Buying Guide
The Best GPUs for Total War: Empire
Five graphics cards ranked on video memory and GPU, where the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB has the largest video memory; the Arc B570 Challenger is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Total War: Empire runs on almost any current graphics card, so the choice comes down to price, memory and outputs. Every pick cost between $250 and $650, ordered from the lowest price.
The order reflects GPU, VRAM and memory from maker specifications; a missing boost clock is flagged, not filled in rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Also Consider
ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC
A 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps.
Best for: Buyers who want 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps.
Our take Check price for ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
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)
Worth a Look
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G
A WINDFORCE cooling system.
Best for: Buyers who want WINDFORCE cooling system.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G (opens in a new tab)
Largest Video Memory
XFX Swift Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Gaming Edition 16GB
The largest video memory here (16GB).
Best for: Buyers who put video memory first.
Our take Check price for XFX Swift Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Gaming Edition 16GB (opens in a new tab)
Solid Runner-Up
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5060 Ti WINDFORCE OC 8G
A WINDFORCE cooling system.
Best for: Buyers who want WINDFORCE cooling system.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5060 Ti WINDFORCE OC 8G (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Also Consider1 of 5
ASRock Intel Arc B570 Challenger 10GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Arc B570 is the B580's cheaper sibling with 10GB of memory on a 160-bit bus.
Best for
- Buyers who want 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: video memory of 10GB, behind the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB (16GB).
Why we like it
It was the least expensive card here at the time of writing and still offers three DisplayPort 2.1 outputs. Its dual striped axial fans stop completely at low load, and the card supports Intel XeSS 2 upscaling. On video memory it sits mid-pack at 10GB: the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB offers 16GB, and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X comes in at 6GB.
An arc B570 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G uses an RTX 5060 Ti gpu. Like the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB, it has GDDR6 memory, while the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G uses GDDR7 memory. No other pick in this guide offers a 2600MHz boost clock; compare the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, which has a 1492MHz boost clock.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: Arc B570
- VRAM: 10GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Power connector: 1 x 8-pin
- Boost clock: 2600MHz
- Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 2.1, 1 x HDMI 2.1a
Pros
- 10GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- A single 8-pin power connector
- 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps
- 0dB fan stop
Cons
- Video memory of 10GB, behind the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB (16GB)
Strong Alternative2 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
- 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 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 trails the group at 6GB, while the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB offers 16GB.
An RTX 3050 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G uses an RTX 5060 Ti gpu. Like the Arc B570 Challenger and XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB, it has GDDR6 memory, while the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G uses GDDR7 memory. No other pick in this guide offers a 1492MHz boost clock; compare the Arc B570 Challenger, which has a 2600MHz boost clock.
It also comes with 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
- RTX 3050 gpu, the only one here
Cons
- 6GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Video memory trails the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB (16GB)
Worth a Look3 of 5
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G brings to the table is a WINDFORCE cooling system, plus a 128-bit memory interface.
Best for
- Buyers who want WINDFORCE cooling system.
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
Like the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Windforce 8G, it has an RTX 5060 Ti gpu, while the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB uses an RX 9060 XT gpu. It shares GDDR7 memory with the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Windforce 8G; the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB goes with GDDR6 memory. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G; 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 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G with the maker. Its price falls between the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5060 Ti
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR7
Pros
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- WINDFORCE cooling system
- 128-bit memory interface
- Video memory of 8GB, ahead of the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Arc B570 Challenger at the time of writing
Largest Video Memory4 of 5
XFX Swift Radeon RX 9060 XT OC Gaming Edition 16GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
XFX's Swift RX 9060 XT is the cheapest 16GB card in this guide, with a dual-fan cooler and a 3320MHz boost.
Best for
- Buyers who put video memory first.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Arc B570 Challenger was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
It suits 1440p at medium to high settings. On video memory it leads this guide at 16GB, ahead of the Arc B570 Challenger (10GB). An RX 9060 XT gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X uses an RTX 3050 gpu.
Like the Arc B570 Challenger and MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X, it has GDDR6 memory, while the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G uses GDDR7 memory. No other pick in this guide offers a 3320MHz boost clock; compare the Arc B570 Challenger, which has a 2600MHz boost clock. No dimensions are published for the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. It was priced above the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G and below the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Windforce 8G at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 9060 XT
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Boost clock: 3320MHz
- Outputs: 1 x HDMI, 2 x DisplayPort
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler
- RX 9060 XT gpu, the only one here
- 3320MHz boost clock, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Arc B570 Challenger at the time of writing
Solid Runner-Up5 of 5
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 5060 Ti WINDFORCE OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Gigabyte 5060 Ti Windforce 8G stands out for a WINDFORCE cooling system, and it adds a 128-bit memory interface.
Best for
- Buyers who want WINDFORCE cooling system.
