In this article, we’ve rounded up the best GPU for Counter-Strike 2 to ensure your system is up to the task. CS2 took a shot at revolutionizing the gaming scene, so it’s crucial to equip your PC with a graphics card that can handle the game’s enhanced graphics and physics, providing you with seamless, immersive, and, above all, competitive gameplay.
After years of stability, the world of Counter-Strike got a dramatic shift with the arrival of Counter-Strike 2. The refreshed version achieved its goal of outshining its predecessor, CSGO, with its significant enhancements in graphics and physics. What’s more, while CSGO could run smoothly on most systems, CS2 demands a bit more from your computer’s graphics card to maintain optimal performance.
Without further ado, let’s jump into this graphics card lineup that we’ve cherry-picked to serve the dedicated players of Counter-Strike 2.
Products at a glance
- Best GPU for CS2
ASUS TUF Gaming Radeon RX 7900 XTX OC
- Best NVIDIA GPU for CS2
ASUS ROG Strix RTX 4090 OC
- GPU: AD102
- CUDA cores: 16,384
- VRAM: 24GB GDDR6X
- Memory bus: 384-bit
- Bandwidth: 1,008 GB/sec
- Base clock: 2235 MHz
- Best Intel GPU for CS2
Acer Predator BiFrost Intel Arc A770 OC
- GPU: DG2-512
- GPU cores: 4,096
- VRAM: 16GB GDDR6
- Memory bus width: 256-bit
- Base clock speed: 2100 MHz
- Boost clock speed: 2400 MHz
- Best NVIDIA GPU for CS2
ASUS TUF RTX 4070 Super OC Edition
- GPU: AD104
- CUDA cores: 7,168
- VRAM: 12GB GDDR6X
- Bandwidth: 504.2 GB/sec
- Memory bus width: 192-bit
- Base clock speed: 1,980 MHz
How we selected the best GPU for Counter-Strike 2
Picking the best GPU for CS2 is not a task taken lightly. We sift through an abundance of information, considering various aspects such as performance, compatibility, cooling efficiency, and build quality. While we also analyze publicly available benchmarks and reviews from trusted sources to gauge the real-world performance of the GPUs, it’s worth noting that this is a lineup we’ve exclusively reviewed. Of course, if you’re interested in what goes on behind the curtain, you can read up on how we review cards right here.
As well as drawing on our topic knowledge and reviews, our selection process also takes into account the diverse needs and budgets of different gamers. We always want to make sure every audience is catered for, and Counter-Strike 2 has quite a diverse one, with around 1,525,000 peak concurrent players on Steam in March 2024 (via Steambase.com).
So, whether you’re looking for a high-end GPU to push the graphical limits of the game, or a budget-friendly option that still offers good performance without breaking the bank, our recommendations aim to cover a broad spectrum of requirements. If you want to broaden out from looking at the CS2-specific, we’ve also got guides to the best GPU for Warzone, and a more generalized one focusing on the best GPU for 4K gaming, too.
- GPU: Navi 31
- Stream Processors: 6,144
- VRAM: 24GB GDDR6
- Memory bus width: 384-bit
- Bandwidth: 960 GB/s
- Base clock speed: 1,929 MHz
- Boost clock (OC mode): 2,615 MHz
- Strong value for money, similar performance to RTX 4090 and way cheaper
- Reliable performance, as proved by our own benchmarks
- It’s got the slightly slower GDDR6 memory
- Nvidia cards offer stronger features overall, such as DLSS 3
- You can’t change the RGB color on the fans
It may be puzzling to some why we have chosen an AMD option as our best GPU for CS2 pick. Well, although Counter-Strike 2 is a demanding game, it does not require the complete power of a Nvidia GPU – meaning you will pay more when you needn’t have to. The AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX offers solid gaming performance at a significantly lower price.
It might not be the Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT we used in our review, but the design and performance of the PowerColor Hellhound AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX are still standouts. With a silent boost clock speed of 2500 MHz, a whopping 24 GB of VRAM, and a 384-bit memory interface, you’re getting a 4K card that’s only overshadowed by the absolute beast that is the 4090.
The AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX offers solid gaming performance at a significantly lower price.
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Furthermore, the cooling abilities are top-notch thanks to the fan design and optimum heatpipe arrangement while maintaining quieter operation even during demanding tasks. Prioritizing a quieter system over a few degrees difference in temperature is often the way to go, as competitive gaming is best left uninterrupted. Moreover, power consumption is commendable, aligning with that of the reference AMD card.
In our own benchmarking conducted by WePC’s Sebastian Kozolowski, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT averaged 313 FPS in CS:GO at 4K and 555 FPS at 1440p – a truly commendable and super smooth performance.
