Best Graphics Cards for Gaming in 2018

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Right now, the best balance between performance, pricing, and power comes from Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1070. Of course, if price is no object and you own a 4K monitor, the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti is our top pick. At the other end of the spectrum, Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1050 3GB takes the place of AMD’s Radeon RX 560 for solid budget-oriented performance at 1080p in your favorite games. Although it costs $10 more, the GeForce is significantly faster. See below for our full list of graphics card recommendations.

Best GPUs For Gaming


Why Trust Us

Tom's Hardware has been reviewing PC components for more than two decades. We put each graphics card through a bevy of benchmarks that quantify everything from performance in real-world games to power consumption, noise, and operating temperatures. We've tested every major model, along with third-party configurations based on the same GPUs.

Quick Shopping Tips

When choosing a graphics card, consider the following:

  • First, identify your monitor’s native resolution. That’s a good target to aim for when you go graphics card shopping. We call out optimal resolutions with each of our recommendations.
  • Ensure the rest of your platform is up to snuff. If you upgrade to a Radeon RX Vega 64, for instance, AMD suggests owning at least a 750W power supply. Double-check to be sure your PSU has the six- or eight-pin connectors to support your card of choice.
  • On-board memory matters, kind of. In general, we recommend at least a 4GB card for 1920x1080 2560x1440 at the highest quality settings, and 8GB of memory for gaming at 4K.
  • If your monitor supports AMD's FreeSync variable refresh technology, you need a Radeon card to enable it. Similarly, G-Sync-capable displays must be paired with a GeForce card for the feature to work.

MORE: AMD Radeon RX 480 Roundup

MORE: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 Roundup

MORE: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 Roundup

MORE: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Roundup

Best Budget Pick

Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 3GB

Pros
  • Generally faster than GeForce GTX 1050 2GB (and Radeon RX 560)
  • Board power rating does not require auxiliary power
  • Playable 1080p performance at reduced detail settings
Cons
  • Trails GeForce GTX 1050 2GB in certain workloads
  • Current on PCIe slot’s 12V rail can exceed PCI-SIG specification
  • Prices on mainstream graphics cards are still higher than we’d like
Verdict

Nvidia's GeForce GTX 1050 3GB is mostly an upgrade over the 2GB version, offering reasonable performance at 1920x1080 (so long as you're willing to dial back quality). Recently, examples of the 3GB card began showing up for sale at about $10 higher than Radeon RX 560. Consistently better frame rates mean we’re willing to spend a bit more money for the GeForce GTX 1050 3GB card.

7/10
$169.99Newegg

Best For FHD

AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB

Pros
  • Smooth frame rates at 1920x1080 with top quality settings
  • Low power consumption with multiple monitors attached and during video playback
  • 4GB model is less expensive than 8GB version and still plenty for FHD gaming
Cons
  • High power consumption under load compared to GeForce GTX 1060 6GB
  • Pricing remains higher than when Radeon RX 580 launched
Verdict

Radeon RX 580 is based on the same Polaris 10 GPU as the Radeon RX 480 that preceded it. AMD simply dialed in higher clock rates to improve performance. While we’re always appreciative of higher frame rates, this also had the side-effect of increasing power consumption. Still, Radeon RX 580 generally outperforms the similarly-priced GeForce GTX 1060 6GB, particularly in DirectX 12 games, earning it a spot on our list.

8/10
$279.99Newegg

Best For QHD

Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070

Pros
  • Great performance at 2560x1440 with best-looking quality settings
  • Good starting point for enthusiasts with VR headsets
  • 150W board power only requires one 8-pin auxiliary connector
Cons
  • Aging architecture will likely be replaced later in 2018
  • Partner cards priced higher now than when they debuted in 2016
Verdict

Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1070 gives us very little gripe about. It’s an excellent card for gaming at 2560x1440. Not only does it use less power than AMD’s competing Radeon RX Vega 56, but also the lower-end Radeon RX 580. The 1070’s high performance, cool temperatures, and quiet fans were revolutionary when it launched in 2016. Our only hesitation buying one now would be an impending next-gen replacement.

