These GPUs will Help You Defeat Thor in God of War Ragnarok PC (2024)

God of War Ragnarök is another PlayStation exclusive that has made its way to PC gamers, and it brings another opportunity for fans to experience the game. It brings several improvements over the original console version, including support for ultrawide monitors, unlocked frame rates, super sampling support, and more. However, it does demand relatively high VRAM depending on the resolution you want to game at. This means you need to have a solid GPU that can deliver a consistent gaming experience.

The game was originally released for the PS5 and PS4 in November 2022 and was loved by fans and casual gamers alike. It follows the events of the original God of War from 2018 as Kratos and his son Atreus try to stop Ragnarok, the end of the world of gods and men. It also introduces prevalent figures from Norse mythology like Thor, Tyr, and Odin. As beautiful as the nine realms are to explore and uncover secrets, they are best experienced at a consistent 60 FPS and at least 1440p resolution.

Before getting onto the best GPUs for God of War Ragnarök, here are the minimum and recommended requirements for the game on PC:

Minimum Requirements:

OS: Windows 10 64-bit

Processor: Intel i5-4670k or AMD Ryzen 3 1200

Memory: 8 GB RAM

Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1060 (6GB) or AMD RX 5500 XT (8GB) or Intel Arc A750

DirectX: Version 12

Storage: 190 GB available space

Additional Notes: Windows version 2004 2020-05-27 19041. 6GB GPU is required

Recommended Requirements:

OS: Windows 10 64-bit

Processor: Intel i5-8600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600

Memory: 16 GB RAM

Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 2060 Super or AMD RX 5700 or Intel Arc A770

DirectX: Version 12

Storage: 190 GB available space

Additional Notes: Windows version 2004 2020-05-27 19041. 6GB GPU is required

Game Rant’s 2024 Picks for the Best GPU for God of War Ragnarok

Best GPU for God of War Ragnarok

GIGABYTE GeForce RTX­­ 4070 Ti SUPER WINDFORCE MAX OC 16G

$800 $810 Save $10

GIGABYTE GeForce RTX­­ 4070 Ti SUPER WINDFORCE MAX OC 16G is a high-performance graphics card that can take on the latest AAA titles at 1440p and even 4K. It features a triple fan cooling system and 16GB of GDDR6X VRAM. The GPU can boost up to2610 MHz and there is a dual-BIOS for switching between a Quiet mode and a Performance mode.

Brand

GIGABYTE

Cooling Method

WINDFORCE triple-fan

Boost Speed

2610 MHz

CUDA Cores

8448

VRAM (MEMORY)

16GB GDDR6X

PCI-E

4.0

Required System Power

750W

Pros

• Solid 4K performance, especially with DLSS and FG
• Dual-BIOS and power indicator
• Metal backplate

Cons

• No RGB lighting

$800 at Amazon$800 at Newegg

The Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super shows significant performance improvements over the base RTX 4070, but the difference in performance is not as much with the RTX 4070 Super. That being said, the slight increase in power that the RTX 4070 Ti Super has, makes it the perfect GPU to experience God of War Ragnarök at 4K 60 FPS. The GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER WINDFORCE MAX OC is the highest clocked RTX 4070 Ti Super, boasting a boost clock speed of up to 2655 MHz.

The GIGABYTE offering comes with the company’s WINDOFRCE cooling system, which includes three 100mm fans, nine composite copper heat pipes, a large copper plate, and various software optimizations to ensure optimal performance under load. The fans spin in alternate directions, which improves airflow, resulting in better heat dissipation. The GPU features 16GB of GDDR6X VRAM, so you can max out the settings at 4K and still have some headroom.

You need a single 16-pin connector to power this GPU, and make sure that you have at least a 750W PSU in your system. The RTX 4070 Ti Super is a power-hungry graphics card with a beefy cooler, albeit without any RGB lighting. It has an all-black faceplate and a metal backplate with ventilation for the extended heatsink. GIGABYTE also ships an anti-sag bracket with the GPU to prevent it from sagging over time, too.

