12
Storage: 60 GB available space
Recommended Requirements:
OS: Windows 10/11
Processor: Intel Core I7-8700K or AMD Ryzen 5 3600X
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB or AMD Radeon RX VEGA 56 8 GB
DirectX: Version 12
Storage: 60 GB available space
Here are the Best GPUs to Play Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4070 Super OC
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4070 Super OC brings about 20% improvement over the non-Super edition for a slightly higher price and comes in a dual axial-tech fan design with factory-overclocked. Boasting a clock speed of 2550MHz in the OC mode, it provides a slight advantage to the Founders Edition along with a better cooling solution.
- Brand
- Asus
- Cooling Method
- Dual fan air cooling
- GPU Speed
- 2520MHz
- Interface
- PCI-E 4.0
- Memory
- 12GB GDDRX6
- Power
- 220W
- Boost Speed
- 2550MHz(OC)
- CUDA Cores
- 7168
- 0dB technology
- Compact dual-fan GPU with 2.5 slot design
- Put through 144-hour validation program
- On the pricey side
- No RGB lighting
The ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4070 Super EVO OC Edition is the best overall GPU for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree because of how well it handles ray tracing. You can pretty much max out the settings and turn the ray tracing to the maximum at 1440p without losing too many frames. This means 50-60 FPS even in the most graphically intensive areas and a constant 60 FPS in others.
Ray tracing takes a toll on the GPU, and Nvidia GPUs tend to respond better than AMD offerings.
The ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER EVO OC Edition comes with 12GB GDDR6X VRAM, a 2520 MHz boost clock in its default mode, and a 2550 MHz boost clock in its OC mode. You get HDMI 2.1a and DisplayPort 1.4a ports for connectivity. The GPU is powered by a single 16-pin connector and, despite its beefy cooling system, it takes only 2.5 slots.
To keep it cool under load, the GPU has two Axial-tech fans, as the name suggests, that have larger blades thanks to the smaller hubs which improve the downward air pressure, essentially pushing more air through the heatsink. There is also a metal backplate that adds structural rigidity. With a focus on performance, ASUS has kept this GPU RGB free, but it supports all the latest Nvidia technologies.
GIGABYTE AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE
The GIGABYTE Radeon RX 7900 GRE is a top-tier AMD GPU that delivers incredible performance close to the RX 7900 XT but at a lower price. It has a boost frequency of 2391 MHz, packs 16 GB of GDDR6 VRAM, and a total board power (TBP) of 260W. It also supports the latest AMD technologies for an even better gaming experience.
- Brand
- GIGABYTE
- Cooling Method
- Triple-fan
- GPU Speed
- 2391 MHz
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0
- Memory
- 16 GB GDDR6
- Power
- 260W
- Stream Processors
- 5120
- WINDFORCE triple-fan cooling system
- Dual-bios
- Power indicators
- Not the best Ray Tracing support
Ray Tracing and how badly it hammers AMD GPUs in Elden Ring is why you may need to invest in a Radeon RX 7900 GRE rather than the perfectly capable and better-value RX 7800 XT. For 1440p gaming, the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 7900 GRE GAMING OC 16G will help you stay in the 50-60 FPS range, but you may have to make some compromises with ray tracing. Rather than leaving it at maximum, you may need to find the ideal Ray Tracing setting.
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You can choose to play without Ray Tracing and get a locked 60 FPS experience in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree with the Radeon RX 7900 GRE or even the cheaper Radeon RX 7800 XT. But the game looks especially good with Ray Tracing turned on.
With the GIGABYTE card, you get 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM, 2052 MHz base clock speed and up to 2391 MHz boost speeds. The cooling is handled by the company’s WINDFORCE cooling system, which includes three 90mm fans with the central fan spinning in the opposite direction, seven composite copper heatpipes, and a copper plate. There is also a dual-BIOS on this card, and it comes with OC mode enabled out of the box. You can switch to Silent mode for quieter operation.
You will need two 8-pin connectors to power this GPU and there are power indicator lights above the connectors which indicate if there is any abnormality in the power delivery from the PSU.
MSI GeForce RTX 4060 VENTUS 2X BLACK 8G OC
The MSI GeForce RTX 4060 VENTUS 2X BLACK 8G OC is an excellent GPU offering as far as RTX 4060 offerings go. It offers an excellent, balanced take on Nvidia's entry-level Ada Lovelace-based RTX 4000 series, offering low power consumption, a compact design, and a single 8-pin power connector to handle its power needs, making it a silent performer that delivers on its promise.