9/10
$409.99Newegg

Best For VR

Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080

Pros
  • Loaded with features for improving performance in VR
  • Higher frame rates than GeForce GTX 1070 at 2560x1440
  • 180W board power significantly lower than competition
  • Only modern card that sells for less today than it did at launch
Cons
  • Not quite fast enough for 4K gaming
  • Aging architecture will likely be replaced later in 2018
Verdict

Enthusiasts with VR headsets need to achieve a certain level of performance to avoid jarring artifacts. A GeForce GTX 1080 is fast enough to keep up with the 90 Hz refresh rates of modern HMDs. Moreover, it includes a number of features designed to improve the efficiency of rendering VR environments. Although $550 is still a lot of money to spend on high-end graphics, remember that GeForce GTX 1080 once sold for $700.

9/10
$499.99Newegg

Best For 4K

Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti

Pros
  • Capable of smooth frame rates at 3840x2160 with detail settings turned down
  • Attractive price point compared to comparably-quick Titan Xp
Cons
  • Not quite fast enough for 4K gaming at top quality preset
  • Based on an aging architecture due to be replaced soon
  • Still very expensive
Verdict

Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1080 Ti is the fastest desktop graphics card available, aside from the Titan Xp and Titan V, both of which are much more expensive. If you’re planning to purchase a 4K display, this is your best bet for smooth frame rates at its native 3840x2160 resolution, even if that means giving up certain detail settings.

9/10
$751.46Best Buy

MORE: GPU Performance Hierarchy

MORE: All Graphics Content

About the author
Chris Angelini

Chris Angelini is an Editor Emeritus at Tom's Hardware US. He edits hardware reviews and covers high-profile CPU and GPU launches.

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14 comments
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  • abryant
    Archived comments are found here: http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-3722893/graphics-cards-money.html
  • mwryder55
    Your link is for the 1070 is for an out-of-stock VR bundle which is why the price displayed is so much higher than the price for a 1080 Ti.
  • NinjaNerd56
    I got a couple of EVGA SSC 1060 6GB cards before prices went nuts. Solid cards, great performance.

    Used a lot of Radeon cards years ago, but they quit competing for a while and I switched to nVidia.

    Unless they manage to create some cool silicon, at a good price point, I’m unlikely to switch back.
  • mwryder55
    I wonder how well the 580 would do in a mini configuration, or it that is even possible. I have had a 1060 6GB mini since they were released and never had any overheating problems. I don't know if the 580's increased power consumption could match it.
  • abryant
    Anonymous said:
    Your link is for the 1070 is for an out-of-stock VR bundle which is why the price displayed is so much higher than the price for a 1080 Ti.


    Fixed!
  • Martell1977
    From the 1050 Cons section:
    "Current on PCIe slot’s 12V rail can exceed PCI-SIG specification"

    I remember there was a HUGE controversy about this when AMD did it. I'm not picking on Tom's, all the tech sites were doing it, but I find it interesting that when nVidia does the same thing...it's barely a footnote.
  • Nintendork
    Why always forget the best bang for buck gpu all around, RX570 4GB for $219.
  • Nintendork
    Half the performance of an 1080 OC to hell or 1080Ti/Titan Xp for nvidia/amd games.
  • logainofhades
    You can often find GTX 1070ti selling for a similar price to GTX 1070, here recently.
  • kitekrazy1963
    AMD needs to improve power consumption. I'd never buy one. I'm not buying any more new poorly optimized games so I will use my 750ti until prices really drop more than this. The world doesn't end playing good games on low settings.
  • hamada.hosny93
    Where is the GTX 1060 6GB ?? its almost same performance like RX580 but in addition GTX 1060 is less than 580 in power consumption and more cheaper ... so let's take these considerations:

    - less power consumption.
    - more cheaper.
    - same performance.

    GTX 1060 of course wins :)
  • logainofhades
    Anonymous said:
    Where is the GTX 1060 6GB ?? its almost same performance like RX580 but in addition GTX 1060 is less than 580 in power consumption and more cheaper ... so let's take these considerations:

    - less power consumption.
    - more cheaper.
    - same performance.

    GTX 1060 of course wins :)



    Quote:
    Still, Radeon RX 580 generally outperforms the similarly-priced GeForce GTX 1060 6GB, particularly in DirectX 12 games, earning it a spot on our list.
  • bentremblay
    Sometimes US$ <=> CDA$ really is painful.
    8 G RX 580 you cite here at US$279 ... at NewEgg CA it's CDA$379. Fully $100 diff.
    ouch
  • Martell1977
    Anonymous said:
    Sometimes US$ <=> CDA$ really is painful.
    8 G RX 580 you cite here at US$279 ... at NewEgg CA it's CDA$379. Fully $100 diff.
    ouch


    After the currency exchange, the difference is about $10 U.S.
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