Best Graphics Card 2023: Top-Rated GPUs For Gaming

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Editor’s Top 3 Picks

RTX 3080 Ti

Cores: 10240
Clock Speed: 1365 MHz
Bandwidth: 912 GB/s

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RTX 3090

Cores: 10496
Clock Speed: 1395 MHz
Bandwidth: 940 GB/s

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RX 6900 XT

Cores: 5120
Clock Speed: 2135 MHz
Bandwidth: 512 GB/s

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why do I need a Dedicated Graphics Card?

In a nutshell, a dedicated graphics card is the only option to go with when your system usage requires high graphical power. To play the latest video games in the highest settings or use other resource-intensive programs like animation software and CAD (Computer aided-design) simulations, you will need a powerful dedicated card in your system. However, if you need your system for web surfing, office work, casual gaming, or watching movies, an integrated GPU is more than enough for you. Gaming laptops and PC’s mostly comes up with built-in graphics card, but they are not capable of handling high-end graphics, works fine with low-quality graphics and tasks that don’t require heavy image rendering.

Do I need to change my Power Supply?

There are two important factors involved in whether or not you should change your power supply for your new graphics card. First, of course, is the power consumption, and second is the pins it takes to connect. Any graphics card that you buy will have its own power supply recommendation, so you should not go below the recommended power in any case. However, going a bit above the recommended capacity is good because your PC also has other components besides a graphics card, which need power. A 750 watts PSU is always recommended for even the best gaming graphics card today. Still, it is always better to go way above this if your pocket allows you. 1000 watts power supply or anything above that will easily handle the load of your setup, and things will go smoothly.

Should I Buy a Graphics Card Now or Wait?

Most people think they should get a graphics card now or wait for a new one, or maybe wait for the prices to drop. This needs a different approach. If you need a graphics card for gaming or anything else, you should go for the best possible option regarding your needs and budget. The thing is, if you wait for a new graphics card, it most definitely will be more powerful and hence more expensive. Besides, if you wait for a new graphics card to release and expect that the prices of its predecessors will drop, this is not such a good idea either. Because these days, the costs of graphics cards take a year or even more to drop to a level where most people will buy them. So the best answer to this question is, if you’ve got enough money to purchase the graphics card that you need, then you should go for it right now.

Can I Play AAA Titles and other Games on a Budget Graphics Card?

This can’t be a simple yes or no answer. If you go way below $200, you should forget to play AAA titles and other games at reasonable settings. However, by keeping a graphics card around $250 – $400, you will be able to play AAA titles at average settings and other games at ultimate high fps. In simple words, if you actually want to enjoy your gaming sessions and play popular games, then it is better to keep your budget above $250.

Is it Worth Buying an RTX Series GPU?

RTX is the new series of graphics cards by Nvidia. They come with cool new features like ray tracing and exceptional power. They are totally worth buying, but you won’t always need one because most of them are high-end, which is not the need of everyone. Top models like the RTX 2080 Ti or 2070 Super are expensive, but they are beastly. You can also go for the budget model from the RTX lineup, like the RTX 2060. There is no doubt about the way they deliver and their fabulous new AI features like the DLSS. So, they are totally worth it, if you’ve got that kind of money on you.

Also Read:
Best RAM for Gaming

Best Graphics Cards 2023

1. EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti FTW3 Ultra

An Overclock Beast

The RTX 3080 Ti might not be a card for everyone, but when it comes to bleeding-edge of performance then it’s the king. The founders edition itself is a player, but EVGA here has done much more. It is an overclockable graphics card which pushes the limits further and gives you a gaming experience where you do not miss a single frame. For those who want ultimate 4k or 2k gaming performance and can really afford to buy it, this is the best deal for a graphics card. Comparing it to the founders edition, almost all specifications are similar apart from the boost clock where EVGA has taken it to 1.8 GHz from 1.67 GHz and this truly is a big leap. You will only understand the value of this if you are a pro gamer. However, it runs a bit warmer compared to founders edition which again is because of the graphics card pushing all the limits.

