The Elder Scrolls Online has been around for a decade and still has a booming player count. You can expect the player numbers to increase with the release of The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road DLC. This addition brings with it a new story, zone, challenges, and mysteries to explore and experience. That said, to experience everything ESO: Gold Road has to offer in excellent quality, you need the right tools for the job, and that is where we come in.
Over the course of ten years, technology has had multiple generations of improvement, meaning you have ten years of options to choose from, and that can be very challenging and confusing, to say the least. However, we took the liberty to do the research for you and put together this in-depth guide that lists multiple GPU options, their details, reviews, and pros and cons so you can make an informed decision.
- Best GPU for The Elder Scrolls Online
XFX Speedster SWFT319 Radeon RX 6800
- GPU: Navi 21 XL
- Stream Processors: 3840
- VRAM: 16 GB
- Bandwidth: 512.0 GB/s
- Base Clock Speed: 1700 MHz
- Boost Clock Speed: 2105 MHz
- Best high-end GPU for The Elder Scrolls Online
ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 4070 Super OC Edition
- GPU: AD104
- CUDA cores: 7,168
- VRAM: 12GB GDDR6X
- Bandwidth: 504 GB/s
- Memory bus width: 192-bit
- Boost clock speed: 2595 MHz
- Best mid-range GPU for The Elder Scrolls Online
Sapphire Radeon Pulse RX 7700 XT
- GPU: Navi 32
- Stream Processors: 3,456
- VRAM: 12GB GDDR6
- Bandwidth: 432 GB/sec
- Memory bus width: 192-bit
- Base clock speed: 1,435 MHz
- Best budget GPU for The Elder Scrolls Online
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4060 OC
- GPU: AD107 die
- CUDA cores: 3,072
- VRAM: 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
- Bandwidth: 272 GB/s
- Memory bus width: 128-bit memory bus
- Base clock speed: 1830 MHz
How we picked
We researched the market and found various options from Nvidia and AMD. We filtered those options based on their price, compatibility, performance, and other features, such as DLSS and FSR. On top of that, we also conduct rigorous in-house testing of the cards.
This gives us insight into how they’ll perform across various scenarios, whether in gaming or professional tasks. We’re always updating our list with the latest information, so if there are better pairings than these, we’ll be sure to update them, so check back with us.
Our top picks
- GPU: Navi 21 XL
- Stream Processors: 3840
- VRAM: 16 GB
- Bandwidth: 512.0 GB/s
- Base Clock Speed: 1700 MHz
- Boost Clock Speed: 2105 MHz
- It has 16GB of VRAM
- Excellent 1080p and 1440p performance
- Outperformed the RTX 4070 in Fire Strike Ultra
- Ray Tracing’s performance is lacking
- 4K results aren’t great, according to our tests
- Overshadowed by the RX 7800 XT
For our top pick, we went with Team Red’s RX 6800 as during our in-house testing of this GPU it has excellent in-game and synthetic performance and even beat the RTX 4070 in Fire Strike Ultra.
This GPU managed to churn out 109, 68, and 28 FPS at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K in Cyberpunk 2077 at ultra settings, respectively. It managed to hold its own in one of the most demanding games, but as we can see, pushing 4K is where this card struggles. Keep in mind that our tests are done natively, so using AI-upscaling and frame-generation technologies like FSR could deliver better framerates across all resolutions.
According to AMD, this GPU is capable of delivering excellent FPS at 4K. In their tests, it managed 117 FPS in Doom Eternal and Apex Legends, 88 FPS in Death Stranding, and 109 FPS in F1 21 at max settings.
The RX 6800 has 3840 stream processors, a game frequency of 1815 MHz, a boost frequency of 2105 MHz, and 60 Ray Accelerators. So, these specifications combined with a solid CPU and AMD technologies like Smart Access Memory, should enable this card to handle games at high settings without running into stuttering or low FPS issues.
The AMD Radeon RX 6800 may be a little long in the tooth but it still offers excellent performance in 1080p and 1440p.
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AMD also stated that the average gaming power of this GPU is 250W, which makes sense given its hardware but that could fluctuate depending on whether you’ve over or downclocked it. In case of overclocking, it should deliver even better results at the cost of a higher power draw and thermal output.
So, if you plan on doing that, we recommend using the best airflow PC case to ensure adequate ventilation to keep it running cool. Besides that, you can go wrong by using the best thermal paste for your CPU or GPU and if you’re interested in learning how to apply the thermal paste, we’ve got you covered there as well.
Lastly, the RX 6800 has 16 GB of GDDR6 VRAM with a 256-bit interface which should ensure that you can max out in-game settings without running into bottleneck issues.
Overall, for Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road, this GPU is one of the best options available. It costs less than $400, at the time of writing, and is capable of handling intense gaming and professional tasks alike.
What users say
According to Amazon reviews, this GPU is very power efficient and has great performance for the money. One reviewer stated: “This card is a beast in every which way possible,” followed by, “Games such as Battlefield 2042 at 4K Native, 100% Render Resolution, Ultra Settings, HDR and Ray Tracing Enabled, push 70-100FPS.”
