Best GPUs for Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: RT Performance at Every Budget

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle mandates hardware ray tracing at every settings level. There is no rasterization-only mode. That requirement, combined with the game's VRAM ceiling (16 GB is the practical floor for anything above 1080p), means the GPU you buy for this game actually has to change based on the RT mode you want to run. This article maps each budget tier to a specific pick and tells you exactly where the RT experience jumps from "functional" to "genuinely impressive."

Every card here ships with 16 GB of VRAM. That is not a luxury recommendation.

Our top pick: ASUS TUF RTX 5070 Ti OC

The RTX 5070 Ti is where Indiana Jones's more demanding Supreme preset (path tracing) becomes a realistic option at 1440p. Not just possible with heroic settings compromises, but actually playable with DLSS 4 enabled. For a library anchored to RT-heavy titles like this one, nothing in its price range gets you further.

Quick picks

Specs at a glance

Benchmarks

What makes Indiana Jones: Great Circle so GPU-hungry

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle runs on id Tech 7 and uses the Vulkan API with mandatory hardware-accelerated DXR ray tracing. There is no mode that disables RT entirely. The base High settings preset uses standard ray tracing for global illumination and shadows. The Supreme preset adds full path tracing, which is a significantly heavier workload.

The key number for this game is VRAM. At 1440p High settings, cards consume around 11 GB of video memory. At 4K, that climbs to approximately 13 GB. The RTX 5070, with its 12 GB buffer, crashes and refuses to relaunch at 4K when path tracing is enabled, per TechSpot's testing. Every card in this article ships with 16 GB specifically to avoid that failure mode. The 8 GB and 12 GB variants of cards in this generation are not suitable for this title above 1080p.

Path tracing was added in a December 9, 2024 patch. It requires a GeForce RTX 4070 or better with 16 GB of VRAM. On AMD hardware, path tracing support exists but the performance outcome is not practical. The RX 9070 XT delivers 17 frames per second at 1440p with FSR upscaling turned on. That is a benchmark number from TechSpot's March 2025 review, not a rounding error.

How we picked

Every pick in this article is a 16 GB card. That is the baseline, not a feature. Cards below that threshold either fail at higher resolutions or limit which RT mode you can actually use.

The RTX 5070's 12 GB VRAM is worth calling out once directly: it is the only current Nvidia 50-series card without a 16 GB option, and this game is one of the clearest cases where that decision costs the buyer something. Do not pick an RTX 5070 for Indiana Jones.

For the buyer who plays Indiana Jones alongside a mixed GPU library of demanding RT titles (Cyberpunk 2077, Alan Wake 2, Control) who wants to remove the "will this run at my settings" variable from the equation, the RTX 5070 Ti tier gives DLSS 4 headroom across all of them. For the buyer who primarily wants Indiana Jones to run well at 1440p High settings without caring about path tracing, the Sapphire Pulse RX 9070 XT delivers more raster performance per dollar than any Nvidia card at its price.

Best Overall: ASUS TUF RTX 5070 Ti OC

Specs

RTX 5070 Ti, 16 GB GDDR7, 256-bit bus, PCIe 5.0, 3.125-slot, DLSS 4 with Multi-Frame Generation, TUF military-grade capacitors and coating. Boost clock approximately 2482 MHz stock.

What it does well

The RTX 5080 runs Indiana Jones at 150 to 200 fps at 1440p standard RT. DLSS Quality is basically optional at that resolution; the native frame rate is already high. Path tracing at 1440p with DLSS Quality reaches around 63 fps without needing Multi-Frame Generation, which means less latency overhead compared to the RTX 5070 Ti setup that requires MFG to stay above 60.

At 4K, the RTX 5080 is the first card in this roundup where standard RT becomes genuinely viable. Around 80 fps at 4K High settings is achievable. That is the tier where Indiana Jones's detailed environments actually benefit from 4K rendering. The MSI Gaming Trio OC's triple-fan cooler is one of the better thermal designs at the 5080 level. It keeps the card quiet under the kind of sustained 360W RT load this game generates.

What you give up

The RTX 5080 carries a significant price premium over the RTX 5070 Ti. For Indiana Jones specifically, most buyers will not notice the difference in standard RT mode. Both cards handle it. The visible upgrade is 4K standard RT viability and slightly cleaner 1440p path tracing without needing MFG. If the use case is 1440p only, the RTX 5070 Ti gets you to the same RT ceiling for less money.

16 GB GDDR7 is the same buffer as the RTX 5070 Ti. Indiana Jones at 4K consumes approximately 13 GB, leaving limited headroom for VRAM spikes. Buyers expecting a VRAM upgrade over the 5070 Ti do not get one here.

Who it's for

The 4K display owner who wants Indiana Jones with standard RT enabled and a consistently high frame rate. Also the buyer running a demanding RT library (Indiana Jones, Avowed, and similar titles) who wants to remove the "will this run at my settings" variable from the equation. If you are primarily at 1440p, redirect the budget difference to a better monitor.