Best Budget GPU for God of War Ragnarok

ASUS Dual Radeon RX 7700 XT OC Edition

$400 $440 Save $40

TheASUS Dual Radeon RX 7700 XT OC Edition features a boost clock speed of2599 MHz in OC mode, which is higher than the reference model. It is cooled by a dual-fan system that has a 0dB mode for silent operation when not under load. It comes with12GB GDDR6 VRAM and is a compact GPU coming in at a 2.47 slot size.

Brand

ASUS

Cooling Method

Dual-fan

Slot Size

2.47

Boost Speed

up to 2599 MHz (OC mode)

Stream Processors

3456

VRAM (MEMORY)

12GB GDDR6

PCI-E

4.0

Pros

• Great value
• 12GB VRAM
• Compact form factor

Cons

• No RGB lighting

$400 at Amazon$400 at Newegg

Budget-focused shoppers are not looking to game at the highest possible resolution and frame rate. That being said, with the Radeon RX 7700 XT GPU, they don’t need to make too many compromises in order to save money. The ASUS Dual Radeon RX 7700 XT OC Edition will let you enjoy God of War Ragnarök at 1440p with some help from AMD’s FSR or FidelityFX Super Resolution to keep you above the 60 FPS mark.

The ASUS card comes with a boost clock speed of up to 2599 MHz and a dual fan cooling system. It uses Axial-tech fans that improve downward pressure for better heat dissipation. They only start spinning under a certain load, so casual operation will be completely silent. You also get a dual-BIOS with a performance mode and a quiet mode. Both modes offer the same peak performance, but the difference is a less aggressive fan curve in quiet mode.

The black faceplate is complimented by the aluminum backplate that adds structural rigidity without obstructing airflow. The ASUS Dual Radeon RX 7700 XT OC Edition is a fairly compact GPU with a 2.5 slot form factor. It comes with 12GB GDDR6 VRAM, which should be enough for God of War Ragnarök. You will need at least a 750W PSU with two available 8-pin connectors to power this GPU.

Best Mid-Range GPU for God of War Ragnarok

MSI RTX 4070 Ventus 3X 12G OC

$560 $600 Save $40

TheMSI RTX 4070 Ventus 3X 12G OC is a mid-range RTX 4000 series GPU that offers RTX 3080-like performance with slightly better value thanks to its stellar DLSS 3 performance. Currently, trading slightly above MSRP for the founder's edition makes it an excellent buy for anyone looking to upgrade this summer.

Memory Clock Speed

21 Gbps

Graphics RAM Size

12GB GDDR6X

Brand

MSI

Slot size

Dual-slot

Architecture

Ada Lovelace

Process

5 nm

Transistors

35.8 Billion

Boost Clock Speed

2520 MHz (MSI Center), 2505 MHz (Boost)

Memory Bus

192-Bit

Power Draw

200W

Cooling

Air-cooled Tri-Fan

Pros

• Solid 4K performance with DLSS/FG
• Triple-fan cooling system
• Comes with support bracket

Cons

• Lacks RGB lighting

$560 at Amazon$560 at Best Buy$674 at Newegg

See Also

ROG Strix GeForce RTX™ 4080 SUPER 16GB GDDR6X | Graphics Car

Going with an RTX 4070 is ideal for God of War Ragnarök, as it is a great compromise between performance and price. At under $600, the MSI GeForce RTX 4070 VENTUS 3X 12G OC can run the game smoothly at 1440p and, with the help of DLSS and Frame Generation (FG), you can even game at 4K. The MSI GeForce RTX 4070 VENTUS 3X 12G OC focuses on the essentials like cooling potential, clock speeds, and power consumption, which is why there is no RGB lighting on this card.

