No Man’s Sky recently received a major update, giving the game a fresher feel. From fresh gameplay elements like water landings and new creatures to dynamic water, realistic weather, and improved atmospheric conditions, the update has introduced it all. To truly enjoy what the game has to offer, you need to make sure your PC is equipped with the right GPU that can deliver high frame rates with the graphical settings set to ultra.
With so many options to choose from, it can be a challenge to select the best GPU for your rig. And with so many manufacturers having their own variants with unique designs, the process only gets tougher. So, to help you out, we’ve created this in-depth guide with the best GPUs for No Man’s Sky. You’ll find our in-depth reviews of the cards with each listing so you can better understand their real-life performance.
- Best GPU for No Man’s Sky overall
AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
- Best Nvidia GPU for No Man’s Sky
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 previous-gen GPU for No Man’s Sky
MSI RTX 3070 Gaming X Trio
- GPU: GA104
- CUDA cores: 5,888
- VRAM: 8GB GDDR6
- Memory bus width: 256-bit
- Base clock speed: 1500 MHz
- Boost clock speed: 1725 MHz
- Best budget GPU for No Man’s Sky
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 XT Gaming OC
- GPU: Navi 33
- Stream Processors: 2,048
- VRAM: 16GB GDDR6
- Bandwidth: 288.0 GB/s
- Memory bus width: 128-bit
- Base clock speed: 2029 MHz
How we picked
For this guide, we reviewed several options from Nvidia and AMD and selected only those GPUs that offer the best value for money. We considered different factors, such as VRAM, design, specs, and performance.
We never solely rely on online ratings when selecting a GPU for our guides. Instead, we conduct in-depth testing of each GPU before recommending it to our readers. This helps with learning about the card’s real-life performance and whether it will be suitable for a specific game. After all, we don’t want you to waste your money on the wrong graphics card. You can learn more about the process through our How We Test GPUs guide.
Our top picks
- GPU: Navi 32
- Stream Processors: 3,840
- VRAM: 16 GDDR6
- Memory bus width: 256-bit
- Bandwidth: 624.1 GB/sec
- Base clock speed: 1,295 MHz
- Boost clock speed: 2,430 MHz
- It has excellent performance at 1440p
- It can push 4K in some titles
- It provides better value than the RTX 4070 family
- Overall, 4K performance is lacking
- Productive performance is lacking
If you’re looking for the best GPU for No Man’s Sky, we recommend the RX 7800 XT from Team Red. In our in-depth review, the card delivered a great performance in both 1440p and 4K gaming.
The 7800 XT comes with 16GB of GDDR5 VRAM with a 256-bit memory interface. This is more than what you’ll need for No Man’s Sky. In fact, with his much VRAM, you won’t have to worry about running out of memory while adjusting graphics settings in even demanding games.
On top of that, the 7800 XT has 3,840 stream processors, a base clock of 2,121 MHz, and a maximum frequency of 2,430 MHz. However, while the extra boost can help improve game performance, we won’t recommend constantly running the GPU at such a high speed. This is because it can lead to overheating issues, which, in the long run, can potentially damage the graphics card. So, it’s better to let the card run at its normal speed.
Since its launch, the RX 7800 XT has been an incredibly aggressively priced and powerful video card with strong ray tracing prowess compared to the previous generation RX 6800 XT.
PC Guide
Now, let’s get down to the most important part: the performance. We decided to test the potential of the 7800 XT in some demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Assassin’s Creed Mirage. In the first game, the card delivered 91 FPS at 1440p with everything set to Ultra. And when we switched to 4K, the FPS dropped to 39, which was expected. This number, however, could be improved by using FSR.
We then launched Assassin’s Creed Mirage, where the card easily maintained more than 100 FPS at 1440p. Again, the FPS dropped to 68 when we switched the resolution to 4K, but the performance was still pretty great. So, in No Man’s Sky, you can expect the FPS to stay above 60 at all times, even at 4K.
What users say
On Amazon, most reviewers only have good things to say about the RX 7800 XT. One of them said: “This card chews through games effortlessly. I upgraded from an RX 570 4 GB card so it was like night and day.”
- GPU: AD104
- CUDA cores: 7,168
- VRAM: 12GB GDDR6X
- Bandwidth: 504 GB/s
- Memory bus width: 192-bit
- Boost clock speed: 2595 MHz
- Great 1440p and 4K performance
- Bolstered by DLSS 3
- It has a better value-to-performance ratio than the RTX 4070
- It uses a 16-pin adapter
- It has a large footprint
If you want something from Team Green, then we’d recommend the RTX 4070 Super, which is easily one of the best graphics cards currently available in the market. In our review, we found it to be great for 4K and 1440p.
For starters, the RTX 4070 Super features a base and boost clock of 1,980 MHz and 2,475 MHz, respectively. However, this will also depend on the variant you’re using. For instance, the unit we tested, the ASUS TUF RTX 4070 Super OC Edition, has a boost clock of 2,565 MHz. But don’t worry; the difference in performance won’t be significant.
Regarding memory, the RTX 4070 has plenty – 12 GB of GDDR6X VRAM. This means you shouldn’t encounter memory-related issues, even in demanding games. For No Man’s Sky, this is more than enough.
If you’re after a card to handle 1440p without issue, then this is the top pick.
PC Guide
When we tested the card in several games, it didn’t disappoint us. In Assassin’s Creed Mirage, we were able to get around 119 FPS at 1440p and around 74 FPS at 4K. This number could have been increased using the DLSS technology, but we prefer showcasing the card’s native performance. The card also showed great performance in Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, where it hit 80 FPS at 1440p and 60 FPS at 4K.