In terms of cons, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX has demonstrated potential concerns with AMD drivers. A recent update for the game caused issues, resulting in Valve issuing VAC (anti-cheat) bans. While the situation is expected to improve with gradual rollbacks, such incidents can be frustrating for users. Make sure to bear this in mind. Check out our AMD RX 7900 XTX review.
What users say
On Amazon, the Asus TUF 7900 XTX has a rating of 4.4 stars, and it has been rated by 380 people. As per the reviews, most people were satisfied with the GPU. The reviews mention that the card delivered excellent FPS, has great quality, and is good value for money. However, a few users said that the graphics card was too big for their PC case.
- GPU: AD102
- CUDA cores: 16,384
- VRAM: 24GB GDDR6X
- Memory bus: 384-bit
- Bandwidth: 1,008 GB/sec
- Base clock: 2235 MHz
- Boost clock: 2610 MHz
- Top of the range Nvidia, unparalleled in the GPU market
- DLSS 3 Frame Generation meaning you won’t miss out on a second of the action
- Ultra-fast graphics card packing in 16,384 CUDA cores
- High-end price point, one of the most premium graphics cards out there
- Honestly, this might be an overkill GPU for Counter-Strike 2
- Big specs means a big power draw, so you’ll need at least an 850W PSU
The MSI Gaming Trio RTX 4090 is an absolute beast of a graphics card, and if you don’t want to miss out on a single second of the in-game action, it’s bound to deliver in abundance.
Equipped with the cutting-edge Nvidia Ada Lovelace architecture and a colossal 24GB of GDDR6X memory, it is a step up from most GPUs and handles modern demanding graphics with ease and, therefore, less demanding titles, to extremely realistic levels. At Max Settings, our benchmarks saw the RTX 4090 delivering impressive heights of 596 FPS at 1440p and 377 FPS at 4K.
The triple-fan cooling system keeps things running smoothly, even during epic marathons on games such as Counter-Strike 2.
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Forget about frame drops and overheating – the triple-fan cooling system keeps things running smoothly, even during epic marathons on games such as Counter-Strike 2. To truly leave the competition in the dust, the MSI Gaming Trio RTX 4090 boasts features like Reflex and DLSS 3, minimizing lag and maximizing frame rates for the ultimate competitive edge. If you’re serious about gaming, this graphics card means business, and as the top of the range, you won’t need to worry about upgrading for a good few years.
The MSI Gaming Trio RTX 4090 is very much a premium option, though, and as a serious upgrade, it’s worthy of being paired with the best CPU for the 4090, so you don’t encounter any overclocking and the like.
It goes above and beyond most specifications required for the game – meaning it may be overkill for most gamers. Is it overkill for casual Counter-Strike 2 players? Well, potentially. On the flip side, it is one of the best GPUs that money can currently buy. To see more about this product, check our in-depth RTX 4090 review.
What users say
The Asus ROG Strix RTX 4090 has a rating of 4.5 stars on Amazon, and more than 600 customers have rated the product. According to the reviews, customers were pleased with the powerful performance of the card as well as the robust cooling system. “I upgraded from a 3080 to this 4090. The difference is nothing short of astounding!” one of the customers wrote in a review. However, a few customers said that the card was quite expensive.
- GPU: DG2-512
- GPU cores: 4,096
- VRAM: 16GB GDDR6
- Memory bus width: 256-bit
- Base clock speed: 2100 MHz
- Boost clock speed: 2400 MHz
- Bandwidth: 512.0 GB/sec
- Impressive ray-tracing that leverages AI-enhanced upscaling
- 16GB GDDR6, which is a lot considering its aggressive pricing
- Funky RGB lighting makes this a really neat-looking little GPU
- This model is priced $70 higher than the MSRP
- Outperformed by the competition, including the 4060 Ti
So, while we’ve given both AMD and Nvidia options, it feels only right to offer Team Blue fans an option for a GPU. We’ve chosen the Predator BiFrost Intel Arc A770 as the best Intel GPU for CS2. Intel’s Arc graphics card lineup represents a refreshing addition to a market typically dominated by AMD and Nvidia, and this one is a commendable 1080p player that’s got a really aggressive price point of $399.
Specs-wise, you’re looking at an OC Boost Clock of 2.4GHz, 16GB GDDR6 VRAM, and a 256-bit Memory that, although not as maxed out as the 4090, will more than deliver performance for Counter-Strike 2. In terms of connectivity, you’ve got one HDMI 2.1 and three DisplayPort 2.0 inputs. In line with its humble hardware, this card is on the more compact side, but the wow factor is still delivered by its unique RGB fan setup.
In line with its humble hardware, this card is on the more compact side, but the wow factor is still delivered by its unique RGB fan setup.
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Built on the foundation of Intel’s Arc A770, this card shows promise and performs well under specific circumstances (while playing CS2). Our benchmarking was a testament to this, with demanding titles such as Cyberpunk 2077 reaching a moderate 77 FPS at 1080p and 54 FPS at 1440. This suggests that a less taxing game such as Counter-Strike 2 will be more than satisfactory. However, its performance may vary across different titles and software due to ongoing driver issues from Intel.
