Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Some links may earn us a commission at no cost to you.
Best GPU for Assassin's Creed Shadows (2026): 5 Picks
Picking the best GPU for Assassin's Creed Shadows starts with a surprise: in this game AMD's RX 9070 XT keeps pace with an RTX 5080. At native resolution the game rewards raw GPU speed, and the ray tracing mode you pick decides how much of that speed you need.
The five picks below are sorted by that choice, from 1080p with ray tracing kept to the hideout up to 4K with Extended ray tracing on. Each one comes with TechPowerUp's measured frame rates, not estimates.
Our top pick: Sapphire Pulse RX 9070 XT
The Sapphire Pulse RX 9070 XT ran Assassin's Creed Shadows at 68 FPS at 1440p Ultra in TechPowerUp's testing, level with the RTX 5080 and about 18% ahead of the RTX 5070 Ti.
Quick picks
Pick | GPU | What it targets | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall | 1440p Ultra at native resolution | ||
Best Value | 1440p High to Ultra with FSR Quality | ||
Best Premium | 4K Ultra with Extended ray tracing | ||
Best Budget | 1080p High with DLSS Quality | ||
Editor's Pick | 1440p Extended ray tracing with DLSS |
Best Overall
- GPU
- What it targets
1440p Ultra at native resolution
- Buy
Best Value
- GPU
- What it targets
1440p High to Ultra with FSR Quality
- Buy
Best Premium
- GPU
- What it targets
4K Ultra with Extended ray tracing
- Buy
Best Budget
- GPU
- What it targets
1080p High with DLSS Quality
- Buy
Editor's Pick
- GPU
- What it targets
1440p Extended ray tracing with DLSS
- Buy
Specs at a glance
GPU | VRAM | 1440p Ultra, native | Ray tracing mode it suits | Board power |
|---|---|---|---|---|
16 GB GDDR6 | 68 FPS | Selective or Standard at 1440p | 304 W class | |
16 GB GDDR6 | 57 FPS | Standard at 1440p with FSR | 220 W class | |
32 GB GDDR7 | 94 FPS | Extended at 4K with DLSS | 575 W class | |
16 GB GDDR7 | Not measured | Selective at 1080p with DLSS | 180 W class | |
16 GB GDDR7 | 58 FPS | Extended at 1440p with DLSS | 300 W class |
- VRAM
16 GB GDDR6
- 1440p Ultra, native
68 FPS
- Ray tracing mode it suits
Selective or Standard at 1440p
- Board power
304 W class
- VRAM
16 GB GDDR6
- 1440p Ultra, native
57 FPS
- Ray tracing mode it suits
Standard at 1440p with FSR
- Board power
220 W class
- VRAM
32 GB GDDR7
- 1440p Ultra, native
94 FPS
- Ray tracing mode it suits
Extended at 4K with DLSS
- Board power
575 W class
- VRAM
16 GB GDDR7
- 1440p Ultra, native
Not measured
- Ray tracing mode it suits
Selective at 1080p with DLSS
- Board power
180 W class
- VRAM
16 GB GDDR7
- 1440p Ultra, native
58 FPS
- Ray tracing mode it suits
Extended at 1440p with DLSS
- Board power
300 W class
Benchmarks
All figures below are TechPowerUp's measured averages from its Assassin's Creed Shadows performance review, at the highest (Ultra) test settings and native resolution on a Ryzen 7 9800X3D test bench. The RTX 5060 Ti launched after that review, so it has no row here; its section explains where it lands.
At 1080p the RX 9070 XT matches the RTX 5080 (80.2 FPS in the same test).
- 80.1 FPS
- 66.7 FPS
- 108.5 FPS
- 69 FPS
Only the RTX 5090 and the RX 9070 XT clear 60 FPS at native 1440p Ultra among these picks.
- 68 FPS
- 57.4 FPS
- 94.2 FPS
- 57.7 FPS
The RTX 5090 is the only card in TechPowerUp's test above 60 FPS at native 4K.
- 50.6 FPS
- 41.5 FPS
- 69.3 FPS
- 40.9 FPS
Same chip, double the memory, no measurable gain at these settings.
- 32.9 FPS
- 32.1 FPS
That last chart is the VRAM story for this game. The 8 GB and 16 GB versions of the same card measured within a frame of each other at 1440p and tied at 21 FPS at 4K. Here the GPU core runs out before the memory does.
