When building or upgrading your gaming PC, the best graphics cards are paramount due to their significant impact on frame rates. GPUs are crucial for achieving smooth gameplay, and higher-end models like Nvidia's RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 can deliver exceptional performance, albeit at a premium price.
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 Amazon
In today's market, GPUs can be considered a luxury, with high-end cards like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 reaching prices around $1,999. However, you can still achieve a solid gaming experience at lower resolutions like 1440p or 1080p without breaking the bank.
Having reviewed graphics cards over the last four generations, I've benchmarked and used each GPU on this list for gaming. If these options don't meet your needs, please share your gaming requirements in the comments, and I'll help you find the perfect card for your setup.
Choosing a graphics card requires more than just opting for the most powerful model. Consider your gaming resolution first, as the ideal GPU for 4K might not be the best at 1080p. For instance, the Nvidia RTX 5090 excels at 4K but may underperform at lower resolutions due to CPU bottlenecks. At 1080p, the Intel Arc B580 offers great value, while the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT or Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super are excellent for 1440p.
Budget is another critical factor, with entry-level GPUs starting around $200-$250. The Nvidia RTX 4060 is a great mid-range option with advanced features like ray tracing. For top-tier performance, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 are ideal for 4K gaming, with the choice depending on your preference for ray tracing versus raw performance.
Power consumption is also vital, especially with high-end cards. Ensure your power supply meets the GPU's requirements. While the Intel Arc B580 works with a 450W PSU, more powerful cards like the Radeon RX 7800 XT need a higher capacity.
AnswerSee Results### Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super Unboxing
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1. Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 SuperOur Top Pick### Zotac Gaming Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super
2This RTX 4070 Super from Zotac is the best graphics card for most people, packed with an awesome dual-fan cooler and all the performance you'll need. 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)PROSGood power for the moneyCan break into 4K in some gamesCONSShould have had 16GB of VRAM
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super, priced at $599, offers a compelling mid-range option. It delivers strong 1440p performance and can handle 4K in select titles. With a 21% increase in CUDA cores over its predecessor, it provides a noticeable boost in gaming performance.
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In games like Cyberpunk 2077, the RTX 4070 Super shows a 12% performance increase at 1440p and 13% at 4K compared to the RTX 4070. Forza Horizon 5 at 4K sees a 30% performance jump, making it an excellent choice for gamers looking to upgrade to 1440p or dabble in 4K gaming.
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2. Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090### Gigabyte Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090
2The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is now the most powerful graphics card on the market, even if it claims that title with a bit less force than in previous generations. 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)PROSThe most powerful consumer GPU out there, period. DLSS 4 multi frame gen will help further boost frame rates.CONSGeneration-on-Generation improvement not very exciting
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 stands as the pinnacle of consumer GPUs, boasting 21,760 CUDA cores and 32GB of GDDR7 memory. Its power consumption peaks at 578W, necessitating a robust cooling solution. Nvidia's new dual-slot cooler design efficiently manages heat, maintaining temperatures up to 87°C during intense gaming sessions.
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Benchmarking shows the RTX 5090 is about 26% faster than the RTX 4090 at 4K, though performance gains diminish at lower resolutions. It's designed for maximum performance at 4K with minimal upscaling, making it ideal for gamers seeking the best possible experience at this resolution.
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3. AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX ### Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
1This Radeon RX 7900 XTX from Gigabyte keeps the price down a bit, while providing an excellent triple-fan cooler. 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)PROSExcellent 4K performanceCompetitive pricing with RTX 4080CONSCan lag behind in some games with ray tracing
The AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX offers competitive 4K performance, rivaling Nvidia's RTX 4080 Super. It excels in games with lighter ray tracing demands, achieving high frame rates in titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Far Cry 6. Its support for DisplayPort 2.1 makes it ideal for high-resolution ultrawide monitors.
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4. AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT### Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT
0Packed with a triple-fan cooler, this massive RX 7700 XT from Gigabyte will keep your GPU cool while it pumps out frames. 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)PROSExcellent performance for the moneyGreat at 1440pCONSLags behind in ray tracing games
The AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT is the perfect choice for 1440p gaming, offering excellent performance at a competitive price. It outperforms the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti in many games, especially those without heavy ray tracing, making it a cost-effective option for gamers focused on this resolution.
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5. Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060### MSI Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
0This RTX 4060 from MSI keeps the price under $300, while delivering a solid cooler. Plus, it should fit even in the smallest gaming rigs. 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)PROSAffordableSolid 1080p performance with ray tracingCONSOnly 8GB of memory
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 is ideal for 1080p gaming, delivering solid performance even with ray tracing enabled. It's a great option for gamers looking for a current-generation GPU under $300, though it has less memory than some competitors.
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While the RTX 4060 performs well, it's slightly outpaced by the RTX 3060 Ti in some benchmarks. However, its support for DLSS 3.0 can enhance performance in supported games, making it a valuable choice for budget-conscious gamers.
With the launch of Nvidia's RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, 2025 promises to be an exciting year for graphics cards. Nvidia plans to release the RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti in February, offering high performance at a lower price point. AMD's Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT, set for a March 2025 release, are also poised to challenge the current market leaders.
Choosing between AMD, Nvidia, and Intel depends on your priorities. Intel offers the most affordable options, though they may not be the fastest. Nvidia's GPUs are the most powerful but come at a higher cost. AMD strikes a balance, offering competitive performance at a more reasonable price, though they may lack some of Nvidia's exclusive features like DLSS.
High-end graphics cards demand more power, so consider a robust power supply. A 1,000W unit is recommended for top-tier GPUs like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 to ensure stable performance.
Nvidia's RTX series, featuring Tensor and RT cores, offers superior performance and advanced features like ray tracing and DLSS compared to the older GTX series. While GTX cards are suitable for budget builds, they are becoming outdated.
In the UK, you can find the best graphics cards at various retailers. Here are some updated links for UK vendors:
### 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
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