When you're diving into the world of PC gaming, one of the first components that comes to mind is the graphics card. And for good reason—it's the heart of your system when it comes to delivering smooth, immersive visuals. Whether you're building a new rig or upgrading an existing one, choosing the right GPU can make all the difference in how your games look and perform. With the latest Nvidia RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 now available, we’ve rounded up what we believe are the best graphics cards on the market today.
TL;DR: These Are the Best Graphics Cards
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
Today’s GPUs have become more than just performance powerhouses—they’re premium hardware with price tags to match. High-end models like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 can easily top $1,999, making them a significant investment. Compared to the days of the GTX 970 in 2014, prices have skyrocketed—even after accounting for inflation. That said, if you're willing to compromise slightly on raw specs, you can still enjoy excellent gaming experiences at a much more reasonable cost, especially if you play at 1440p or even 1080p.
Having reviewed and tested every major GPU generation over the last four years, I've personally benchmarked each of these cards in real-world scenarios. If none of these options seem perfect for your needs, feel free to reach out—I’d be happy to help tailor a recommendation based on your specific setup and gaming preferences.
What to Look for in a Graphics Card
While it might be tempting to simply recommend the most powerful GPU on the market, the truth is that not every gamer has the same requirements. Your ideal graphics card will depend heavily on your resolution, budget, and preferred features such as ray tracing or AI-powered upscaling technologies like DLSS or FSR.
The resolution at which you play games is arguably the most important factor when choosing a GPU. If you already own a monitor or are planning to upgrade, decide early on whether you'll be gaming at 1080p, 1440p, or 4K. This decision will influence which graphics card will serve you best. For example, while the RTX 5090 excels at 4K, it may actually underperform compared to cheaper alternatives at 1080p due to potential CPU bottlenecks. Gamers sticking to 1080p might find the Intel Arc B580 to be a more suitable—and cost-effective—option, allowing you to allocate funds elsewhere in your build.
Budget is another key consideration. While we'd all love to afford the RTX 5090, realistic constraints mean many gamers end up in the $200–$1,000 range. At the lower end, you’ll find solid 1080p-focused cards like the RTX 4060, while stepping up to the $1,000 mark opens the door to true 4K-ready GPUs like the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX or the RTX 5080.
Power consumption is also something to keep in mind, especially with high-end cards drawing significantly more wattage than before. A mid-range GPU like the Intel Arc B580 can run comfortably on a 450W PSU, but more demanding cards like the RX 7800 XT require a much beefier supply. Make sure your power unit matches your GPU's needs without going overboard.
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### Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super Unboxing
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1. Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super
The Best Graphics Card for Most People
Our 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 Amazon
Product Specifications | |
---|---|
CUDA Cores / Stream Processors | 7168 |
Base Clock | 1,980 MHz |
Boost Clock | 2,475 MHz |
Video Memory | 12GB GDDR6X |
Memory Bandwidth | 504.2 GB/s |
Memory Bus | 192-bit |