Overview
One of, if not the most crucial, parts of a gaming computer is the graphics card. But there isn't a single GPU that works for everyone, much like the other computer components. While some users may desire the most powerful PC gaming system possible, others may prefer one that provides the best value while being less powerful. Many people are even seeking for the best budget graphics cards to enjoy some casual 1080p gaming.
Fortunately, buying has never been more advantageous. The transition from cryptocurrency mining to the next generation of Nvidia and AMD GPUs has been accomplished. Additionally, there are now three competitors in the race with Intel's long-awaited entry with its Arc dedicated graphics line.
We'll help you locate the best Graphics card whether you require one of the best 1440p graphics cards, the best 4K graphics cards, or the best 1080p graphics card by compiling our top picks, which range from the most expensive alternatives to the most affordable graphics cards. View the list we've provided below.
Top Picks
If you're in a rush, take a look at the fast selection of our favorites, or scroll down to read our whole list with in-depth reviews of the best graphics card for gaming in 2024. Each of the devices on this list has been chosen to reach the ideal balance between compatibility, performance, memory, speed, and interface:
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Best graphics card for most people: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
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Best budget graphics card for gaming: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
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Best performance graphics card for gaming: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
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Best graphics card of the last gen: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090
- Best premium graphics card for gaming: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080
Detail Reviews Of Top 5 Best Graphics Card for Gaming
1. Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
(Best graphics card for most people)
Product’s Specifications
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Stream Processors: 4,864
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Core Clock: 1.41 GHz (1.67 GHz boost)
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Memory: 8GB GDDR6
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Memory Clock: 14 Gbps
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Outputs: HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a
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Power Connectors: 1x PCIe 8-pin (adapter to 1x 12-pin included)
Today’ Best Deal
Reasons to buy
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Outstanding 1080p performance
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Good ray tracing performance
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 Runs cool.
Reasons to avoid
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Only entry-level 4K performance.
Product SummaryÂ
Is AMD no longer the leader in affordable GPUs? With its price price-to-performance, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti poses a danger to that assertion. One of the most recent additions to the RTX 3000 series, this graphics card outperforms other products in its pricing range while offering performance that might compete with the RTX 2080 Super. That includes stunning ray tracing. Never before have the quality and price of 1080p gaming been this excellent.
In our tests, we even discovered that it could barely handle 4K games. You'll need to forego the ray tracing and make some concessions with the settings. Having said that, there aren't many other issues with the 3060 Ti. For those who enjoy showing off their PC's internals, it maintains its coolness like a cucumber and is highly fashionable. This is, matter of fact, the best graphics card for most people.
2. Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
(Best budget graphics card for gaming)
Product’s Specifications
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Stream Processors: 2,560
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Core Clock: 1.78 GHz
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Memory: 8GB GDDR6
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Memory Speed: 12Gbps
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Power Connectors: 1 x 8-pin
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Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort, 1 x HDMI
Today’ Best Deal
Reasons to buy
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Reasonable price.
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Outstanding 1080p performance.
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Ray tracing and DLSS.
Reasons to avoid
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Require more power.
Product SummaryÂ
One thing that all of the best graphics cards released in the past several years have in common is their high price. This is mostly due to the graphics card shortage we have all been experiencing, but it is also a result of Nvidia and AMD's protracted neglect of the market for low-cost graphics cards.
Thankfully, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 is at last available. This GPU is far more inexpensive than pretty much anything else in the current generation, but being significantly more costly than Nvidia 50-series graphics cards were in the past. With the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, we were able to play almost every game on high settings. Esports players will also adore this card because it is reasonably priced(ish) and has the power to play games like Fortnite and League of Legends without experiencing any lag.
3. Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
(Best performance graphics card for gaming)
Product’s Specifications
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Stream processors: 16,384
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Core clock: 2,235 MHz
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Memory: 24GB GDDR6X
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Memory clock: 21.2Gbps
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Power connectors: 1 x 16-pin
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Outputs: DisplayPort 1.4a x3, HDMI 2.1a
Today’ Best Deal
Reasons to buy
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Stunning performance.
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DLSS 3 is mind blowing.
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Perfect for creators.
