Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Crusader Kings III
We weighed five graphics cards on video memory and cooler thickness, and the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Crusader Kings III does not push current hardware, so this guide compares cards by price, memory and what they leave for other games. Every pick is an RTX card that cost $650 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects GPU, VRAM and memory from maker specifications; we did not test these graphics cards ourselves, and a missing thickness is flagged, not filled in.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G
Undercutting the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X on price when we checked.
Best for: Getting dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler for the least money.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC
Two HDMI 2.1a outputs.
Best for: Buyers who want two HDMI 2.1a outputs.
Our take Check price for MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 Ti V2 OC Edition 8GB
0dB fan stop at light load.
Best for: Buyers who want 0dB fan stop at light load.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 Ti V2 OC Edition 8GB (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 8GB OC
Axial-tech fans with a barrier ring.
Best for: Buyers who want axial-tech fans with a barrier ring.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 8GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 8GB White OC Edition
A white finish at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce costs less.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 8GB White OC Edition (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 WINDFORCE OC V2 6G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's RTX 3050 Windforce OC V2 is the 6GB version of the RTX 3050, with DLSS support and a dual-fan cooler.
Best for
- Getting dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler for the least money.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
It has 6GB of GDDR6 on a 96-bit interface and third-generation Tensor cores for DLSS. The RTX 3050 chip has 6GB of GDDR6 on a 96-bit bus and supports DLSS and second-generation ray tracing cores. It is built on NVIDIA Ampere streaming multiprocessors, and its two Windforce fans sit on the GV-N3050WF2OCV2-6GD model.
It matches the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X on video memory (6GB). Like the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, it has an RTX 3050 gpu, while the ASUS Dual 5060 White uses an RTX 5060 gpu. It shares GDDR6 memory with the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2; the ASUS Dual 5060 White goes with GDDR7 memory.
It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X was the next step up. Buyers who need a confirmed cooler thickness should compare it with the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2, which comes in at 2-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 3050
- VRAM: 6GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- DLSS support
- Second-generation RT cores
- Undercutting the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X on price when we checked
Cons
- 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory of 6GB, behind the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 (8GB)
Also Consider2 of 5
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MSI's RTX 3050 Ventus 2X 6G OC has two HDMI 2.1a outputs and one DisplayPort, with DLSS support.
Best for
- Buyers who want two HDMI 2.1a outputs.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
It is built on the Ampere architecture with 6GB of GDDR6 at 14Gbps on a 96-bit interface and a 1492MHz boost clock. Its single DisplayPort output is version 1.4a, and the card carries two HDMI 2.1a ports. On video memory it ties with the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at 6GB.
It shares an RTX 3050 gpu with the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; the ASUS Dual 5060 White goes with an RTX 5060 gpu. Like the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2, it has GDDR6 memory, while the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 uses GDDR7 memory. It is the only pick here with a 1492MHz boost clock; the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 has a 2595MHz (OC mode) boost clock instead.
You also get a dual-fan Ventus cooler. Video memory is its weakest area, and the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 covers it better at 8GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 3050
- VRAM: 6GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 1492MHz
- Outputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 2 x HDMI 2.1a
Pros
- Two HDMI 2.1a outputs
- Dual-fan Ventus cooler
- DLSS support
- 1492MHz boost clock, the only one here
Cons
- 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory trails the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 (8GB)
- Costs more than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 Ti V2 OC Edition 8GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Dual V2 is a 2-slot, SFF-Ready RTX 4060 Ti with 0dB fan stop and a 2595MHz boost in OC mode.
Best for
- Buyers who want 0dB fan stop at light load.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
Its 0dB fan mode keeps it quiet during light games, and it supports DLSS 3. It matches the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 and the ASUS Dual 5060 White on video memory (8GB). It is the only pick here with an RTX 4060 Ti gpu; the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce has an RTX 3050 gpu instead.
It shares GDDR6 memory with the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X; the ASUS Dual 5060 White goes with GDDR7 memory. A 2595MHz (OC mode) boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 uses a 2565MHz (OC mode) boost clock. The ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. Its price falls between the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4060 Ti
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Thickness: 2-slot
- Boost clock: 2595MHz (OC mode)
- SFF-Ready: Yes
Pros
- Dual-slot cooler leaves the next slot free
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- 0dB fan stop at light load
- 2595MHz boost clock in OC mode
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 is a 2.5-slot, SFF-Ready card with GDDR7 memory and DisplayPort 2.1b.
Best for
- Buyers who want axial-tech fans with a barrier ring.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
Its 8GB of memory is best matched to a 1080p monitor. On video memory it ties with the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 and the ASUS Dual 5060 White at 8GB. It shares an RTX 5060 gpu with the ASUS Dual 5060 White; the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X goes with an RTX 3050 gpu.
