Your computer's graphics card (GPU) is the most important component when it comes to determining gaming performance. To help you choose the right graphics card for your rig, we thoroughly test and review all the major cards, ranking each platform in our GPU hierarchy and publish our list of specific make and model recommendations on this page.
Quick Shopping Tips
When buying a graphics card, consider the following:
- Resolution: The more pixels you're pushing, the more performance you need. You don't need top-of-the-line to game at 1080p.
- PSU: Make sure that your power supply has enough juice and the right 6 or 8-pin connector. For example, AMD recommends a 750-watt PSU for the Radeon RX Vega 64.
- Video Memory: We recommend at least a 4GB card for 1920x1080 and 2560x1440 (QHD resolution) play at the highest quality settings and 8GB of memory for 3840 x 2160 (4K resolution).
- FreeSync or G-Sync? If your monitor supports AMD's FreeSync anti-tearing tech, you need a Radeon card. G-Sync-capable displays require Nvidia GeForce cards to do their magic.
1. Nvidia GeForce GTX 2080 Ti
Best Overall (When Price is No Object)
GPU: Turing (TU102) | Core Clock: 1,350 MHz | Video RAM: 11GB GDDR5X | TDP: 260 watts
Rating: 4.5 / 5
- Smooth performance at 4K, High Settings
- Packed with future-looking tech
- Great thermal solution supports boost clocks
- Price is out of reach for most users
Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 2080 Ti is the first card we’ve tested able to deliver smooth frame rates at 4K with detail settings maxed out, something the previous-generation GeForce GTX 1080 Ti couldn’t quite manage. The GTX 2080’s halo features aren’t used in many games yet, but as those come online, the Turing architecture is expected to shine even brighter.
Nvidia also did a good job improving the cooler on its Founders Edition version of the card, leading to high sustained clock speeds. That said, the $1,200-plus price means this card is out of reach for the vast majority of gamers. Only those who are truly after a no-compromise 4K gaming experience should consider this card. Both the GTX 1080 Ti, and the one-step-down RTX 2080 are capable of smooth UHD gaming, providing you’re willing to switch off a few settings.
2. Nvidia RTX 2070
Best for VR
GPU: Turing (TU106) | Core Clock: 1,410 MHz | Video RAM: 8GB GDDR6 | TDP: 185 watts
Rating: 3.5 / 5
- Faster than GTX 1080
- Quiet under load
- Good cooling
- Expensive
Enthusiasts with VR headsets need to achieve a certain level of performance to avoid jarring artifacts. An Nvidia GeForce GTX 2070 is fast enough to keep up with the 90 Hz refresh rates of modern head-mounted displays (HMDs). Moreover, it includes a VirtualLink port for connecting next-generation headsets with a single cable. That’s not really a useful feature today, but it will likely come in handy the next time you consider upgrading your VR headset.
While stock remained high for the previous-generation GeForce GTX 1080, keeping prices low, it was easy to recommend that card over newer RTX options. But now that’s no longer the case, and pricing for the RTX 2070 has occasionally slipped below the starting MSRP of $499. With more than enough pixel punch to handle smooth VR and prices generally below that of the older GTX 1080, the GeForce RTX 2070 is our new pick for VR.Those who want more performance future-proofing may also consider the GeForce RTX 2080, but with pricing for that card starting around $700, the 2070 is easily a better value for a couple hundred dollars less.
3. AMD Radeon RX 580
Best for 1080p Gaming
GPU: Polaris 10 (GCN 4.0) | Core Clock: 1,411 MHz | Video RAM: 4GB / 8GB GDDR5 | TDP: 185 watts
Rating: 4/5
- Smooth frame rates at 1920 x 1080
- Low power consumption with multiple monitors
- Available in both 4GB and 8GB capacities
AMD’s 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.
The newer AMD Radeon RX 590 that debuted in late 2018 is yet another refresh of the same Polaris GPU, which bumps up performance compared to the competing Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060. But better performance comes at the cost of higher power consumption, necessitating larger coolers that sometimes chew up three expansion slots on your motherboard. Factor in a $279 MSRP and AMD’s newer card becomes tough to recommend when so many similar-performing RX 580s are still available for significantly less money.
Read Review: AMD Radeon RX 580
4. Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070
Best for 2K Gaming
GPU: Pascal (GP104) | Core Clock: 1,506 MHz | Video RAM: 8GB GDDR5 | TDP: 150 wattsRating: 4.5 / 5
- Great performance at 2560 x 1440 and best settings
- Good for VR
- Only requires one 8-pin auxiliary power connector
- Being replaced by the RTX 2070
Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1070 gives us very little gripe about. It’s an excellent card for gaming at 2560 x 1440. 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.