While this visually appealing card holds potential for improvement as drivers mature, for gamers seeking consistent performance today, we suggest considering options like the Nvidia RTX 4060 Ti and AMD 7600 XT, which tend to be better and more reliable choices. For more, check out our Intel Arc A770 OC review.
What users say
The Acer Predator BiFrost Intel Arc A770 GPU has a rating of 4.1 stars on Amazon. As per the reviews, the customers think the GPU has good value for money, which is great for budget builds. “Easy to set up. Quiet. Good computational speed for the money. Highly recommend,” one of the customers wrote. However, customers have mixed opinions about temperature and noise.
- GPU: AD104
- CUDA cores: 7,168
- VRAM: 12GB GDDR6X
- Bandwidth: 504.2 GB/sec
- Memory bus width: 192-bit
- Base clock speed: 1,980 MHz
- Boost clock speed: 2,475 MHz
- One of the more affordable ways to get an Ada GPU
- Good graphics performance at 1080p
- Strong, but not the best on market in terms of price-to-performance
- Annoyingly, this card still uses the 16-pin adapter
Like its Nvidia counterparts, the Nvidia RTX 4070 Super OC is also a strong contender for the best GPU for CS2, and this ASUS RTX 4070 Super OC is no exception. However, we like to think of it as a solid option for those who are not too fussed about top-of-the-range but instead just looking for a positive all-round performance without completely breaking the bank.
Coming in at $599, this GPU is the way to go for pure middle-of-the-pack performance, and with its understated yet militaristic design, it’s definitely one of the best graphics cards for Counter-Strike. What’s more, this card has effectively removed any need to go out and buy the original 4070 model.
Realistically, you’re getting an excellent, well-rounded mid-range gaming GPU that will see you soaring through competitive playing in CS2, Warzone, and the like.
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The RTX 4070 Super OC’s strong points include its overclocking abilities and price point. It’s got a neat AD104 die, boost clock speed of 2550 MHz, and 12 GB VRAM, bundled together with Nvidia DLSS3, ultra-efficient Ada Lovelace arch, and full ray tracing.
Realistically, you’re getting an excellent, well-rounded mid-range gaming GPU that will see you soaring through competitive playing in CS2, Warzone, and the like. Additionally, the GPU is also capable of 4K performance while still getting the benefits of the new generation of hardware, including great efficiency, power, and Nvidia Reflex. For more, check out our RTX 4070 Super review.
What users say
On Amazon, the Asus TUF RTX 4070 Super model has a 4.7-star rating, and it has been rated by more than 570 people. Most reviews mentioned that the card delivers great performance, runs cool, and is built like a tank. “The Asus Tuf RTX 4070 is incredible. Powerful, quiet, and built like a tank. It doesn’t heat up my case like a higher wattage card does, and plays everything I have at 4k 60fps,” a customer wrote in a review. However, customers have mixed opinions on the value-for-money factor.
Considerations for the best GPU for Counter-Strike 2
Here are a few things you should check out before getting a new GPU for competitive gaming –
Counterstrike 2 system requirements
Valve has established relatively simple system prerequisites for CS2, requiring GPUs with at least 1 GB of RAM and Shader Model 5.0 support. While numerous contemporary GPUs are likely to meet these specifications, for an enhanced gaming experience, we’ve outlined a comprehensive selection of the finest GPUs available in the modern market space, accommodating gamers of all wants and needs.
Other system requirements to keep in mind are the minimum OS of Windows 10, a processor of Intel Core i5 750 or higher, and 8 GB RAM of memory.
Optimizing your setup
It’s all well and good choosing you want a new GPU for playing Counter-Strike, but what makes the real difference in gaming performance is optimizing your PC by pairing your graphics card with a complimentary processor and PSU to get things running in harmony from the inside out. Essentially, you need to find a good balance that’s optimal for gaming; to prevent bottlenecking, you need to pair a midrange GPU with a midrange CPU, and so on and so forth.
Of course, we’ve covered some ground with our picks of the best CPU for CS2 , but that’s only part of the process. Your setup obviously includes your peripherals as well as your hardware, as keyboards optimized for gaming will give you a faster response time for in-game accuracy. You’ll be unsurprised to hear we’ve covered the best keyboard and best gaming mouse for CS2.
What is the best GPU for Counter-Strike 2?
The best GPU for Counter-Strike 2 is the MSI Gaming X Trio RTX 4090 from Nvidia. It is a top-of-the-range, high-end graphics card that delivers unparalleled performance. With that being said, its performance capabilities are above and beyond the minimum specs required for CS2. Users may find more comfort in the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX with its more modest price and strong overall performance.