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
Like the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G, it has an RTX 5060 Ti gpu, while the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB uses an RX 9060 XT gpu. It shares GDDR7 memory with the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G; the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X goes with GDDR6 memory. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Windforce 8G; 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 5060 Ti Windforce 8G with the maker. The nearest alternative on video memory is the Arc B570 Challenger at 10GB, against 8GB here.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5060 Ti
- VRAM: 8GB
- Memory: GDDR7
Pros
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- WINDFORCE cooling system
- 128-bit memory interface
- Video memory of 8GB, ahead of the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the Arc B570 Challenger 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 from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 3 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while boost clock and outputs have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Arc B570 Challenger to the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Windforce 8G, state GPU, video memory and memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G and the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Windforce 8G give no boost clock; the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G and the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Windforce 8G give no outputs.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Arc B570 Challenger ($250 to $500) to the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Windforce 8G ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a GPUs for Total War: Empire
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory
The XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB tops video memory at 16GB and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X sits lowest at 6GB. The Arc B570 Challenger comes second at 10GB, in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 for the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB.
Memory
The Arc B570 Challenger, the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB list GDDR6; the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G and the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Windforce 8G list GDDR7. Sort out memory before price: it splits 5 stated picks into groups of 3 and 2.
Boost clock
The Arc B570 Challenger lists 2600MHz; the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X lists 1492MHz; the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB lists 3320MHz.
Setup checks
No dimensions are published for the Arc B570 Challenger; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Extras that separate them
The MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X: a dual-fan Ventus cooler. The Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G: a 128-bit memory interface. The XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB: an XFX SWFT dual-fan cooler.
How to Choose a GPUs for Total War: Empire
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps | Arc B570 Challenger | A 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps |
| Buyers who want two HDMI 2.1a outputs | MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | Two HDMI 2.1a outputs |
| Buyers who want WINDFORCE cooling system | Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G | A WINDFORCE cooling system |
| Buyers who put video memory first | XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB | The largest video memory here (16GB) |
| Buyers who want WINDFORCE cooling system | Gigabyte 5060 Ti Windforce 8G | A WINDFORCE cooling system |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB leads on video memory at 16GB, ahead of the Arc B570 Challenger at 10GB. "Not listed" marks boost clock where the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G and the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Windforce 8G leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Boost clock |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arc B570 Challenger | Arc B570 | 10GB | GDDR6 | 2600MHz |
| MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X | RTX 3050 | 6GB | GDDR6 | 1492MHz |
| Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G | RTX 5060 Ti | 8GB | GDDR7 | Not listed |
| XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB | RX 9060 XT | 16GB | GDDR6 | 3320MHz |
| Gigabyte 5060 Ti Windforce 8G | RTX 5060 Ti | 8GB | GDDR7 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Arc B570 Challenger was the lowest-priced pick ($250 to $500) and the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Windforce 8G the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | Arc B570 Challenger, MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X |
| About $500 to $1000 | Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G, XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB, Gigabyte 5060 Ti Windforce 8G |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Arc B570 Challenger compare with the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB on video memory?
Between the top two, it is 16GB on the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB against 10GB on the Arc B570 Challenger, a 60% difference. The spread runs down to the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X at 6GB.
What does the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Windforce 8G add over the Arc B570 Challenger?
The Gigabyte 5060 Ti Windforce 8G matches or trails the Arc B570 Challenger on video memory, so the extra spend buys only what the spec sheet doesn't show. It does not win everywhere: the Arc B570 Challenger still leads on video memory (10GB). On our last price check the Arc B570 Challenger was in the $250 to $500 tier and the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Windforce 8G in the $500 to $1000 tier, with 3 other picks between them.
Why is the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB our Largest Video Memory pick?
The label rests on the largest video memory here (16GB). On video memory it leads the Arc B570 Challenger, 16GB against 10GB, a 60% margin. The Arc B570 Challenger, the cheapest pick, sat in the $250 to $500 tier against $500 to $1000 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for anyone who puts video memory first.
Do the Arc B570 Challenger and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X differ on GPU?
The Arc B570 Challenger uses Arc B570; the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X uses RTX 3050; the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G and the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Windforce 8G use RTX 5060 Ti; the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB uses RX 9060 XT.
Will the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB work with my setup?
No dimensions are published for the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB with the maker. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, as our Largest Video Memory pick, and first of 5 on video memory (16GB).
What extras do the Arc B570 Challenger and the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X include?
The Arc B570 Challenger: a 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps. The MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X: two HDMI 2.1a outputs. The Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G: a WINDFORCE cooling system.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Arc B570 Challenger, chosen for a 160-bit memory bus at 19Gbps. Look at the MSI RTX 3050 Ventus 2X for two HDMI 2.1a outputs, the Gigabyte 5060 Ti Gaming OC 8G for a WINDFORCE cooling system and the XFX Swift RX 9060 XT 16GB for the largest video memory here (16GB) if those matter more to you.
Match the card's video outputs to your monitor's HDMI or DisplayPort inputs.