When building or upgrading your gaming PC, the graphics card is often the first component you consider due to its significant impact on gaming performance. A superior GPU directly translates to higher frame rates, enhancing your gaming experience, especially up to a certain point. With the latest Nvidia RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 on the market, here's a guide to the best graphics cards available today.
TL;DR: These Are the Best Graphics Cards:
Our Top Pick### Zotac Gaming Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super
2See it at Amazon
### Gigabyte Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090
2See it at Newegg
### Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
1See it at Amazon
### Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT
0See it at Amazon
### MSI Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
0See it at AmazonIn today's market, GPUs have become a luxury item. High-end cards like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 can cost upwards of $1,999, reflecting their premium performance. Prices have soared since the GTX 970 days, even when adjusted for inflation. However, you can still achieve a solid gaming experience at a lower cost by targeting 1440p or 1080p resolutions.
With four generations of GPU reviews under my belt, I've benchmarked and used every card on this list for gaming. If none of these options meet your needs, feel free to comment below with your gaming preferences, and I'll help you find the perfect card for your setup.
What to Look for in a Graphics Card
Choosing the right GPU involves more than just picking the most powerful one. Your gaming monitor's resolution is crucial. For instance, while the Nvidia RTX 5090 excels at 4K, it might underperform at 1080p due to CPU bottlenecks. For 1080p gaming, the Intel Arc B580 offers a cost-effective solution. Meanwhile, 1440p gamers might find the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT or Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super more suitable.
Budget is another key factor, with prices continuing to rise. Entry-level GPUs start around $200-$250, offering decent 1080p performance. Mid-tier options like the Nvidia RTX 4060 provide access to Nvidia's exclusive features at a more affordable price point. For those willing to invest around $1,000, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX or Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 deliver exceptional 4K performance, with the choice hinging on your preference for ray tracing.
Power consumption is vital when considering high-end GPUs. Ensure your power supply meets the card's requirements; for instance, the Intel Arc B580 can work with a 450W PSU, while the Radeon RX 7800 XT might need a more robust setup.
AnswerSee Results### Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super Unboxing
5 Images
1. Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super
The Best Graphics Card for Most People
Our Top Pick### Zotac Gaming Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super
2This RTX 4070 Super from Zotac is an excellent choice for most users, featuring a robust dual-fan cooler and strong performance at a reasonable price point. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsCUDA Cores/Stream Processors7168Base Clock1,980MHzBoost Clock2,475MHzVideo Memory12GB GDDR6XMemory Bandwidth504.2GB/sMemory Bus192-bitPower Connectors1 x 16-pinOutputs1 x HDMI 2.1, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4 Size10.5 x 4.4 x 1.7 inches (L x W x H)PROSExcellent value for the performanceCan handle 4K in select gamesCONS12GB of VRAM might be limiting for future gamesAt $599, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super strikes a balance between affordability and performance, ideal for 1440p gaming and capable of reaching 4K in certain titles. It may not be the most powerful GPU available, but it offers a compelling mix of features and performance.
During my review of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super, I found it to be a standout option among Nvidia's mid-generation refresh cards. Despite retaining the 12GB of VRAM from its predecessor, the RTX 4070 Super boasts 7,168 CUDA cores, a 21% increase over the original RTX 4070, which significantly boosts gaming performance.
Nvidia RTX 4070 Super Benchmarks
3 Images
In games like Cyberpunk 2077, the RTX 4070 Super delivers a 12% performance increase over the RTX 4070 at 1440p and a 13% boost at 4K. In Forza Horizon 5 at 4K, it achieves an impressive 123 fps, a 30% improvement over the original RTX 4070. This makes the RTX 4070 Super an excellent choice for gamers looking to maximize performance at 1440p and beyond.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Photos
5 Images
2. Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090
The Best Nvidia Graphics Card
### Gigabyte Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090
2The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 stands as the most powerful consumer GPU available, though its generational improvement may not be as dramatic as previous releases. See it at NeweggProduct SpecificationsCUDA Cores/Stream Processors21,760Base Clock2.01GHzBoost Clock2.41GHzVideo Memory32GB GDDR7Memory Bandwidth1,792 GB/sMemory Bus512-bitPower Connectors1 x 16-pinOutputs1 x HDMI 2.1b, 3 x DisplayPort 2.1bSize (Founders Edition)11.9 x 5.39 x 1.9 inches (L x W x H) (Dual Slot)PROSUnmatched performance in the consumer marketEnhanced by DLSS 4 multi-frame generationCONSIncremental performance gain over previous generationThe Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is the pinnacle of gaming performance today, especially when utilizing DLSS multi-frame generation. It features 21,760 CUDA cores and 32GB of GDDR7 memory, with a peak power draw of 578W, a significant increase from the RTX 4090's 448W. Nvidia's innovative dual-slot cooler design helps manage this power efficiently, maintaining temperatures at around 87°C during intense gaming sessions.