The newer RTX 2070 is faster, and able to accelerate real-time ray tracing for more-realistic lighting and reflections. But that card’s starting MSRP of $499 ($599 for the Nvidia FE model) puts it in a higher price bracket than the GTX 1070 it’s designed to replace.
Read Review: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070
5. Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 (3GB)
Best Budget GPU
GPU: Pascal (GP107) | Core Clock: 1,392 MHz | Video RAM: 3GB GDDR5 | TDP: 75 watts
Rating: 3.5 / 5
- Smooth 1080p fps at reduced settings
- Generally faster than the 2GB version
- No need for an auxiliary power cable
- Can't do VR
Nvidia's GeForce GTX 1050 3GB is mostly an upgrade over the older 2GB GTX 1050 version, offering reasonable performance at 1920 x 1080, so long as you're willing to dial back quality. In our gaming tests, the card delivered between 45 and 110fps at medium settings. Older 2GB 1050 cards should perform nearly as well, but in most cases in our testing, the 3GB versionperformed slightly better.
The 50 percent increase in physical memory for the 3GB model should come in handy for high-res texture packs and future titles that demand more memory. Most of these cards are also compact enough to fit in Mini-ITX systems and get all the power they require from the PCIe x16 slot. But of course size, power requirements, and other features (like ports) can vary between models. So be sure the card you’re considering meets your needs before buying.
Read Review: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 (3GB)
All GPUs Ranked
We've tested all the current AMD and Nvidia GPUs and ranked them in order of performance, from best to worst.
| Score | GPU | Base/Boost | Memory | Power | Buy | |
| Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti | 100 | TU102 | 1350/1635 MHz | 11GB GDDR6 | 260W | $1,199.99Best Buy |
| Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 | 96.3 | TU104 | 1515/1800 MHz | 8GB GDDR6 | 225W | $799Nvidia |
| Nvidia Titan Xp | 96.1 | GP102 | 1405/1480 MHz | 12GB GDDR5X | 250W | $1200Nvidia |
| Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti | 96 | GP102 | 1480/1582 MHz | 11GB GDDR5X | 250W | $694.99Newegg |
| Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 | 88.9 | TU106 | 1410/1710 MHz | 8GB GDDR6 | 185W | $599.99Best Buy |
| Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 | 85.4 | GP104 | 1607/1733 MHz | 8GB GDDR5X | 180W | $701Newegg |
| AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 | 85.1 | Vega 10 | 1274/1546 MHz | 8GB HBM2 | 295W | $679Newegg |
| Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 Ti | 79.4 | GP104 | 1607/1683 MHz | 8GB GDDR5 | 180W | $479Newegg |
| AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 | 76.7 | Vega 10 | 1156/1471 MHz | 8GB HBM2 | 210W | $642Newegg |
| Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 | 70.3 | GP104 | 1506/1683 MHz | 8GB GDDR5 | 150W | $409.99Newegg |
| AMD Radeon RX 590 8GB | 62.2 | Polaris 30 | 1469/1545 MHz | 8GB GDDR5 | 225W | $279.99Amazon |
| AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB | 58.8 | Polaris 10 | 1257/1340 MHz | 8GB GDDR5 | 185W | $495Newegg |
| Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 6GB | 54.2 | GP106 | 1506/1708 MHz | 6GB GDDR5 | 120W | $314Newegg |
| Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 3GB | 43.6 | GP106 | 1506/1708 MHz | 3GB GDDR5 | 120W | $229Newegg |
| AMD Radeon RX 570 | 49.5 | Polaris 10 | 1168/1244 MHz | 4GB GDDR5 | 150W | $289Newegg |
| Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti | 32.3 | GP107 | 1290/1392 MHz | 4GB GDDR5 | 75W | $189Newegg |
| AMD Radeon RX 560 | 28.9 | Polaris 11 | 1175/1275 MHz | 4GB GDDR5 | 80W | $149Newegg |
| Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 | 25.1 | GP107 | 1354/1455 MHz | 2GB GDDR5 | 75W | $139Newegg |
| AMD Radeon RX 550 | 17.9 | Polaris 12 | 1100/1183 MHz | 4GB GDDR5 | 50W | $119Newegg |
| Nvidia GeForce GT 1030 | 10.1 | GP108 | 1228/1468 MHz | 2GB GDDR5 | 30W | $92Newegg |
For many years this table has been the single best resource for quickly comparing graphics cards. Detailed reviews are great for comparing cards within a category, but for quickly dismissing a card or prompting further research, there is nothing else on the web which compares to it. It would be a real shame for it to fall into neglect.