- Brand
- MSI
- Cooling Method
- Dual Fan Air-Cooled
- GPU Speed
- 1830Mhz
- Slot Size
- 2
- Interface
- PCI-Express 4.0
- Memory
- 8GB GDDR6
- Power
- 115 W
- Boost Speed
- MSI Center Clocks: 2505 MHz, Boost Clocks: 2490 MHz
- CUDA Cores
- 3072 Cores
- Compact form factor
- Unique fan design for better airflow
- "Zero Frozr" mode for silent operation
- No RGB lighting
At the budget price point, some compromises will have to be made in terms of the resolution or Ray Tracing. If you wish to keep Ray Tracing on and at medium to high, you will need to scale back to 1080p, but without Ray Tracing, you can get a solid 60 FPS experience at even 1440p. With some settings turned down, 4K gaming may also be a possibility, but expect some frame drops and stutters here and there.
The MSI GeForce RTX 4060 VENTUS 2X BLACK 8G OC comes with 8GB of GDDR6 RAM and significantly higher than reference clock speeds. It can boost up to 2490 MHz and, using the MSI Center software, you can put it in Extreme Performance mode, where it can reach 2505 MHz. You only need a single 8-pin connector, and it is recommended to use with a 550W PSU. You also have some overclocking headroom, but you may need a higher-wattage PSU.
There are two fans to handle cooling and the TORX FAN 4.0 fans have pairs of blades bound together for more focused airflow. The Zero Frozr mode allows for silent operation till it reaches a certain load. There is also a backplate for extra rigidity and also aesthetics. There is no RGB lighting here, so keep that in mind before making the purchase. The MSI GeForce RTX 4060 VENTUS 2X BLACK 8G OC is a compact GPU, and it should fit in most small PC cases.
ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4080 SUPER OC
The ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4080 SUPER OC is an excellent aftermarket take on the RTX 4080 SUPER, offering a higher boost clock than the stock option even as it clocks in an additional $100 on MSRP. It offers excellent reliability, power delivery, and one of the best aftermarket coolers one can get for Nvidia's higher-end RTX 4000 series GPUs.
- Brand
- ASUS
- Cooling Method
- Tri-Fan Air-Cooled
- Interface
- PCI Express 4.0
- Memory
- 16GB GDDR6X 256-Bit
- Power
- 320W TDP
- Boost Speed
- 2610 MHz / 2640 MHz (OC)
- CUDA Cores
- 10240
- Solid build quality
- Efficient triple-fan cooling system
- Graphics card holder included for support
- Expensive!
With the RTX 4090 GPU offering insane performance but at the cost of an entire gaming PC, the RTX 4080 Super stands as an excellent gaming GPU because of its large VRAM, CUDA cores, and its support for the latest Nvidia technologies. The ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER OC Edition is among the cheapest RTX 4080 Super offerings though, for just over $1000, it is in no way a budget-friendly offering, but it has the performance to back up its high price tag.
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The ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER OC Edition comes with 16GB GDDR6X VRAM, 10,240 CUDA cores, a triple-fan cooler, and runs at 2610 MHz and in its OC mode. The GPU can boost up to 2640 MHz, which is quite a bit higher than the reference model. You also get two HDMI 2.1a ports and three DisplayPort 1.4a ports for connectivity. With Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, this results in a seamless and high fidelity 1440p gaming experience with Ray Tracing and solid 4K performance with Ray Tracing toned down.
Cooling is handled by a triple-fan cooler with three Axial fans, two of which spin in the same direction but the central fan spins in the opposite direction. ASUS uses its automated Auto-Extreme Technology for manufacturing, which ensures reliability and consistency. It also has a rugged build with a metal exoskeleton and military-grade capacitors.
MSI GeForce RTX 4060 Ti VENTUS 3X 8G OC
The MSI GeForce RTX 4060 Ti VENTUS 3X 8G OC features 4352 CUDA cores and comes with 8GB GDDR6 VRAM. The GPU can reach 2565 MHz boost clock speeds and up to 2580 MHz in Extreme Performance mode. There is a triple fan cooler with Zero Frozr operation which means silent performance under certain loads.
- Brand
- MSI
- Cooling Method
- TORX FAN 4.0
- Interface
- PCIe 4.0
- Boost Speed
- 2565 MHz
- CUDA Cores
- 4352
- Power Draw
- 160W
- VRAM (MEMORY)
- 8GB GDDR6
- Required System Power
- 550W
- Great 1440p performance
- Triple fan cooler
- No RGB lighting
At the mid-range, you can’t go wrong with either the RTX 4060 Ti or the Radeon RX 7700 XT, but the Nvidia offering takes the cake because of its Ray Tracing support. At 1440p, you can expect a solid 60 FPS gaming experience with Ray Tracing turned off in Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, and even at 4K, you may be able to get a consistent gaming experience by turning some settings down. But at 1080p, you can go all out with the visual settings and Ray Tracing.
