Best GPU for The Ascent (2026)
To run The Ascent well, aim for a graphics card at or above its recommended GPU. Below are our picks by resolution, chosen from real benchmark data — a budget option for smooth 1080p, a value pick for 1440p, and a high-end card for 4K.
Recommended graphics cards by resolution
| Resolution | Our pick | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p High | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Best budget pick · 8GB · ~$179.00 |
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| 1440p High | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Best value pick · 8GB · ~$299.00 |
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| 1440p Ultra / 4K with upscaling | AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE Best high-end pick · 16GB · ~$549.00 |
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These picks target a smooth experience at each resolution. For native 4K at max settings — especially with ray tracing or path tracing — aim higher than the high-end pick and use DLSS/FSR upscaling, which can effectively move a card up a tier.
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The Ascent system requirements
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| GPU | GeForce GTX 660 ( 2048 MB) / Radeon R9 390X (8192 MB) | Geforce GTX 1070 (8192 MB) / Radeon RX 5700 (8192 MB) |
| CPU | Intel Core Intel Core i5-3470 (4 * 3200) or equivalent / AMD FX-8350 (4 * 4000) or equivalent | Intel Core i7-6700K (4 * 4000) or equivalent / AMD Ryzen 5 2600 (6 * 3400) or equivalent |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
Want to confirm a specific card? Test it against The Ascent with our free Can I Run It tool, estimate frames with the FPS Estimator, or compare cards on the GPU tier list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What GPU do I need for The Ascent?
For smooth 1080p, a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070-class card meets the recommended bar. For 1440p, step up to around a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060. For 4K, a AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE or better gives the most headroom. You can verify any card with our free Can I Run It checker.
Can I run The Ascent on a cheaper GPU?
Often yes, at lower settings or with upscaling (DLSS/FSR). Anything at or above the game's minimum GPU will launch it; the picks above target a smooth, recommended-level experience.
Do I need a new CPU too?
For most games the GPU matters most, but a badly paired CPU can bottleneck a strong card. Check the balance with our bottleneck calculator before buying.