Best Gaming Graphics Cards 2023 – The same goes for laptops, whose popularity has been growing in recent years. Nowadays, picking up a decent exemplar may be particularly difficult. It’s mainly connected with the COVID-19 outbreak and mining getting more widespread.
It’s not a secret that there are only two most reputable manufacturers in this segment. They’re NVIDIA and AMD featuring more or less the same products in terms of specs. Along with that, the cost has become noticeably higher than ever. Still, players rush to local retail stores every time a new batch is delivered. Others surf the Web searching for an option to buy at the low-end price.
As of today, it’s practically unimaginable to find a rig at a reasonable budget. All of them are sold with overwhelming extra charges. Anyway, a desktop computer or laptop has no sense without a graphics card. Therefore, gamers pay up to $1500 and more just to enjoy their favorite titles.
This top list is a worthy advice-giver for those hunting for a better purchase. All the options presented below are made by the most relevant companies. They constantly release new alternatives to ensure maximum performance for the price asked. On top of that, they upgrade old editions making the latter applicable again.
Gaming graphics cards are included in this guide:
GAMING GEAR REVIEWS
10. AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT 4GB video card for gaming – Not As Bad As It Seems
| GPU Name: | Navi 14 |
| Memory Size: | 4 GB |
| Memory Type: | GDDR6 |
| Base Clock/Boost Clock: | 1607/1845 MHz |
| TDP: | 130 W |
Not so long ago the stated rival was one of the most recognized of its kind. Sure, it didn’t provide superior FPS yet it remained affordable. It’s still a decent option for modern titles. For those who are satisfied with medium settings, it’s nothing to complain about.
Having only 4GB VRAM, it’s sufficiently fast for its generation. Now, the cost has been lowered due to 8GB GPUs’ frequent releases. The model starts at $200 and more. It seems budget at first but the price is actually inflated.
Other than that, it competes decently with the GTX 1650 Super. This unit demonstrates stable frames in some older games. Among the most well-known are Far Cry 5, Battlefield V, and Borderlands 3.
In general, it’s a mediocre product with limited functions and performance. One shouldn’t expect miracles to happen for this sum. As it uses a 6-pin connector, this makes the item less convenient for modern machines and monitors. However, it’s probably the best graphics card but for casual gaming only.
AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT review
AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT - this gaming graphics card is made to work in 1080p resolution. Therefore, this is not the most capable item out of all options on the market. However, it has a reasonable price and does its job properly. Just be ready to reduce graphic settings when playing challenging games. Advantages: Fair price High-quality performance Low battery consumption Disadvantages: Has difficulties loading games with high demands...
Read moreGaming graphics card AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT
PROS
- Fair price
- High-quality performance
- Low battery consumption
CONS
- Has difficulties loading games with high demands
Best buy
Amazon
Walmart
9. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Super – For 6GB Seekers
| GPU Name: | TU116 |
| Memory Size: | 6 GB |
| Memory Type: | GDDR6 |
| Base Clock/Boost Clock: | 1530/1785 MHz |
| TDP: | 125 W |
Compared with the previous opponent, the GTX 1660 Super boasts a 6GB VRAM. That’s a significant boost if one manages to find it at a reasonable price. As it usually happens with widespread devices, it’s overvalued. Despite being an old and less popular version, it’s difficult to get it in stock.
The rig starts at $300-350 or sometimes more depending on the situation on the market. For this sum, this model looks better than its vanilla GTX 1660 predecessor does. It’s not perfect by all means yet shows solid 60-90 FPS in most games. Featuring the Turing (TU116) module allows running titles at 1440p with medium settings applied. Besides, this product shows better results in overclocking in comparison with the former contender.
GTX 1660 Super has no serious drawbacks for this cost. It’s just a bit outdated to be called a truly performant video card for gaming. It has no future-proof potential whatsoever meaning it’s a doubtful investment. For now, it’s a worthy choice if only one finds it cheaper than $350.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super review
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super - This is an interesting product with an entry-level configuration. Firstly, it is an upgraded version of the GTX 1660. In addition, its performance is as good as the GTX 1660 Ti’s. So the latter one becomes almost irrelevant when it comes to comparing. Advantages: Budget price No overheating Proper performance Disadvantages: RT cores unavailable Small choice of ports We’ve been observing Nvidia Turing being...
