Top GPUs for 2025: Choose the Best for Your Gaming PC

When you’re setting out to build or upgrade your gaming PC, the best graphics cards often top the list of priorities. That's because GPUs are crucial in determining your system's frame rates in PC games. A superior graphics card generally translates to better performance, up to a certain point. With Nvidia's RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 now available, let's dive into 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

In today's market, GPUs have become somewhat of a luxury item. With high-end cards like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 priced at around $1,999, you're investing heavily in top-tier performance. Prices have soared since the days of the GTX 970 in 2014, even when adjusted for inflation. However, if you adjust your expectations, you can still enjoy a robust gaming experience at a more affordable price, particularly at 1440p or 1080p resolutions.

I've been reviewing graphics cards for the past four generations, benchmarking, building with, and playing games using every GPU listed here. If none of these options catch your eye, feel free to share your gaming needs in the comments, and I'll help you find the perfect card for your setup.

What to Look for in a Graphics Card

While it's tempting to simply recommend the most powerful graphics card for the best gaming experience, choosing a GPU requires more thoughtful consideration. Not all graphics cards are the same, and your needs might differ from others. The resolution at which you play games is a key factor to consider first. Whether you're sticking with your current gaming monitor or planning to build a new setup, decide on your target resolution. A GPU that excels at 4K may not perform as well at 1080p due to CPU bottlenecking. For 1080p gaming, the Intel Arc B580 offers solid performance at a lower price point. For 1440p, consider the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT or the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super.

Budget is another critical factor, with graphics cards becoming increasingly expensive. While not everyone can afford an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090, you can find a good 1080p GPU starting at around $200-$250. For a bit more, the Nvidia RTX 4060 offers access to Nvidia's exclusive features. If you're willing to spend around $1,000, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX or Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 provide excellent 4K gaming experiences, with the choice depending on your interest in ray tracing.

When considering high-end GPUs, don't forget about power requirements. Ensure your power supply can handle the GPU you're eyeing. The Intel Arc B580, for example, works with a 450W PSU, while the Radeon RX 7800 XT requires a more robust supply. Choose a power supply that meets the recommended specifications without going overboard.

What do you look for in a graphics card? ----------------------------------------

Has to be cheaper than buying a PS5Excellent performance at 4K and beyondA nice balance of performance and priceRay tracing

AnswerSee Results### Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super Unboxing

5 Images1. Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super

The Best Graphics Card for Most People

Our Top Pick### Zotac Gaming Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super

2The Zotac Gaming Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super stands out as the best graphics card for most users, offering a powerful dual-fan cooling system and impressive performance at a mid-range price. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsCUDA Cores/Stream Processors7168Base Clock1,980MHzBoost Clock2,475MHzVideo Memory12GB GDDR6XMemory Bandwidth504.2GB/sMemory Bus192-bitPower Connectors1 x 16-pinOutputs1 x HDMI 2.1, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4 Size10.5 x 4.4 x 1.7 inches (L x W x H)PROSExcellent value for performanceCan handle 4K gaming in select titlesCONSLimited to 12GB of VRAM

While the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super might not seem affordable at $599, it offers exceptional value for a mid-range GPU. It delivers robust 1440p gaming performance and can even stretch to 4K in certain games. My review of the RTX 4070 Super highlighted its strength among Nvidia's mid-generation refresh cards. Despite retaining the 12GB VRAM, it boasts 7,168 CUDA cores—a 21% increase over the original RTX 4070, significantly enhancing gaming performance.

Nvidia RTX 4070 Super Benchmarks

3 ImagesIn games like Cyberpunk 2077, the RTX 4070 Super shows a 12% performance increase over the RTX 4070 at 1440p and a 13% boost at 4K. In Forza Horizon 5 at 4K, it achieves an impressive 123 fps compared to the original's 94 fps—a 30% improvement. The RTX 4070 Super is ideal for 1440p gaming, offering excellent performance across a wide range of games.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Photos

5 Images2. Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090

The Best Nvidia Graphics Card

### Gigabyte Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090

2The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is currently the most powerful graphics card available, though its generational improvement is less dramatic than before. See it at NeweggProduct SpecificationsCUDA Cores/Stream Processors21,760Base Clock2.01GHzBoost Clock2.41GHzVideo Memory32GB GDDR7Memory Bandwidth1,792 GB/sMemory Bus512-bitPower Connectors1 x 16-pinOutputs1 x HDMI 2.1b, 3 x DisplayPort 2.1bSize (Founders Edition)11.9 x 5.39 x 1.9 inches (L x W x H) (Dual Slot)PROSUnrivaled performance for consumersDLSS 4 multi-frame generation enhances frame ratesCONSModest generational improvementThe Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is the top-performing consumer GPU, with 21,760 CUDA cores and 32GB of GDDR7 memory. My review found its power consumption could peak at 578W, significantly higher than the RTX 4090's 448W. Nvidia introduced a new dual-slot cooler for its Founders Edition, managing to keep temperatures at a maximum of 87°C. On average, the RTX 5090 is about 26% faster than the RTX 4090 at 4K, though performance gains at lower resolutions are less pronounced. It's best suited for high-end 4K gaming with minimal upscaling.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Benchmarks

