As technology has progressed over the years, we have seen massive improvements in both hardware and software. CPUs and GPUs are now powerful than ever, and so are the software consuming the power out of them. In this post, we will look at some of the most GPU graphically demanding PC games of this year, which will surely give your gaming rig a hard time.
What are Graphics and Why are they so Important?
Perhaps the most important aspect of gaming comes from both graphics and storyline. Graphics play an essential role in deciding whether the player wants to proceed further into the gameplay or not. They are the cover of a book, the trailer to a movie.
They say beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, which is true even for games. Not everyone feels the need to play games only with sophisticated graphics. After all, a really nice storyline could make up for shabby graphics, but the vice versa doesn’t always hold true. This is why both graphics and storylines are equally important for a game’s success.
It is now more important than ever for graphics to dwell into the storyline and the gameplay. GTA V is a key example of how important graphics are. The game, launched in 2013, is the world’s second most selling game losing to only Minecraft, which is in the first position.
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Let’s take a look at some of the best examples of GPU intensive PC games of this year!
List of Most GPU Intensive PC Games
1. Cyberpunk 2077
Cyberpunk 2077 is perhaps the most anticipated game of the decade. It is an action role-playing video game that is developed by CD Projekt. The game is adapted from the Cyberpunk Franchise. The game’s storyline takes place in dystopian Night City, which is an open world with six distinct regions. The players play the first-person perspective role of a mercenary called V. V can acquire many skills in hacking and machinery and is also highly customizable. It can also carry an arsenal of weapons and also has options for melee combat.
Cyberpunk 2077 Recommended Requirements
Operating System | Windows 10 |
Processor | Core i7-4790 or Ryzen 3 3200G |
RAM | 12GB |
Graphics | GTX 1060 (6GB) or Radeon R9 Fury |
DirectX | Version 11 |
Storage | 70GB SSD |
2. Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 is a flight simulator game developed by Asobo Studio and published by Xbox Game Studios. The game, with its real-world graphics, has revolutionized the entire simulator gaming industry. Flight Simulator 2020 gets data from real-world satellites and processes that into the game for probably the most accurate graphics ever seen on a video game.
You can fly an aircraft to any airport in the world and even see your own house from the above since it simulates the planet’s surface and textures using Bing Maps and uses Microsoft’s Azure technology for cloud processing (pun unintended). With such a massive area to cover, Flight Simulator definitely takes the full juice out of your graphics card.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 Recommended Requirements
Operating System | Windows 10 |
Processor | Core i5-8400 or Ryzen 5 1500X |
RAM | 16GB |
Graphics | GTX 970 or Radeon RX 590 |
DirectX | Version 11 |
Storage | 150GB |
3. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla
Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is another action role-playing video game that is developed by Ubisoft. Assasins’s Creed is a top-rated video game franchise, and Valhalla is its twenty-second release. The game is set in the past, AD 873, to be more precise, and is based on the Viking invasion of Britain.
Players get to become Eivor, “a legendary Viking raider”. The game revolves around England’s Dark Ages and beautifully portrays the open world of that time. It includes some really great scenes and attention to detail, that will definitely make your GPU a run for its full power.
Assassin’s Creed Valhilla Recommended Requirements
Operating System | Windows 10 64-bit |
Processor | Core i7-6700 or Ryzen 7 1700 |
RAM | 8GB |
Graphics | GTX 1080 (8GB) or Radeon RX Vega 64 (8GB) |
DirectX | Version 12 (GPU Feature Level 12_0 Required) |
Storage | 50GB SSD |
4. Halo Infinite
Halo Infinite is a first-person shooter game that is developed by 343 Industries. It is published by Xbox Game studio and was initially planned to launch alongside Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, but the launch was delayed. It is now rumored to come out in 2021.
The game’s plot is based on the return of Master Chief with “his greatest adventure yet to save humanity”. Master Cheif’s MJOLNIR suit design is also set to return in the sixth iteration of Halo, as previously seen in Halo 3 and Halo 4. Although not released yet, the game is expected to feature highly detailed graphics and take your rig to the next level.
Halo Infinite Recommended Requirements
Operating System | Windows 10 64-bit |
Processor | Core i7-6700K or Ryzen R5 1600 |
RAM | 16GB |
Graphics | GTX 1070 or Radeon RX Vega 56 (8GB) |
DirectX | Version 11 |
Storage | 60GB |
5. Call of Duty: Warzone
Call of Duty: Warzone is another addition to the massive CoD franchise. It is technically a part of 2019’s Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and does not need additional purchase to play. It has got two main modes – Plunder and Battle Royale. The game allows up to 150 players to play in the multiplayer mode. The Battle Royale mode is the hot pick for many players out there, where there’s a continuously shrinking map, where players have to go inside the zones and encounter other players only to remain the last man standing.
In the Plunder mode, players have to find scattered cash around the map and make up a total of $1 Million. Once done, the game goes overtime and multiplies all the cash by 1.5 times. The team that has the most cash wins the round. The game has great graphical improvements over previous generations.
In the Plunder mode, players have to find scattered cash around the map and make up a total of $1 Million. Once done, the game goes overtime and multiplies all the cash by 1.5 times. The team that has the most cash wins the round. The game has great graphical improvements over previous generations.
Call of Duty: Warzone Recommended Requirements
Operating System | Windows 10 64-bit |
Processor | Core i5-2500K or Ryzen R5 1600X |
RAM | 12GB |
Graphics | GTX 970 or GTX 1660 |
DirectX | Version 11 |
Storage | 175GB |
6. Forza Horizon 4
Forza Horizon 4 is the latest game from the franchise. It was developed by Playground Studios in 2018 and published by Microsoft Studios. The game is based in the Great Britain area and is mostly open world. The game’s route creator helps players to create their own races. The environment of the game changes according to the actual season. For example, areas like Derwentwater would freeze over in winter. This allows players to drive their cars on top of the frozen lake, which would otherwise be inaccessible during all other seasons.