How we picked GPUs for Assassin's Creed Shadows
Ubisoft splits its PC spec sheet by ray tracing mode, and that ladder is the axis of this list. Selective ray tracing uses ray tracing only in your hideout. Standard adds ray-traced global illumination everywhere, and Extended adds ray-traced reflections on top. For Selective at 1080p and 60 FPS on High, Ubisoft asks for an RTX 3060 Ti or RX 6700 XT. Standard at 1440p and 60 FPS on High asks for an RTX 4070 Super or RX 7800 XT. Extended at 1440p Ultra lists an RTX 4080, and Extended at 4K Ultra an RTX 4090, with no AMD or Intel card named for either. Every tier on that sheet assumes dynamic resolution and upscaling.
The measured numbers then sort the cards inside each tier. In TechPowerUp's testing the RX 9070 XT (68 FPS at 1440p) sits beside the RTX 5080 (67.2) and the RTX 4080 (64.5), while the RTX 5070 Ti (57.7) lands with the plain RX 9070 (57.4). The RTX 4070 Super that Ubisoft names for Standard ray tracing at 1440p measured 46.7, which tells you how much work upscaling does in the official targets. Our GPU and monitor buying framework covers how to match that to your screen.
VRAM matters less than in most 2026 releases. The 8 GB and 16 GB RTX 4060 Ti measured the same in TechPowerUp's run. We still list 16 GB cards in every slot above the budget tier, since 16 GB keeps a card useful for heavier games, as our verdict on whether 16GB of VRAM is enough in 2026 explains.
On upscaling, the game ships with DLSS 3.7, FSR 3.1 and XeSS 2, each with frame generation. DSOGaming found DLSS 4 is not in the in-game menu and has to be switched on through the NVIDIA App override. Frame generation at 2x looked clean in its testing; 3x and 4x showed artifacts around Naoe and Yasuke when the camera moved. For the wider Radeon versus GeForce picture, see our Nvidia vs AMD ray tracing verdict.
Best Overall: Sapphire Pulse RX 9070 XT
Specs
Chip | RX 9070 XT (RDNA 4 Navi 48) |
VRAM | 16 GB GDDR6 |
Memory bus | 256-bit |
Board power | 304 W class |
Outputs | 2x HDMI, 2x DisplayPort |
Model number | 11348-03-20G |
Upscaling in this game | FSR 3.1 upscaling and frame generation |
Chip
RX 9070 XT (RDNA 4 Navi 48)
VRAM
16 GB GDDR6
Memory bus
256-bit
Board power
304 W class
Outputs
2x HDMI, 2x DisplayPort
Model number
11348-03-20G
Upscaling in this game
FSR 3.1 upscaling and frame generation
What it does well
The Sapphire Pulse RX 9070 XT is the card this game favors. TechPowerUp measured the RX 9070 XT at 80.1 FPS at 1080p Ultra and 68 FPS at 1440p, against 80.2 and 67.2 for the RTX 5080. It beats the RTX 5070 Ti by about 18% at 1440p and the RTX 4080 that Ubisoft names for Extended ray tracing at 1440p.
That makes it the cheapest card on this list that holds 60 FPS at native 1440p Ultra without leaning on FSR. The 16 GB of GDDR6 on a 256-bit bus gives it room for the top texture settings.
The Pulse is Sapphire's plain, no-frills board for this chip. Look for model number 11348-03-20G on the listing.
What you give up
Extended ray tracing is where the advantage narrows. Ubisoft's spec sheet lists only Nvidia cards for its Extended tiers, and the DLSS 4 override is an Nvidia-only extra. Expect to run Standard ray tracing on this card, with FSR 3.1 Quality if you want reflections on as well.
Native 4K is a stretch at 50.6 FPS. Plan on FSR Quality or Balanced at 4K. The non-XT Pulse RX 9070 (11349-03-20G) is listed separately under a near-identical name, so check the model number before you order.
Who it's for
The 1440p player on a 100 to 144 Hz monitor who wants native resolution and Standard ray tracing without paying RTX 5080 money. Pair it with a current six- or eight-core CPU and a power supply in the 750 W range.
