What GPU do I need to run The Bard's Tale?

The minimum GPU requirement for The Bard's Tale is Nvidia GeForce GTX 760. For smoother performance at higher settings, a more powerful graphics card is recommended.

What are the system requirements for The Bard's Tale?

The minimum system requirements for The Bard's Tale are: CPU: Intel Core i5-2500K, GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 760, RAM: 8 GB.

Can I play The Bard's Tale at 60 FPS?

To achieve 60 FPS in The Bard's Tale at medium-to-high settings, you typically need at least an entry-level GPU (e.g. GTX 1650 or RX 6500 XT). Use the FPS estimator on this page to check your specific GPU.

The Bard's Tale

71/100

33 ratings2004Easy to run

Can your GPU run this game?

Estimated FPS across quality settings and resolutions

Search for your GPU above to see a full FPS breakdown at every quality and resolution.

The Bard's Tale FPS by GPU

Estimated framerates for 14 reference GPUs · pick a resolution and quality

60+ fps30–59 fps<30 fpsClick any row to load the full benchmark

Full benchmark grid · 14 GPUs × 4 qualities × 3 resolutions

1080p performance

The Bard's Tale estimated FPS at 1080p across 14 GPUs and 4 quality presets
GPU	low	medium	high	ultra
RTX 5090	653 fps	522 fps	418 fps	340 fps
RTX 4090	606 fps	485 fps	388 fps	315 fps
RX 7900 XTX	544 fps	435 fps	348 fps	283 fps
RTX 5080	513 fps	411 fps	328 fps	267 fps
RTX 4080 Super	482 fps	386 fps	309 fps	251 fps
RTX 4070 Ti	381 fps	305 fps	244 fps	198 fps
RTX 4070	327 fps	261 fps	209 fps	170 fps
RX 7800 XT	288 fps	230 fps	184 fps	150 fps
RTX 3080	280 fps	224 fps	179 fps	146 fps
RTX 4060 Ti	264 fps	211 fps	169 fps	137 fps
RTX 3070	241 fps	193 fps	154 fps	125 fps
RTX 4060	218 fps	174 fps	139 fps	113 fps
RTX 3060	187 fps	149 fps	119 fps	97 fps
GTX 1660 Super	135 fps	108 fps	87 fps	70 fps

1440p performance

The Bard's Tale estimated FPS at 1440p across 14 GPUs and 4 quality presets
GPU	low	medium	high	ultra
RTX 5090	490 fps	392 fps	313 fps	255 fps
RTX 4090	455 fps	364 fps	291 fps	237 fps
RX 7900 XTX	408 fps	327 fps	261 fps	212 fps
RTX 5080	385 fps	308 fps	246 fps	200 fps
RTX 4080 Super	362 fps	289 fps	231 fps	188 fps
RTX 4070 Ti	286 fps	229 fps	183 fps	149 fps
RTX 4070	245 fps	196 fps	157 fps	127 fps
RX 7800 XT	216 fps	173 fps	138 fps	112 fps
RTX 3080	210 fps	168 fps	134 fps	109 fps
RTX 4060 Ti	198 fps	159 fps	127 fps	103 fps
RTX 3070	181 fps	145 fps	116 fps	94 fps
RTX 4060	163 fps	131 fps	104 fps	85 fps
RTX 3060	140 fps	112 fps	90 fps	73 fps
GTX 1660 Super	101 fps	81 fps	65 fps	53 fps

4K performance

The Bard's Tale estimated FPS at 4K across 14 GPUs and 4 quality presets
GPU	low	medium	high	ultra
RTX 5090	261 fps	209 fps	167 fps	136 fps
RTX 4090	243 fps	194 fps	155 fps	126 fps
RX 7900 XTX	218 fps	174 fps	139 fps	113 fps
RTX 5080	205 fps	164 fps	131 fps	107 fps
RTX 4080 Super	193 fps	154 fps	123 fps	100 fps
RTX 4070 Ti	152 fps	122 fps	98 fps	79 fps
RTX 4070	131 fps	104 fps	84 fps	68 fps
RX 7800 XT	115 fps	92 fps	74 fps	60 fps
RTX 3080	112 fps	90 fps	72 fps	58 fps
RTX 4060 Ti	106 fps	85 fps	68 fps	55 fps
RTX 3070	96 fps	77 fps	62 fps	50 fps
RTX 4060	87 fps	70 fps	56 fps	45 fps
RTX 3060	75 fps	60 fps	48 fps	39 fps
GTX 1660 Super	54 fps	43 fps	35 fps	28 fps

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Minimum Hardware

Graphics Card

Minimum required

Nvidia GeForce GTX 760

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Processor

Minimum required

Intel Core i5-2500K

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Memory

Minimum required

8 GB

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About

The Bard's Tale, released in 2004, offers a unique twist on traditional RPG gameplay by immersing players in a 3D action-adventure environment. Unlike the classic Bard's Tale games, this title features a single controllable character, The Bard, who utilizes a blend of magic and weaponry to engage in battles. This shift to an action-oriented format, combined with a whimsical story and humor, has made it notable among gamers looking for a lighter approach to the genre.

In terms of PC performance, The Bard's Tale is fairly accessible, requiring only an entry-level GPU with a minimum score of about 4823 and a CPU score of around 4142. Players should aim for at least 8 GB of RAM for smooth gameplay. This means that even budget-friendly systems can achieve decent FPS, making the game manageable for a wide range of setups. For optimal performance, consider GPUs from the mid-range tier to ensure stable frame rates and better graphics settings.

Despite its mixed reception, with a rating of 69/100, The Bard's Tale offers a fun and engaging experience for those seeking a break from more traditional RPG formats. If you're in the mood for a lighthearted adventure filled with humor and action, this game may be worth exploring.

Performance profile

Released in October 2004, The Bard's Tale comes from the DirectX 9 era. Even the cheapest modern discrete GPU crushes it at maxed-out settings; the only real bottleneck today is CPU single-thread speed on older titles that were never multi-threaded.

Entry-level hardware target. A GTX 1650 or RX 6500 XT reaches 60 FPS at 1080p Medium in The Bard's Tale; an RTX 4060 comfortably sustains 1440p Ultra. 4K Ultra 60 FPS needs an RTX 4070 or better.

Storyline

The plot involves "a sardonic and opportunistic musician and adventurer, driven by carnal rather than noble pursuits. The Bard, who is never identified by a specific name nor addressed by anything other than "The Bard," is not interested in saving the world; his humble motivations are strictly "coin and cleavage." His quest is narrated by a mocking, biased man (played by Tony Jay) who cannot stand him.