The MSI GeForce RTX 4060 Ti VENTUS 3X 8G OC has a boost clock speed of 2565 MHz, but it can go even higher in Extreme Performance mode and reach 2580 MHz. It comes with 8GB GDDR6 VRAM, but there is also a 16GB version of the RTX 4060 Ti that costs a lot more, but that doesn’t reflect in its performance. The extra VRAM may help you at higher resolutions, speaking of which, the Radeon RX 7700 XT also has more VRAM at 12GB.
As the name suggests, there is a triple fan cooler that uses TORX FAN 4.0 fans that have pairs of blades bound together for better airflow. There is no RGB lighting here either, and it requires a single 8-pin connector and uses 160W of power under load. You should be able to squeeze a bit more performance with some strategic overclocking, but make sure you have the wattage headroom.
MSI Gaming X Trio RTX 4090 24G
The MSI Gaming X Trio RTX 4090 24G is a powerful, well-designed mid-range SKU of Nvidia's fastest RTX 4000 series lineup to date. It leverages Nvidia's newer Torx 5.0 fans as part of its overhauled Tri Frozr 3 design that keeps temperatures low even as it offers a quieter experience than many of its peers.
It offers a dedicated switch for the onboard dual BIOS mode as well as a dedicated anti-sag holder for users looking to complement its metal backplate's support for the significantly larger GPU.
- Brand
- MSI
- Slot size
- 4
- Architecture
- Ada Lovelace
- Process
- 5 nm
- Transistors
- 76.3 billion
- Base Clock Speed
- 2235 MHz
- Boost Clock Speed
- 2610 MHz (MSI Center), 2595 MHz (Gaming & Silent)
- Memory Capacity
- 246GB GDDR6X
- Memory Bus
- 384 bit
- Memory Bandwidth
- 1,008 GB/s
- Power Draw
- 450 W
- Cooling
- Tri-Fan Air Cooled
- Incredible performance even at 4K
- 24GB GDDR6X VRAM
- Dual-bios
- Expensive
- Quite power-hungry
Gaming at 4K is not as straightforward as gaming at other lower resolutions. It takes a toll on the GPU and the CPU, and the RTX 4090 is the only single GPU that can take on this task. The MSI GeForce RTX 4090 GAMING X TRIO 24G comes with 24GB of GDDR6X VRAM, which is more than enough for any kind of game at 4K. You get boost clock speeds of up to 2595 MHz and there is an Extreme Performance mode that pushes the card to 2610 MHz.
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The MSI GeForce RTX 4090 GAMING X TRIO 24G uses the TRI FROZR 3 thermal design that includes three TORX FAN 5.0 fans which have ring arcs that essentially drive focused airflow into the heatsink. There are copper heatpipes and a precision-crafted core pipe that makes proper contact with the GPU. The Zero Frozr operation means the fans will only turn on under a certain load.
What’s interesting is that even at this price point, the GPU does not have DisplayPort 2.1 ports and sticks with three 1.4a ports instead. It is also a power-hungry graphics card that can consume 450W through a single 16-pin connector. You should have at least an 800W PSU with the MSI GeForce RTX 4090 GAMING X TRIO 24G, which should give you some overclocking headroom as well, of course, depending on the CPU and other components.
How to Find the Best GPU for Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree
Brand: Nvidia, AMD, and Intel are the three GPU manufacturers, and brands like ASUS, GIGABYTE, MSI, PNY, and others make their versions of graphics cards that are based on the GPUs from Nvidia, AMD, and Intel. Nvidia GPUs typically perform better with Ray Tracing than AMD or Intel GPUs, but it depends on how the game has been optimized as well.
Resolution and FPS: You can play games at a variety of different resolutions, but the most popular are 1080p and 1440p. If you are targeting 1080p gaming, a budget-friendly offering like the Radeon 7700 XT or the RTX 4060 should suffice, but for higher resolutions, an RTX 4070 and above would be ideal. For native 4K gaming, you will have to invest in the RTX 4080 Super, the RTX 4090, or the Radeon RX 7900 XT/XTX.
Budget: With so many GPUs to choose from, there is something for everyone. AMD has great GPU offerings starting as low as $250. Of course, the lower the price point, the more performance compromises you will have to make. The budget-friendly options would require you to turn down some visual settings and play at a lower resolution as compared to the more premium offerings.
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FAQ
Q: What GPU is recommended for Elden Ring?
FromSoftware, the developer of Elden Ring, recommends at least an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB or AMD RADEON RX VEGA 56 8 GB but those are fairly conservative recommendations. Depending on the resolution you are targeting, going with something more powerful and from a newer generation will make more sense.
Q: Is Elden Ring CPU or GPU heavy?
Elden Ring has proven to be relatively more CPU-heavy than GPU-heavy, but that doesn’t mean you should not invest the right amount of time in researching the best GPU for the game.