Best Value: ASRock RX 9070 Challenger OC
Specs
Chip | RX 9070 (RDNA 4 Navi 48) |
VRAM | 16 GB GDDR6 |
Memory bus | 256-bit |
Boost clock | 2,520 MHz |
Board power | 220 W class |
Cooler | Triple fan, 0 dB idle mode |
Upscaling in this game | FSR 3.1 upscaling and frame generation |
Chip
RX 9070 (RDNA 4 Navi 48)
VRAM
16 GB GDDR6
Memory bus
256-bit
Boost clock
2,520 MHz
Board power
220 W class
Cooler
Triple fan, 0 dB idle mode
Upscaling in this game
FSR 3.1 upscaling and frame generation
What it does well
The ASRock RX 9070 Challenger OC gives you RTX 5070 Ti speed in this game from a cheaper, cooler card. TechPowerUp measured the RX 9070 at 66.7, 57.4 and 41.5 FPS at 1080p, 1440p and 4K, against 69, 57.7 and 40.9 for the RTX 5070 Ti.
It keeps the full 16 GB of GDDR6 on a 256-bit bus that the XT gets, in a 220 W class board. The triple-fan Challenger cooler stops its fans at idle, and the card fits a mid-tower on a 650 W class power supply.
What you give up
It trails the RX 9070 XT by about 15% at 1440p (57.4 against 68 FPS), so native 1440p Ultra sits just under 60. Drop to High or turn on FSR 3.1 Quality to hold 60 with Standard ray tracing on.
Like the XT, it has no DLSS, and AMD cards are not named on Ubisoft's Extended ray tracing tiers. Several RX 9070 XT boards share the Challenger name, so make sure the listing says RX 9070 Challenger, not XT.
Who it's for
The 1440p player on a 60 to 100 Hz screen, or a 1080p high refresh player, who wants Standard ray tracing and a quieter, lower power build.
Best Premium: MSI Gaming Trio RTX 5090 OC
Specs
Chip | RTX 5090 (Blackwell GB202) |
VRAM | 32 GB GDDR7 |
Memory bus | 512-bit |
Boost clock | 2,497 MHz |
Board power | 575 W class |
Outputs | 3x DisplayPort 2.1a, HDMI 2.1b |
Upscaling in this game | DLSS upscaling and frame generation, DLSS 4 via NVIDIA App |
Chip
RTX 5090 (Blackwell GB202)
VRAM
32 GB GDDR7
Memory bus
512-bit
Boost clock
2,497 MHz
Board power
575 W class
Outputs
3x DisplayPort 2.1a, HDMI 2.1b
Upscaling in this game
DLSS upscaling and frame generation, DLSS 4 via NVIDIA App
What it does well
The MSI Gaming Trio RTX 5090 OC is the only card that runs this game above 60 FPS at native 4K. TechPowerUp measured the RTX 5090 at 69.3 FPS at 4K Ultra and 94.2 at 1440p, ahead of the RTX 4090 (58.5 at 4K) that Ubisoft names for Extended ray tracing at 4K.
With Extended ray tracing on, DSOGaming measured about 60 FPS at 4K Ultra High using DLSS 4 Quality, and over 100 FPS with 2x frame generation. That is the way to play Shadows with every lighting feature on, on a 4K 120 Hz or faster panel.
The 32 GB of GDDR7 on a 512-bit bus takes memory out of the equation for good.
What you give up
It asks the most of the rest of the build. The board draws in the 575 W class, needs a strong power supply with a native 12V-2x6 cable, and the Gaming Trio cooler is long. Measure your case first.
Frame generation past 2x is not a free win here. DSOGaming reported visible artifacts around the two main characters at 3x and 4x. Below 4K, the card is far more GPU than the game needs.
Who it's for
The 4K 120 Hz buyer who wants Extended ray tracing on, with a case, cooling and power supply ready for a 575 W card.