Read moreGaming graphics card Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super
PROS
- Budget price
- No overheating
- Proper performance
CONS
- RT cores unavailable
- Small choice of ports
8. AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT – Weak Ray Tracing
| GPU Name: | Navi 23 |
| Memory Size: | 8 GB |
| Memory Type: | GDDR6 |
| Base Clock/Boost Clock: | 1968/2589 MHz |
| TDP: | 160 W |
When launched in the middle of 2022, it seemed sufficiently capable. It boasted an affordable price of $380 at the start. However, the lack of highly-productive GPUs was too serious. This quickly led to a constantly rising demand and price respectively.
Still, this model features an 8GB VRAM combined with the ray-tracing system. The item proves to be top-notch making it possible to run all modern titles. It supports all the resolutions available up to 4K. Though, it shows maximum performance at 1080p or 1440p.
AMD has pulled off a job creating a worthy rival against the RTX 3060. It’s still a bit weaker than it should be for the current price. One can find it on Amazon sold for $800 and more. That’s too expensive for a device with poor enough capability.
At the same time, this example suits mining fans making them buy it up. This leaves players waiting for RX 6600 XT to get in-stock again. Therefore, it’s far from being the best video card for gaming for this particular reason. One can purchase a better choice for the money asked.
AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT review
Are you on a tight budget when choosing a current-generation GPU with high-quality performance? This item might become the best option for you. It’s highly affordable, yet it has some quality features including ray tracing. However, this doesn’t seem to be enough to replace the RTX 3060 Ti by Nvidia. Their card provides a proper performance in games for just a bit higher price. Advantages: Decent performance at 1080p Loads...
Read moreGaming graphics card AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT
PROS
- Decent performance at 1080p
- Loads of Ryzen builds features
- Low consumption
CONS
- FSR activation required for ray tracing
- Less mighty than RTX 3060 Ti
7. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 – Prohibitively Expensive
| GPU Name: | GA106 |
| Memory Size: | 12 GB |
| Memory Type: | GDDR6 |
| Base Clock/Boost Clock: | 1320/1777 MHz |
| TDP: | 170 W |
The RTX 3060 model represents NVIDIA’s product from its latest-generation series. It features impressive specs including 12GB VRAM. Combined with the ray tracing system, any freshly-released game looks vivid. Along with that, it manages to show stable frames.
In general, the card justifies its series’ hopes. Everything bumps into an exorbitantly high price. At the early launch, it was only $329 making the GPU a perfect cost-performance option. Just a moment later, miners bought out the entire batch worldwide. It became almost unreal to get it in stock for a reasonable cost.
As of today, the manufacturer asks $1000-1300 depending on supplies available. Looking deeper into specifications, it’s clear that the RTX 3060 isn’t that groundbreaking. Its performance level is barely different from RTX 2070. The latter represents one of the first models in this series.
It could be the best gaming video card yet it’s too expensive. There is also the RX 5700 XT alternative for bearable money.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 review
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 review - A detailed article for those who want to see the graphics card from the inside out. Those who are looking for a powerful gaming graphics card will definitely like what Nvidia has to offer. It’s a new and reliable piece of technology that will run any AAA game. No doubt advantages rock. But one shouldn’t forget about drawbacks as well. We’ll honestly cover the...
Read moreGaming graphics card Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
PROS
- Cool design and reliable construction to protect the insides from any external damage
- 12 GB of memory to make users forget about what space shortage is
- Efficient cooling system to make sure that the device doesn’t get overheated in AAA games
CONS
- High price that got even higher a few months after the release
- Most features are weaker than in its alternative RTX 3060 TI
- Restrictions for Ethereum miners
6. AMD Radeon RX 6800 – Powerful Enough
| GPU Name: | Navi 21 |
| Memory Size: | 16 GB |
| Memory Type: | GDDR6 |
| Base Clock/Boost Clock: | 1700/2105 MHz |
| TDP: | 250 W |
The RX 6800 seems like a hell of a beast considering its specifications. AMD has released a stripped-down edition of the RX 6800 XT. It’s a bit less performant yet shows impressive FPS and decent working ray tracing. In fact, the RT system no longer “kills” the enjoyment one gets from playing. It actually makes any title look vibrant without sacrificing anything in return.
