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Best GPUs for Baldur's Gate 3 (2026): 5 Picks by Resolution
The graphics card to buy for Baldur's Gate 3 is the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger OC. In TechPowerUp's testing the RX 9070 averages 156 fps at 1440p on the Ultra preset at native resolution and 87 fps at 4K, with 16 GB of VRAM for the heavier scenes late in the game.
This game asks less of your graphics card than most 2026 releases. The bigger risk is Act 3: the Lower City is limited by the CPU, and no GPU on this list fixes that. Every pick below is sized to the resolution you play at, so the rest of the budget can go to the processor.
Our top pick: ASRock RX 9070 Challenger OC
The ASRock RX 9070 Challenger OC clears 150 fps at 1440p Ultra natively and carries 16 GB, so it covers every act of the game at 1440p and runs 4K above 60 without upscaling.
Quick picks
Pick | Card | Target | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
Best Overall | 1440p high refresh, 4K at 60 plus | ||
Best Value | 1080p high refresh or 1440p at 90 plus | ||
Best Premium | 4K Ultra native, 1440p 240 Hz | ||
Best Budget | 1080p Ultra, 1440p with DLSS | ||
Editor's Pick | 1440p with DLSS or DLAA |
Best Overall
- Card
- Target
1440p high refresh, 4K at 60 plus
- Buy
Best Value
- Card
- Target
1080p high refresh or 1440p at 90 plus
- Buy
Best Premium
- Card
- Target
4K Ultra native, 1440p 240 Hz
- Buy
Best Budget
- Card
- Target
1080p Ultra, 1440p with DLSS
- Buy
Editor's Pick
- Card
- Target
1440p with DLSS or DLAA
- Buy
Specs at a glance
Card | Chip | VRAM | 1440p Ultra (native) | 4K Ultra (native) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
RX 9070 | 16 GB GDDR6 | 156 fps | 87 fps | |
RX 9060 XT 16GB | 16 GB GDDR6 | 95 fps | 51 fps | |
RX 9070 XT | 16 GB GDDR6 | 171 fps | 98 fps | |
RTX 5060 | 8 GB GDDR7 | 88 fps | 46 fps | |
RTX 5060 Ti 16GB | 16 GB GDDR7 | 100 fps | 53 fps |
- Chip
RX 9070
- VRAM
16 GB GDDR6
- 1440p Ultra (native)
156 fps
- 4K Ultra (native)
87 fps
- Chip
RX 9060 XT 16GB
- VRAM
16 GB GDDR6
- 1440p Ultra (native)
95 fps
- 4K Ultra (native)
51 fps
- Chip
RX 9070 XT
- VRAM
16 GB GDDR6
- 1440p Ultra (native)
171 fps
- 4K Ultra (native)
98 fps
- Chip
RTX 5060
- VRAM
8 GB GDDR7
- 1440p Ultra (native)
88 fps
- 4K Ultra (native)
46 fps
- Chip
RTX 5060 Ti 16GB
- VRAM
16 GB GDDR7
- 1440p Ultra (native)
100 fps
- 4K Ultra (native)
53 fps
Baldur's Gate 3 PC requirements
Larian's official specs set a low bar. The minimum tier lists a GeForce GTX 970 or Radeon RX 480 with 4 GB, an Intel Core i5-4690 or AMD FX-8350 and 8 GB of RAM, aimed at Low settings and 30 fps. The recommended tier asks for an RTX 2060 Super or RX 5700 XT with 8 GB, a Core i7-8700K or Ryzen 5 3600 and 16 GB of RAM.
Both tiers require an SSD with 150 GB free. That line matters more than it looks: on a hard drive the game hitches on area loads no matter which graphics card you own.
The recommended GPUs are two generations old, and every card on this list beats them comfortably. For a current build the real questions are how many frames you want at your resolution and whether you have the memory headroom for Act 3.
Benchmarks
These are TechPowerUp's measured averages on the Ultra preset at native resolution, with no upscaling, on a Ryzen 7 9800X3D test system. TechPowerUp uses its own test scene, so treat the numbers as a ranking and expect lower frame rates in the busiest parts of Act 3.
Average FPS at 1080p on the Ultra preset, no upscaling. The top cards bunch near 200 fps because the 9800X3D, not the GPU, sets the ceiling here.
- 199 FPS
- 198 FPS
- 137 FPS
- 132 FPS
- 121 FPS
Average FPS at 1440p on the Ultra preset, no upscaling.