No other pick in this guide offers a 2565MHz (OC mode) boost clock; compare the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, which has a 1492MHz boost clock. You also get axial-tech fans with a barrier ring. The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 with the maker. SFF-Ready is NVIDIA's size guideline, not a guarantee the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 fits every small case.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR7
- Thickness: 2.5-slot
- Boost clock: 2565MHz (OC mode)
- SFF-Ready: Yes
- Outputs: HDMI 2.1b, DisplayPort 2.1b
Pros
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- Axial-tech fans with a barrier ring
- Video memory of 8GB, ahead of the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at the time of writing
Premium Pick5 of 5
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 5060 8GB White OC Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the ASUS Dual 5060 White brings to the table is a white finish, plus a dual BIOS switch.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce costs less.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
It also offers an 8GB video memory. On video memory it ties with the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 at 8GB. Like the ASUS Dual RTX 5060, it has GDDR7 memory, while the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce uses GDDR6 memory.
No dimensions are published for the ASUS Dual 5060 White; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASUS Dual 5060 White with the maker. SFF-Ready is NVIDIA's size guideline, not a guarantee the ASUS Dual 5060 White fits every small case.
Only the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks. There is no published cooler thickness figure, whereas the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 comes in at 2-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5060
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR7
- SFF-Ready: Yes
Pros
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- White finish
- Dual BIOS switch
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at the time of writing
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- How these picks were ranked
- We compared five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and cooler thickness, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and cooler thickness and boost clock are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce to the ASUS Dual 5060 White, state GPU, video memory and memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the ASUS Dual 5060 White give no cooler thickness; the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the ASUS Dual 5060 White give no boost clock.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce ($150 to $250) to the ASUS Dual 5060 White ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Crusader Kings III
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much video memory you need
Here video memory runs from 6GB on the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X to 8GB on the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2, a 33% spread. Start with the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 if video memory decides it.
Cooler thickness
Across these 2 picks cooler thickness spans 2.5-slot (the ASUS Dual RTX 5060) to 2-slot (the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2). If cooler thickness is your first filter, the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 sets the ceiling at 2-slot. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the ASUS Dual 5060 White give no cooler thickness figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 list GDDR6; the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 and the ASUS Dual 5060 White list GDDR7. Settling memory first narrows 5 picks to 3 or 2.
Boost clock
The MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X lists 1492MHz; the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 lists 2595MHz (OC mode); the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 lists 2565MHz (OC mode). Settling boost clock first narrows 3 picks to 1 or 1 or 1.
Setup checks
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. The ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 occupies 2 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case.
How to Choose a GPUs for Crusader Kings III
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Getting dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler for the least money | Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | Undercutting the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X on price when we checked |
| Buyers who want two HDMI 2.1a outputs | MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | Two HDMI 2.1a outputs |
| Buyers who want 0dB fan stop at light load | ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 | 0dB fan stop at light load |
| Buyers who want axial-tech fans with a barrier ring | ASUS Dual RTX 5060 | Axial-tech fans with a barrier ring |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce costs less | ASUS Dual 5060 White | A white finish at the highest price in the group |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 leads on video memory at 8GB, ahead of the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 at 8GB. "Not listed" marks cooler thickness where the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the ASUS Dual 5060 White leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 | RTX 4060 Ti | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2-slot |
| ASUS Dual RTX 5060 | RTX 5060 | 8GB | GDDR7 | 2.5-slot |
| ASUS Dual 5060 White | RTX 5060 | 8GB | GDDR7 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce was the lowest-priced pick ($150 to $250) and the ASUS Dual 5060 White the highest ($250 to $500) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $150 to $250 | Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce |
| About $250 to $500 | MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2, ASUS Dual RTX 5060, ASUS Dual 5060 White |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 compare with the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 on cooler thickness?
Between the top two, it is 2-slot on the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 against 2.5-slot on the ASUS Dual RTX 5060, a 20% difference. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the ASUS Dual 5060 White are left out of this ranking because their cooler thickness isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
What does the ASUS Dual 5060 White add over the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce?
On paper it adds video memory (8GB against 6GB). On our last price check the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce was in the $150 to $250 tier and the ASUS Dual 5060 White in the $250 to $500 tier, with 3 other picks between them; pay the difference only if video memory decides your purchase.
Why is the ASUS Dual 5060 White our Premium Pick?
It carries the badge for a white finish at the highest price in the group. The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the cheapest pick, sat in the $150 to $250 tier against $250 to $500 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce costs less.
Do the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 differ on GPU?
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X use RTX 3050; the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 uses RTX 4060 Ti; the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 and the ASUS Dual 5060 White use RTX 5060.
Will the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 work with my setup?
The ASUS Dual RTX 5060 occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 with the maker. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, and second of 5 on video memory (8GB).
What extras do the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X include?
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce: a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler. The MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X: two HDMI 2.1a outputs. The ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2: 0dB fan stop at light load.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, chosen for undercutting the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X on price when we checked. Look at the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X for two HDMI 2.1a outputs, the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 for 0dB fan stop at light load and the ASUS Dual RTX 5060 for axial-tech fans with a barrier ring if those matter more to you.
Match the card's video outputs to your monitor's HDMI or DisplayPort inputs.