My benchmarks showed the RTX 5090 to be approximately 26% faster than the RTX 4090 at 4K, though performance gains may vary at lower resolutions. At $1,999, this GPU is best suited for those committed to 4K gaming with minimal upscaling.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Benchmarks
14 Images
AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT – Photos
6 Images
3. AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
The Best AMD Graphics Card
### Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
1This Radeon RX 7900 XTX from Gigabyte offers competitive performance at a lower price point, complemented by an effective triple-fan cooling system. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsCUDA Cores/Stream Processors6,144Base Clock1,929MHzBoost Clock2,365MHzVideo Memory24GB GDDR6Memory Bandwidth960 GB/sMemory Bus384-bitPower Connectors2 x 8-pinOutputs1 x HDMI 2.1a, 2 x DisplayPort 2.1, 1 x USB-CSize11.3 x 4.3 x 2 inches (L x W x H) (Dual Slot)PROSStrong 4K performanceCompetitive pricing compared to RTX 4080CONSMay struggle with some ray tracing gamesThe AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX is a formidable contender against the Nvidia RTX 4080 Super, offering excellent 4K performance at a more accessible price point. My testing revealed that it holds its own in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077, achieving 58 fps at 4K with ray tracing enabled and FSR. In games with less demanding ray tracing, such as Forza Horizon 5, it matches the RTX 4080 Super, delivering 158 fps at 4K. For gamers focusing on titles without heavy ray tracing, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX is a powerful and cost-effective option, especially with its support for higher resolution ultrawide monitors through DisplayPort 2.1.
AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT – Benchmarks
4 Images
4. AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT
The Best GPU for 1440p
### Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT
0With its triple-fan cooling system, the Gigabyte Radeon RX 7700 XT ensures efficient performance at 1440p, making it a great choice for gamers on a budget. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsCUDA Cores/Stream Processors3,456Base Clock1,435MHzBoost Clock2,171MHzVideo Memory12GB GDDR6Memory Bandwidth432 GB/sMemory Bus192-bitPower Connectors2 x 8-pinOutputs1 x HDMI 2.1a, 2 x DisplayPort 2.1, 1 x USB-CSize10.5 x 5.3 x 2 inches (L x W x H) (Dual Slot)PROSGreat value for 1440p gamingSolid performance at the price pointCONSLimited in ray tracing-heavy gamesThe Radeon RX 7700 XT is ideal for gamers targeting 1440p, offering strong performance at a reduced price. It competes well against the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti, particularly in games without intensive ray tracing. In Forza Horizon 5, it achieves 118 fps at 1440p, outperforming the RTX 4060 Ti. However, its higher power consumption, up to 312W, requires a robust power supply, ideally 550W or more.
Nvidia RTX 4060
5 Images
5. Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
The Best GPU for 1080p
### MSI Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
0The MSI Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 offers solid 1080p performance and ray tracing capabilities at a budget-friendly price, suitable for compact gaming setups. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsCUDA Cores/Stream Processors3,072Base Clock1,830MHzBoost Clock2,460MHzVideo Memory8GB GDDR6Memory Bandwidth272 GB/sMemory Bus128-bitPower Connectors1 x 12-pinOutputs1 x HDMI 2.1, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4 Size9.4 x 4.4 x 1.6 inches (L x W x H) (Dual Slot)PROSExcellent value for 1080p gaming with ray tracingCompact design fits smaller buildsCONSOnly 8GB of VRAMFor gamers still using 1080p monitors, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 provides a cost-effective solution capable of running demanding games with ray tracing. My review found it consistently achieving over 60 fps in games like Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p, though it may not be ideal for high-refresh rate gaming. Compared to the RTX 3060 Ti, the RTX 4060 offers the advantage of DLSS 3.0, enhancing its value in supported titles.
RTX 4060 benchmarks
7 Images
Upcoming GPUs
With the release of Nvidia's RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for graphics cards. Nvidia plans to launch the RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti in February, offering high-end performance at a lower price point. AMD is also set to release the Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT in March 2025, which early benchmarks suggest will compete strongly against current high-end GPUs.
Best Graphics Cards FAQ
AMD or Nvidia? Or Intel?
Choosing between AMD, Nvidia, and Intel depends on your needs and budget. Intel offers the most affordable options but lacks in performance compared to its competitors. Nvidia's GPUs are the most powerful but come with a higher price tag. AMD provides a balanced option, though it may not offer the same exclusive features as Nvidia, such as DLSS.
What power supply should I get?
High-end GPUs can consume over 450W, so consider a power supply with at least 1,000W if you're eyeing cards like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090.
GTX vs. RTX
Nvidia's RTX series offers superior performance and features like ray tracing and DLSS, thanks to its advanced architecture with Tensor and RT cores. The GTX series, while still suitable for budget builds, lacks these features and is becoming outdated.
Where to Get the Best Graphics Cards in the UK
For UK buyers, here are updated links to purchase the highlighted graphics cards:
### Best Graphics Card Asus TUF Gaming RTX 4070 Ti OC Edition
0See it at Currys PC World
### Best Budget Graphics Card MSI Geforce RTX 3050 Gaming X
0See it at Amazon
### Best AMD Graphics Card XFX Speedster MERC310 RX 7900XT
0See it at Amazon
### Best 4K Graphics Card Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080
1See it at Nvidia