- 171 FPS
- 156 FPS
- 100 FPS
- 95 FPS
- 88 FPS
Average FPS at 4K on the Ultra preset, no upscaling.
- 98 FPS
- 87 FPS
- 53 FPS
- 51 FPS
- 46 FPS
How we picked
We started with native frame rate on Ultra at each resolution, because that shows how much headroom a card has before you touch upscaling. Baldur's Gate 3 is turn-based for most of its runtime, so 60 fps is playable, but exploration and real-time movement feel far better on a high-refresh monitor.
VRAM came second. In TechPowerUp's scene even 8 GB cards hold up at Ultra, but heavier Act 3 testing tells a different story, so four of our five picks carry 16 GB. The fifth is an 8 GB card for tight budgets, and we say plainly where it runs out of room.
Then we checked price per frame against the tier above. The RX 9070 XT matches the RTX 5070 Ti in this game within 2 fps at every resolution, and the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 add frames that a turn-based RPG cannot use. That is why no card above the RX 9070 XT made the list.
Last, we looked at what a GPU cannot fix. Act 3's Lower City is limited by the processor, which is why we pair this guide with our CPU picks for Baldur's Gate 3. For the general rules behind these picks, see how to choose a GPU.
Best Overall: ASRock RX 9070 Challenger OC
Specs
GPU | Radeon RX 9070 |
Memory | 16 GB GDDR6, 256-bit bus |
Boost clock | 2,520 MHz |
Cooler | Triple-fan, fans stop at idle |
Interface | PCIe 5.0 |
Board power | About 220W |
GPU
Radeon RX 9070
Memory
16 GB GDDR6, 256-bit bus
Boost clock
2,520 MHz
Cooler
Triple-fan, fans stop at idle
Interface
PCIe 5.0
Board power
About 220W
What it does well
The RX 9070 is the card this game fits best at 1440p. TechPowerUp measured 156 fps at 1440p Ultra natively and 198 fps at 1080p, which puts it at the CPU ceiling of a 9800X3D test system. It runs 13 fps ahead of the 12 GB RTX 5070 at 1440p and 10 fps ahead at 4K.
Its 16 GB of GDDR6 on a 256-bit bus is what keeps it steady late in the game. In Hardware Unboxed's heavier test scene, reports put the 12 GB RTX 5070 at roughly half the 1% lows of the 16 GB RX 9070 XT at 1440p Ultra, and that kind of gap shows up as hitching rather than a lower average.
At 4K it lands at 87 fps natively, so a 4K 60 Hz panel needs no upscaling at all. ASRock's Challenger is a triple-fan card with fans that stop at idle and a board power of about 220W, which a quality 650W power supply handles.
What you give up
The RX 9070 XT is about 10 percent faster at 1440p, 171 fps against 156. Most players will never feel that gap in a turn-based game, but a 240 Hz player will.
Upscaling on Radeon in this game is FSR 2, which looks softer than DLSS on hair, foliage and spell effects. At native 1440p that does not matter; at 4K with upscaling it does. Buyers have flagged that this listing is sold by ASRock USA rather than Amazon itself, so check the seller and return terms before you order.
Who it's for
The 1440p player on a 144 Hz or 165 Hz monitor who wants Ultra settings natively with room to spare, and the 4K player who is happy anywhere from 60 to 90 fps without upscaling.
Best Value: ASUS Dual RX 9060 XT 16GB
Specs
GPU | Radeon RX 9060 XT |
Memory | 16 GB GDDR6, 128-bit bus |
Cooler | Dual-fan, 2.5-slot |
Interface | PCIe 5.0 |
Outputs | HDMI 2.1b, DisplayPort 2.1a |
Board power | About 160W |
GPU
Radeon RX 9060 XT
Memory
16 GB GDDR6, 128-bit bus
Cooler
Dual-fan, 2.5-slot
Interface
PCIe 5.0
Outputs
HDMI 2.1b, DisplayPort 2.1a
Board power
About 160W
What it does well
The RX 9060 XT 16GB averages 132 fps at 1080p and 95 fps at 1440p on Ultra natively in TechPowerUp's testing. That is high-refresh 1080p and a smooth 1440p experience from a mainstream card.
The 16 GB is the reason this is the value pick rather than an 8 GB card. It gives Act 3 the same memory headroom as our top pick, so the busy late-game areas stay free of texture swapping.
ASUS's Dual is a compact 2.5-slot card with two fans and a board power of about 160W, so it drops into small cases and modest power supplies.
