In this roundup, I’ll go over graphics cards suitable for running S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl. Given the current financial situation, I’ve aimed to include five models across a range of budgets. The list starts with the most affordable option capable of handling the game and goes up to flagship-tier models.
Let’s start by analyzing the system requirements for the game. The minimum system requirements for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl at low settings in Full HD are as follows:
- OS: Windows 10, Windows 11
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 1600X / Intel Core i5-7600K
- RAM: 16 GB, dual channel
- Video card: AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB / NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 6GB / Intel Arc A750
- SSD space: 160 GB
The recommended system requirements for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl – designed for 2K High settings – are as followsі:
- OS: Windows 10 x64 / Windows 11 x64
- Processor : Intel Core i7-11700 / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X
- RAM: 32 GB, dual channel
- Video card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti / Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 / AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT
- SSD space: 160 GB
While the maximum system requirements are straightforward, the minimum requirements present a challenge. Neither of the listed GPUs—AMD’s RX 580 or NVIDIA’s GTX 1060 6GB—is readily available for purchase anymore, as these models have been phased out.
The Intel Arc A750, meanwhile, is priced nearly on par with GPUs from the latest generation. As a result, I’ll take the liberty of suggesting alternative options to these older models.
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 Windforce OC
The closest readily available alternative, without resorting to the used market, is the RTX 3050. This card offers several advantages over the older GTX 1060. It’s approximately 20% more powerful, supports first-generation DLSS, which can significantly improve your chances of achieving at least 30 FPS in Full HD, and comes with more video memory. Additionally, the RTX 3050 is highly energy-efficient, often not requiring external power from the PSU, as it draws sufficient power directly from the PCIe slot.
However, it’s important to note that even within the RTX 3050 lineup, there are two variants available from manufacturers like Gigabyte: one with 6 GB of VRAM and another with 8 GB. The latter is the one to focus on. The 6 GB version not only has reduced memory but also lower performance, sometimes even falling below the GTX 1060 in certain scenarios. This makes it unsuitable for S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl.
ASUS Dual GeForce RTX 4060 EVO OC Edition
Yes, the RTX 4060 is priced around $310, while the Intel Arc A750 is more affordable, starting at approximately $240. However, there’s an important factor to consider: due to optimization issues, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl is particularly demanding on the GPU. Having spent over 48 hours in the game since its release, I can confirm that achieving a stable 60 FPS, even on the “Novice” difficulty, is essential for a smooth experience.
Why did I choose the ASUS Dual EVO RTX 4060? It not only supports DLSS 3.0, which helps significantly close the performance gap compared to even more expensive Radeon cards, but it’s also compact, energy-efficient, and features a silent mode. This means that under light load, the fans don’t spin, making the card ideal for quieter systems.
ASUS GeForce RTX 4070 SUPER 12Gb TUF OC GAMING
The RTX 4070 was listed in the maximum system requirements for the game, but the issue is that these cards are now rare, as they have been replaced by the RTX 4070 Super models. These newer cards offer the same price but with improved performance, so there’s no need to worry about missing out.
As we’ve already discussed the strengths of ASUS’s TUF series, I’d like to highlight the ASUS RTX 4070 12GB TUF OC GAMING model. It’s clear that this card offers overclocking potential, features three fans with silent operation, and even includes RGB lighting on the edge, adding a bit of flair to its design.
MSI RTX 4070 Ti SUPER 16G GAMING SLIM STALKER 2 EDITION
It would be odd not to include a card that was specifically released for the game. The STALKER 2 EDITION is based on the RTX 4070 Ti SUPER 16G GAMING model, a mid-range powerhouse featuring three fans and all the benefits of the base card. This includes excellent cooling, RGB lighting, and overclocking capabilities through MSI Center.
There’s just one issue with this card: it’s hard to find. Where it is still available, the price is often much higher than its original asking price. So, as an alternative, I’m recommending the ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti SUPER OC Edition. This model retains the power of the RTX 4070 Ti Super and comes in the familiar TUF design. It’s essentially the same as the RTX 4070 Super, but with an additional 50% more video memory, making it a solid option.
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4090 OC Edition 24GB GDDR6X
This is the ideal option for those who want to play S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl on an ultra-wide monitor, with maximum settings and frame rates higher than 60 FPS. The game looks incredible at these settings—I’ll attach a few screenshots so you can see for yourself.
Why choose the ROG version? While ASUS ROG Matrix GeForce RTX 4090 cards are available, their performance doesn’t justify the price. On the other hand, TUF models don’t always handle the maximum load that a game like S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl can put on a GPU. The ROG version is not only quiet and cool, but it also looks great, offering a good balance of performance and aesthetics.
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