Best Budget: MSI Ventus 2X RTX 5060 Ti OC (16 GB)
Specs
Chip | RTX 5060 Ti (Blackwell GB206) |
VRAM | 16 GB GDDR7, 28 Gbps |
Memory bus | 128-bit |
Board power | 180 W class |
Cooler | Dual fan (2x STORMFORCE) |
Outputs | HDMI 2.1b, DisplayPort 2.1b |
Upscaling in this game | DLSS upscaling and frame generation |
Chip
RTX 5060 Ti (Blackwell GB206)
VRAM
16 GB GDDR7, 28 Gbps
Memory bus
128-bit
Board power
180 W class
Cooler
Dual fan (2x STORMFORCE)
Outputs
HDMI 2.1b, DisplayPort 2.1b
Upscaling in this game
DLSS upscaling and frame generation
What it does well
The MSI Ventus 2X RTX 5060 Ti OC is the entry ticket for 1080p at 60 FPS on High. Ubisoft names an RTX 3060 Ti for that target with Selective ray tracing, and the RTX 5060 Ti is a newer, faster card than the one on the sheet.
It brings DLSS and frame generation to the budget tier, which matters in a game whose official targets all assume upscaling. The 180 W class draw and compact dual-fan cooler fit small cases and modest power supplies.
What you give up
We have no settings-matched measurement for this card in Shadows. TechPowerUp's review predates it, and its predecessor, the RTX 4060 Ti 16 GB, measured 41.4 FPS at native 1080p Ultra. Native Ultra is not this tier's job. Run High with DLSS Quality and keep ray tracing on Selective.
The 128-bit bus limits it at 1440p. In this game the 8 GB version of the older 4060 Ti matched its 16 GB twin, so VRAM is not what holds this tier back, but we still pick the 16 GB card for the heavier games you will play next.
Who it's for
The 1080p 60 to 100 Hz player on a tight budget who wants DLSS and a card that will not need replacing for the next big release.
Editor's Pick: ASUS TUF RTX 5070 Ti OC
Specs
Chip | RTX 5070 Ti (Blackwell GB203) |
VRAM | 16 GB GDDR7 |
Memory bus | 256-bit |
Board power | 300 W class |
Slot width | 3.125 slots |
Outputs | HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1 |
Upscaling in this game | DLSS upscaling and frame generation, DLSS 4 via NVIDIA App |
Chip
RTX 5070 Ti (Blackwell GB203)
VRAM
16 GB GDDR7
Memory bus
256-bit
Board power
300 W class
Slot width
3.125 slots
Outputs
HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1
Upscaling in this game
DLSS upscaling and frame generation, DLSS 4 via NVIDIA App
What it does well
The ASUS TUF RTX 5070 Ti OC is our pick for Extended ray tracing at 1440p. TechPowerUp measured the RTX 5070 Ti at 57.7 FPS at 1440p Ultra native, well clear of the RTX 4070 Super (46.7) that Ubisoft names for Standard ray tracing at 1440p and 60 FPS.
Nvidia is the only brand on Ubisoft's Extended tiers, and this is the least expensive card here within reach of the RTX 4080 that Ubisoft lists for Extended at 1440p: 57.7 against 64.5 FPS native, a gap DLSS closes. DLSS 4 through the NVIDIA App override and 2x frame generation add headroom for reflections on a high refresh screen.
What you give up
At native resolution it is slower than the RX 9070 XT in this game: 57.7 against 68 FPS at 1440p, and 40.9 against 50.6 at 4K. If you never plan to touch Extended ray tracing, the Sapphire card is the better buy.
The TUF board is 3.125 slots thick, so check case clearance. A white OC Edition listing sits next to this black one at a different price, so confirm the variant before you order.
Who it's for
The 1440p 144 Hz player who wants ray-traced reflections on and is happy to let DLSS do part of the work.
Bottom line
If you play at 1440p and want native resolution, buy the Sapphire Pulse RX 9070 XT. If you want close to RTX 5070 Ti speed for less power, buy the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger OC. If you want Extended ray tracing at 1440p, buy the ASUS TUF RTX 5070 Ti OC and turn on DLSS. If you play at 4K with every ray tracing feature on, buy the MSI Gaming Trio RTX 5090 OC. If you are on a 1080p budget, buy the 16 GB MSI Ventus 2X RTX 5060 Ti and run High with DLSS Quality.
For more picks by resolution, see our best GPUs for 1440p gaming and best GPUs for 4K gaming.
FAQ
What GPU do you need for Assassin's Creed Shadows?