Overall, the card’s performance was exceptional, and we couldn’t be more happy with it. For the price it comes at, it definitely provides great value for money. In fact, with the RTX 4070 Super in your rig, you might not even have to worry about upgrading for at least a few years.
What users say
Most reviews about this card on Amazon are positive. One reviewer mentioned: “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. I replaced an RTX 2080 super with this card and it runs circles around it.”
- GPU: GA104
- CUDA cores: 5,888
- VRAM: 8GB GDDR6
- Memory bus width: 256-bit
- Base clock speed: 1500 MHz
- Boost clock speed: 1725 MHz
- Bandwidth: 448 GB/sec
- Strong 1440p performance
- Excels in 1080p
- Good value if bought on sale
- Limited to 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
- Replaced by the RTX 4070
If you’re looking for a card from the previous-gen lineup, then you may want to check out the RTX 3070. Even though we currently have the 40-series GPUs with the next series on the horizon, 30-series GPUs are still performing well. When we tested the RTX 3070 in our review, we were amazed by what this card can still achieve.
To begin with, the RTX 3070 has 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM. While this is not as much as the other cards on our list, it still helps the 3070 with delivering smooth performance at 1440p. On top of that, it has a 256-bit memory bus width, 5,888 CUDA cores, and a base and max boost clock of 1,500 MHz and 1,725 MHz, respectively.
The RTX 3070 is closing in on four years old but the performance capabilities are still as strong as ever.
PC Guide
For our review, it was only obvious for us to test the RTX 3070 in a demanding game like Cyberpunk 2077 to find out whether 8GB of VRAM would be enough. At 1080p, the card delivered 98 FPS, which dropped to 62 FPS at 1440p.
While the card isn’t meant for 4K gaming, it was still able to hit 29 FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K. Using DLSS, the FPS can be improved. However, we would suggest sticking to 1440p with the 3070 for a better gameplay experience.
Also, in No Man’s Sky, the card should have no problem keeping the FPS above 60 at 1080p and 1440p. However, keep in mind that various factors, such as RAM, SSD, and the cooling solutions you’re using, can affect the results.
What users say
According to the reviews on Amazon, the card delivers great performance and runs almost everything at max settings. One of the reviewers praised its performance and said: “This is an amazing card for the price. It has decent RGB and runs cool. I have not had it go above 63C so far. Works great for 1440p as well.”
- GPU: Navi 33
- Stream Processors: 2,048
- VRAM: 16GB GDDR6
- Bandwidth: 288.0 GB/s
- Memory bus width: 128-bit
- Base clock speed: 2029 MHz
- Boost clock speed: 2539 MHz
- Excellent 1080p performance
- It has an affordable price tag
- It can push 1440p in some titles
- Requires FSR to push 1440p at max settings
- Not the best options for creators and professionals
- Its performance is lacking compared to the RTX 4060 family
We understand that not everyone has a high budget to afford a top-tier card. If you’re tight on a budget, we recommend the RX 7600 XT. In our review, we found it to be a solid card for 1080p gaming.
When it comes to specifications, the RX 7600 XT has 16 GB of GDDR6 VRAM and a 128-bit memory interface. On top of that, it has 2,048 stream processors, a game frequency of 2,470, and a max boost clock of 2,755 MHz. It also has a low TDP of 190W.
Thanks to these specs, the card delivers exceptional performance at 1080p and can even help you play some titles at 1440p. However, it struggles a lot at 4K, so we won’t recommend it for anything higher than 1440p.
The AMD RX 7600 XT holds up well in 1080p and can offer decent native 1440p performance.
PC Guide
When we tested the 7600 XT in Assassin’s Creed Mirage, it delivered 91 FPS at 1080p and 67 FPS at 1440p without any issues. Even in demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, we were able to get 86 and 53 FPS at 1080p and 1440p, respectively. However, as soon as we turned Ray Tracing on, the FPS dropped to 24 at 1080p and 14 at 1440p. So, it’s not ideal for those who want to enjoy the benefits of Ray Tracing technology.
In a game like No Man’s Sky, which isn’t as demanding as Cyberpunk 2077, you should be able to get more than 60 FPS at both 1080p and 1440p without breaking a sweat. However, again, remember that some of your other components will also play a role in performance.
What users say
According to Amazon reviews, the card provides great value for money. One of the reviewers mentioned: “Used this for my first PC build. Very intuitive to install. Able to handle basically all the online games I play with uncapped frames.”
How to choose the best GPU for No Man’s Sky
There are plenty of factors to consider while choosing the right GPU for the game, and you can find some of them below.
Budget
If your budget is not an issue, then you can go ahead and choose a high-end option like the RTX 4070 Super or even the RTX 4080, which can help you run No Man’s Sky smoothly at 4K. However, if you’re tight with a budget or don’t want to spend a significant amount of money on the graphics card, you can opt for the RX 7800 XT, which retails for around $500. And if you want to go even lower, then you can explore budget options like the RTX 4060 or RX 7600 XT.
Monitor
Before getting a card, ensure it can handle your monitor’s resolution and refresh rate. For instance, you’ll be fine with the budget options if you have a 1080 monitor with a 60 or 90 Hz refresh rate.
However, if your setup has a 1440p or 4K monitor with a high refresh rate, you’ll need a powerful GPU, like the 7800 XT or RTX 4070 Super, to get the most out of it. If you can’t spend on a powerful card, then you should also consider switching your monitor.
Future proof
If you have no plans to upgrade your GPU in the next few years, then it would be wise to invest in one that will be able to handle upcoming games smoothly. These days, video games are demanding, and their requirements will only increase each year. So, investing in a powerful card will keep you in a safe spot as it will be able to run them without any issues.