You get three TORX FAN 4.0 fans that focus airflow onto the GPU through the heatsink, with deflectors for additional surface area. These fans have a Zero Frozr mode, so they only start spinning under a certain load. You also get a metal backplate for extra rigidity.

The MSI GeForce RTX 4070 VENTUS 3X 12G OC, as the name suggests, comes with 12GB GDDR6X VRAM, as well as a boost clock speed of 2505 MHz, which can be taken even further in Extreme Performance mode through the MSI Center app. Do note that this GPU comes with a silver and black faceplate, so it may stand out a bit, depending on how it is mounted.

For a bit more cash, you can step up to the RTX 4070 Super, but you will still need to use DLSS and FG to cross the 60 FPS mark at 4K.

Best Performing GPU for God of War Ragnarok

ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4080 SUPER OC

TheASUS 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

Pros

• Solid build quality
• Great 4K performance
• Vented metal exoskeleton

Cons

• Expensive
• No DisplayPort 2.1 port

$1099 at Amazon$1100 at Newegg$1100 at Best Buy

You could invest upwards of $2000 and get the RTX 4090 for a no-compromise gaming experience, no matter the game, but the ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 SUPER OC Edition is more than enough for a 4K, 60+ FPS experience in God of War Ragnarök, even without any DLSS (depending on the CPU). This RTX 4080 Super from ASUS is the highest clocked GPU, and arguably the best built one as well.

The triple-fan cooling system includes three alternate spinning fans that only start spinning when temperatures go above 55 degrees Celsius. The fans, in combination with a massive heatsink and a compact PCB, make this a 3.65 slot GPU, so make sure your PC case has sufficient space for it. This beefy cooling system allows the boost clock speeds to reach 2640 MHz in OC mode and, thanks to the ample 16GB GDDR6X VRAM, you can easily max out the settings in God of War Ragnarök at 4K while maintaining a constant 60+ FPS. With DLSS enabled, you can cross the 100 FPS mark (depending on the CPU paired with it).

In terms of build quality, ASUS uses an automated manufacturing process to ensure consistent performance. It also uses military grade capacitors, a metal exoskeleton, and a metal backplate for extra rigidity. You also get a graphics card holster that keeps the GPU from sagging over time. There is minimal RGB lighting on this card, which means the focus is on extreme performance.

Best AMD GPU for God of War Ragnarok

GIGABYTE Radeon RX 7900 XT GAMING OC 20G

$700 $750 Save $50

TheGIGABYTE Radeon RX 7900 XT GAMING OC 20G is a high-performance AMD GPU that can deliver an excellent gaming experience at 1440p. It comes with 20GB GDDR6 VRAM, a game clock speed of up to 2175 MHz and a boost clock speed ofup to 2535 MHz.It requires two 8-pin connectors for power and carries a triple-fan cooling system that is efficient and silent.

Brand

GIGABYTE

Cooling Method

WINDFORCE Cooling System

Interface

PCIe 4.0

Boost Speed

2535 MHz

Stream Processors

5376

VRAM (MEMORY)

20GB GDDR6

Required System Power

800W

Pros

• DisplayPort 2.1 ports
• Anti-sag bracket included
• 20GB VRAM

Cons

• Power hungry
• Minimal RGB lighting

$700 at Amazon$700 at Newegg

Team Red fans looking for a GPU upgrade should consider the GIGABYTE Gaming Radeon RX 7900 XT 20GB for its competitively high clock speeds and a more efficient cooling system. The GPU features 20GB of GDDR6 VRAM and a boost clock speed of up to 2535 MHz, so you can expect excellent 1440p performance and even 4K with the help of FSR and AFMF (AMD Fluid Motion Frames).

The WINDFORCE cooling system is present here as well and in full force. There are three 100mm alternate spinning fans, nine composite copper heat pipes, a large vapor chamber, and various software tweaks. At the back is a metal backplate with a cutout for air to pass through. With a focus on raw performance, GIGABYTE has kept the RGB lighting to a minimum and only the logo at the top has lights shining through it.

