Best Graphics Card for Marathon in 2026: our top 3

• GPU : NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti / AMD RX 5500 XT / Intel Arc A580
• CPU : Intel Core i5-6600 / AMD Ryzen 5 2600
• RAM : 8 GB
• DirectX : Version 12
• Operating System : Windows 10 64 bits

• GPU : NVIDIA RTX 2060 / AMD RX 5700 XT / Intel Arc A770
• CPU : Intel Core i5-10400 / AMD Ryzen 5 3500
• RAM : 16 GB
• DirectX : Version 12

These specs are misleading. Marathon is clearly optimized to run on aging hardware at low-medium settings, but as soon as you push the details and enable path tracing, it becomes one of the most demanding games of the moment. Hardware Unboxed and Gamers Nexus benchmarks published at launch confirm this: without upscaling, even an RTX 4090 sweats in 4K Ultra RT.

We selected three GPUs that cover all budgets and resolutions. From the player who wants good 1080p without breaking the bank to the 4K ray-traced maniac, there is something for everyone. We based ourselves on specific models that you can buy now, not theoretical chipsets.

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We start with the MSI GeForce RTX 5060 Ti VENTUS 2X OC PLUS, and frankly, for Marathon, it's the smart choice. The Blackwell architecture brings a leap in energy efficiency compared to the previous generation, and above all, the DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation works wonders on this game. We go from 55-65 native FPS in 1440p Ultra to over 100 FPS with upscaling enabled. For a shooter where every millisecond counts, it's not insignificant.

The MSI VENTUS 2X model is the pragmatic choice. Two fans, compact size, factory overclock — it fits in any case and cools properly without sounding like a jet engine. Its 8GB of GDDR7 is more than enough for 1080p and 1440p. However, for 4K Ultra textures, it's a bit limited — but that's not its target.

In Marathon, where the environments of Tau Ceti IV mix dark interiors and open exteriors with many particle effects, the RTX 5060 Ti performs surprisingly well. Ray tracing remains playable in 1080p thanks to the next-generation RT cores, even if we advise you to stay in High rather than Epic for RT if you want to keep competitive FPS.

The ASUS Prime Radeon RX 9070 XT is the GPU that ticks all the boxes for those who want to play comfortably in 1440p and reach 4K without blowing their budget. Its knockout argument: 16 GB of GDDR6 In a game like Marathon, which loads textures in droves because of its varied environments — from industrial complexes to the desert expanses of Tau Ceti IV — this memory margin, it changes everything.

RDNA 4 is making serious progress on ray tracing compared to the previous generation, even if NVIDIA maintains a 15 to 20% advantage in this area. But in pure rasterization, the 9070 XT is formidable — it rivals NVIDIA cards that are much more expensive than it. And Marathon supports FSR, which offers a very decent quality upscaling. Not quite at the level of DLSS 4, honestly, but the difference is mainly noticeable in fast motion and in very detailed areas.

The ASUS Prime model is simple and efficient. Triple fan, no unnecessary RGB, good thermal dissipation. In short, a GPU that does the job without seeking attention. At 1440p Ultra without RT, you easily exceed 90 FPS. Enable path tracing and FSR in Quality, and you stay above 70 FPS. Very honest for the price.

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The MSI VENTUS GeForce RTX 5080 16G 3X OC. We are at the top of the range, and you can feel it immediately. This card is the one that allows you to launch Marathon in 4K Ultra with Epic path tracing and to stay above 70 native FPS. Activate DLSS 4, and you easily surpass the 100 FPS mark in 4K. Yes, in 4K. It's obscene.

16 GB of GDDR7 with massive bandwidth, Blackwell RT cores that devour path tracing as if it were raster — the RTX 5080 does not do things by halves. In Marathon, this results in impeccable dynamic reflections in the metal corridors of the colony, global lighting that gives scenes incredible depth, and zero slowdown even in the most chaotic 6-player fights.

The MSI VENTUS 3X OC model remains sober — three fans, no frills, a noticeable factory overclock. It's clearly an investment: this card costs significantly more than the other two. But if you have a 4K 144 Hz monitor and want to fully enjoy it on Marathon and upcoming AAA titles, this is the one you need. Period.

Marathon is an extraction shooter. It means that fluidity is not just visual comfort—it's your survival. A drop to 40 FPS at the wrong time in a hot zone, and your loot goes with another Runner. Therefore, the choice of GPU must match your screen and your priorities.

Are you playing in 1080p or 1440p with a reasonable budget? The RTX 5060 Ti is your ally. DLSS 4 completely transforms the experience in Marathon, and at this price, you won't find better. Ray tracing remains accessible in 1080p, and in 1440p with upscaling, it's butter.

Do you want solid 1440p and touch the 4K? The RX 9070 XT is the sweet spot. Its 16GB of VRAM give it a comfortable margin for Ultra textures that Marathon loads in bulk, and FSR does the job for 4K. It is also the most sustainable choice in terms of memory.

Do you want the best, period? RTX 5080, without hesitation. 4K path tracing, DLSS 4, sick FPS - it's the ultimate experience for Marathon. An investment, for sure, but one that will keep you satisfied for years.

Beyond the GPU, a few settings can transform your experience in Marathon.

• Enable DLSS or FSR — in Quality mode, the visual loss is almost invisible and the gain in FPS is huge. In a competitive game like Marathon, it's mandatory.
• NVMe SSD highly recommended — Marathon areas load assets continuously. An NVMe SSD reduces micro-stutters and loading times between runs.
• Up-to-date drivers — NVIDIA and AMD have released day-one drivers optimized for Marathon. Make sure you are up to date (NVIDIA 602.47 minimum, AMD 25.3.1).
• 16 GB of RAM minimum, 32 GB ideal — dense areas with lots of players and AI consume a lot of memory. 32GB gives you a significant margin.
• Disable V-Sync if you have a G-Sync or FreeSync screen — Adaptive sync manages tearing better without adding input latency, crucial in PvP.

It depends on your resolution. For 1080p/1440p, the RTX 5060 Ti offers the best value thanks to DLSS 4. For 1440p/4K, the RX 9070 XT is the sweet spot with its 16GB of VRAM. For uncompromising 4K Ultra path tracing, the RTX 5080 is the reference.

Yes, Marathon supports DLSS 4 with Multi Frame Generation on the NVIDIA side and FSR on the AMD side. These upscaling technologies significantly boost FPS while maintaining excellent image quality. It is strongly recommended to activate them, especially with path tracing.

This is the official minimum config, so yes, technically. But you will be in 1080p low-medium and the FPS will be tight. For a competitive shooter experience, it's really on the edge. With a current generation GPU like the ones in our selection, the experience is incomparable.

With path tracing enabled, yes. Benchmarks show that Marathon ranks at the level of Cyberpunk 2077 RT Overdrive and Alan Wake 2 in terms of GPU requirements. Without ray tracing, the game remains much more reasonable thanks to its stylized visual style.

Marathon was released on March 5, 2026 on PC (Steam), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. The game supports cross-play and cross-save between all platforms.