The debate over the best Graphics Card has existed since the early days of dedicated GPUs. While Team Green often provides the most powerful hardware, Team Red brings an excellent value proposition. Whether you’re a first-time PC builder or a seasoned professional, choosing the right GPU is most likely on top of the checklist when building your next gaming rig.
It is hard to claim any one GPU to be the best Graphics Card among the myriad of options. GPUs like the RTX 4090 or RX 7800 XTX are the fastest or the most powerful GPUs of their generation. However, they do bring a hefty price tag with them and may not be in everyone’s budget. Like many products out there, the best GPU depends very much on the situation and perspective. In the following list, we have explored the best GPUs for different segments like resolution or budgets. Let’s discuss and find out which is the best GPU for you.
Content
- Best Nvidia graphics card
- Best AMD graphics card
- Best Intel graphics card
- Best 1080p graphics card
- Best 1440p graphics card
- Best 4K graphics card
- Best budget graphics card
- Best mid-range graphics card
- Best high-end graphics card
Best Nvidia graphics card – RTX 4080 Super
Nvidia is more often than not the go-to choice for GPU, and with good reasons with a variety of options. As such deciding the best Nvidia graphics card is tricky, but our pick is the recently released RTX 4080 Super. The newly launched super variant of this generation’s flagship provides one of the best-in-class experiences while maintaining a fair value proposition.
| RTX 4080 Super | |
| Graphics Processor | AD103 |
| CUDA cores | 10240 |
| Clock speed (base/ boost) | 2295 MHz / 2550 MHz |
| Memory | 16 GB GDDR6X |
The Super variant maintains the GPU core and the memory, increasing the CUDA core count and the clock speed by a noticeable margin. Launching at $1000, which is less than what its original variant launched for, makes it the Best Nvidia graphics card.
Pros
- The RTX 4080 Super provides a fair value proposition amongst its peers.
- The RTX 4080 Super is perfect for 4K gaming.
- The RTX 4080 Super is a good mid-generation upgrade option for users on last-generation hardware.
Cons
- Considering its price tag, the RTX 4080 Super might not be for everyone.
- It might be worth waiting for the next generation with the RTX 50 series Blackwell, rumored to launch later this year.
Best AMD graphics card – RX 7900 XT
While AMD is notorious for unoptimized drivers, more often than not, it provides a better value proposition than Nvidia. Looking through its lineup in early 2024, the Best AMD graphics card is the RX 7900 XT. The GPU may fall behind in features like upscaling. However, it more than makes up for it with its great price to performance.
| RX 7900 XT | |
| Graphics Processor | Navi 31 |
| CUDA cores | 5376 |
| Clock speed (base / boost) | 1500 MHz / 2394 MHz |
| Memory | 20 GB GDDR6 |
The AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT provides an excellent value proposition. From a performance perspective in games, it is comparable to the RTX 4070 Ti Super RTX 3090 Ti. Which makes it easily one of the, if not the best AMD graphics cards.
Pros
- The RX 7900 XT provides one of the best value proposition in its price range.
- The RX 7900 XT provides reliable performances at 1440p and 4k
- The RX 7900 XT is a great alternative for anyone considering last-generation’s flagship or this generation’s high-end.
Cons
- The RX 7900 XT falls behind its peers when it comes to features such as upscaling or ray-traced performance
- AMD is notorious for unoptimized drivers which may bring inconsistency in performance across the board.
Best Intel graphics card – ARC A770
While Intel’s first generation attempt at dedicated GPU was anything but smooth sailing, it provided enough hope for enthusiasts to look forward to the future. The ARC A770 stands out of the initial launch roster of limited SKUs, as the best Intel graphics card
| ARC 770 | |
| Graphics Processor | DG2-512 |
| CUDA cores | 4096 |
| Clock speed (base/ boost) | 2100 MHz / 2400 MHz |
| Memory | 16 GB GDDR6 (Limited Edition) |
One of the biggest downsides of the GPU is its lack of performance in older games not optimized for DirectX 12. While the ARC A770 may not be as powerful as its competitor, it does have is an excellent value proposition for players, taking the crown for best Intel graphics card.
Pros
- The ARC 770 provides a very good budget proposition.
- The ARC 770 is great for new titles running on DirectX 12.
- The ARC 770 is perfect for 1080p medium gaming.
Cons
- The ARC 770 is not the best option for older titles.
- The 16 GB Limited Edition variant may not be available for everyone.
Best 1080p graphics card – RTX 4060
Nvidia’s 60 cards have remained the most popular entry of its generation, and it is no exception for the RTX 4060. While it does get a smaller VRAM compared to its predecessor, it more than makes up for it with the higher clock speed becoming the best 1080p graphics card.
| RTX 4060 | |
| Graphics Processor | AD107 |
| CUDA cores | 3072 |
| Clock speed (base/ boost) | 1830 MHz / 2460 MHz |
| Memory | 8 GB GDDR6 |
The RTX 3060 has remained on the top spot of the Steam Hardware survey. However, it lacks features like DLSS frame generation, which becomes quite essential, especially in 1080p gaming. The smaller VRAM size may feel like a downgrade on paper, but at 1080p it is sufficient enough for most games.
Pros
- The RTX 4060 is a great option for 1080p gaming
- The RTX 4060 includes features like DLSS frame generation, which can be essential in games with great visual quality
- Recent price cuts have made the RTX 4060 a more appealing option.
Cons
- The 8 GB VRAM is a step down from the last generation’s 12 GB.
- The RTX 4070 may provide a better value proposition at times.