The device is crammed with 16GB VRAM and Navi 21 GPU. It also features a decent overclocking potential. All that was available at the launch when the price was $580. Then, it quickly got out of stock and the cost increased tremendously.
For now, the RX 6800 model is rare to find. On top of that, the manufacturer asks for more than $1500 in some cases. It’s all connected with limited supplies and miners’ interest in the rig.
Despite boasting the RT system performance, it can’t compete with the RTX 3070. One can hardly call it the best graphics card for gaming for this sum. It’s surely powerful yet too expensive for what it provides.
AMD Radeon RX 6800 review
AMD Radeon RX 6800: This is a powerful gaming graphics card that works just as it’s supposed to. It doesn’t get overheated and shows high-level performance. The device is opposed to GeForce RTX 3070, RTX 3080, and 2080 TI models. Taking all the characteristics and test results, RX 6800 is better than its closest competitors for some tasks. The card is chosen for its brilliant productivity, smart cooling system, and...
Read moreGaming Graphics Card AMD Radeon RX 6800
PROS
- Smart Access – a new memory access technology that boosts the performance of the card
- Hardware ray tracing accelerators for better video quality – especially useful in AAA titles with top-notch graphics
- A balanced cooling system that perfectly gets rid of heat both at automatic and maximum modes
- Great performance when gaming or mining thanks to efficient work of all components
- Huge Infinity Cash (128 MB) for improving bandwidth features and accelerating overall work
- Balanced energy usage
CONS
- High price (its competitors can be less expensive, offering similar features and opportunities)
- The physical behavior of light (ray tracing) has lower productivity when compared to its closest competitors. But it’s the first model by AMD that got really close to challenging Nvidia solutions. Soon AMD will enhance its technology and make it equally good (or better) to substitute for its rivals
Best buy
Amazon
Walmart
5. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti – Excellent Productivity Gaming Graphics Card
| GPU Name: | GA102 |
| Memory Size: | 12 GB |
| Memory Type: | GDDR6X |
| Base Clock/Boost Clock: | 1365/1665 MHz |
| TDP: | 350 W |
Fully packed with highly powerful inside components, the RTX 3080 Ti is a dream. The rig features 12 GB VRAM along with the GA102 GPU unit. At launch, it was $1200, which was overwhelmingly much. It quickly disappeared out of stock increasing the price even more.
Now, this device seems like a doubtful investment. Of course, it’s performant yet not many people are ready to pay $1500-1800. For this sum, a prospective buyer gets the product running 4K. It also boasts superior ray tracing productivity.
Among other downsides, except for the money asked, it gets quite hot. On top of that, it’s power-hungry consuming 350 W. Its overclocking potential isn’t great considering the cost. The number is only 1665 MHz at maximum.
Despite being released in May 2022, the demand for this card stays great. It could have decreased once the RTX 3090 Ti became available. Many people consider it the best gaming graphics card for its capability. It is still one of the most sought-after items in this segment.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti review
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti - This is a very long-awaited graphics card that was finally presented in June 2022. Its release date was postponed several times. So the interest in the device and its opportunities was spiking. The vibe about it was also heated by rumors. Namely, everyone talked about a special restriction to make it more available for gamers. And it turned out to be the truth. Benefits:...
Read moreGaming Graphics Card Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
PROS
- Efficient cooling system
- Stylish design
- Metal-based construction
- Great performance features
- Ampere architecture
- 12 GB of VRAM
- Restriction for miners
CONS
- The high price because of the shortage of high-quality video cards
Best buy
Amazon
Walmart
4. AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT – Video card overclocking at its best
| GPU Name: | Navi 21 |
| Memory Size: | 16 GB |
| Memory Type: | GDDR6 |
| Base Clock/Boost Clock: | 1825/2250 MHz |
| TDP: | 300 W |
Launched in 2021, the RX 6800 XT competes with its opponents as before. Having 16 GB VRAM together with the Navi 21 GPU, it’s highly performant indeed. The device has impressive future-proof potential. In the nearest future, one won’t find a title that needs a greater number.
With 2250 MHz when overclocked, it demonstrates perfect FPS in most modern games. In comparison with its RTX 3080 rival, AMD sets the lowest price possible. It was only $650 at launch when miners rushed to purchase it. After it disappeared out of stock, its cost became inflated. It’s possible to buy it for $1200-1500 if one manages to find it at all.
