Like many other PlayStation exclusive games,Ghost of Tsushimahas made its way to PC, and it comes with some improvements over the console version. Developed by Sucker Punch and ported to PC by Nixxes,Ghost of Tsushima’sPC version is a good port that doesn’t break PCs or crash every time the resource usage goes up. However, to fully enjoy the visual glory of the island of Tsushima, Japan, you will need asolid gaming setup, though the recommended specifications are fairly timid.
Ghost of Tsushimalaunched on thePlayStation 4 in 2020 and was enhanced for the PS5in the following year. The game features vast open landscapes, intense sword fights, and the opportunity for the player to choose what approach they take towards attacking their enemies. Even on the PS4, it was one of the best looking games and the PC version arguably looks even better thanks to the more detailed settings that can be tweaked by the player.
ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4080 SUPER OC
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 7700 XT GAMING OC 12G
Before getting into the best GPUs to playGhost of Tsushimaon PC, here are the minimum and recommended requirements straight from the developer.
CPU: Intel Core i3-7100 or AMD Ryzen 3 1200
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 or AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT
Storage: 75 GB available space
CPU: Intel Core i5-8600 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT
Here are the Best GPUs to Play Ghost of Tsushima on PC
MSI RTX 4070 Ventus 3X 12G OC
The MSI 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.
Seeing as howGhost of Tsushimais fairly well optimized for PC, you don’t necessarily need thetop of the line Nvidia RTX 4080or theRTX 4090to have a great gaming experience. This makes the MSI VENTUS 3X OC RTX 4070 the best value for running the game on PC. With its 2520 MHz maximum clock speed, 12GB GDDR6X VRAM, and 5888 Cuda cores, this GPU is capable of delivering a high FPS gaming experience at 1080p and a solid 60+ FPS experience at 1440p with the settings cranked up high. Of course, the CPU will play a part in the performance as well, but fortunately,Ghost of Tsushimais not that CPU-intensive.
The MSI VENTUS 3X OC RTX 4070 has a triple-fan cooler system that works alongside a large heatsink, precision cut heatpipes, solid nickel-plated copper baseplate, and effective thermal padding. Even though it is quite a powerful GPU, it only uses a single 8-pin connector for power and can take up to 200W, which is why a 650W power supply is recommended with the MSI VENTUS 3X OC RTX 4070.
Because it is an Nvidia GPU, it supports the latest technologies like RTX AI features, RTX Video Super Resolution, DLSS 3, and more. It is a long GPU with three fans, but it only takes two slots, freeing up other PCIe expansion slots. It also comes with a black reinforcing backplate with the MSI and GeForce RTX branding which, if you’re not cool with, is something that can be easily fixed with some DIY.
GIGABYTE Radeon RX 7800 XT GAMING OC
The Radeon RX 7800XT GAMING OC from GIGABYTE is an excellent mid-tier GPU that is capable of delivering solid 1440p performance and can even run games at 4K. The GPU features 16GB GDDR6 VRAM, a maximum clock speed of 2656 MHz, and a triple-fan cooling system.
Team Red fans can get similar performance as the MSI VENTUS 3X OC RTX 4070 with the relatively cheaper GIGABYTE Radeon RX 7800 XT GAMING OC GPU. The Radeon option comes with 16GB GDDR6 VRAM which is even more than the MSI offering. It comes with 3840 stream processors and a maximum clock speed of 2656 MHz, which is quite impressive compared to the reference design.
It does require two 8-pin connectors for power and the company recommends a 700W PSU with this card. Like the MSI RTX 4070, the GIGABYTE Radeon RX 7800 XT GAMING OC also has a triple-fan setup which is the company’s popular WINDFORCE cooling system. It includes three 90mm fans, seven copper heatpipes, a copper plate directly touching the GPU, and a 0 RPM mode. This means the fans will not turn on until a certain amount of load is put on the GPU.
There is a solid backplate that has the GIGABYTE branding and a slot for the air to pass through. At the front is a small RGB GIGABYTE logo which can be controlled through software. The Radeon RX 7800 XT GAMING OC also comes with dual-BIOS and is in OC mode by default, so you may switch it to Silent mode for quieter operation. Being an AMD GPU, you get support for Radeon Anti-lag, Radeon Boost, Image Sharpening, Super Resolution, Noise Suppression, and AMD Link.