- GPU: AD104
- CUDA cores: 7,168
- VRAM: 12GB GDDR6X
- Bandwidth: 504 GB/s
- Memory bus width: 192-bit
- Boost clock speed: 2595 MHz
- It can comfortably push 4K
- Costs less than the RTX 4070 and has better performance
- It has better value for money
- The card can be expensive depending on the third-party variant
- It requires a 16-pin adapter
To experience the best in-game and professional performance, we recommend giving the RTX 4070 Super a shot. In our RTX 4070 Super review, it had excellent performance in our suite of synethic and gaming benchmarks.
Our tests are done natively, and in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, it managed 150, 119, and 74 FPS in 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. In competitive titles like The Finals, it had 256, 150, and 73 FPS at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K, respectively. So, we can see that this card is more than capable of pushing 4K, and enabling Ray Tracing didn’t see the numbers drop significantly and showcased playable framerates.
This GPU has 7168 CUDA cores, a 1.98 GHz base clock, a 2.48 GHz boost clock, and 83 TFLOPS of Ray Tracing cores. However, our test unit, the ASUS TUF OC variant, had a boost clock of 2565 MHz, which could be increased to 2595 MHz with the OC mode. So, it has a decent headroom for overclocking, and you could experience even better results due to the increased frequencies pushing the CUDA cores harder.
If you’re after a leading 1440p GPU but also want to check out 4K without an eyewatering MSRP, then it’s a card you should consider in 2024.
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However, that wasn’t the only thing different. The base model has a length of 244mm (9.6”) and a width of 112mm (4.4”). The ASUS RTX 4070 Super has dimensions of 301mm x L, 139mm x W, and 63mm x H (11.85” x 5.47” x 2.48”). This is a significantly larger card than the base variant so before making a purchase, ensure that your PC case has enough space to hold it.
Forcing a card inside your case is never recommended as components get cramped together which leads to a restricted airflow resulting in overheating issues. If your casing doesn’t have enough space, we recommend using the best case for RTX 4070 Super combined with the best 140mm case fans to ensure adequate cooling.
According to Nvidia, this GPU has an average gaming power of 220W with a recommended system power of 650W. However, since our card came overclocked, ASUS recommends a PSU of 750W which makes sense since the card would draw more power to fuel its beast-like performance. If you’re interested in exploring some options, check out our best PSU for RTX 4070 Super guide which has the top picks available.
Overall, the RTX 4070 Super has better performance than its base model and costs even less, which sounds like a win-win situation. On top of that, it can handle demanding titles across a number of resolutions and has excellent 4K native performance.
What users say
According to Amazon reviews, this GPU has excellent performance build quality, and one reviewer said: “I haven’t purchased a game yet that would challenge a graphics card in this class, but it has performed very well.” Another user stated: “I found that it is like the STRIX in the way that it stays very cool while playing a game like Call of Duty Modern Warfare III. I recommend the TUF series cards 100%.”
- Excellent choice for 1440p gaming
- Can push 4K but isn’t the best at it
- Doesn’t require a hefty PSU to power it
- The 4K performance is lacking
- The Ray Tracing results aren’t as good as Nvidia’s cards
- The RX 7800 XT has better performance with a slight price hike
Moving back to AMD, we’ve got the RX 7700 XT for our mid-range pack. In our RX 7700 XT review, it performed excellently in gaming and synthetic benchmarks.
This CPU churned out 122, 79, and 36 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K, respectively. This test was done at ultra settings natively, so we can see that it’s powerful enough to deliver on AMD’s claim of being designed for 1440p.
However, with Ray Tracing turned on, the framerates dropped to an unplayable 7, 4, and 2. While you could leverage the capabilities of FSR but it wouldn’t do much to bolster the FPS with RT enabled.
That said, in games like Doom Eternal, it delivered 170, 128, and 63 FPS at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K with Ultra Nightmare settings and Ray Tracing turned on. So, its performance can fluctuate depending on the title and it should be able to handle 4K in some but deliver solid 1440p results across most titles.
The AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT is a solid graphics card overall with its respectable memory pool, strong gaming performance, and a competitive price point.
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This GPU is powered by 3,456 stream processors, a game frequency of 2171 MHz, a boost frequency of 2,544 MHz, and 54 Ray Accelerators. So, the RX 7700 XT has more than decent specifications, which enable it to perform at the level we saw. However, you can always take it to the next level by overclocking it, but that will also increase the power draw and lead to higher temperatures.
So, to ensure your GPU doesn’t thermal throttle, we recommend using the best PC case fans. For the ultimate pairing, you could get your hands on the best CPU for RX 7700 XT and max out the graphics for The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road or any other game.
Overall, the RX 7700 XT is a solid GPU that doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket and is capable of punching above its weight class, what more could you ask for? Regarding, ESO: Gold Road, it should be able to handle it without breaking a sweat.