What you give up
At 4K it manages 51 fps natively, which is playable in a turn-based game but not smooth. A 4K player should look at our top pick or the RX 9070 XT instead.
The memory runs on a 128-bit bus, and upscaling is FSR 2. At 1440p native neither holds it back much in this game; they matter more in heavier titles you may also play.
Who it's for
The 1080p high-refresh player, or the 1440p player who wants around 90 to 100 fps on Ultra without stretching to the RX 9070.
Best Premium: ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT OC
Specs
GPU | Radeon RX 9070 XT |
Memory | 16 GB GDDR6, 256-bit bus |
Cooler | Triple-fan, 2.5-slot |
Interface | PCIe 5.0 |
Outputs | HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1 |
Board power | About 304W |
GPU
Radeon RX 9070 XT
Memory
16 GB GDDR6, 256-bit bus
Cooler
Triple-fan, 2.5-slot
Interface
PCIe 5.0
Outputs
HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.1
Board power
About 304W
What it does well
The RX 9070 XT is our 4K pick. TechPowerUp measured 98 fps at 4K Ultra natively and 171 fps at 1440p, which is within 2 fps of the RTX 5070 Ti at both resolutions.
That near tie is the point. In this game you get RTX 5070 Ti frame rates for a smaller outlay, with the same 16 GB of memory on a 256-bit bus.
The ASUS Prime is a 2.5-slot triple-fan design, slimmer than many cards at this tier, so it fits mid-tower cases that rule out 3-slot coolers.
What you give up
Board power is about 304W, so plan on a quality 750W power supply. That is a lot of heat for a game that rarely needs it below 4K.
At 1440p the step up over the RX 9070 is only 15 fps. If you are not on a 4K or 240 Hz monitor, the top pick gives you nearly the same experience.
Who it's for
The 4K player on a 60 Hz to 120 Hz monitor who wants Ultra natively, or the 1440p player on a 240 Hz panel chasing every frame during exploration.
Best Budget: Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce OC
Specs
GPU | GeForce RTX 5060 |
Memory | 8 GB GDDR7, 128-bit bus |
Cooler | Dual-fan WINDFORCE |
Interface | PCIe 5.0 x8 |
Board power | About 145W |
GPU
GeForce RTX 5060
Memory
8 GB GDDR7, 128-bit bus
Cooler
Dual-fan WINDFORCE
Interface
PCIe 5.0 x8
Board power
About 145W
What it does well
The RTX 5060 averages 121 fps at 1080p Ultra natively in TechPowerUp's testing, which is high-refresh 1080p from the cheapest card here.
It also brings DLSS and DLAA, which Baldur's Gate 3 supports. At 1440p, where it measures 88 fps natively, DLSS Quality lifts it further with less softness than FSR 2.
Gigabyte's WINDFORCE OC is a small dual-fan card with a board power of about 145W, so it suits compact builds and older power supplies.
What you give up
The 8 GB of VRAM is the trade. In TechPowerUp's scene the 8 GB RTX 5060 Ti measures slightly above its 16 GB sibling, so 8 GB does not cap Ultra there, but reports from heavier Act 3 scenes suggest the margin is thin. Expect to drop texture quality a notch in the Lower City if you see hitching.
It runs on a PCIe 5.0 x8 link, which costs a little on older PCIe 3.0 boards. And at 4K it sits at 46 fps natively, which is not a 4K card.
Who it's for
The 1080p player on a tight budget who wants high frame rates on Ultra, or a 1440p player willing to use DLSS. If you can stretch, read whether 8 GB of VRAM is still enough before you buy.
Editor's Pick: ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB OC
Specs
GPU | GeForce RTX 5060 Ti |
Memory | 16 GB GDDR7, 128-bit bus |
Cooler | Dual-fan, 2.5-slot |
Interface | PCIe 5.0 x8 |
Outputs | HDMI 2.1b, DisplayPort 2.1a |
Board power | About 180W |
GPU
GeForce RTX 5060 Ti
Memory
16 GB GDDR7, 128-bit bus
Cooler
Dual-fan, 2.5-slot
Interface
PCIe 5.0 x8
Outputs
HDMI 2.1b, DisplayPort 2.1a
Board power
About 180W
What it does well
The RTX 5060 Ti 16GB is the GeForce card for players who care about image quality. TechPowerUp measured 100 fps at 1440p Ultra natively and 137 fps at 1080p.