Best Mid-Range: Sapphire Pulse RX 9070 XT

Specs

RX 9070 XT, 16 GB GDDR6, 256-bit bus, PCIe 5.0, RDNA 4 architecture, 304W TGP, Pulse dual-fan cooler, FSR 4 support.

What it does well

For Indiana Jones at 1440p standard RT, the Sapphire Pulse RX 9070 XT delivers approximately 105 fps native, which is ahead of the RTX 5070 in raster in this title, with 16 GB vs 12 GB on that Nvidia card. The 256-bit memory bus and 640 GB/s bandwidth give it headroom at 1440p that the 128-bit budget cards cannot match. With FSR 4 Quality enabled, the Pulse easily clears 120 fps at 1440p High settings.

RDNA 4 is a meaningful RT step up from RDNA 3. Indiana Jones's standard RT mode runs acceptably on this card in a way that RDNA 3 hardware did not always manage. The Sapphire Pulse is the value-tier SKU in Sapphire's lineup, priced below the Nitro+ with similar clock speeds and adequate thermals.

What you give up

Path tracing is not a realistic option on this card in Indiana Jones. TechSpot measured the RX 9070 XT at 17 fps at 1440p with FSR upscaling enabled in Supreme preset. That is the measured number, not a rough estimate. This is a game-specific limitation: id Tech 7's path tracing implementation is significantly more favorable to Nvidia's RT hardware. The Pulse RX 9070 XT is the right mid-range pick for Indiana Jones standard RT and for most of a typical gaming library, but not if path tracing at this resolution is a stated goal.

No DLSS. DLSS 4's transformer model quality improvement is visible in Indiana Jones's demanding scenes. Buyers who play multiple DLSS-heavy titles alongside this game will notice the difference.

Sapphire Pulse thermals under sustained RT load can run warm in cases with limited airflow. Reports from buyers in warm case configurations suggest monitoring temperatures during extended Indiana Jones sessions. The Nitro+ SKU runs cooler; the Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC in the next slot is a triple-fan alternative at a similar price.

Who it's for

The 1440p player whose library runs mostly non-RT or standard RT titles and who wants the best raster performance per dollar in this tier. The buyer who is committed to AMD: FSR 4 is meaningfully better than FSR 3 in 2026 and the performance argument holds for most titles. The player who wants Indiana Jones to run well at 1440p High, full stop, without chasing path tracing. Also a strong choice for buyers considering Black Ops 6 and similar titles where AMD hardware excels.

Best Budget: ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti OC 16GB

Specs

RTX 5060 Ti, 16 GB GDDR7, 128-bit bus, PCIe 5.0, 2.5-slot, 0dB fan mode, DLSS 4 support, 3-year ASUS warranty.

What it does well

The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti 16GB is the minimum viable Nvidia card for Indiana Jones at 1440p standard RT. At that resolution, it delivers around 63 fps native, functional with some dips. With DLSS 4 Quality enabled, it climbs to approximately 90 fps, which clears the comfortable 60 fps target with room to spare.

The 16 GB GDDR7 buffer is what makes this card work for this game. The 8 GB RTX 5060 Ti variant (which shows up in the same Amazon search results at a lower price) will fail at 1440p with RT and struggle at anything above 1080p. The distinction matters and is worth stating once clearly: this article recommends the 16 GB SKU specifically, with ASIN B0F7WB6LSH.

DLSS 4 is a genuine differentiator at the budget tier. The transformer model quality at Quality mode is better than FSR 4 at this resolution, particularly in Indiana Jones's complex indoor lighting scenes where RT contributes most visibly. The 2.5-slot cooler fits in nearly any mid-tower case without PCIe slot conflicts, and the 0dB mode keeps the card silent during desktop use.

What you give up

The 128-bit memory bus is a real constraint. At 1440p with RT, bandwidth is not yet the bottleneck. The game is compute-limited before that. But at 4K, the bus width limits sustained performance in ways that the 256-bit cards avoid. This is a 1080p to 1440p card for Indiana Jones. Path tracing at any resolution is not practical on this card.

RT performance per dollar favors AMD at this tier. The Gigabyte RX 9060 XT 16GB in the next slot delivers competitive or slightly better standard RT frame rates in Indiana Jones with FSR 4 upscaling. The RTX 5060 Ti's advantage is DLSS 4 quality and compatibility with Nvidia-specific features in titles outside this game.

Who it's for

The 1080p to 1440p buyer on a tighter budget who wants Indiana Jones to run at standard RT settings without the 8 GB crash risk. The buyer who plays DLSS-compatible titles across their library and values DLSS 4 Quality mode image quality over AMD's FSR equivalent. A reasonable entry point for Indiana Jones if the goal is standard RT at 1440p, 60 fps, nothing more demanding.