ZOTAC GeForce RTX 4060 8GB Twin Edge OC
The ZOTAC GeForce RTX 4060 8GB Twin Edge OC is a budget-friendly GPU that can deliver an impressive gaming experience thanks to its dual-fan cooling system, a boost clock speed of 2475 MHz, and 8GB of VRAM. It also supports the latest Nvidia technologies that further improve the gaming experience.
For under $300, the ZOTAC GeForce RTX 4060 8GB Twin Edge OC is a compelling option for Nvidia fans. The RTX 4060 targets1080p gaming, and you will have no problem running the game at over 60 FPS at that resolution with settings in the high to very high range. With Deep Learning Anti-Aliasing (DLAA), Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), Dynamic Super Resolution (DSR), and Frame Generation (FG), you may get over 60 FPS with all settings cranked up to very high.
While 8GB of VRAM is generally sufficient for gaming, you may find it to be a bit limiting as you turn up the textures and the various Nvidia technologies. Regardless, you can have a solid gaming experience at 1080p. At 1440p, however, you will have to be more reliant on these technologies to carry you over the 60 FPS mark, that too, with some visual settings toned down. Frame Generation and DRS will be your biggest allies at1440p resolution.
It is also possible to run the game at 4K and still have a decent gaming experience with DLSS, DRS, and FG enabled, but you may experience frame drops and inconsistencies during gameplay. But 4K gaming is asking too much from an RTX 4060 and the sweet spot is 1080p with the settings cranked up high.
The ZOTAC GeForce RTX 4060 8GB Twin Edge OC comes with a dual-fan cooling system, a compact 2-slot form factor, a metal backplate, and a boost clock speed of 2475 MHz. You may be able to get a little more performance out of the Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti, but the price difference between the two doesn’t justify the gains.
ASRock Steel Legend Radeon RX 7600
The ASRock Steel Legend Radeon RX 7600 features a triple fan design with three striped Axial fans and a maximum boost clock speed of 2725 MHz. The GPU only needs a single 8-pin connector and comes with 8GB GDDR6 VRAM which should be sufficient for most games.
The ASRock Steel Legend Radeon RX 7600 is a great budget offering from the Team Red camp that can deliver excellent performance inGhost of Tsushimaat 1080p max settings and a solid 60–70 FPS at 1440p with very high to max settings. While AMD does not have such a wide selection of technologies to improve frame rates and visual fidelity, it does have FSR 3 or FidelityFX Super Resolution 3 and AMD Fluid Motion Frames frame generation (AFMF), which can significantly boost frame rates at both resolutions. So, even though the Radeon RX 7600 targets 1080p gaming, it can deliver a solid 1440p gaming experience as well with FSR 3.
The Steel Legend version of the RX 7600 from ASRock is a triple-fan GPU with an all-white faceplate and a white with snow camo backplate. It supports a maximum boost clock of 2725 MHz and requires a single 8-pin connector. ASRock is using custom Striped Axial Fans that move air more efficiently and these fans only turn on when under load, thanks to the 0dB Silent Cooling feature.
The ASRock Steel Legend Radeon RX 7600 also features RGB lighting around the fans which can be controlled through the Polychrome Sync software. Do note that in most PC builds, the GPU will be facing down, so the RGB fans will be pretty much hidden, unless you have a vertical GPU mounting system.
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.
For a no-compromise gaming experience atas high as 4K resolution, the ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4080 Super OC Edition is the way to go. This GPU features 16GB GDDR6X VRAM, so there will be no limitations when it comes to high resolution textures and the many Nvidia AI features. For the most part, you will not need to use the AI features to improve the gameplay experience, as at 1080p and 1440p, the game can be maxed out and the TUF Gaming RTX 4080 Super OC Edition will still deliver a high-FPS experience (about 80-100 FPS).