2. MSI GeForce RTX 3090 Gaming X Trio

Insane Performance, Exceptional Experience

With the highest number of cores, 24 gigs of GDDR6X memory and a boost clock of 1785 MHz, the RTX 3090 Gaming X Trio by MSI sits at the top of the graphical power mountain. Currently nothing beats it and there isn’t anything it won’t play. Throw any resolution at it, set it to any fps level and the card will take it with honor. However, with its extremely high price, one will only buy it if the card is totally necessary or there is some extra cash to burn. We feel the card comes with power levels which even ultimate professional gamers do not need in the daily gaming. However, with the finest combination of all the hardware and software from Nvidia, mixed with an extra effort from MSI, this card earns a position here among the best graphics cards of 2023.

3. XFX Speedster MERC319 AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT

Best graphics for Gamers and Professionals

AMD is not coming slow. Every time there is a new release, you get to see exceptional performance leaps within controlled prices. The XFX Speedster MERC319 AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT does not fall in the affordable range but compared to Nvidia’s top dogs, it still is a lower price. Similar to ultimate graphics cards from Nvidia, it’s a large one. So make sure the card fits into your system. For playing 4k or below, this graphics card is a beast. With its 7nm GPU and the specs it has, you get kicking performance and fps in all resolutions. Studying its benchmarks, you will understand the power this graphics card delivers is no joke. And for those who can not afford an Nvidia, going with this AMD graphics card is a perfect choice.

4. EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti

Best Powerful GPU

The Nvidia RTX 2080 ti is one of the most powerful and first to introduce Ray tracing technology. RTX lineup graphics cards have revolutionized the graphical and gaming world. Nvidia coming up with advance Turing architecture has boosted things further and, for a reason, has become the centre of interest for many professional gamers, content creators, filmmakers, graphics designers, and architects etc. RTX 2080 Ti isn’t cheap; it pays off for its price with ultimate and high-end graphical performance. This top rated graphics card hits 100, and 70 fps frames rate in 1080p and 2160p resolutions. In the case of 4K resolutions, the RTX 2080 Ti works with 60 fps and rarely goes below 60fps.

5. ZOTAC RTX 2080 Super

Best Gaming Graphics Card 2023

ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 2080 Super coming next on the list of best gaming graphics card 2023, is a worthy contender with so much power to make gaming smooth and lag-free. Indeed, a gaming setup without having a powerful graphics card feels exceptionally dull. ZOTAC RTX 2080 Super is what you would love to take your gaming skill set to some other level with its Nvidia architecture. Zotac 2080 Super isn’t cheap because of its valuable features. It includes a triple fans cooling mechanism that keeps it cool and efficient when introduced to consumptive power situations. The 1875 megahertz boost clock speed keeps it super fast. It comes with a 16+4 power phase design along with a spectra 2.0 lightning system. The Zotac 2080 Super is durable with a wraparound backplate, capable of bearing temperature and vibrations quickly. Look no further for now, at least, because ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 2080 Super is introduced to provide you with 4k ready, four display ready, and HDR-ready.

6. AMD Radeon RX 5700XT

Budget High-End GPU

AMD and Intel both are arch-rivals when it comes to the best graphics cards. AMD GPUs are observed to affordable and practical with features. At the same time, on the other side, the Intel GPUs do provide up to the mark features but also cost way more than the AMD. AMD Radeon RX 5700XT is the best budget-friendly graphics card with the capability of providing 1440p graphics comfortably. Its 2160p performance cannot be compared directly to that of its direct competitor, RTX 2060. The AMD Radeon RX 5700XT still misses out on the key Ray tracing feature, which raises many questions about its performance. Keeping budget in mind, the Radeon RX 5700XT is a good option for 1080p, 1440p, VR, and the average for the 2160p version. Budget and above-average performance are two of the best selling points for AMD Radeon RX 5700XT.

7. ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 3070 Twin Edge OC

High specs for Low bucks

For almost half the price of RTX 2080 Ti you get a similar level of performance from this graphics card. You get all the power and features of the RTX series with an exceptional 1440p gaming performance. 4K gaming is something which you can throw at it and the graphics card will take it but you won’t be happy with the performance. This is because the card is not aimed to be used for 4k levels. RTX 3070 Twin Edge OC is compact and comes with 3 display ports and an HDMI as well. Besides, since Zotac has raised the boost clock to 1725 MHz, the performance is on another level of reliability for no loss of fps. So, for a graphics card which is affordable compared to the best lot on the market, spitting out this level of gaming power is nothing but good news for gaming geeks.

8. XFX RX 5600 XT

Best 1080p GPU

The XFX RX 5600 XT coming up next is recommended for users who play on a 1080p setup. But this card is capable of taking your 1080p performance to its highest limits, and no doubt, given the proper settings and hardware, it can even touch an excellent 1440p level. Not being able to provide you with ray tracing is the only drawback of the card, which we will soon see in the upcoming graphics cards by AMD. For 1080p settings, RX 5600 XT hit 82 fps and 53 fps for the games Middle Earth: Shadow of War and Metro Exodus, respectively. And as for 1440p, it gave an average of 42 fps for Metro Exodus and 56 fps for Middle Earth: Shadow of War. Now, these numbers are something that no one would believe if this card were from Nvidia because they simply don’t give this much in a budget card.

9. XFX Radeon RX 580 GTS XXX

Most Efficient

XFX Radeon RX 580 is among the top rated graphics cards that can provide you exceptionally smooth and promising graphics. The GPU is excellent for those who prefer 1080p graphics at high settings or those who are OK with below 60FPS at 2160p. XFX Radeon RX 580 GTS XXX offers you an opportunity to play high-end games or other intensive graphics related activities without stuttering. It gives you the same performance as previously provided by Nvidia GTX 1060. The advanced and superior cooling technology of XFX Radeon RX 580 GTS XXX keeps it cool and efficient with optimal temperature. Moreover, the fast processing speed will surely make your gaming time lag and stutters free. You may not witness any significant upgradation from its predecessor, XFX RX 480. However, still, it is worth it with features for what it costs.

10. Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 Super

Best Value

GTX 1660 Super recently made it to the market and is the favourite GPU for entry-level and mid-level gamers. It is, of course, better than the Simple GTX 1660, but it also made its way around the GTX 1660 Ti, which is because there is no big difference in performance but the low price. Nvidia wouldn’t have done this if it were not for beating the cheap AMD graphics card RX5700. So now that the GTX 1660 Super is here, no one would likely go for 1660 of 1660 Ti. The card is based on the new Turing Shaders architecture although it lacks ray-tracing and DLSS because then it would have been an RTX. You will find the same number of steam cores as the simple 1660, but its Video Memory has gone up to GDDR6 with a speed of 14Gbps. This here is a major leap and is why the Super version of GTX 1660 almost eliminates the other two. For Warhammer II, GTX 1660 Super delivered over 60 FPS at 1080p and over 40 at 1440p. Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 Super at this price range is a perfect option to go with for this many features.

11. EVGA GeForce RTX 2060 KO

Least Expensive RTX GPU

EVGA has brought a worthy surprise in GeForce RTX 2060 KO for professional gamers with a Turing architecture that provides a seamless gaming experience. With this Turing architecture, the GPU can provide almost six times greater speed than the previous generation 10 series graphics cards and provides 30 percent faster performance than the original RTX 20 series. EVGA GeForce RTX 2060 KO comes with dual cooling fans that keep the system cool under intensive workloads. These cooling fans perfectly dissipate heat and provide the GPU with room to deliver power and efficiency. It works with almost 100 FPS or more at 1080p gaming. The said GPU holds 1920 total cores, 6GB of 14 GBPS memory with 336GB/s of bandwidth on tap. The card offers a base clock speed of 1365 MHz and boost Clock of 1680 MHz.

