Overview
The top-tier graphics cards are the throbbing heart of any gaming PC, with everything else taking a back seat. Even the fastest CPU won’t be able to accomplish much if a powerful GPU isn’t driving the pixels. While there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all graphics card, we’ve gathered a list of possibilities below to suit a variety of budgets and preferences. We have you covered if you’re looking for the fastest graphics card, the best value for money, or the best option within a given budget range.
While our GPU benchmarks hierarchy evaluates cards only on performance, our top graphics card selection provides a more comprehensive approach. Price, availability, performance, features, and efficiency are all important, but the weighing becomes more subjective. We compiled a list of the top graphics cards currently available by taking into account all of these variables.
Review
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4090 Gaming OC 24G Graphics Card
Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 4090 features Nvidia’s revolutionary Ada Lovelace architecture and significantly outperforms its predecessor, the RTX 3090 Ti. In gaming benchmarks, it outperforms the 3090 Ti by 55% on average and by an astonishing 78% in titles using ray tracing effects.
In comparison, AMD’s RX 7900 XTX falls short. A high-refresh-rate 4K display is recommended to fully appreciate its capabilities. The RTX 4090 also performs exceptionally well in professional content creation and AI workloads. While it is more expensive, its raw performance makes it the market’s current champion.
ASRock RX7900XTX PG 24GO Graphics Board
AMD’s Radeon RX 7900 XTX quickly ran out due to a price hike to match its performance, however it is currently back in stock. It features greater computing potential, 33% more memory, and increased bandwidth thanks to AMD’s newest RDNA 3 architecture.
In rasterization tests, it outperforms the 6950 XT by 32%, and in ray tracing games, it outperforms it by 42%. While AMD continues to be a solid option for non-ray tracing gaming, Nvidia continues to excel in DXR/RT experiences. AMD’s performance for professional jobs varies depending on the application. The RX 7900 XTX is AMD’s fastest option, although the 7900 XT is more affordable.
ASUS Dual AMD Radeon™ RX 6600 8GB GDDR6 Gaming Graphics Card
The Radeon RX 6600 has a somewhat reduced set of functionality compared to the 6650 XT. It is 15% slower overall and somewhat slower than the RTX 3060 (in non-ray tracing games). However, in our tests, it outperforms the RTX 3050 by 30%.
With costs down to $199, it becomes a tempting option for those on a tight budget. While AMD’s initial $329 MSRP appeared to be excessive, current market pricing offer it the best value for money. If you don’t need ray tracing, the RX 6600 is a solid choice thanks to its low power consumption and AMD’s Infinity Cache technology. Watch for the forthcoming RX 7600 to see how it compares.
MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 12GB GDRR6X 192-Bit HDMI
The RTX 4070 delivers equivalent performance to the previous generation RTX 3080 while costing $100 less. It has the most recent architecture and consumes less power. While not the best deal, it outperforms the RTX 3070 Ti at the same $599 price point by roughly 23%. The experience is improved with DLSS 3, although not as substantially as Nvidia’s charts show. The availability of high-priced mainstream parts has been consistent at MSRP, indicating a restricted demand.
Conclusion
On the AMD side, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX takes the lead with its impressive compute potential and improved memory and bandwidth. Additionally, the Radeon RX 6600 offers a budget-friendly option with attractive pricing. Each GPU has its strengths and considerations, whether it’s raw performance, ray tracing capabilities, power efficiency, or overall value. Ultimately, the best GPU for gaming will depend on individual preferences, budget, and specific requirements.