Best GPU 2025: Pick the Best Graphics Card for Your Gaming PC

Building or upgrading a gaming PC? The graphics card is usually the first component that comes to mind. GPUs significantly impact frame rates, and a better card generally means better performance (to a point). With Nvidia's RTX 5090 and 5080 leading the pack, let's explore the best graphics cards available.

TL;DR: Best Graphics Cards

Our Top Pick: Zotac Gaming Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super See it at Amazon!

Gigabyte Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 See it at Newegg!

Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX See it at Amazon!

Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT See it at Amazon!

MSI Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 See it at Amazon

High-end GPUs like the RTX 5090 ($1999+) are now luxury items, significantly pricier than previous generations. However, excellent gaming experiences are still achievable at lower price points, especially at 1440p or 1080p.

I've reviewed GPUs for four generations, benchmarking and using every card listed. Need help finding the perfect card? Let me know your desired gaming experience in the comments!

Choosing Your Graphics Card

While the most powerful card seems ideal, selecting a GPU requires careful consideration. Not all cards are equal, and individual needs vary.

Resolution: Determine your target resolution (1080p, 1440p, 4K) first. A 4K powerhouse might underperform at 1080p due to CPU bottlenecks (e.g., RTX 5090). 1080p gamers might prefer the Intel Arc B580; 1440p users, the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT or RTX 4070 Super.

Budget: Prices start around $200-$250 for solid 1080p performance. Higher budgets (around $1000) unlock cards like the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 for excellent 4K gaming. Ray tracing capabilities might influence your choice within this range.

Power Supply: High-end cards demand significant power. Check your PSU against the card's requirements. A 450W PSU might suffice for the Intel Arc B580, but the Radeon RX 7800 XT needs a much more powerful one.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super

Best for Most People: The Zotac Gaming Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super offers excellent performance at a reasonable price ($599), handling 1440p gaming and capable of 4K in many titles. Its 7168 CUDA cores deliver a significant improvement over the original RTX 4070. While 12GB VRAM is a limitation, its performance outweighs this for most users.

Benchmarks show significant performance gains over the RTX 4070 in games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Forza Horizon 5.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090

Nvidia's Flagship: The RTX 5090 boasts superior performance, especially at 4K, thanks to its 21,760 CUDA cores and 32GB GDDR7 memory. DLSS 4 multi-frame generation further enhances frame rates. Its high power consumption (578W) necessitates a robust power supply.

Benchmarks show approximately 26% faster performance than the RTX 4090 at 4K.

AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX

AMD's Top Contender: The Radeon RX 7900 XTX offers excellent 4K performance, rivaling the RTX 4080 Super, especially in games with lighter ray tracing loads. Its competitive pricing makes it a strong alternative.

Outperforms the RTX 4080 Super in some titles at 4K.

AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT

1440p Champion: The Radeon RX 7700 XT excels at 1440p, offering impressive performance for its price. It often outperforms the RTX 4060 Ti, but consumes more power.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060

1080p Powerhouse: The RTX 4060 delivers solid 1080p gaming performance at an affordable price (under $300). While it might struggle with high refresh rates in demanding titles, it's a great option for 1080p gaming with ray tracing.

Upcoming GPUs

2025 promises exciting new releases from Nvidia (RTX 5070, 5070 Ti) and AMD (Radeon RX 9070, 9070 XT), offering more choices across various price points.

FAQ

AMD vs. Nvidia vs. Intel: Intel offers budget options, Nvidia boasts the most powerful cards, and AMD provides a balance. Consider your needs and preferences, including access to features like DLSS.

Power Supply: High-end cards demand powerful PSUs (1000W+ for top-tier cards). Check power requirements carefully.

GTX vs. RTX: RTX cards (newer) offer superior performance with ray tracing and DLSS support. GTX cards are becoming obsolete.

UK Purchasing

Asus TUF Gaming RTX 4070 Ti OC Edition See it at Currys PC World

MSI Geforce RTX 3050 Gaming X See it at Amazon

XFX Speedster MERC310 RX 7900XT See it at Amazon

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 See it at Nvidia