For many years this table has been the single best resource for quickly comparing graphics cards. Detailed reviews are great for comparing cards within a category, but for quickly dismissing a card or prompting further research, there is nothing else on the web which compares to it. It would be a real shame for it to fall into neglect.
I think they're going to keep it...although I do wish they'd kept a 3rd column for Intel's integrated graphics (as well as the Vega-equipped Ryzen/Athlon chips).
Just my opinion and please feel free to disagree.
Happy gaming all.
The under $100 market has always sucked. If you're looking in that price range, look at buying a generation older cards used. A GTX 960 4GB performs in the neighborhood of a 1050/1050 Ti and can be had for around a 100 if you hunt around craigslist or ebay.
The RX 580 4GB consistenly beats the GTX1050 by a landslide (~20-50% FPS), costs 10$ less AND it comes with the newest Assassins Creed: Odyssey for free (50-60$ value and two other games).
(PowerColor RED DRAGON Radeon RX 570 is 159.99$ Newegg link below)
2) The RX 580 8GB is available for 50$ less than displayed here on the same retailer AND it comes with the newest Assassins Creed: Odyssey for free (and two other games).
(PowerColor RED DEVIL Radeon RX 580 is 229.99$ Newegg link below)
P.S. No I don't work for PowerColor, I picked the cheapest card with the free game bundles.
3) Recommending any Nvidia card for the midrange is just plain wrong simply because of G-sync. The best improvement for any gaming machine is adding FreeSync or G-sync to eliminate tearing or avoiding V-sync, which most probably will drop your framerate to 30fps or even 15fps in newer games on those weaker cards.
24in-1080p-144Hz-FreeSync monitors are available for less than 200$.
24in-1080p-144Hz-G-sync monitors start around 350$.
That's a 150$ difference that has to be considered.
4) Even the not so midrange GTX 1070 isn't a clear winner, as the Vega 56 is in the same price range and has about the same performance, offers a free game bundle (60$+ value) and still has the FreeSync (150$) advantage. No one in their right mind will drop ~400$ on a graphics card and then play without FreeSync/G-sync.
My take on this tier:
Buy AMD Vega 56 if:
- you want to get "Assassins Creed: Odyssey" anyways.
- you already own a FreeSync monitor or will upgrade your monitor in the foreseeable future.
- you don't have a monitor yet.
- you do have a FreeSync TV or plan to buy one and enjoy playing controller/couch-games like Assassins Creed, retro emulators, Street Fighter, GTA, Batman, Dirt etc.
Buy Nvidia GTX 1070 if:
- you are upgrading your PC and your Power supply has less than 650W
- you already own a G-sync monitor
@chris_angelini
Not sure if this was just lazy research or biased advice.
Links:
PowerColor RED DRAGON Radeon RX 570
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131717&cm_re=rx_570-_-14-131-717-_-Product
PowerColor RED DEVIL Radeon RX 580
https://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131713&cm_re=RX_580-_-14-131-713-_-Product
GTX 1050 3GB vs RX570 4GB:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7snPy5O48m0
"The RX 580 4GB consistenly beats the GTX1050" ... should be "The RX 570 4GB"
$100 - $120 budget card- the RX 560 https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&IsNodeId=1&N=100007709%20601296397
These cards are almost neck and neck with the 1050 in most games and is currently $70 less than the 1050.
$150 - $175 FHD- the RX 570 https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20601296379%20601296377&IsNodeId=1
The RX 570 has come back down to Earth in the past month or so and has plenty of power to game at the 1080 resolutions plus you get AMD freesync, it's also $100 cheaper than the rx 580, look around for an open box or sale and you just might pick up a 580 for $10 - $20 more.
$400 QHD- the 1070ti https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20601305993&IsNodeId=1
Why not spend another $10 to $20 and get the ti version instead, for most games it's neck and neck with the 1080 and consumes less power. Use a rebate and it's under $400. This is also a very good card for pushing past that 120 fps limit if high frames is your thing.
$750 Best for VR- the 2080 https://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007709%20601321570&IsNodeId=1
Spend a few more dollars and get a new generation card, wait for Xmas and save $?
Obviously the fastest card out there is a 2080ti, so go out and get one now after you sell your car and start taking the bus.
MARKBANANG 1 month ago
Please don't give up on the GPU Performance Hierarchy Table. I see it's now been renamed "Legacy GPU Hierarchy", so I hope that doesn't mean you intend to stop updating it.
For many years this table has been the single best resource for quickly comparing graphics cards. Detailed reviews are great for comparing cards within a category, but for quickly dismissing a card or prompting further research, there is nothing else on the web which compares to it. It would be a real shame for it to fall into neglect.