Building or upgrading a gaming PC? The graphics card is the star of the show, directly impacting your frame rates. A better GPU usually means better performance, but let's explore the best options available now, starting with Nvidia's RTX 5090 and RTX 5080.
TL;DR: Best Graphics Cards:
Our Top Pick: Zotac Gaming Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super
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Gigabyte Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090
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Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
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Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT
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MSI Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
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High-end GPUs like the RTX 5090 ($1999+) are luxury items, but excellent gaming experiences are achievable at lower price points, especially at 1440p or 1080p. I've extensively benchmarked every card listed. Need help finding the perfect card for your needs? Leave a comment!
What to Consider:
Choosing a GPU requires careful consideration. Your gaming resolution is paramount. A 4K powerhouse might underperform at 1080p due to CPU bottlenecking (e.g., the RTX 5090). 1080p gamers might prefer the Intel Arc B580 for its value. 1440p users should consider the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT or RTX 4070 Super. Budget is crucial; prices start around $200-$250 for solid 1080p performance. Around $1000, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 deliver excellent 4K experiences. High-end cards demand powerful power supplies; check requirements carefully.
AnswerSee ResultsNvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super Unboxing: 
1. Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super: The Best for Most
Zotac Gaming Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super
This card offers excellent 1440p performance and can handle 4K in many games. At ~$599, it's a strong contender. See it at Amazon!
Specifications: CUDA Cores: 7168, Base Clock: 1980MHz, Boost Clock: 2475MHz, Memory: 12GB GDDR6X, Memory Bandwidth: 504.2GB/s
Pros: Great performance for the price. Can handle 4K in some games.
Cons: Should have 16GB VRAM.
2. Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090: Nvidia's Top Performer
Gigabyte Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090
The most powerful consumer GPU. Exceptional 4K performance, especially with DLSS 4. See it at Newegg!
Specifications: CUDA Cores: 21760, Base Clock: 2.01GHz, Boost Clock: 2.41GHz, Memory: 32GB GDDR7, Memory Bandwidth: 1792 GB/s
Pros: Most powerful consumer GPU. DLSS 4 boosts frame rates.
Cons: Generation-on-generation improvement less dramatic.
3. AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX: AMD's Top Contender
Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
Excellent 4K performance at a competitive price. A strong rival to the RTX 4080 Super. See it at Amazon!
Specifications: CUDA Cores: 6144, Base Clock: 1929MHz, Boost Clock: 2365MHz, Memory: 24GB GDDR6, Memory Bandwidth: 960 GB/s
Pros: Excellent 4K performance. Competitively priced with RTX 4080.
Cons: Can lag behind in some ray tracing games.
4. AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT: 1440p Champion
Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT
Exceptional 1440p performance for its price. A strong competitor to the RTX 4060 Ti. See it at Amazon!
Specifications: CUDA Cores: 3456, Base Clock: 1435MHz, Boost Clock: 2171MHz, Memory: 12GB GDDR6, Memory Bandwidth: 432 GB/s
Pros: Excellent performance for the money. Great at 1440p.
Cons: Lags behind in ray tracing games.
5. Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060: 1080p Master
MSI Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
Solid 1080p performance, even with ray tracing, for under $300. See it at Amazon!
Specifications: CUDA Cores: 3072, Base Clock: 1830MHz, Boost Clock: 2460MHz, Memory: 8GB GDDR6, Memory Bandwidth: 272 GB/s
Pros: Affordable. Solid 1080p performance with ray tracing.
Cons: Only 8GB of memory.
Upcoming GPUs: 2025 promises exciting releases from Nvidia (RTX 5070, RTX 5070 Ti) and AMD (Radeon RX 9070, RX 9070 XT).
FAQ: AMD vs. Nvidia? Power supply needs? GTX vs. RTX? See the full FAQ for answers.
UK Retailers: [Image]
Asus TUF Gaming RTX 4070 Ti OC Edition - Currys PC World
MSI Geforce RTX 3050 Gaming X - Amazon
XFX Speedster MERC310 RX 7900XT - Amazon
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 - Nvidia