Some of the other features include a dual-BIOS switch, power indicator LEDs to let you know of any power supply issues, and an anti-sag bracket. Despite its recommended 800W PSU, it still only requires two 8-pin connectors for power. You also get the latest connectivity standards in the form of DisplayPort 2.1 and HDMI 2.1.

With the GIGABYTE Gaming Radeon RX 7900 XT 20GB, you get support for the latest AMD technologies and if you have a compatible AMD CPU as well, expect even better performance through AMD Smart Technology.

Best Intel GPU for God of War Ragnarok

ASRock Phantom Gaming Intel Arc A770

ThePhantom Gaming Intel Arc A770 from ASRock is the best Intel GPU on the market, and it brings the latest and greatest of Intel's technology to the world of gaming. It boasts 2200 MHz clock speeds, 16 GB GDDR6 VRAM, and support for Intel's XeSS Ai upscaling. The GPU is also a budget-friendly offering that can deliver impressive performance at 1440p resolution.

Brand

Intel

Cooling Method

Triple-fan air cooling

GPU Speed

2200 MHz

Interface

PCIe

Memory

16 GB

Power

225W

Pros

• Budget-friendly
• Solid 1440p gaming performance with XeSS
• DisplayPort 2.0 ports

Cons

• No frame generation capability

$300 at Amazon$300 at Newegg

If you are looking to get an Intel GPU, know that there are some compromises you will need to make when it comes to gaming. For God of War Ragnarök, the Arc A770 is among the recommended GPUs that works for 1080p, but for anything higher, you will have to turn some settings down. Fortunately, the game supports XeSS, which is Intel’s take on AI-based super sampling, so you can compensate for the loss of FPS when going to higher resolutions.

The ASRock Phantom Gaming Arc A770 features 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM and a clock speed of 2200 MHz. There are three fans keeping the GPU cool, and they have a 0 dB Silent Cooling mode which keeps the fans off till the GPU reaches a certain load. Of the three fans, the central one has RGB lighting shining through it and there is an RGB logo at the top as well. These lights can be controlled via the Polychrome Sync software.

To power this GPU, you need two 8-pin connectors, and it is recommended to use a 700W PSU at the least. You also get three DisplayPort 2.0 ports and one HDMI 2.1 port. Despite the beefy cooling system, this GPU takes up 2.8 slots in the case, but it is a full-size card, so make sure it is compatible with your case before you make the purchase.

Finding the Best GPU for God of War Ragnarok

There are a few factors to consider before you purchase a new GPU, such as:

Brand

The recommended settings for God of War Ragnarök include the Intel Arc A770 GPU, so depending on what resolution you are planning to game at, any of the three brands (Nvidia, AMD, Intel) can deliver solid performance. For anything higher than 1080p, it is ideal to stick with an Nvidia RTX 4070 or higher, or an AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT or higher.

Resolution

Since God of War Ragnarök is a single-player campaign-driven game, a solid 60 FPS is the ideal frame rate you should be targeting. This means hitting a higher than 1080p resolution should be a priority rather than a high FPS experience. To game at 1440p, both Nvidia and AMD have quite a few options. For 4K gaming, you will need to invest in an RTX 4070 Ti Super or higher. You may still need to use the super sampling technologies for either AMD or Nvidia.

Cooling Technology

Different brands use different cooling methods to keep the GPU performing optimally when under load. You can get GPUs with two fans, like the ASUS Dual Radeon RX 7700 XT OC Edition, or with three fans, like the others on the list. Some manufacturers like GIGABYTE offer additional vapor chambers for even better cooling. This does impact the size of the card, so make sure you have the right clearances.

FAQ

Q: Is God of War Ragnarök on Steam Deck?

Yes, God of War Ragnarök is playable on the Steam Deck, and it runs well.

Q: Is God of War Ragnarök available for PC?

Yes, God of War Ragnarök launched on PC on September 19, 2024.