14 Images

AMD Radeon RX 7900 XT – Photos

6 Images3. AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX

The Best AMD Graphics Card

### Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX

1The Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX offers competitive performance at a lower price point, equipped with an effective triple-fan cooler. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsCUDA Cores/Stream Processors6,144Base Clock1,929MHzBoost Clock2,365MHzVideo Memory24GB GDDR6Memory Bandwidth960 GB/sMemory Bus384-bitPower Connectors2 x 8-pinOutputs1 x HDMI 2.1a, 2 x DisplayPort 2.1, 1 x USB-CSize11.3 x 4.3 x 2 inches (L x W x H) (Dual Slot)PROSOutstanding 4K performanceCompetitive pricing with RTX 4080CONSMay lag in some ray-traced gamesThe AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX offers exceptional 4K performance, closely competing with the Nvidia RTX 4080 Super. My testing showed it achieving 58 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K with ray tracing and FSR enabled, and it matched the RTX 4080 Super in Forza Horizon 5 at 158 fps. It's an excellent choice for gamers who play titles with minimal ray tracing, especially with its support for higher-resolution ultrawide monitors via DisplayPort 2.1.

AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT – Benchmarks

4 Images4. AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT

The Best GPU for 1440p

### Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT

0The Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT, with its triple-fan cooler, delivers excellent performance at 1440p while keeping your GPU cool. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsCUDA Cores/Stream Processors3,456Base Clock1,435MHzBoost Clock2,171MHzVideo Memory12GB GDDR6Memory Bandwidth432 GB/sMemory Bus192-bitPower Connectors2 x 8-pinOutputs1 x HDMI 2.1a, 2 x DisplayPort 2.1, 1 x USB-CSize10.5 x 5.3 x 2 inches (L x W x H) (Dual Slot)PROSExcellent value at 1440pStrong performance for the priceCONSWeaker in ray-traced games

1440p is the sweet spot for PC gaming, and the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT is a standout choice due to its performance-to-price ratio. With a reduced price of around $399 on Amazon, it competes well against the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti. In my testing, it managed 49 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p with ray tracing, compared to the RTX 4060 Ti's 62 fps. However, it excelled in other games like Forza Horizon 5, where it achieved 118 fps at 1440p, outperforming the RTX 4060 Ti. While it consumes more power, requiring a 550W PSU, it offers superior performance at a similar price point.

Nvidia RTX 4060

5 Images5. Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060

The Best GPU for 1080p

### MSI Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060

0The MSI Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 offers solid 1080p performance with a compact design, making it suitable for smaller gaming setups. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsCUDA Cores/Stream Processors3,072Base Clock1,830MHzBoost Clock2,460MHzVideo Memory8GB GDDR6Memory Bandwidth272 GB/sMemory Bus128-bitPower Connectors1 x 12-pinOutputs1 x HDMI 2.1, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4 Size9.4 x 4.4 x 1.6 inches (L x W x H) (Dual Slot)PROSGood value for 1080p gamingSupports ray tracingCONSOnly 8GB of memory

1080p remains the most popular resolution for PC gaming, and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 is an excellent choice for this resolution. It handles demanding games well, even with ray tracing enabled, and can stretch to higher resolutions with DLSS. My review showed it achieving just over 60 fps in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p with ray tracing. While it may not outperform the RTX 3060 Ti in all areas, the RTX 4060's support for DLSS 3.0 enhances its value, making it a strong contender for gamers on a budget.

RTX 4060 benchmarks

7 Images

Upcoming GPUs

With the latest Nvidia RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 now available, 2025 is shaping up to be a busy year for GPUs. Nvidia plans to release the RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti in February, offering high-end performance for under $1,000. AMD is also set to launch the Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT in March 2025, with early benchmarks suggesting they'll be competitive with the Radeon RX 7900 XT and RTX 4080.

Best Graphics Cards FAQ

AMD or Nvidia? Or Intel?

Choosing between AMD, Nvidia, or Intel depends on your preferences and needs. Intel offers the most budget-friendly options, though they may not be the fastest. Nvidia provides the most powerful GPUs, but at a higher cost. AMD strikes a balance, offering competitive performance with open-source APIs, though they may lack some of Nvidia's exclusive features like DLSS.

What power supply should I get?

High-end graphics cards are increasingly power-hungry. For a new gaming PC or an upgrade, consider a power supply with at least 1,000W, especially if you're eyeing the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090.

GTX vs. RTX

Nvidia's RTX series offers superior performance and features like ray tracing and DLSS, thanks to Tensor and RT cores, compared to the older GTX series. While GTX cards are suitable for budget builds, they are becoming outdated.

Where to Get the Best Graphics Cards in the UK

In the UK, the options for graphics cards are similar, but the key is knowing where to buy them. Here are some updated links to UK vendors for the graphics cards mentioned:

### Best Graphics Card Asus TUF Gaming RTX 4070 Ti OC Edition