Best GPU for The Witcher 3 in 2023 – raytracing & budget graphics cards

If you’re looking for the best GPU for The Witcher 3, then we’ve got you covered right here with our top picks.

Back in 2015, we got the third installment of the hugely popular Witcher series and it did not disappoint. This game has been enduringly popular in the years since and received another boost in popularity in December 2022 when the rerelease came out.

This rerelease included a next-gen upgrade for the PC version of the game, which means better graphics and other optimizations. If you want to get the most out of this new update it makes sense to go for a GPU that is well-suited to the game.

Thanks to the new graphic upgrade that The Witcher 3 has received you’ll be seeing some of the best GPUs for 4K here, as well as ones that excel at ray tracing. There’s also a more budget-friendly choice if that is a limiting factor for you.

We’ve picked these graphics cards based on a range of factors, including power, efficiency, design and price. There’s a detailed breakdown of each product beneath it, ensuring you can make an informed decision.

So let’s get into our picks, here are the best GPUs for The Witcher 3.

Best 4K Performance GPU For The Witcher 3 – Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3080 Ti

Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3080 Ti

Base Clock

1365MHz

Boost Clock

1680MHz

VRAM

12GB

Dimensions

320 x 128 x 56 mm

Recommended PSU

750

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The Nvidia RTX 3000 series features some of the most powerful graphics cards on the market. Of their top-of-the-line variant, the mighty Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3080Ti with its new graphics update would allow you to enjoy the spectacular journey of Geralt of Rivia at ideal frame rates, even in 4k. 

A complete powerhouse, the Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3080 Ti comes with 12GB of GDDR6X VRAM and a memory interface of 384-bit. Pair this up with a decent CPU, you’re guaranteed to get the highest frame rates in every AAA title released over the last couple of years. While the card is focused towards 4K gaming at 60FPS, players can even game on 8K displays with RTX 3080 Ti. 

Read more: Best GPU for The Last of Us Part 1 PC

Moreover, as for the aesthetics, the card would go hand-in-hand with a minimalistic build as it features a grey exterior with a hint of customizable RGB lights. On the rear, a sophisticated backplate further contributes to the beauty of this piece. 

As for the cooling, you’ll find a triple-fan setup more than sufficient to keep the GPU from overheating. In short, the GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is surely overkill for The Witcher 3 but, if you’re planning to get the highest possible frame rates on a 4K display, this is the one for you. While the price tag may put a big dent in your bank statement, the GPU is worth every single penny.

Best Value for Money GPU For The Witcher 3 – ASUS ROG Strix AMD Radeon RX 6600

ASUS ROG Strix AMD Radeon RX 6600

Base Clock

2448 MHz

Boost Clock

2607 MHz

VRAM

8GB

Dimensions

‎9.6 x 5.3 x 2 inches

Recommended

500W

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Not interested in spending a fair chunk of money on your graphics card? We recommend the Asus Radeon RX 6600. One of the latest flagship GPUs from AMD, the Asus Radeon RX 6600 boasts a whopping 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM and a boost memory clock of almost 2500MHz. 

Looking at the specification of the graphics card, it is easy to predict the top-notch performance you’ll get on high and ultra settings at 1080p and 1440p displays. Furthermore, the card is priced quite cheaply allowing you to enjoy a decent Witcher 3 gameplay experience at a slightly more mid-range price.

Read more: Best GPU for 1440p

Additionally, the graphics card features AMD’s RDNA 2 technology and natively supports real-time ray tracing, meaning that you can expect to see some flawless visuals. In the next-gen update of Witcher 3, ray tracing and FSR 2.1 (if you’re rocking a GPU that supports such settings) you’ll be left in awe by the spectacular graphics of The Witcher 3. 

As for the appearance, the GPU is RGB-free and features a black exterior along with a dual-fan setup to keep the GPU from reaching critical temperature. For the most part, the GPU tends to stay cool and the fans are less noisy as well. 

ASUS Radeon RX 6600 is compact in size as well, especially compared to other similar GPUs on the market. It even easily fits inside an ATX case. The power consumption is also quite efficient, making it the ideal graphics card for anyone looking to play the Witcher 3 on a more budget-orientated build.

Best 8K Performance GPU For The Witcher 3 – Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 Ti

ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 Ti

Memory

24GB

PCIe

4.0

Memory Interface

384-bit

Bandwidth

912 GB/s

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Experience the most spectacular Witcher 3 experience with the mighty Zotac GeForce RTX 3090 Ti by turning on real-time ray tracing and DLSS. As supported by Witcher 3 in its next-gen upgrade, the game never looked more beautiful and if you have an RTX 3090 Ti powering up your graphics, the visuals on your screen would leave you in awe. But we must warn you, this graphics card will probably break the bank. 

Powered by 2nd-gen ray tracing cores, the Zotac Gaming GeForce RTX 3090 Ti features 24 gigs of GDDR6X VRAM, a memory interface of 384-bit, and a boost clock of 1890MHz. This monster graphics card natively supports a maximum resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels (8K) and can put up decent frame rates at that resolution in The Witcher 3. 

Read more: Best GPU for 1080p

For an even better experience, a VR headset will enhance your experience with The Witcher 3 since the Zotac GeForce RTX 3090 Ti supports VR natively.

As for the appearance of the graphics card we should warn you it’s on the larger side. You’ll probably require an E-ATX case to properly fit the graphics card inside your PC case. 

For the cooling options, you’ll find a triple-fan setup that comes laced with Icestorm 2.0 technology to dissipate the heat in the most ideal manner. Furthermore, customizable RGBs on the backplate further light up your build, making it the perfect companion if you’re a fan of RGB lights. 

As far as the connectivity is concerned, you’ll find 3x Display ports 1.4 along with 1x HDMI 2.1 ports on the card. Both ports are capable of supporting 8K monitors and if you’re planning a multi-monitor setup, this graphics card is ideal for you. 

Read More: Best GPT for Resident Evil 4 Remake

Lastly, the in-game performance of the GeForce RTX 3090 Ti is above par as it manages to maintain 60FPS in all the AAA titles on 4K displays at high to ultra settings. While the graphics card is a bit pricey, the performance it offers is truly exceptional. 

Frequently asked questions

Is Witcher 3 CPU or GPU intensive?

While it of course varies around the gameplay, overall the game will be more demanding for your GPU than your CPU.

Does The Witcher 3 have raytracing?

Yes, raytracing is one of the most exciting and well-executed elements of The Witcher three’s rerelease. It makes for a level-up in the gaming experience.

What GPU do you need for The Witcher 3 next gen?

The minimum system requirements list the Nvidia GPU GeForce GTX 660 for The Witcher 3, however, a more powerful GPU is recommended.

Can RTX 3060 run The Witcher 3?

Yes! The RTX 3060 meets the requirements to run The Witcher 3.