Best 1440p graphics card – RTX 4070 Super
The recently released RTX 4070 Super is a necessary mid-gen entry between the 4070 and the 4070 Ti. The 70 GPUs have more often than not presented themselves as the best graphics card for 1440p, and the recent refresh is no exception.
| RTX 4070 Super | |
| Graphics Processor | AD 104 |
| CUDA cores | 7168 |
| Clock speed (base/ boost) | 1980 MHz / 2475 MHz |
| Memory | 12 GB GDDR6X |
In the ongoing battle between 1080p and 4K, 1440p is often forgotten about. The resolution is the perfect sweet spot for PC gaming on a 27-inch or 32-inch monitor. It provides crisp image quality while not being ass taxing on hardware. Amongst its peers, the RTX 4070 stands out as the best 1440p graphics card, with its 12 GB VRAM and boost clock of 2.5 GHz
Pros
- The RTX 4070 Super is a great option for 1440p gaming.
- The RTX 4070 Super is cheaper than the RTX 4070 Ti while providing the extra horsepower players may need.
- 12 GB of VRAM is sufficient for 1440p gaming.
Cons
- It might be worth waiting for the RTX 50 series.
- With recent price cuts, you might be able to pick up an RTX 3080Ti at a comparable price.
Best 4K graphics card – RTX 4090
4K is the highest-end gaming and there is only one GPU capable of being called the best 4K graphics card, the RTX 4090. Currently, it is the most powerful consumer GPU, capable of running almost any title at Ultra quality. Ma
| RTX 4090 | |
| Graphics Processor | AD102 |
| CUDA cores | 16384 |
| Clock speed (base/ boost) | 2235 MHz / 2520 MHz |
| Memory | 24 GB GDDR6X |
While 4K is more common in console gaming than in PC, there is no question that it provides the best experience out there. With its massive 24 GB VRAM and 1.6K CUDA core, the BFG RTX 4090 certainly takes the cake for the best 4K graphics card.
Pros
- The RTX 4090 provides the uncompromised power necessary for a 4K gaming
- The RTX 4090 will certainly be relevant down the line for the next few generations.
- With features like DLSS, it further boosts performance to play any title at the highest quality with ray-tracing.
Cons
- The massive performance of the RTX 4090 comes with an equally massive price tag, that might not provide the best performance per dollar.
- The RTX 4090 is massive and may not fit in everyone’s build.
Best budget graphics card – RX 7600
We all love to have the uncompromised horsepower to play any title at its highest quality. However, with the rising hardware cost, price point becomes a major point of contention. When it comes to the debate of the best budget graphics card, the one to offer the best value is the AMD Radeon RX 7600.
| RX 7600 | |
| Graphics Processor | Navi 33 |
| CUDA cores | 2048 |
| Clock speed (base/ boost) | 1720 MHz / 2655 MHz |
| Memory | 8 GB GDDR6 |
The RX 7600 is not one of the most powerful hardware out there. However, with its 8 GB VRAM and an enticing price point, it offers a great value proposition over its peers. Due to this, it proves itself to be the best budget graphics card.
Pros
- The RX 7600 is a great value proposition and is worth upgrading over integrated GPUs.
- The smaller size of the RX 7600 means it can fit in any build.
- Enabling FSR will increase the in-game performance noticeably.
Cons
- The RX 7600 may not be able to play all games at the highest quality on 1080p
- The RX 7600 may be a worse proposition when compared to last-generation GPUs on sale.
Best mid-range graphics card – RTX 3070
The RTX 3070 may be a generation old at this point, but it more than makes up for it, with its excellent Value proposition taking the crown for best mid-range graphics card. Be it 1080p high or 1440p medium, the RTX 3070 is more than capable enough for everyday gamers, without breaking the bank.
| RTX 3070 | |
| Graphics Processor | GA 104 |
| CUDA cores | 5888 |
| Clock speed (base/ boost) | 1500 MHz / 1725 MHz |
| Memory | 8 GB GDDR6 |
You might be questioning why we choose the RTX 3070 over the more recent RTX 4070 family or the more popular RTX 3060 family, and the reason is that it provides the perfect balance between a fair price point and the required horsepower between the two, to be the best mid-range graphics card.
Pros
- Being a last-generation hardware it can be picked up for a great price.
- The RTX 3070 is good enough for 1080p or 1440p medium gaming with ray tracing and DLSS.
- The RTX 3070 brings the tried and true performance of the Ampere family.
Cons
- The RTX 3070 lacks the latest features like DLSS frame generation.
- Might not be available in stock all the time.
Best high-end graphics card – RTX 4080
Nvidia’s latest flagship GPU of the Ada Lovelace family, the RTX 4080 is truly the best high-end graphics card out there. With the RTX 4080 Super essential replacing it, at a lower price point, there is no better time than now to get a non-Super variant for a discount, while the stock lasts.
| RTX 4080 | |
| Graphics Processor | AD103 |
| CUDA cores | 9728 |
| Clock speed (base/ boost) | 2205 MHz / 2505 MHz |
| Memory | 16 GB GDDR6X |
If you’re not able to get an RTX 4080, then the RTX 4080 Super is also a great option, as we discussed in the best Nvidia graphics card entry. With its almost 10K CUDA cores, it takes the crown for the best high-end graphics card.
Pros
- Currently, the RTX 4080 is available at a discount across stores.
- While it may not be as powerful as the 4090, the RTX 4080 is great for 4K gaming.
- The RTX 4080 will remain relevant for the next few generations.
Cons
- The RTX 4080 has been discontinued from Nvidia, so stocks are in limited supply.
- The RTX 4080 Super may be a better value proposition depending on the immediate price point.
At the start of the discussion, we mentioned how the perception of the best graphics card is situational to the user’s specific need. While one may be looking for the most powerful hardware such as the RTX 4090, others may gravitate towards the best value proposition and pick up an RTX 3070. All in all, we have provided some of our favorite picks for certain situations. However, what will be the best graphics card for you, comes down to you and your specific requirements.
