A graphics card upgrade is a momentous moment for most PC gamers. Outside of an all-new PC build, there’s nothing that can improve your gaming performance quite like it, and you can guarantee you’re going to enjoy higher resolutions, greater detail levels, and faster frame rates than ever before. It’s a true, next-generation feel.
But in order to take advantage of all that added power and performance, and to enjoy the beauty it can render, you need the right games for the job. You probably have your favorites, and those are an easy first-play with a new GPU. But once you’ve done that, if you want something that will really spotlight modern GPU power, these are some of the best games for the job.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2
Credit: Saber Interactive
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 is fun, hack-and-slash gameplay with all the chunk, grim-dark gravitas, and over-the-top religious iconography of its namesake lore. It’s also packed to the brim with guts, blood, and explosive shells, making it a visual treat for new GPU owners. It’s not the most demanding game on this list, so it’s a great one for any GPU upgrade, not just the top models. Still, it will let a flagship GPU stretch its legs with a range of visual options you can play with.
Cyberpunk 2077
Credit: CD Projekt Red
It feels weird to call Cyberpunk 2077 an oldie but a goodie, but that’s where it is these days. Released in 2020 but continually updated since, Cyberpunk 2077 still looks utterly gorgeous. One could argue that it’s only now, with the latest graphics cards, that gamers can really enjoy it as it was supposed to be.
You can get Cyberpunk working on even low-end hardware, making it a great showcase for any graphics card upgrade. But if you have something powerful, the ray tracing options in this game can really put it through its paces.
Indiana Jones and the Great Circle
Credit: MachineGames
One of the most demanding games of recent years, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle is a gorgeous first-person game with incredible lighting and detail. You’ll need at least 32GB of RAM and 16GB of VRAM (or more) to run it beyond the basics, and even with a top card, you’ll probably want to turn on dynamic upscaling. But if you have the hardware to make it sing, this game will give you that true visual showcase you’re looking for.
Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024
Credit: Microsoft
If Microsoft Flight Simulator wasn’t demanding enough for you, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 will give you a lot more headroom to explore with your new graphics card. This is one of the most visually impressive games ever made, with incredible draw distances, super detailed cities and airports, and the entire world to explore. Take your plane or helicopter and fly it through any weather, anywhere in the world, and enjoy the true spectacle of Earth’s beauty, no matter where you go.
Just be sure that your memory and CPU are up to spec, too, as this game taxes everything you have.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chornobyl
Credit: GSC Game World
If you want to give your PC a real workout, it’s hard to find anything tougher than S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2. For its Epic settings, you’ll need at least an RTX 4080 or RX 7900 XTX—and that might get you 60 frames per second at 4K max settings, if you’re lucky. The latest RTX 50-series cards can fare a little better, but whatever you bring to the table is going to be taxed hard.
The game itself is gorgeous to look at, too, but for a real benchmark of just how well your PC stands up to a heavy game, S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is one of the best.
Alan Wake 2
Credit: Remedy Entertainment
For a double dose of realism and surrealism in equal measure, Alan Wake 2 delivers incredible visuals in many unique ways. We won’t spoil anything here, but suffice to say this is a slow, beautiful burn of a game that will leave you with a very lasting impression. You don’t need a flagship graphics card to get it running, so it’s a great one to enjoy if you’re just upgrading to something modern and mid-range, especially if you’re a fan of more sedate, single-player experiences.
Doom: The Dark Ages
Credit: id Software
Get ready to smash, blast, and pulverize your way through medieval-inspired Hell in Doom: The Dark Ages, all while enjoying how high your frame rate is. Doom is meant to be played fast, so it’s a great candidate for a frame rate-boosting GPU. Better yet? This new version is the best-looking we’ve ever seen, with extra shiny bits, gore, explosions, and all the over-the-top demonic action we’ve come to expect from this iconic franchise.
In true Doom fashion, too, this game runs on everything from entry-level GPUs from five years ago to the most up-to-date cutting-edge hardware, so whatever kind of GPU you’ve upgraded to, this is a great game to enjoy with it.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
Credit: Warhorse Studios
This is the kind of game people upgrade their graphics cards for, so whether or not you’re already a fan, it’s the ideal game to see just how good your new GPU is. The game is incredibly demanding, and if you can break 60fps at 4K with all the settings maxed, you must be working some magic (or running a heavy overclock). A great game for history and PC fans alike, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 is one of the nicest-looking games ever made, making it a great fit for a new GPU workout.
Black Myth Wukong
Credit: Game Science
A gorgeous souls-like game, Black Myth: Wukong combines fast-paced action with utterly jaw-dropping visuals, making it an excellent option for seeing what a new GPU can do. It’s the kind of game you’ll struggle to run at high frame rates with even powerful hardware, so be sure to play with the settings and run the benchmark to find the right mix of visuals and performance for you.
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II
Credit: Ninja Theory
Fancy an emotional rollercoaster to go with the visual treat? Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II isn’t for the faint of heart, but it does deliver one of the prettiest game experiences ever made. Incredibly demanding, incredibly impactful in a variety of ways, this is the kind of game that will stick with you for a long time.
Not ready to upgrade your GPU quite yet? Check out our list of the best games for laptops and lower-end PCs, as well as our favorite PC titles of 2025.