12. PowerColor AMD Radeon RX 550

Best Budget Graphics Card 2023

PowerColor AMD Radeon RX 550 is an excellent budget-minded upgrade over low end dedicated and integrated graphics. For budget users, the RX 550 offers impressive features an extremely affordable price tag. PowerColor strives hard to bring every essential element in its budget graphics card to make visuals look smooth and appealing. PowerColor AMD Radeon RX 550 is a perfect pick for casual gamers, video editing, designers, etc. VPU (visual processing units) helps the PowerColor GPU to deliver ultimate performance. PowerColor has a unique strategy for market, right products, right time, with the best quality. For a reason, their products are becoming the centre of interest for many. The GPU remains calm and stable, which ensures efficiency with performance.

Best Graphics Card Buying Guide

Here is how to choose a graphics card for yourself. Anything bought after careful matching of needs is always the best. If your graphics card is compatible and efficiently renders all your needs, it would be one nice gaming setup for you. Your needs should be known to you. Do you need a graphics card for gaming or for some other purpose? And you should know how much you are willing to spend so you can get the best graphics card for 2023.

Compatibility

The compatibility of a graphics card with a system is usually its size and connectivity. Size-wise, a large graphics card is better in terms of cooling mechanism, but it always becomes a problem when placed in your system’s case. As for connectivity, it can be of two types. First is the PCIe connection with your PSU, and the following are the ports on it for connecting to a display. Almost all graphics cards will have a single HDMI and DisplayPort, but if you want more than these, you have to make sure you get them. Some new graphics cards will even give you a Type-C connection.

Usage

The next thing is your usage. What are you using your graphics card for? Are you buying it for gaming purposes? If yes, then what games you are playing. Or you might be buying it for professional/office work like video editing. You can always look around for expert opinions about which GPU suits which task. But in general, Nvidia’s RTX and GTX series are best for gaming. And AMD Vega would work nicely for editing purposes. But this does not mean that they won’t work in other domains.

Cooling / Noise

GPU and CPU are both hard workers inside a system, which is why they get hot over time. For cooling them down, ceratin mechanisms are used. Some use a liquid coolant with a radiator mechanism, while other use multiple fans. Some graphics cards come with 3 fans for cooling it down. But a better and powerful cooling system always means more noise. This is where you mostly make a decision about your trade-off. If you want good cooling, your card will likely produce sound. On the other hand, if you wish your graphics card to be mostly silent, you will compromise on the cooling mechanism.

Resolution

The GPU you go for should align with what is the resolution of your monitor. 1080p resolution is what most gamers will have these days, and almost all the best graphics cards will do their best at this level. However, if you go beyond that, like 2k or somewhere near 4k, you will have to spend more and consider purchasing a high-end graphics card. Below are some recommendations for 1080p, 1440p and 2160p resolution.

For 1080p, you can start right at the bottom and go up. Nvidia’s GTX 1050 Ti or AMD RX 590 is the best choice. They won’t cost you more, and at the same time, you get good fps at 1080p. However, these graphics cards will lock you here, and you will need to change your graphics card if you decide to jump to a higher resolution at any time in the future. In addition, every new update in games need more power, and so you need to think about future-proofing yourself for a year or two at least.

For 2k gaming, consider buying GTX 1660 Ti or AMD RX 5700 XT. Both these are capable of giving you smooth frames at 1440p. Also, these cards will provide you with an upper hand over your opponents in 1080p gaming. Additionally, you can even enjoy a bit of 4k performance with these two. Though it won’t be an ultimate experience, it still is something.

Finally, if you love playing at 4k and stay trendy at the top, you will have to go for a high-end graphics card. GeForce RTX 2080 Ti is what will give you an extreme gaming experience at 2160p. For now, there is nothing close to it when you talk about gaming. However, this sort of performance needs good money. It does not come cheap. On the other hand, if you want good VR sessions, you could go a bit lower and stick to RTX 2080 or RTX 2070 Super. You will get a reasonable frame rate and around 90Hz refresh rate, which is an excellent level for VR.