At native 4K, the GPU can manage 60–70 FPS inGhost of Tsushimaon PC, which is very respectable and playable. To make sure you constantly stay over the 60 FPS mark, FG can be enabled to stay in the 80-90 FPS space. Because it is a single-player campaign game, 60 FPS is sufficient, but if you want close to 100–120 FPS, DLSS will get you there.
The ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4080 Super OC Edition is capable of reaching 2640 MHz in OC mode and 2610 MHz in its default mode. It comes with a triple-fan cooling system that uses larger Axial fans, military grade 20K capacitors, and a metal exoskeleton. It is a fairly chunky GPU taking 3.65 slots, which is to be expected given the amount of power it can consume. Speaking of which, you need a single 16-pin connector for power and ASUS recommends an 850W PSU to pair with this beast.
The GIGABYTE Radeon RX 7700 XT GAMING OC 12G graphics card is a mid-tier offering in the Radeon 7000 series. Based on the Navi 32 platform, the graphics card comes with a boost clock speed of up to 2599 MHz and a game clock speed of up to 2276 MHz. The GIGABYTE Radeon RX 7700 XT GAMING OC 12G comes with a triple-fan cooler design, two 8-pin connectors, two DisplayPort 2.1, and two HDMI 2.1 ports.
For an excellent 1440p gaming experience without breaking the bank, the Radeon RX 7700 XT GAMING OC 12G from GIGABYTE stands as the best option. At under $500, you can experienceGhost of Tsushimain all its glory at 1440p and get a solid 60+ FPS experience. With FSR 3 and frame generation enabled, you can up to double the FPS in some cases. This means you can even game at 4K with ‘High’ settings and get a 60+ FPS experience. With some smart overclocking, you can squeeze even more performance out of this card.
The 12GB of VRAM is a significant jump from the 8GB present in the budget-friendly offerings. It gives plenty of headroom for higher resolution textures and consistent performance. The GPU can reach 2599 MHz boost clock, which is higher than its competition. It does require two 8-pin connectors, so make sure your power supply is at least 700W and has the right number of cables.
The GIGABYTE Radeon RX 7700 XT GAMING OC 12G has the same WINDFORCE cooling system as the Radeon RX 7800XT GAMING OC, and it should perform even more efficiently here. You get dual-BIOS support and a power indicator that flashes when the card detects any power supply abnormalities.
How to Select the Best GPU to play Ghost of Tsushima on PC
There are a few things to keep in mind when looking for a new GPU:
Game Resolution and FPS: Not all games benefit from running at an ultra-fast frame rate andGhost of Tsushimais an example of that. The single-player campaign-based games are just as enjoyable at a stable 60 FPS as they are at higher frame rates. Resolution, on the other hand, follows the “the higher, the better” approach. So, if you are planning on gaming at 4K, you should consider an Nvidia RTX 4080 or higher or the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX. For 1080p or 1440p gaming, even mid-tier offerings like the 7700 XT will suffice.
Brand: There are mainly two brands to choose from: Nvidia and AMD. Both companies have GPUs around the same price points that deliver comparable performance, but the difference lies in the technologies implemented to enhance the gaming experience. Nvidia brings DLSS, DSR, FG, DLAA, and other technologies, while AMD has its own versions including FSR, AFMF, and more. And most modern titles support these technologies from both brands.
Budget: You can find GPUs as low as $150 and as high as $1500 or even more. Depending on the resolution and FPS you are targeting, the cost of the GPU can be at the lower end or higher end of that range. But that does not mean the cheapest GPU is the way to go, as it won’t be able to deliver a satisfactory gaming experience. But at around the $300 range, you can get a great gaming experience at 1080p.
FAQ
Q: What graphics card do you need for Ghost of Tsushima?
The developers of the game recommend at least an Nvidia GeForce GTX 960 or an AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT. For the optimum experience, you should either have the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 or the AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT. Ultimately, the GPU you consider depends on the resolution and your budget.
Q: Is GPU more important than CPU in gaming?
While the GPU is responsible for handling all the visual output and quality, games utilize both and while most games are GPU intensive, there are some others that tax the CPU more. Therefore, both components are just as important, but typically, the GPU does more of the legwork when it comes to gaming.
