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Start by identifying your exact graphics card and confirming that it supports hardware ray tracing. Gears of War: E-Day requires a hardware ray-tracing-capable GPU; the Steam listing says cards without dedicated hardware ray-tracing support are unsupported. Then compare your full PC specifications with the current requirements table—GPU eligibility alone does not confirm that the rest of your system qualifies.
Find your PC’s exact graphics card model
- In Windows, open Settings → System → About and note your processor and installed memory.
- Open Task Manager → Performance → GPU, or search for and open Device Manager → Display adapters, to identify the graphics adapter model.
- If you see both integrated and discrete graphics, record both. A PC can have more than one adapter, so confirm which GPU your games use before judging compatibility.
Use the full model name, not just a brand or family name such as “GTX,” “RTX,” or “Radeon.” Look up that exact model in its manufacturer’s documentation to confirm hardware ray-tracing capability. The Steam listing states that cards without dedicated hardware ray-tracing support are unsupported, so a software upscaler or a setting change cannot make an ineligible GPU meet this requirement. Steam listing
Compare the GPU with the current requirements
The published minimum-tier examples reported by PC Gamer include the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 and AMD Radeon RX 6600. These are examples, not a blanket guarantee for every card with similar branding, laptop variant, or performance. The same report transcribes the following tier targets:
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →| Published tier | Target reported by PC Gamer | GPU examples or qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum | 1080p at 60 fps | RTX 2060 and RX 6600 are reported examples; confirm the exact GPU against the live requirements. |
| Recommended | 1440p at 60+ fps | See the current requirements table for the listed hardware. |
| Ultra | 4K at 60+ fps | See the current requirements table for the listed hardware. |
These are published targets transcribed by PC Gamer, not independent benchmark results or a promise of identical frame rates from two listed GPUs. PC Gamer’s Gears of War: E-Day PC requirements report
#1 Best Overall
- Powered by Radeon RX 9070 XT
- WINDFORCE Cooling System
- Hawk Fan
- Server-grade Thermal Conductive Gel
- RGB Lighting
For the complete and latest CPU, memory, storage, and graphics requirements, consult the current Steam listing and the specifications image in The Coalition’s Xbox Wire PC specifications announcement. Xbox Wire says the final launch PC specifications were revealed and notes that its specifications image was updated September 28, 2026. Check the image itself: the CPU, RAM, and available SSD space must also meet the listed tier. A suitable ray-tracing GPU does not establish whole-PC compatibility.
Understand what ray tracing support means
The requirement is an eligibility threshold, not simply a graphics option you can turn off. A card that lacks dedicated hardware ray-tracing support is identified as unsupported in the Steam listing, even if it can run other games or use upscaling software. The Coalition’s technical article says E-Day uses DirectX 12 and supports hardware ray tracing alongside NVIDIA DLSS 4.5 with Super Resolution and Dynamic Multi Frame Generation, NVIDIA Reflex, AMD FSR, Unreal Engine TSR, Intel XeSS, and Advanced Shader Delivery on compatible systems. These features affect rendering or performance on supported hardware; they do not replace the ray-tracing requirement. Xbox Wire: Gears of War: E-Day PC features
Rank #2
- NVIDIA Ampere Streaming Multiprocessors: The all-new Ampere SM brings 2X the FP32 throughput and improved power efficiency.
- 2nd Generation RT Cores: Experience 2X the throughput of 1st gen RT Cores, plus concurrent RT and shading for a whole new level of ray-tracing performance.
- 3rd Generation Tensor Cores: Get up to 2X the throughput with structural sparsity and advanced AI algorithms such as DLSS. These cores deliver a massive boost in game performance and all-new AI capabilities.
- Axial-tech fan design features a smaller fan hub that facilitates longer blades and a barrier ring that increases downward air pressure.
- OC Mode : 1500 MHz (Boost Clock)/Default Mode : 1470 MHz (Boost Clock)
Keep feature-specific requirements separate
NVIDIA describes ray-traced shadows using MegaLights and ray-traced global illumination and ambient occlusion using Lumen. It also says RTX Mega Geometry requires a GeForce RTX GPU with at least 12 GB of VRAM. That 12 GB figure applies to enabling RTX Mega Geometry; it is not stated as the general minimum VRAM requirement to play E-Day. NVIDIA’s Gears of War: E-Day announcement
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If your exact GPU lacks hardware ray-tracing support, or it falls short of the current published tier, compare upgrade options against your whole system before buying: check the card’s intended resolution and tier, VRAM needs for any feature you want, power supply capacity, case clearance, and current total cost. NVIDIA also describes GeForce NOW cloud streaming as an option for people without a compatible local GeForce RTX PC or laptop. Availability and requirements can depend on your region, subscription, supported storefront, and game-library conditions, so check the current service details before relying on it.
Quick Recap
Rank #3
- Powered by the NVIDIA Blackwell architecture and DLSS 4. System Requirements: Minimum 850W PSU with 16-pin 12V-2x6 (12VHPWR) connector required. Verify before purchasing.
- Military-grade components deliver rock-solid power and longer lifespan for ultimate durability. Compatibility: 348mm (13.7") length, 3.6 slots, 4.3 lbs. Confirm case clearance and slot spacing. GPU bracket included.
- Protective PCB coating helps protect against short circuits caused by moisture, dust, or debris
- 3.6-slot design with massive fin array optimized for airflow from three Axial-tech fans
- Phase-change GPU thermal pad helps ensure optimal thermal performance and longevity, outlasting traditional thermal paste for graphics cards under heavy loads
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