Reasons to avoid
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Very expensive.
Product SummaryÂ
The GeForce RTX 4090 from Nvidia is pricey, that much is certain. Additionally, a 16-pin connection or adapter is needed. And it's really massive. However, the first model in Nvidia's new 4000-series is a true powerhouse that is capable of handling any task. It is the industry's strongest GPU.
In our tests, we discovered that it performed noticeably better than the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090, with performance increases of up to 100% in select games and two to four times the performance in synthetic benchmarks. Additionally, when fully employed, the DLSS 3 that is incorporated might usher in the next gaming revolution.
However, this GPU is more than what the majority of people require. This graphics card is quite strong, which will appeal to creatives and 8K gamers. Just make sure you have a reliable power source and a big enough enclosure to support it.
4. Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090
(Best graphics card of the last gen)
Product’s Specifications
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Stream Processors: 10,496
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Core Clock: 1.40 GHz (1,70 GHz boost)
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Memory: 24 GB GDDR6X
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Memory Clock: 19.5Gbps
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Power Connectors: 2x PCIe 8-pin
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Outputs: HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a
Today’ Best Deal
Reasons to buy
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Superior GPU performance.
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Sleek design.
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Up to 8k performance.
Reasons to avoid
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Very expensive.
Product Summary
When it comes to performance, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 is hard to beat. No game will have performance concerns with 24GB of RAM, which is particularly significant for projects with plenty of graphics. In reality, we were able to get the 3090 to deliver some 8K performance at 60 frames per second. Given its high price and size, most users will likely find it to be an excessive amount of GPU.
As a successor for the Titan, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 is primarily designed for creative users working on demanding 3D and video rendering tasks rather than die-hard gamers. Even yet, it is far less expensive than the Titan, making it a steal for creatives accustomed to paying a premium for their tools of the trade.
5. Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080
(Best premium graphics card for gaming)
Product’s Specifications
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Stream Processors: 8,704
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Core Clock: 1.44 GHz (1,71 GHz boost)
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Memory: 10 GB GDDR6X
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Memory Clock: 19Gbps
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Power Connectors: 2x PCIe 8-pin
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Outputs: HDMI 2.1, 3x DisplayPort 1.4a
Today’ Best Deal
Reasons to buy
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Superb 4K gaming performance.
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Minimal temperatures.
Reasons to avoid
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Somewhat pricey.
Product Summary
Despite the fact that the Nvidia RTX 4080 potentially outperforms the RTX 3080 it replaces, the RTX 3080 still represents a superior overall value even at its MSRP since it still offers exceptional performance at a more reasonable price. This is especially true now that the RTX 4080 has been released.
The RTX 3080 is an even better offer for players who want a decent 4K gaming experience without having to pay a lot of money now that the RTX 4080 is on sale, since prices are falling everywhere.
Having said that, most people don't require this much GPU. This graphics card's strength will appeal to creatives and people who enjoy 8K gaming. Just be certain that you have a strong enough power supply (and a big enough case) to run it.
FAQs
Which is better GTX or RTX?
There’s no definitive answer to this question. It all comes down to what you need, and what you want. Generally speaking, a GTX graphics card should be good enough for most users. On the other hand, if you need to run real-time ray tracing, the RTX card might be the better option. This is an advanced feature that allows for precise shadows and reflections, while also having lower CPU requirements.
How much RAM do I need for gaming?
Most games require 16GB of RAM, which will perform much better than 8GB. 16GB is the recommended amount of RAM for gaming. Additionally, you will be able to execute programs in the background without interfering with gameplay.
Is RTX 3080 enough for 4K gaming?
The RTX 3080 graphics card has enough raw power to run most modern games at 4K resolution, but if you find yourself playing a lot of AAA titles at 4K, it might be best to look for an upgrade.
Final Thought
The best graphics card for gaming will generally rely on a number of factors. It's crucial to consider factors like your gaming preferences, screen resolution, and whether or not you value glitzy features like ray tracing and DLSS.
For instance, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 or AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT would suffice if all you want to do is play the newest games at 1080p with high settings. However, if you want to play anything at 4K ultra-high definition with ray tracing, you should probably use an alternative card like the RTX 3080 Ti.