Budget

Speaking on how much you should spend on a graphics card. There is a simple rule which applies everywhere, the more you spend, the better is the thing that you get. If you spend 1000 bucks or more, you will get an RTX 2080 Ti or a GTX 1080 Ti. Both these do exceptionally well. There are no second thoughts on this. For around $700 or above, you will get an RTX 2080 Super, which is the best gaming card in your rig.

Spending around $400 or above, you will get RX 5700 XT or an RTX 2070 Super. Both of these are the best mainstream gaming cards whose performance is second to none. And going below, this will give you anything like the RTX 2060 Super or RX 590 by AMD. These are good cards as well. Still, you should not be expecting to get better performance at 2k or higher.

Additional Information

Graphics Card Compatibility

An important point you need to look into is if the graphics card is compatible with the system where it will be installed. You may end up buying a graphics card that may not settle in your PC easily or may not settle at all. To make sure that your graphics card is compatible with your system, you must check two main things. First, the power supply you are using and second is the casing of your PC.

You need to make sure that your power supply unit produces more wattage compared to the minimum required wattage of the graphics card. Additionally, make sure that PCIe connections are compatible too. You will mostly end up with graphics cards that work on 6 pin PCIe or 2×8 pin PCIe connections. And then there is case clearance. You have to make sure that the clearance on your case is more than the length of the graphics card you are about to buy.

Nvidia Vs AMD

These two giant GPU manufacturers always come to mind when you talk about graphics cards. This is because there is no other competitor at their level. They have been competing for a long time now, and as a result, we have witnessed some of the best gaming cards, which we might not have seen if the competition had not taken place.

There is always a debate among users that one is better than the other. But technically speaking, one can not simply say which one wins the race. A large number of factors are involved based on which they can be compared. Things like price, performance, software drivers etc., make them good or not. In general, AMD graphics cards are affordable, but Nvidia always beats them up in performance. Similarly, the software for AMD GPUs very easily lets you enjoy the VR experience. Still, on the other hand, Nvidia came out with ray tracing this year which is a massive jump in graphics enhancement technology.

This is why one simply can’t decide a winner here. Or in other words, for the type of tasks you perform, AMD may suit you more than an Nvidia GPU. But for your friend or any other person, an Nvidia might be a better option based on what tasks are being performed.

SLI Vs CrossFire

Most modern video games rely mainly on GPUs to run smoothly. Gamers are required to have a powerful graphics card in their systems if they want to play the latest games on the highest settings. Even more powerful graphical processing is required to play top games at the highest resolutions like 1440P, 4k, and beyond. An ideal solution to handle such a situation that demands intensive graphical processing is to go with the best graphics card of the time, like GTX 1080 Ti etc. Also, you can utilize multiple graphics cards in the same setup if you can afford and want more performance out of your system.

SLI is NVIDIA’s multi-GPU solution, whereas Crossfire is AMD’s multi-GPU solution. Both are used to accomplish the same objective, allowing the system to split processing graphics-related data workload between multiple GPUs. SLI urges you to use identical GPUs (GTX 1080 can only be SLI’d with another GTX-1080). In contrast, CrossFire works fine with different GPUs of the same architecture (RX 580 can be crossfired with an RX 570, but not with an R9 390). SLI requires two cards to be directly connected with an SLI bridge or cable. AMD cards require that the multiple cards to be connected can only be done in updated versions. AMD GPUs in CrossFire configuration can only communicate via PCIe 3.0. Comparatively, SLI configurations are more expensive than CrossFire configurations. The reason is that NVIDIA requires motherboard manufacturers to be SLI certified. In contrast, AMD doesn’t require any specific certification, which is a plus that CrossFire is supported by many budget-friendly motherboards. Here is a list about which AMD GPU can work in CrossFire with which one.

Conclusion

Getting a robust and reliable graphics card is crucial if you are a professional gamer, or intense graphics are what you mostly deal with. Our part is done, for now, providing you with all critical information regarding GPUs. A detailed buyer’s guide and frequently asked questions about graphics cards are included to make ambiguities more straightforward for you. Go through it all and pick the best graphics card per your budget and need.
Good Luck!