Best Value: Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 16G

Specs

RX 9060 XT, 16 GB GDDR6, 128-bit bus, PCIe 5.0, RDNA 4 architecture, WINDFORCE dual-fan cooling, model GV-R9060XTGAMING OC-16GD.

What it does well

The Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 16G delivers roughly 60 fps at 1440p standard RT in Indiana Jones, competitive with the RTX 5060 Ti at this tier, with 16 GB GDDR6 clearing the game's VRAM requirement. It is one of the best-reviewed cards in its class on Amazon with over 760 ratings and 500+ units purchased monthly, suggesting consistent quality and supply.

RDNA 4's RT improvement over RDNA 3 is meaningful at this tier. The RX 9060 XT in Indiana Jones's standard RT mode performs credibly in a way that an equivalent RDNA 3 card would not. With FSR 4 Quality enabled, 1440p frame rates push past 80 fps, clearing the 60 fps target comfortably. At 1080p standard RT, this card delivers around 85 fps native.

The WINDFORCE cooling keeps temperatures reasonable under the sustained RT load this game generates. At a similar or lower price to the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB, this card offers competitive performance for buyers whose libraries do not rely on DLSS-specific features.

What you give up

Same path tracing caveat as all AMD cards in this article: not viable in this title. Standard RT is the ceiling. At 1440p without upscaling, 60 fps is functional but leaves less headroom than the 256-bit AMD cards above it. The 128-bit bus is the same constraint as the RTX 5060 Ti.

No DLSS. For buyers with a significant DLSS-compatible game library, the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB is a better fit. The RX 9060 XT wins on raster value for the buyer who primarily plays non-DLSS titles or is fully invested in the AMD FSR ecosystem.

The 8 GB variant of the RX 9060 XT exists at a lower price point. As with the RTX 5060 Ti, the 8 GB SKU is not suitable for Indiana Jones above 1080p at standard RT settings. Buyers should confirm they are ordering the 16 GB version.

Who it's for

The raster-value buyer at the budget tier who wants Indiana Jones at standard RT and does not have a strong DLSS preference. The AMD ecosystem buyer building around FSR 4. A good pairing for a buyer also considering Black Ops 6, where AMD hardware historically performs ahead of Nvidia at equivalent price points.

Editor's Pick: Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC

Specs

RX 9070 XT, 16 GB GDDR6, 256-bit bus, PCIe 5.0, RDNA 4, WINDFORCE triple-fan cooling, model GV-R9070XTGAMING OC-16GD.

What it does well

The Gigabyte RX 9070 XT Gaming OC is the same chip as the Sapphire Pulse RX 9070 XT, with the same 1440p standard RT performance at around 105 fps native, the same 16 GB GDDR6 buffer and 256-bit bus. The difference is the WINDFORCE triple-fan cooling system, which keeps the card quieter and cooler under the kind of sustained RT load Indiana Jones generates over multi-hour sessions. For buyers who run long play sessions or have a warmer case thermal environment, the triple-fan design is a practical upgrade over dual-fan AIBs at this chip tier.

The Gaming OC also provides the Gigabyte brand supply chain, which can be more reliable depending on regional stock than Sapphire's Pulse line. If the Sapphire Pulse is out of stock at the target price, this card is the direct alternative rather than a compromise.

What you give up

Same path tracing ceiling as all AMD RX 9070 XT SKUs: not viable in Indiana Jones. Standard RT at 1440p is the limit, same as the Sapphire Pulse. There is no performance argument for choosing this card over the Pulse. Only the cooling and brand preference justify the slot. If the Sapphire Pulse is in stock and the case runs cool, the Pulse is the more economical choice.

The Gigabyte Gaming OC triple-fan design is slightly wider and heavier than the Pulse. Confirm GPU length clearance in smaller mid-tower cases.

Who it's for

The buyer considering the Sapphire Pulse RX 9070 XT but running a warmer case, using fewer case fans, or simply preferring Gigabyte's AIB ecosystem. Also the primary fallback recommendation when the Sapphire Pulse is out of stock: same tier, same chip, different cooler. Suitable for Avowed and similar 1440p open-world titles alongside Indiana Jones.

Bottom line

If you want Indiana Jones path tracing to work at 1440p, get the ASUS TUF RTX 5070 Ti OC. It is the threshold card where the Supreme preset becomes playable with DLSS 4 enabled. If you want 4K standard RT or cleaner 1440p path tracing without relying on Multi-Frame Generation, step up to the MSI Gaming RTX 5080 16G Trio OC. If you do not care about path tracing and want the best raster performance at 1440p for this game, the Sapphire Pulse RX 9070 XT wins on value. At the budget end, the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 Ti OC 16GB handles 1440p standard RT with DLSS, and the Gigabyte RX 9060 XT Gaming OC 16G covers the same workload for AMD buyers. Whatever you pick: confirm it is the 16 GB variant. The 8 GB cards are not suitable for this title at 1440p.

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