Among other drawbacks is the serviceable ray tracing capability. It certainly works yet it decreases the performance significantly. At the same time, the device is probably the best graphics card for VR gaming. It’s possible thanks to its RAM capacity.
Despite being better than the RTX 3080 unit, it shows worse results at 4K. It runs this resolution yet the frame rate isn’t that great. It could be a perfect rig in its category if not the price.
AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT review
AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT review - Final judgment: It’s been a long time since AMD challenged Nvidia in the upscale segment. Particularly, in the graphics cards market sector. Although it is a decent effort, the performance is not good enough to replace Nvidia. Mainly, in the field of recent DX12 PC games. Advantages: Ray tracing maintenance A proper challenge for Nvidia in the high-end segment High results in performance...
Read moreGaming Graphics Card AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT
PROS
- Ray tracing maintenance
- A proper challenge for Nvidia in the high-end segment
- High results in performance on DX11
- Well-working cooling system
CONS
- Not able to replace Nvidia in the high-power sector
- Incredibly bad tracing performance
- Video card design of lower-level
3. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 – For Content Creators
| GPU Name: | GA102 |
| Memory Size: | 24 GB |
| Memory Type: | GDDR6X |
| Base Clock/Boost Clock: | 1395/1695 MHz |
| TDP: | 350 W |
Released in 2021, this rig remains one of the most powerful in its field. It boasts an incredible 24 GB with decent overclocking potential. The product is surely future-proof not only in terms of specifications. The current price for the item starts at $2500-3000. That’s a huge investment, as it will serve for years with no upgrades required.
When it only appeared on the market, it was $1500. Though, miners and speculators have done everything to increase the cost. Now, it’s not only too expensive for a mid-budget user, but it’s also hard to find.
If one manages to purchase the item for the lowest sum, it’s a total win. The model demonstrates perfect RT performance. It surely runs 4K easily having a potential for 8K in the future.
This particular exemplar is now popular among content creators. Thanks to an enormous RAM capacity, it’s great for modeling and programming. It’s also the best HD graphics card in terms of gaming for providing smooth FPS.
The lack of availability is temporary, as the RTX 3090 Ti will soon replace it. After the latter becomes globally affordable, the price for the 3090 should decrease.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 review
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3090 - nowadays this is a beast among graphics cards showing extreme power and efficiency. It includes 8K resolution playback in gaming and the highest speed in encoding and rendering. However, the price corresponds to the performance. So, we assume that the majority of players won’t be able to afford the card. Pros: The highest performance among video cards Supreme cooling Ideal for professionals in graphics Cons:...
Read moreNvidia GeForce RTX 3090
PROS
- The highest performance among video cards
- Supreme cooling
- Ideal for professionals in graphics
CONS
- Super pricey
- Extremely large in size
2. AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT – High Overclock Value: Good 4K Graphics Card For Gaming PC
| GPU Name: | Navi 21 |
| Memory Size: | 16 GB |
| Memory Type: | GDDR6 |
| Base Clock/Boost Clock: | 1825/2250 MHz |
| TDP: | 300 W |
It’s by far a true masterpiece designed by this manufacturer. Despite being difficult to purchase, it’s at least more budget-oriented. It was only $999 at launch providing extreme performance. This device also boasts 16 GB VRAM, which is more than enough for modern titles. Additionally, one can overclock it up to 2250 MHz.
As of today, the price is inflated as well. However, it’s possible to buy it for $2000. A prospective buyer can get it at the lowest when hunting for a pre-built PC.It’s often considered the best graphics card for the best gaming laptop in the world. Thanks to its price setting, one can find a decent device with this rig installed.
The model is powerful indeed yet it’s weaker in comparison with its main opponent’s series. The latter produce goods with the same capability in this field for less money.
The RX 6900 XT shows smooth FPS now and will do so in the future. It’s a solid exemplar for those who opt for this manufacturer. Though, it’s still too limited on the market, especially for average customers.
AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT review
AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT review - in 2021 AMD came up with a decent response to Nvidia Ampere GPUs. It presented new high-quality AMD models with RDNA2 architecture as a base. Previously, we explored the RX 6800 XT, as much as the RX 6800. Today we’ll examine a more recent item, the RX 6900 XT. The current situation in the industry contributes to it. Now that the times of...
