The best graphics cards are better than ever. Especially now that Nvidia Turing powerhouses like the RTX 2080 Ti and RTX 2060 have hit the shelves, and AMD is slated to release several of its next generation AMD Navi GPUs on July 7th, it’s an exciting time for graphic cards.
- Check out the Amazon Prime Day deals to score the best graphics cards.
But, that brings up a great question: is it worth it to shell out some serious cash on a pricey flagship? Or, is a more budget-friendly graphics card, like the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660, a better value? Whatever you choose, you want the best graphics cards that will let you play the best PC games from Rage 2 to The Division 2.
Keep in mind that the best graphics cards for you will depend on what kind of PC you’re looking to build. Finding the perfect GPU can be a confusing process. Lucky for you, we’re here to help: we’ve put together a list of the best graphics cards on the market, each tested and reviewed by us at TechRadar.
Before you go out to pick up that shiny new graphics card, let us help you find the perfect one for your setup.
Image credit: TechRadar
This absolute powerhouse of a graphics card has barely hit the streets, and it’s already topping our list of the best graphics card, knocking reigning champion and its direct rival, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060, off the top spot. At $ 349, this mighty mid-range machine brings 1440p gaming at Ultra or Max settings to the mainstream market, making it affordable and accessible to everyone. At that price point, it doesn’t need to be perfect – those hoping for ray tracing will have to wait. But, for what it offers and how much it costs, it’s well-deserving of its title as THE best graphics card of 2019 for most people.
Read the full review: AMD Radeon RX 5700
- We just tested the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Super
If you need the best graphics card, and compromises aren’t an option, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti might be one of the best graphics cards for you. This is the most powerful graphics card money can buy without going for a professional graphics solution. And, now that games like Battlefield V, Metro Exodus and Shadow of the Tomb Raider actually use the RTX features, there’s never been a better time to jump on the ray tracing bandwagon. Just brace yourself for that lofty price.
Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
The souped up Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super isn’t just impressive because its a supercharged version of the highly popular RTX 2070, offering excellent 1440p gaming. It’s also impressive as it gives all that power at a very affordable price, making it a compelling purchase for most users, even the budget ones. Plus, if you’re curious about ray tracing, here’s the best card to try it – you don’t have to break open that piggy bank for the RTX 2080 or RTX 2080 Ti anymore.
Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super
- We've gone hands-on with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super
Image credit: TechRadar
When Nvidia first rolled out its Turing lineup, it was hard to find a model that didn’t cost an arm and a leg. However, with the launch of the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti – more specifically, the PNY XLR8 Gaming OC model – next-generation performance became accessible to everyone. You won’t be able to do 4K 60 fps gaming with this card, but it’s one of the best graphics cards for anyone still using a 1080p panel. At that resolution, you’ll have trouble running into any title that will slow you down. There aren’t any RTX features here. However, since there are only a few games that use them right now, that’s hardly a deal-breaker.
Read the full review: PNY GeForce GTX 1660 Ti XLR8 Gaming OC
Image credit: TechRadar
We’ve been longing for a new high-end graphics card from AMD since 2017’s Radeon Vega 64, but a lot has happened in the graphics market since then – namely Nvidia Turing. With the AMD Radeon VII, Team Red attempted to reclaim a piece of the high-end graphics pie, and it largely succeeded. The AMD Radeon VII holds its own in 4K gaming, but it particularly excels in content creation. Packed with 16GB of HBM2 memory, the AMD Radeon VII can compete with much pricier creative-focused competitors, making it one of the best graphics cards 2019 has on offer.
Read the full review: AMD Radeon VII
Image credit: TechRadar
If you’re all about the best VR games, you’re going to need the best graphics cards to do the job. And, nowadays, that honor goes to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080. Packed with the latest Turing architecture and the VirtualLink VR connector, you won’t have to worry about choppy VR performance that will make you feel sick. Outside of VR, it should also be able to handle all your favorite PC games at 1440p and 4K without breaking a sweat.
Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080
Image credit: Zotac
Setting out to build a microATX or a mini-ITX gaming PC? You shouldn’t have to settle for a low-end GPU. Go for mini graphics cards like the Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Mini instead. It’s not the latest and greatest GPU out there anymore, but the 1080 Ti still has a lot of juice, and it’s among the best graphics cards to power your microATX. And, when you can get that power in a card that’s only 211 x 125 x 41mm, the small loss in performance is completely worth the beautiful mini PC you’ll get.
Image credit: Gigabyte
With all those fancy (read: pricey) graphics cards dominating the market, the budget-friendlier products sometimes go unnoticed. That’s a shame, especially because cards like the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 deserves its turn in the spotlight for delivering excellent 1080p performance at a very affordable price. With the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 OC 6G, you’re also getting a healthy factory overclock and all the outputs you’ll ever need, so you can play all your favorite games with several monitors attached. We’d call that a bargain, maybe even the best we’ve ever had, and it certainly warrants a spot in our best graphics cards list.
Read the full review: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 OC 6G
Image credit: TechRadar
Any eSports player will tell you that high frame rates are far more crucial than beautifully rendered graphical details. This is where the Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti shines. In a time where graphics cards cost as much as rent, it’s an affordable yet potent GPU that can handle most eSports games well above 60fps. It’s a tad more expensive than the lower-end Nvidia GTX 1050. However, you’ll appreciate the extra power behind this card to play future eSports titles, as well as the occasional AAA title.
Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
Images Credit: TechRadar
- These are the best gaming monitors to go with your shiny new GPU