Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Pillars of Eternity
We weighed five graphics cards on video memory and GPU, and the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce costs the least.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Pillars of Eternity sits well within what current cards offer, and the same card also covers heavier games in your library. Every pick is an RTX card that cost $650 or less, ordered from the lowest price.
Rankings weigh GPU, VRAM and memory as the makers state them; we did not test these graphics cards ourselves, and if a maker skips boost clock, the guide says so.
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
MSI Gaming RTX 3050 LP 6G OC
14Gbps memory on a 96-bit bus.
Best for: Buyers who want 14Gbps memory on a 96-bit bus.
Our take Check price for MSI Gaming RTX 3050 LP 6G OC (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 Ti WINDFORCE OC 8G
A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Best for: Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 Ti WINDFORCE OC 8G (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 Ti V2 OC Edition 8GB
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 0dB fan stop at light load.
Best for: Buyers who want 0dB fan stop at light load and can spend more than the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce costs.
Our take Check price for ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 Ti V2 OC Edition 8GB (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
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: 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 and the MSI RTX 3050 LP on video memory (6GB). Like the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and MSI RTX 3050 LP, it has an RTX 3050 gpu, while the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce uses an RTX 4060 Ti gpu. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X was the next step up. The main gap: video memory of 6GB, behind the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce (8GB). If that matters, the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce offers 8GB.
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 Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce (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
- Pass on it if 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games rules it out for your setup.
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 and the MSI RTX 3050 LP at 6GB.
It shares an RTX 3050 gpu with the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and MSI RTX 3050 LP; the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 goes with an RTX 4060 Ti gpu. Like the MSI RTX 3050 LP, it has a 1492MHz boost clock, while the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 uses a 2595MHz (OC mode) boost clock. You also get a dual-fan Ventus cooler. No dimensions are published for the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
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
Cons
- 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
MSI Gaming RTX 3050 LP 6G OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
MSI's RTX 3050 LP is an entry card with 6GB of memory, fine for older games and esports titles.
Best for
- Buyers who want 14Gbps memory on a 96-bit bus.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
Why we like it
Two HDMI 2.1a ports and a DisplayPort make it useful in a multi-monitor work PC. It matches the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X on video memory (6GB). It shares a 1492MHz boost clock with the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X; the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 goes with a 2595MHz (OC mode) boost clock.
No dimensions are published for the MSI RTX 3050 LP; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the MSI RTX 3050 LP with the maker. Half-height cases need the low-profile bracket; confirm it ships with the MSI RTX 3050 LP.
On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the pricier Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce, at the time of writing. The trade-off is video memory; for more, the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce offers 8GB.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 3050
- VRAM: 6GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 1492MHz
- Low profile: Yes
- Outputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 2 x HDMI 2.1a
Pros
- Low-profile design for slim desktops
- 14Gbps memory on a 96-bit bus
- Two HDMI 2.1a outputs
Cons
- 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory trails the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce (8GB)
- Costs more than the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4060 Ti WINDFORCE OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's Windforce OC is a factory-overclocked dual-fan RTX 4060 Ti.
Best for
- Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler.
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
It was the least expensive 4060 Ti here at the time of writing. It carries 8GB of GDDR6 on a 128-bit memory interface and a two-fan WINDFORCE cooling system. A metal back plate protects the card, and the maker lists DLSS 3 support with fourth-generation Tensor cores.
On video memory it ties with the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 at 8GB. It shares an RTX 4060 Ti gpu with the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2; the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce goes with an RTX 3050 gpu. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce with the maker. It was priced above the MSI RTX 3050 LP and below the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4060 Ti
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR6
Pros
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- 128-bit memory bus
- Factory overclock
- 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 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 and can spend more than the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce costs.
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 Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce on video memory (8GB). Like the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce, it has an RTX 4060 Ti gpu, while the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce uses an RTX 3050 gpu.
A 2595MHz (OC mode) boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the MSI RTX 3050 LP uses a 1492MHz 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 power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 with the maker.
SFF-Ready is NVIDIA's size guideline, not a guarantee the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 fits every small case. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce.
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
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 boost clock as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 2 of 5 picks leave out boost clock.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce to the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2, state GPU, video memory and memory and share GDDR6 memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce give no boost clock; the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce and the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 give no outputs.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce ($150 to $250) to the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 ($250 to $500).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Pillars of Eternity
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory
Here video memory runs from 6GB on the MSI RTX 3050 LP to 8GB on the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce, a 33% spread. If video memory is your first filter, the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce sets the ceiling at 8GB.
Boost clock
The MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the MSI RTX 3050 LP list 1492MHz; the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 lists 2595MHz (OC mode).
Fit and compatibility
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.
Extras that separate them
The MSI RTX 3050 LP: two HDMI 2.1a outputs. The Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce: a 128-bit memory bus. The ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2: a 2595MHz boost clock in OC mode.
How much to spend
$150 to $250 buys the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce; $250 to $500 buys the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, the MSI RTX 3050 LP, the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce and the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 at our last check.
How to Choose a GPUs for Pillars of Eternity
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 14Gbps memory on a 96-bit bus | MSI RTX 3050 LP | 14Gbps memory on a 96-bit bus |
| Buyers who want dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler | Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce | A dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler |
| Buyers who want 0dB fan stop at light load and can spend more than the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce costs | ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 0dB fan stop at light load |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce leads on video memory at 8GB, ahead of the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 at 8GB. "Not listed" marks boost clock where the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Boost clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | 1492MHz |
| MSI RTX 3050 LP | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | 1492MHz |
| Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce | RTX 4060 Ti | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 | RTX 4060 Ti | 8GB | GDDR6 | 2595MHz (OC mode) |
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 4060 Ti V2 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, MSI RTX 3050 LP, Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce, ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 add over the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce?
What it brings is 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 4060 Ti V2 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 4060 Ti V2 our Premium Pick?
It earns the label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with 0dB fan stop at light load. 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 suits anyone who wants 0dB fan stop at light load and can spend more than the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce costs.
Do the Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce differ on GPU?
The Gigabyte RTX 3050 Windforce, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the MSI RTX 3050 LP use RTX 3050; the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce and the ASUS Dual 4060 Ti V2 use RTX 4060 Ti.
Will the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X work with my setup?
No dimensions are published for the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X with the maker. In this guide it ranks second of 5, and fourth of 5 on video memory (6GB).
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 MSI RTX 3050 LP: 14Gbps memory on a 96-bit bus.
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 MSI RTX 3050 LP for 14Gbps memory on a 96-bit bus and the Gigabyte 4060 Ti Windforce for a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler if those matter more to you.
Check the card's power connector against your power supply before ordering.