For 1440p at native resolution, an RX 9070 XT is the pick: it measured 68 FPS at 1440p Ultra in TechPowerUp's testing, level with the RTX 5080. For 1080p at 60 FPS on High, Ubisoft names an RTX 3060 Ti or RX 6700 XT, and an RTX 5060 Ti 16 GB with DLSS covers that tier today. For 4K, only the RTX 5090 measured above 60 FPS at native Ultra. Ubisoft's minimum is a GTX 1070 or RX 5700 for 1080p at 30 FPS on Low.
Is 8GB of VRAM enough for Assassin's Creed Shadows?
For this game, mostly yes. In TechPowerUp's testing the RTX 4060 Ti 8 GB ran 32.9 FPS at 1440p Ultra and its 16 GB twin ran 32.1, and both tied at 21 FPS at 4K. Ubisoft's own 1080p 60 FPS recommendation is the 8 GB RTX 3060 Ti. The limit at these settings is GPU speed, not memory. We still recommend 16 GB for a new card, because other 2026 releases punish 8 GB much harder.
What GPU do you need for ray tracing in Assassin's Creed Shadows?
It depends on the mode. Selective ray tracing, which only applies in your hideout, runs on an RTX 3060 Ti at 1080p and 60 FPS. Standard ray tracing at 1440p and 60 FPS asks for an RTX 4070 Super or RX 7800 XT. Extended ray tracing, which adds reflections, lists an RTX 4080 at 1440p and an RTX 4090 at 4K, with no AMD card named. All of those targets assume upscaling. Today that means an RTX 5070 Ti for Extended at 1440p and an RTX 5090 at 4K.
Is the RTX 5070 Ti good for Assassin's Creed Shadows?
Yes, especially for ray tracing. TechPowerUp measured it at 69, 57.7 and 40.9 FPS at 1080p, 1440p and 4K Ultra native, well above the RTX 4070 Super Ubisoft lists for Standard ray tracing at 1440p. It is the most affordable route to the Nvidia-only Extended ray tracing tier with DLSS 4. At native resolution, though, the RX 9070 XT is about 18% faster at 1440p and the plain RX 9070 matches it.
Is AMD or Nvidia better for Assassin's Creed Shadows?
AMD wins at native resolution. The RX 9070 XT matched the RTX 5080 at 1080p and 1440p in TechPowerUp's testing, and the RX 9070 matched the RTX 5070 Ti. Nvidia wins once you want Extended ray tracing: Ubisoft names only GeForce cards for those tiers, and RTX cards get the DLSS 4 override with its newer frame generation. Buy AMD for Standard ray tracing at native 1440p, Nvidia for Extended with upscaling.
Does Assassin's Creed Shadows support DLSS and FSR frame generation?
Yes. The PC version supports DLSS 3.7, AMD FSR 3.1 and Intel XeSS 2, each with upscaling and frame generation. DLSS 4 is not in the game's menu; RTX owners can switch it on through the NVIDIA App override. In DSOGaming's testing, 2x frame generation looked clean on a high base frame rate, while 3x and 4x added visible artifacts around the main characters. Use frame generation on top of a base near 60 FPS, not to rescue a slow card.
Related Articles
Best GPU for 1440p Gaming 2026: 5 16GB Picks, 144-240Hz
The best GPU for 1440p gaming in 2026: five 16GB picks matched to 144 and 240 Hz targets, the 8GB cards to skip, and the benchmarks behind every call.
Sep 26, 2026
Best GPUs for 4K Gaming (2026): Picks by Refresh Target
Five GPUs for 4K gaming in 2026, segmented by refresh target and workload: the 5080 buy zone, the AMD-vs-Nvidia call by tier, why the 5090 is usually wrong.
May 21, 2026
RTX 5070 Ti vs RX 9070 XT (2026): 5% Raster, 15% RT Gap
RTX 5070 Ti vs RX 9070 XT: the 9070 XT is 5% behind at 1440p raster for far less money, the 5070 Ti wins ray tracing by 15%. Which one you should buy.
Sep 3, 2026
Nvidia vs AMD Ray Tracing (2026): Verdict + Best GPU
Nvidia vs AMD for ray tracing in 2026: Nvidia still wins heavy RT and path tracing, but RDNA 4 closed the gap. Here is the best GPU for every RT tier.
Sep 21, 2026
How to Choose a GPU (and a Monitor That Matches)
A buyer's framework for picking a GPU and the monitor that pairs with it. Start with the panel and work the card back.
May 17, 2026