Update your rig with among the best graphics cards for video gaming
The RTX 2080 Ti and RTX 2080 are finally here and the Nvidia Turing transformation has started in earnest. So, do you splurge on a pricey flagship graphics card? Or, do you go back in time a bit, pick up a Pascal card and conserve a couple bucks? No matter what you do, you’ll be able to use the best graphics cards to play the best PC games from Hitman II to Battlefield V.
You need to think about that there are graphics cards out there for all sort of builds, so it may be difficult to discover the best graphics card for your needs. That’s why we chose to assemble a guide of the best graphics cards you can purchase today, all of which have actually been checked and reviewed right here at TechRadar. So, prior to you go out (or remain in, we will not evaluate) to shop for the best graphics cards, and prior to you pick a side in the AMD vs Nvidia war– we’ll note out the best graphics cards you can purchase today.
Best graphics card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080
The king of mainstream gaming
Stream Processors: 2,944|Core Clock: 1,515 MHz (1,800 MHz increase)|Memory: 8GB GDDR6|Memory Clock: 14Gbps|Power Connectors: 1 x 8-pin, 1 x 6-pin|Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB-C
Nvidia Turing is out and full force, and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 is the new best graphics card out there. While it’s more costly than past xx80 releases, it’s also much more powerful– appearing even the four-figure price Titan Xp. With the RTX 2080, there must be absolutely nothing stopping you from accomplishing high resolution video gaming, though you’ll have to deny some settings if you’re attempting to play at 4K, 60 fps.
Best 4K graphics card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
Power overwhelming
Stream Processors: 4,352|Core Clock: 1,350 MHz (1,635 MHz increase)|Memory: 11GB GDDR6|Memory Clock: 14Gbps|Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin|Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB-C
If you’re on the market for one of the best graphics cards, and you’ve got some cash to burn, you may want to think about the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti. Without a doubt, it’s the most powerful graphics cards on the market, as long as the price doesn’t scare you away. And, the first actual game with Ray Tracing is lastly offered, Battlefield V. While you can turn RTX On, simply remember that it’ll hamper efficiency a bit.
Best QHD graphics card: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070
Turing, meet 1440p
Stream processors: 2,304|Core clock: 1,410|Memory: 8GB GDDR6|Memory clock: 14Gbps|Power connectors: 1 x 8-pin|Outputs: 2 x DisplayPort 1.4 a, 1 x HDMI 2.0 b, 1 x DVI, 1 x USB-C
If you’re good sticking with QHD, but you wish to experiment periodically with 4K, then you may wish to look at the RTX 2070– at least when the GTX 1080 runs out stock. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 brings the brand-new Turing architecture to the mid-range with performance that entirely blows its predecessor out of the water. Not just will you have the ability to play all your games at 1440p, however you’re going to get insane performance– approximately 120fps in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. Nevertheless, bear in mind that the RTX 2070 is substantially more expensive than its predecessor, so that trade-off in price-to-performance may not deserve it– specifically if you’re originating from a Pascal card.
Best Full HD graphics card: AMD Radeon RX Vega 56
Punchy graphics efficiency above its weight
Stream Processors: 3,584|Core Clock: 1,156 MHz|Memory: 8GB HBM2|Memory Clock: 800MHz|Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin|Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0
The AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 is the best graphics card for Full HD gaming you can purchase today– your criteria put it above the GTX 1070. And, now that it’s fallen in price to what we would call an ‘acceptable’ level, there’s never ever been a better time to select one up. While it’s probably a bit overkill for Full HD video gaming, the RX Vega 56 will come in helpful for 144 to 240hz monitors and future-proofing versus significantly requiring games. You can likewise expect a great 1440p experience with this card.
Best VR graphics card: AMD Radeon RX Vega 64
AMD’s go back to high-end graphics cards
Stream Processors: 4,096|Core Clock: 1,247 MHz|Memory: 8GB HBM2|Memory Clock: 945MHz|Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin|Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0
Particularly now that it’s fallen in price from the heyday of cryptocurrency miners, the AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 is the best graphics card for VR video gaming. Boasting 4,096 stream processors, 256 texture systems and 8GB of HBM2 memory, it’s every bit as skilled as the Nvidia GTX 1080– at a lower price. This really is the AMD card to rule them all.
Best mini graphics card: Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Mini
Best mini graphics card: Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Mini
Stream processors: 3,584|Core clock: 1,506|Memory: 11GB GDDR5X|Memory clock: 10Gbps|Power connectors: 2 x 8-pin|Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0 b, 1 x DL-DVI-D
When you build a microATX and even a tiny ITX gaming PC, you don’t have to settle for anything other than the best graphics cards– you can discover mini GPUs like the Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Mini. You’ll compromise some performance over its full-sized counterpart, but when it measures in at 211 x 125 x 41mm, the efficiency loss will seem practically non-existent when you’re looking at your stunning tiny PC.
Best spending plan graphics card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050
The little GPU that could
Stream Processors: 640|Core Clock: 1,354 MHz|Memory: 2GB GDDR5|Memory Clock: 7Gbps|Power Connectors: PCIe|Outputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0, DL-DVI
The Nvidia GTX 1050 might not look like much on paper, what with only 2GB of video memory onboard, but this cost effective GPU plays games much better than you would think. If you’re ready to drop settings to medium, you can play Overwatch, CS: GO and other popular competitive shooters well above the silky smooth 60fps mark. Thanks to its compact size, it’s also perfect for small builds and home entertainment center-bound streaming PCs.
Best eSports graphics card: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
Competitive for both eSports and in price
Stream Processors: 768|Core Clock: 1,290 MHz|Memory: 4GB GDDR5|Memory Clock: 7Gbps|Power Connectors: PCIe|Outputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0, DL-DVI
Any eSports player will inform you that high frame rates are far more essential than perfectly rendered visual information– and that’s where the Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti shines. In a time where graphics cards cost as much as lease, it’s a cost effective, however potent GPU that can play most eSports games well above 60fps. It’s a bit costlier than the lower-end Nvidia GTX 1050, however you’ll appreciate the extra power behind this card to play future eSports titles, in addition to the odd AAA title.