DLSS and DLAA are the reason to pick it. DLAA runs NVIDIA's anti-aliasing at native 1440p in place of the game's default option, and at 100 fps native you have the headroom to turn it on.
With 16 GB of GDDR7 it has the same memory headroom as the Radeon picks, so Act 3 is no problem. ASUS's Dual is a 2.5-slot card at about 180W.
What you give up
It costs more than the RX 9060 XT 16GB for 4 to 5 percent more frames (137 against 132 fps at 1080p, 100 against 95 at 1440p), so you are paying for DLSS and NVENC, not raw speed.
Like the RTX 5060 it uses a 128-bit bus and a PCIe 5.0 x8 link. At 4K it sits at 53 fps natively, which needs DLSS to feel smooth.
Who it's for
The 1440p player who prefers DLSS or DLAA image quality, or who also streams with NVIDIA's encoder. For more 1440p options outside this game, see our best GPUs for 1440p gaming.
What a faster GPU will not fix: Act 3's Lower City
The slowdown you feel in the Lower City of Baldur's Gate, with crowds, merchants and scripted NPCs all around you, comes from the processor. Frame rates there fall even on fast graphics cards at modest resolutions. Testing of a third-party frame-generation mod in the city found averages rose while the 1% lows barely moved, which is the signature of a CPU limit.
The CPU numbers make the case. In TechPowerUp's CPU testing with an RTX 5090 at 1080p, a Ryzen 7 9800X3D reached 209 fps, while a Ryzen 5 9600X managed 131 and a Core Ultra 7 265K 128. That is the frame rate ceiling no graphics card can raise.
So size the card to your resolution and put the savings into the processor. Our Baldur's Gate 3 CPU guide covers which chips hold up in the Lower City.
Bottom line
If you play at 1440p, buy the ASRock RX 9070 Challenger OC. If you play at 4K or on a 240 Hz monitor, buy the ASUS Prime RX 9070 XT OC. If you want 16 GB on a mainstream budget, buy the ASUS Dual RX 9060 XT 16GB. If you want DLSS image quality, buy the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB OC. If money is tight and you play at 1080p, the Gigabyte RTX 5060 Windforce OC does the job. Whichever you choose, spend what is left on the CPU.
FAQ
What GPU do you need for Baldur's Gate 3?
For 1080p on Ultra, the RTX 5060 averages 121 fps natively in TechPowerUp's testing, and the RX 9060 XT 16GB 132 fps. For 1440p Ultra, the RX 9070 reaches 156 fps natively. For 4K, the RX 9070 XT holds 98 fps natively. Larian's official recommended RTX 2060 Super or RX 5700 XT is a far lower bar than any of these.
How much VRAM does Baldur's Gate 3 use?
Larian recommends 8 GB, and in TechPowerUp's scene 8 GB cards run Ultra without falling behind their 16 GB versions. Reports from heavier Act 3 testing show 12 GB cards losing ground on 1% lows, so we recommend 16 GB for 1440p and 4K. An 8 GB card is fine at 1080p if you are ready to lower texture quality in the Lower City.
Why does Baldur's Gate 3 run worse in Act 3?
Act 3's Lower City packs in more NPCs, scripts and crowd logic than earlier acts, and that load lands on the CPU. Frame rates drop there even on fast graphics cards, and frame generation raises averages without fixing the 1% lows. A faster processor is the fix. Our CPU guide for the game covers which chips handle it best.
Is an 8GB graphics card enough for Baldur's Gate 3?
At 1080p, yes. The RTX 5060 averages 121 fps on Ultra natively in TechPowerUp's testing. At 1440p and in the heaviest Act 3 areas, 8 GB leaves little margin, and running near the limit shows up as hitching rather than a lower average. If you play at 1440p, a 16 GB card like the RX 9060 XT 16GB is the safer buy.
Does Baldur's Gate 3 support DLSS and FSR?
Yes. GeForce cards get DLSS upscaling and DLAA anti-aliasing, and every card can use FSR 2, which Larian added in a later patch. DLSS looks sharper than FSR 2 at the same render scale, which matters most at 4K. Upscaling does not help in Act 3's Lower City, where the CPU is the limit.
Can you run Baldur's Gate 3 at 4K?
Yes, comfortably on the right card. The RX 9070 XT averages 98 fps at 4K Ultra natively in TechPowerUp's testing, and the RX 9070 87 fps. Mainstream cards like the RX 9060 XT 16GB land near 50 fps natively, which is playable in a turn-based game but smoother with upscaling.
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