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 are often the first thing that comes to mind. There's a simple reason for this: in PC gaming, GPUs are the most impactful component for determining your rig's raw frame rates. A better graphics card typically results in better performance, at least up to a certain point. With Nvidia's RTX 5090 and RTX 5080 cards now available, here are the best graphics cards on the market right now.

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 AmazonIn today's market, GPUs have become a luxury good. With top-tier cards like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 costing upwards of $1,999, you can expect to pay a premium for peak performance. Prices have soared since the days of the GTX 970, even when adjusted for inflation. However, by tempering your expectations, you can still achieve a solid gaming experience at a fraction of the cost, especially if you're content with gaming at 1440p or 1080p.

I’ve been reviewing graphics cards for the last four generations and have personally benchmarked, built with, and played games using every GPU on this list. If none of these options appeal to you, feel free to comment below about the kind of gaming experience you’re looking for, and I’d be happy to help you find the perfect card for your build.

What to Look for in a Graphics Card

Choosing the right graphics card involves more than just picking the most powerful option available. Different GPUs cater to different needs, and your choice should be tailored to your specific requirements.

The first factor to consider is the resolution at which you play games. If you already have a favorite gaming monitor or are planning to build a complete gaming setup, decide on your resolution first. A graphics card that excels at 4K might not be the best choice for 1080p gaming due to potential CPU bottlenecks. For instance, while the Nvidia RTX 5090 is exceptional at 4K, it can be outperformed by less expensive cards at 1080p. For 1080p gaming, the Intel Arc B580 offers excellent value and performance. Meanwhile, for 1440p, the AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT or the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super are great choices.

Budget is another critical consideration, especially with graphics cards becoming increasingly expensive. While everyone might wish for an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090, it's not always feasible. Entry-level cards start around $200-$250, providing solid 1080p performance without resorting to older generations. Stepping up to the Nvidia RTX 4060 adds Nvidia's exclusive features, though they're less impactful on lower-end GPUs.

For those looking to splurge, you can get a top-tier graphics card for around $1,000. The AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX and Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 both offer outstanding 4K gaming performance. Your choice between them should hinge on your preference for ray tracing. For raw gaming performance, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX is a strong contender, but keep an eye out for AMD's upcoming next-generation offerings like the Radeon RX 9070 XT, which should be excellent for 4K gaming with the new FSR 4 technology.

When considering high-end graphics cards, power consumption is a significant factor. Ensure your power supply meets the GPU's requirements. The Intel Arc B580 can function with a 450W PSU, but higher-end cards like the Radeon RX 7800 XT will need more robust power supplies. There's no need to overdo it, but ensure your PSU has enough capacity to support your chosen GPU.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super

The Best Graphics Card for Most People

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

2The RTX 4070 Super from Zotac is the best graphics card for most people, featuring an efficient dual-fan cooler and solid performance for the 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 some titlesCONSLimited to 12GB of VRAMAlthough it's tough to call a $599 GPU affordable, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super offers a compelling mid-range option. It delivers strong 1440p performance and can even manage 4K in certain games. While not the most powerful, it's a well-balanced choice for many gamers.

During my review of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super, I found it to be a standout among mid-generation refresh cards introduced at CES 2024. Despite retaining the 12GB VRAM of its predecessor, the RTX 4070 Super boasts 7,168 CUDA cores, a 21% increase over the original RTX 4070. This boost translates to significant performance improvements in gaming.

Nvidia RTX 4070 Super Benchmarks

3 ImagesIn Cyberpunk 2077, the RTX 4070 Super showed a 12% performance increase at 1440p and 13% at 4K compared to the RTX 4070. In Forza Horizon 5 at 4K, it achieved an impressive 123 fps, a 30% jump over the original RTX 4070. The RTX 4070 Super excels at 1440p and often delivers solid 4K performance, making it an ideal choice as 1440p gaming continues to gain popularity.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090

The Best Nvidia Graphics Card

### Gigabyte Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090

2The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is the most powerful graphics card available today, though it doesn't represent as dramatic a generational leap as its predecessors. 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 boosts frame ratesCONSModest generational improvementThe Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 stands as the pinnacle of consumer graphics cards. It might not showcase the same leap as the RTX 4090 or RTX 3090, but it delivers the best gaming performance currently available, especially with DLSS multi-frame generation.