What users say
According to Amazon reviews, this graphics cards is easy to install, has good stability, performance, and value for money. One reviewer stated: “I had wanted an RX6700 XT, but this 7700XT was like a drop from the sky. Optimal and Precise for my daily work.”
- GPU: AD107 die
- CUDA cores: 3,072
- VRAM: 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
- Bandwidth: 272 GB/s
- Memory bus width: 128-bit memory bus
- Base clock speed: 1830 MHz
- Boost clock speed: 2670 MHz
- It can push 1080p and 1440p
- It supports DLSS 3
- It has better value than the RX 7600
- It can’t push 4K
- Its 1440p performance varies depending on the optimization of the title
For our last pick, we shifted over to Team Green and selected their budget card, the RTX 4060, for those who don’t want to put a dent in their bank account. Another reason to opt for this card is that, in our RTX 4060 review, it had a decent synthetic and in-game performance that put it ahead of the competition.
In Cyberpunk 2077, it delivered 77 and 48 FPS at 1080p and 1440p. 48 FPS at 1440p isn’t great but one can argue that it is still playable and by using DLSS, you can bump up those numbers to possibly cross 60 FPS.
In other titles like Rainbow Six Seige, it had no trouble blowing it away with 392 and 241 FPS at 1080p and 1440p. So, it’s a great option for FPS games, and while it can also handle story-based games, you might need to rely on its upscaling capabilities at higher resolutions.
The RTX 4060 has 3072 CUDA cores, a 1.83 GHz base clock, a 2.46 GHz boost clock, and 35 TFLOPs of Ray Tracing cores. These specifications are for the base model, but our ROG Strike OC variant had a boost clock of 2670 MHz, which could be increased to 2700 MHz. This means that it has 210 and 240 MHz higher frequencies than the base settings, meaning it should have better overall performance but will most likely require more power and generate more heat.
While it’s most at home in Full HD pushing games to max settings, those wanting QHD aren’t going to entirely miss out either.
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According to Nvidia, this GPU has an average gaming power of 110W, which means it has an efficient power draw and should keep your electricity bill low in the long run.
The ROG Strix variant is also larger than the base card, with dimensions of 12.26” x L, 5.26” x W, and 2.44” H (311.4mm x 133.5mm x 61.9mm). So, measure the space inside your casing and make sure it has enough to comfortably house it. Forcing a GPU inside the case could damage it and lead to overheating issues.
Lastly, it comes with GPU Tweak III software, which you can use to tweak its performance, thermal controls, monitor system, and other aspects. This adds a layer of accessibility, as you won’t have to rely on third-party software like MSI Afterburner to adjust its performance.
Overall, the RTX 4060 offers a good balance between price and performance and is a good choice to power various games, including The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road.
What users say
According to Amazon reviews, this GPU has great performance, is easy to install, runs quietly, and the users are satisfied with the generation-on-generation improvement. One reviewer stated: “It’s powerful enough to run all my favorite games, and I’ve yet to see it drop below 60fps.” Another user said: “So far it has not given me any problems, it allows me to play most games in ultra despite being the lowest range of the 4K series, it leaves nothing to be desired compared to its competitors from the last generation, giving very good performance.”
How to select the best GPU for The Elder Scrolls Online
Selecting a GPU for any game, task, or processor sounds like a simple task, but a handful of factors come into play, and ones you need to consider before making a decision. Spending your money on the most decked-out options isn’t wise, as unless you have an enthusiast build, you won’t need all that firepower. So, to help you make an informed decision, we’ve listed some of the factors below.
Budget
The first and most important factor you need to consider is your budget, as going for an option outside of your budget could completely derail your setup. For example, if your budget allows for a mid-tier GPU like the RTX 3070, which we’ve reviewed, but you go for a GPU that costs $1,000+, you’ll have to sacrifice the quality of the other components, such as getting a lower capacity SSD.
So, it’s always recommended to choose a GPU that offers the best performance and provides top-notch value while remaining within the budget.
System requirements
Going over the title’s official system requirements is a good way to gauge which GPU would best suit your setup. For example, the recommended AMD GPU is the RX 570, so if you opt for the RX 7600 XT, which is an entry-level, next-gen card, you should experience The Elder Scrolls Online: Gold Road in all its glory with maxed-out settings.
On the other hand, system requirements also provide a baseline for the lowest option you could go with. For example, an RX 550 could also run ESO: Gold Roads, but you’d have to turn down some settings to get playable framerates. So, take the specifications and budget into account, and you should get a list of options that balance performance and value well.
Usage
Your GPU options could be limited or open up significantly depending on what you are planning on using it for. If playing ESO: Gold Road is all you plan on doing, you could get away with a mid-range or even budget GPU, as the game doesn’t require a powerful card to run in.
However, if you also plan on using the graphics card for professional tasks like 3D modeling, rendering, machine learning, and more, then going for a powerful GPU would suit you better as it could handle gaming and resource-intensive tasks without sacrificing performance.