Read moreGaming graphics card AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT
PROS
- It’s a senior version built on the Navi 21 GPU
- The graphics card’s operating frequencies are identical to the ones of AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT
- A huge advantage of the graphics card’s top version is 300W of power
- It’s a successful combination of great performance, trendy features, and a high potential for extra overclocking
1. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 – The best Graphics Card For Gaming
| GPU Name: | GA102 |
| Memory Size: | 10 GB |
| Memory Type: | GDDR6X |
| Base Clock/Boost Clock: | 1440/1710 MHz |
| TDP: | 320 W |
Despite being released in 2021, it’s the indisputable winner of the top list. This rig features a sufficient 10 GB VRAM. With the GA102 unit and 1710 MHz at maximum overclocking, it’s truly performant.
The main thing that made the RTX 3080 model so attractive was its launch price. Before it became the most sought-after product, it was only $700. For now, it’s in great demand making the cost rise up to $1500 and more.
This device is perfect in all senses, as it runs 4K at ease. The manufacturer has also got better at the ray tracing system capability. One no longer needs to choose between smooth gameplay and a vivid picture.
Obviously, the card doesn’t experience any problems suppressing its 2080 Ti predecessor. In comparison with previous releases, the RTX 3080 boasts a significant difference in performance. It kind of justifies the sum asked for this example.
The Winner’s Weak Sides
With all the upsides, it’s one of the gaming graphics cards that’s worth the money. At the same time, it still has a few pain points that must be mentioned. In order to unleash its potential completely, one should have a top-notch PC. This also concerns a screen choice, as it should be at least 1440p.
1. A prospective buyer can purchase a 1080p alternative yet it makes no sense. A GPU this powerful won’t unlock its ultimate performance. The picture will simply look almost the same way. With the capability to run 4K, a user should splurge on a display as well.
2. Another disappointing moment is that the item is overwhelmingly difficult to find. It rarely appears in stock for an average person. Even if it does, miners quickly buy out the entire batch. This was another reason why the manufacturer had to inflate the price.
Hunting for this particular product is still worth it. Boasting future-proof specs, one won’t ask which graphic card is best for gaming ever again. It will take years to create a decent contender to beat this model.
Final Thoughts
As of today, choosing the right GPU is as struggling as never. Everything has turned against ordinary users. The cost is barely affordable for the majority of people willing to build a PC. Along with that, it’s an inside component one can’t scrimp on.
Purchasing a pre-built machine is one of the ways out of this situation. However, it doesn’t work for those who want to change only one device part. Sparing a certain sum is better, especially if a customer is ready for this investment.
Pouring cash into a future-proof rig will save the money in the coming years. It’s much cheaper than looking for a whole new computer every time.
The top lists answer the question of what is the best graphics card for gaming. However, other options are also affordable and feature solid performance. Getting one of them is a great alternative for mid-range titles. They’ll serve fine for some time before a user has to inevitably upgrade them.
Where to buy the best gaming graphics card
US:
UK:
FAQ About The Best Gaming Graphics Cards
If one’s lucky to find the RTX 3080 model available, this is the right choice. It’s definitely the finest option comparing the price-value parameters. Unfortunately, its cost is still inflated and the product itself is hard to hit upon.
Older NVIDIA GPUs models bore the GTX abbreviation. A device from this series is still playable and shows decent frames. However, the RTX units feature top-notch specs. On top of that, only the latest RTX rigs can boast ray tracing.
If answered shortly – it does indeed. This is the most important thing to squeeze in one’s gaming machine. It provides stable and high FPS allowing one to enjoy the picture at its finest. Remember that investing in a powerful GPU requires a computer of the same performance.
Today, it’s difficult to find a truly budget option. All graphics units seem to be overpriced a lot. Though, alternatives like the GTX 1650 are still available at an attractive cost. It’s not that high-tech and capable yet serves well enough for playing.
It strictly depends on one’s preferences concerning favorite titles. Usually, it’s enough to run a game at middle settings. Keep in mind that it’s far from being future-proof and will require an update soon. Now, the GTX 1660 Super is the best model having this amount of RAM.
