Building or upgrading a gaming PC? The graphics card is usually the first component considered, and for good reason: it significantly impacts frame rates. A better GPU generally means better performance, although there are limits. With Nvidia's RTX 5090 and 5080 leading the pack, let's explore the best graphics cards available.

TL;DR: Top Graphics Cards

Our Top Pick: Zotac Gaming Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super See it at Amazon!

Gigabyte Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 See it at Newegg!

Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX See it at Amazon!

Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT See it at Amazon!

MSI Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 See it at Amazon!

High-end GPUs like the RTX 5090 ($1999+) are now luxury items, significantly more expensive than previous generations. However, excellent gaming experiences are still achievable at lower price points, especially at 1440p or 1080p.

My experience benchmarking and using these GPUs informs these recommendations. If you have specific needs, please comment below, and I’ll assist you in finding the perfect card.

Graphics Card Considerations

Choosing a GPU requires careful consideration. It's not just about raw power. Your gaming resolution is paramount. A 4K powerhouse might underperform at 1080p due to CPU bottlenecks (e.g., the RTX 5090). 1080p users might find the Intel Arc B580 a better value. 1440p gamers should consider the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT or Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super.

Budget is crucial. Prices start around $200-$250 for solid 1080p performance. Higher budgets (around $1000) unlock cards like the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 for exceptional 4K gaming. Ray tracing capabilities will influence your choice within this tier.

Power consumption is a factor, especially with high-end cards. Check your power supply's capabilities against the GPU's requirements. The Intel Arc B580 might work with a 450W PSU, but the Radeon RX 7800 XT will need something much more substantial.

What's Important to You?

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Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super Unboxing

1. Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super: The Best for Most

Zotac Gaming Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super

At ~$599, this offers excellent 1440p performance and can handle some 4K gaming. While not the most powerful, it's a strong contender and a great mid-range option.

Performance Highlights: Significant performance gains over the original RTX 4070, especially in games that utilize CUDA cores (like Cyberpunk 2077). Impressive frame rates at both 1440p and 4K in titles such as Forza Horizon 5.

2. Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090: Nvidia's Top Performer

Gigabyte Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090

The most powerful consumer GPU, delivering top-tier performance, especially with DLSS 4 multi-frame generation. Its high power consumption (578W peak) necessitates a robust power supply.

Performance Highlights: Approximately 26% faster than the RTX 4090 at 4K. Excellent performance in demanding 4K games, even with ray tracing enabled. Improved thermal design despite high power draw.

3. AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX: AMD's Top Contender

Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX

A strong competitor to the RTX 4080 Super, offering excellent 4K performance at a competitive price. May lag behind in some ray tracing-heavy games.

Performance Highlights: Matches or surpasses the RTX 4080 Super in many games, especially those with lighter ray tracing loads. Impresses in titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Far Cry 6 at 4K.

4. AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT: 1440p Champion

Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT

Excellent 1440p performance at a competitive price. Outperforms the RTX 4060 Ti in many games, but consumes more power.

Performance Highlights: Strong performance at 1440p, especially in games without heavy ray tracing. A cost-effective option for high frame rates at 1440p.

5. Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060: 1080p Powerhouse

MSI Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060

A solid 1080p card under $300, capable of running most games at over 60fps with ray tracing enabled. DLSS 3.0 adds value.

Performance Highlights: Consistent performance above 60fps at 1080p in most games. DLSS 3.0 helps boost performance in supported titles.

Upcoming GPUs

2025 promises new releases from Nvidia (RTX 5070, 5070 Ti) and AMD (Radeon RX 9070, 9070 XT), offering more choices across different price points.

Graphics Card FAQ

AMD, Nvidia, or Intel? The best brand depends on your priorities. Intel offers affordability, Nvidia boasts the highest performance (at a premium), and AMD provides a balance between the two. Consider which features (like DLSS) are important to you.

Power Supply? High-end GPUs demand substantial power. A 1000W PSU is advisable for top-tier cards.

GTX vs. RTX? RTX cards (with RT and Tensor cores) are superior to GTX cards, offering ray tracing and DLSS support.

UK Purchasing

Asus TUF Gaming RTX 4070 Ti OC Edition See it at Currys PC World

MSI Geforce RTX 3050 Gaming X See it at Amazon

XFX Speedster MERC310 RX 7900XT See it at Amazon

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 See it at Nvidia