The RTX 5090 comes with 21,760 CUDA cores and 32GB of GDDR7 memory, and it demands a higher power budget, peaking at 578W during my testing, up from the RTX 4090's 448W. To manage this, Nvidia introduced a new dual-slot cooler for its Founders Edition, a design not seen in their flagship cards since the RTX 2080 Ti.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 – Benchmarks

14 ImagesInnovative thermal engineering allows the RTX 5090 to maintain performance even with high power draw, reaching temperatures up to 87°C during intense gaming. On average, it was 26% faster than the RTX 4090 at 4K. However, its advantages diminish at lower resolutions, so it's best suited for 4K gaming without much upscaling.

AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX

The Best AMD Graphics Card

### Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX

1The Radeon RX 7900 XTX from Gigabyte offers competitive pricing and excellent performance, enhanced by a robust 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 compared to RTX 4080CONSLags in some ray tracing scenariosAMD's Radeon RX 7900 XTX is a strong contender against Nvidia's RTX 4080 Super, offering top-notch 4K performance. Our testing showed it holding its own against Nvidia, even outperforming in some games.

For example, in Cyberpunk 2077 at 4K with ray tracing enabled, the Radeon RX 7900 XTX achieved 58 fps with FSR, though it falls short of the RTX 4080. However, in games with less demanding ray tracing, like Forza Horizon 5, it nearly matches the RTX 4080 Super, achieving 158 fps. In Far Cry 6, it slightly edges out the RTX 4080 Super with 154 fps.

If you play games with minimal ray tracing, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX is an excellent choice for 4K gaming, especially with its support for DisplayPort 2.1, ideal for high-resolution ultrawide monitors.

AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT

The Best GPU for 1440p

### Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT

0The Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7700 XT, equipped with a triple-fan cooler, offers exceptional performance at 1440p and a great value. 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)PROSGreat value for 1440p gamingSolid performance for the priceCONSWeaker in ray tracing scenarios1440p is often considered the sweet spot for PC gaming, and the Radeon RX 7700 XT delivers impressive performance at this resolution. With a price reduction from $449 to $419, and often found for $399 on Amazon, it competes directly with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti.

While the RTX 4060 Ti outperforms the 7700 XT in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p (62 fps vs. 49 fps), the Radeon RX 7700 XT shines in other titles. In Forza Horizon 5, it achieves 118 fps compared to the RTX 4060 Ti's 107 fps. In Total War: Warhammer 3, it outperforms with 85 fps against the RTX 4060 Ti's 68 fps.

However, the Radeon RX 7700 XT consumes more power, up to 312W, compared to the RTX 4060 Ti's 159W. Ensure your power supply can handle the load, but the extra performance at the same price point makes it a compelling choice.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060

The Best GPU for 1080p

### MSI Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060

0The MSI Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 offers strong 1080p performance and keeps the price under $300, making it suitable for compact gaming rigs. 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)PROSExcellent value for 1080p gamingSolid ray tracing performanceCONSLimited to 8GB of memoryWith 1080p still being the most popular resolution for gaming, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 is perfect for those content with this resolution. It handles demanding games well, even with ray tracing enabled, and can stretch to higher resolutions with DLSS.

In my review, the RTX 4060 achieved over 60 fps in most games at 1080p, though it barely met this mark in some titles like Cyberpunk 2077 on the ray tracing ultra preset. While it may not outpace the last-generation RTX 3060 Ti in raw performance, the RTX 4060's support for DLSS 3.0 adds significant value, especially in supported games.

Upcoming GPUs

With the release of Nvidia's RTX 5090 and RTX 5080, 2025 promises to be a significant year for graphics cards. Nvidia plans to release the RTX 5070 and RTX 5070 Ti in February, offering powerful options for under $1,000.

AMD is also set to launch the Radeon RX 9070 and RX 9070 XT in March 2025. Early benchmarks at AMD's CES 2025 booth suggest these cards will challenge the Radeon RX 7900 XT and RTX 4080 in performance.

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 aren't the fastest. Nvidia produces the most powerful GPUs, but at a premium price. AMD strikes a balance, though it may lack some of Nvidia's exclusive features like DLSS. For more detailed comparisons, see our guide on AMD vs. Nvidia GPUs.

What power supply should I get?

High-end graphics cards demand more power than ever. For a new gaming PC or an upgrade, consider a robust power supply. Some GPUs require up to 450W, so a 1,000W power supply might be necessary, especially for the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090.

GTX vs. RTX

Nvidia's RTX series, featuring Ray Tracing Texel eXtreme technology, is newer and more powerful than the GTX series, which stands for Giga Texel Shader eXtreme. RTX cards have Tensor and RT cores for enhanced graphics and rendering, supporting features like DLSS and ray tracing. GTX cards, lacking these cores, are more suited for budget builds but are becoming obsolete.