Path of Exile 2
A quiet town or early campaign area is a poor test for a build that will stack skills, monsters and effects in the endgame. Path of Exile 2 should be judged in the content you expect to farm, with the CPU and storage checked alongside the graphics card. The game is also still in Early Access as of this review, so patch and test dates matter.
BUYING INTERPRETATION
Check this group in a recent version of the game and a representative combat scene. It is not a promise for the most effect-heavy endgame build, and the CPU used in the test matters.
Use this group when dips in busy encounters are the problem you want to solve. Compare one-percent lows or frame-time behavior when available, not only a calm-area average.
Consider this for a heavier resolution target or a library of demanding games. Do not use a faster GPU to mask an old CPU, insufficient RAM or a slow, crowded system drive.
The first group is for a current system using adjusted settings, the second adds practical margin for effect-heavy content, and the third is optional headroom for a higher display target or other demanding games. No group promises immunity from CPU-heavy endgame slowdowns.
PRIMARY SOURCE
| Profile | Official target | Official GPU | CPU · RAM | VRAM · storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | Minimum · target not stated | GTX 960 · RX 470 · Arc A380 | Core i7-7700 / Ryzen 5 2500X8 GB | Not stated100 GB |
| Recommended | Recommended · target not stated | RTX 2060 · RX 5600 XT · Arc A770 | Core i5-10500 / Ryzen 7 3700X16 GB | Not stated100 GB SSD recommended |
For campaign play, use a combat with several enemies and layered effects. For an endgame purchase, prefer a dated test of maps or bosses that resembles your build. Record the game patch, resolution, renderer, scaling mode and test CPU; a result from another patch or a much faster processor may not transfer cleanly.
Watch what reaches its limit when the slowdown occurs. High GPU use points toward graphics settings or GPU headroom; a low GPU load with one or more busy CPU threads points elsewhere. That distinction can prevent an expensive graphics upgrade that leaves the same dip intact.
The current Steam page says the game remains in Early Access and is planned to leave it on December 11, 2026. Performance, content and requirements can still change. Prefer recent tests, keep your evidence dated and re-check after major patches before treating an old comparison as current purchasing advice.
The recommended row raises system RAM from 8 to 16 GB and recommends solid-state storage in addition to the stronger GPU and CPU. If your PC misses several of those points, price the complete upgrade before spending the budget on graphics alone.
WHOLE SYSTEM
Core i7-7700 / Ryzen 5 2500X; Core i5-10500 / Ryzen 7 3700X
Official profiles span 8–16 GB.
Not stated by the source.
Official profiles state up to 100 GB; keep extra room for patches.
These PCs contain a GPU family listed above. This identifies matching hardware, not measured FPS: also verify CPU, RAM and settings against the official profile.
Catalog reference to compare; not ranked by price or measured performance in this game.
Catalog reference to compare; not ranked by price or measured performance in this game.
METHOD
GPUStores compares publisher requirements with the technical sources linked in this guide. We have not tested these GPUs ourselves. Any third-party result belongs to the dated test and settings identified beside it. Buying advice and calculations are our analysis; they are not publisher requirements or a promise of performance on your PC.
An unspecified value remains unknown. Confirm delivered price and stock with the retailer before buying.
Our comparison method →Open the official source ↗FAQ
A quiet area does not reproduce the monsters, skills and effects that usually motivate an endgame upgrade. Use a repeatable busy encounter closer to your actual play.
No. CPU load, the game patch, storage and the build itself can contribute. Check GPU and CPU utilization during the slowdown before deciding which part to replace.
No, but it makes their date and game version essential. Prefer recent tests and re-check the conclusion after a major performance patch.
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