Best GPU for Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition (2026)
To run Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition 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 | Intel Arc A380 Best budget pick · 6GB · ~$99.00 |
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| 1440p High | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti Best value pick · 6GB · ~$149.00 |
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| 1440p Ultra / 4K with upscaling | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 6GB Best high-end pick · 6GB · ~$199.00 |
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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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Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition system requirements
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| GPU | 100% DirectX 9.0c compatible hardware accelerated video card with shader version 2.0 support, 256 MB video memory | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 |
| CPU | 2.4 GHz Intel® Pentium® or greater or AMD® Athlon® equivalent CPU | Intel Core i5 |
| RAM | 1 GB | 16 GB |
Want to confirm a specific card? Test it against Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition 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 Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition?
For smooth 1080p, a Intel Arc A380-class card meets the recommended bar. For 1440p, step up to around a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 980 Ti. For 4K, a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 6GB or better gives the most headroom. You can verify any card with our free Can I Run It checker.
Can I run Total War: EMPIRE – Definitive Edition 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.