The game features one of the most highly detailed graphics ever on a car racing game. It features over 700 licensed cars and new maps as well. The textures are highly detailed and make up for an overall brilliant experience that will definitely get the best out of your gaming rig.
Forza Horizon 4 Recommended Requirements
Operating System | Windows 10 64-bit |
Processor | Core i7-3820 |
RAM | 12GB |
Graphics | GTX 970 or Radeon R9 290X (4GB) |
DirectX | Version 12 |
Storage | 70GB |
7. Ghostrunner
Ghostrunner is a cyberpunk action video game that is developed by none other than Studio One More Level. It is co-published by two studios – All In! Games and 505 Games and came out in October 2020. The game revolves around this character – Jack – where it has to kill enemies. The catch? Everyone, including Jack himself, can be killed in just one hit!
To cope with the challenge, Jack has a special ability that helps him slow down the time so that he can dodge the bullets. More abilities are unlocked as the game progresses. The game is based on the aftermath of a global calamity called “Burst”, where the rest of humanity lives in this massive skyscraper called “Dharma Tower”. The game is definitely graphic intuitive and will give you a vivid experience.
Ghostrunner Recommended Requirements
Operating System | Windows 10 64-bit |
Processor | Core i7-6700K or Ryzen 5 1500X |
RAM | 8GB |
Graphics | GTX 970 or Radeon RX 5700 |
DirectX | Version 12 |
Storage | 80GB |
8. Dirt 5
Dirt 5 is a racing car game that’s both developed and published by Codemasters. It is technically the eighth iteration of the Dirt franchise. As the name suggests, the game is mostly focused on off-road racing. The game includes various disciplines such as ice racing, stadium super trucks, and off-road buggies.
Like Forza Horizon 4, the game also features dynamic weather and a wide range of locations and maps spread across Arizona, Brazil, Morocco, China, Italy, New York City, and Norway. The game also includes a 4-player split-screen for a great multiplayer experience.
Dirt 5 Recommended Requirements
Operating System | Windows 10 64-bit |
Processor | Core i5 9600K or Ryzen 3600 |
RAM | 12GB |
Graphics | GTX 1070Ti or Radeon 5700XT |
DirectX | Version 12 |
Storage | 60GB |
9. Grand Theft Auto V
Even after more than 7 years, Grand Theft Auto V still makes up for one of the best graphics in the game. For those living under the rock, GTA V came out in 2013 and is developed and published by Rockstar Games. The plot is set in the fictional city of San Andreas. It revolves around three characters – retired bank robber Michael De Santa; street gangster Franklin Clinton; drug dealer and arms smuggler Trevor Philips.
The game allows players to explore the open world of San Andreas and Los Santos, which is based in Los Angeles. Grand Theft Auto Online allows up to 30 players to play on each server to carry out various tasks and missions. The game has great life-like graphics, and will ultra settings will make your rig shake-up for real.
Grand Theft Auto 5 Recommended Requirements
Operating System | Windows 8.1/10 64-bit |
Processor | Core i5 9600K or Ryzen 3600 |
RAM | 8GB |
Graphics | GTX 660 (2GB) or Radeon HD 7870 (2GB) |
DirectX | Version 10 |
Storage | 65GB |
10. Red Dead Redemption 2
Red Dead Redemption 2 is another action and adventure game developed and published by Rockstar Games. Third, in the Red Dead series, the game is actually a prequel to 2010’s Red Dead Redemption and is based in the year 1899 across Western, Midwestern and Southern parts of what’s now called the United States.
The protagonist of this game is Arthur Morgan, a member of the Van der Linde gang. Arthur must save the Wild West and survive against government forces, rival gangs, and other enemies. The story also includes Red Dead Redemption’s protagonist John Marston.
Red Dead Redemption 2 Recommended Requirements
Operating System | Windows 10 64-bit |
Processor | Core i7-4770K or Ryzen 5 1500X |
RAM | 12GB |
Graphics | GeForce GTX 770 (2GB) or Radeon R9 |
DirectX | Version 10 |
Storage | 150GB |
Final Words
These were some of the best games with great graphics we have ever seen. Many of these games provide a visually great experience and have an equally great storyline and/or gameplay. We hope your GPU is all worked up with these games. If your favorite graphically demanding PC game isn’t listed above, you can comment down below, and we’ll surely check it out.
Also read: Is G2A Legit and Safe Place to Buy Games?
FAQs
Are games CPU or GPU intensive?
This depends purely on the type of game you are playing. If a games involves a large number of dynamic objects that may include shadows, textures, terrain etc. then it is generally considered CPU intensive, for example, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. On the other hand, processing of 2D, 3D Graphics, details in textures, mapping texture that requires GPUs, for example Call of Duty: Warzone.
Does RAM increase or affect FPS?
Generally No, and that is because RAM is used to store the data that needs to be available readily so that it can be fed to CPU when required. So in most cases you can invest the extra money on GPU instead of RAM.
Does SSD increase FPS?
Generally No, SSD will help you to improve load times by a huge margin and will reduce any stutters that you feel while the game is loading.
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Hello Issac,
We think NVIDIA GeForce GTX 970 will do as long as you have a decent CPU.
What graphics card do you need to run Far Cry 4 at max graphics settings?