Best GPU For Gaming 2024
Trying to find the best GPU for gaming? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up the best gaming GPUs for every price range. We also tell you all you need to know about frame rates, refresh rates, and how they affect your gaming experience.
Best GPU For Gaming: Our Picks
Be aware, sometimes GPU availability fluctuates due to supply issues. Be sure to only buy from reputable sources, as scammers sometimes take advantage of these shortages. Also, before buying a graphics card, be sure to look up your case specs to make sure that it will fit. Now that you know the basics, here are our top ten GPUs for gaming.
1. Best overall Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super
This is our current overall favorite. It has a good balance of being reasonably priced and also providing very good performance, giving you a great value for your money. Here are some other features we love:
- Double TORX fan 4.0 with twin blades helps dissipate heat and keep your system cool. Also has thermal pads and airflow control
- Robust electrical protections with reinforced chassis
- Ada Lovelace architecture for RTX ray tracing
- DLSS 3.0 enhanced frame rate
- NVIDIA Reflex reduces latency
- Dedicated ray tracing cores provide advanced graphics
- Custom PCB has additional safeguards to protect against electrical damage
2. Best overall for AMD: AMD Radeon RX 7900 GRE
AMD is a highly respected brand and this is our favorite overall GPU they currently provide. It has a great blend of high-end performance with reasonable pricing. In fact, depending on price variations, you may find it to be significantly less money than Nvidia’s RTX 4070. Always a win. Here are some other benefits:
- 5120 Units stream processor
- Game clock of 2013 MHz (OC)/ 1927 MHz (Silent)
- Memory speed of 18.0 Gbps
- Video memory of 16GB GDDR6
- Boost clock of 2366 MHz (OC) / 2293 MHz (Silent)
- Ray Tracing
- Radeon anti-lag
- Optimum heat pipe arrangement
- Dual BIOS
- Various cooling performance components
- Smooth, stunning visuals
3. Best for overall balance: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070
This high-end GPU is still competitively priced with loads of properties any gamer would appreciate. It’s perfect for 1440p gaming and has advanced graphics, all while being built to last. Here are some other notable traits:
- Vented exoskeleton helps control heat and gives durability
- Military-grade capacitors
- Enhanced system monitoring, thermal control, and performance adjustments through GPU Tweak III software
- NVIDIA DLSS3
- Ada Lovelace arch
- Full ray tracing
- 3rd Gen RT cores
- 21% improved airflow via Axial-tech fans
- ARGB customizable lighting
4. Best for high-end options: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
If you’re into advanced gaming equipment, like 8K, AI workloads, or professional content creation, this is the GPU for you. Just be aware, the price tag is…painful. That said, if your needs are advanced, this GPU will more than match them.
- Fastest available GPU
- Streaming multiprocessors give up to 2x power efficiency and performance
- Advanced AI performance due to 4th gen tensor cores
- Game-winning responsiveness and extremely low latency
- Created for live streaming
- 3rd-Gen RT cores
- Supports 8k
- Reduced power consumption
- Ultimate in AI and ray tracing capabilities. AI creates additional frames to enhance image quality
5. Best for high-end AMD: AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
Before we get started on our accolades, be aware that PowerColor has rebranded this item a few times so it’s confusing to know which version is the latest one. Currently, this Hellhound iteration is the most up to date. They’re all nearly the same, but the GB amount may differ depending on which version you find.
Now, on to the accolades! This is an excellent high-end GPU with fast, top-tier performance and great graphics, no matter which version you get. Keep in mind, it won’t perform at the 8K that GeForce RTX 4090 does, but 4K is still considered advanced graphics and it won’t obliterate your bank account either.
- Fastest GPU from AMD
- Excellent rasterization
- Top-tier 4K performance
- Memory speed 20.0 Gbps
- Stream processor 5376 units
- Video memory: 20GB GDDR6
- Radeon boost and anti-lag
- Ray tracing
- Advanced thermal protections, even during overclocking
- Great value for the advanced 4K capabilities and graphics
6. Best for low-budget Nvidia: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
This is our favorite cost-effective GPU by Nvidia. It still has admirable features but it fits with most gamer’s budgets while meeting most gaming needs too. If you want something affordable and reliable with awesome reviews, look no further.
- 8GB GDDR6 graphics memory
- Solid 1080p performance
- 2610 MHz Extreme performance clock
- 2595 MHz boost clock
- MSI Twin Frozr 9 cooling with TORX fans for effective cooling
- DLSS3
- Supports NVIDIA AI acceleration
- Ray tracing
7. Best for 1440p gaming: AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
Like some of the GPUs on our list, this one can be tricky to find in stock. You may have some luck with Walmart’s online store or other retailers, but be sure to only buy from reputable sources. There’s a reason the RX 7800 runs out. It’s more affordable than many options and also has great 1440p gaming capabilities. Other things to love:
- 16GB
- Memory clock: 19.5 Gbps
- Boost clock up to 2475 MHz
- Angular velocity fan blade keeps PC cool and quiet
- High performance capacitors
- Powerful, smooth gaming performance
- Graphics card supporter
8. Best value for your money: Intel Arc A750
This GPU is very affordably priced, giving a solid 1080p performance with basic features that do the job well. It’s widely respected by gamers while still being a great bargain. Be aware, it doesn’t have the best temperature mitigation so keep it where there is good airflow.
- AI-enhanced upscaling
- Ray tracing
- Runs quietly
- Great graphics with compatible games
- One of the lowest-priced options while still maintaining quality
9. Best for affordable 4k: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Super
Nvidia always has great options for GPUs, but the GeForce RTX 4080 Super is our favorite for reasonably priced 4k gameplay. It mixes high-end functions with a more balanced price. Plus, it has lots of advanced qualities gamers are looking for.
- DLSS3 powered
- Full ray tracing
- 4th gen Tensor cores
- Axial-tech fans for increased airflow
- Military-grade capacitors
- Metal exoskeleton for durability and vents for heat control
- GPU Tweak III software
- Aura sync lighting
- Superior performance
10. Best for budget AMD: AMD Radeon RX 7600
This is a great intersection of low price point and solid 1080p performance from a reputable brand. Gamers love the mix of value and quality and, to be honest, it’s visually gorgeous too.
- 8GB GDDR6 on 128-Bit Memory
- AMD Infinity Cache tech
- Polychrome sync
- Striped axial fan
- Silent cooling
- Ultra-fit heat pipe
- Super alloy graphics card
- Customizable LED lights
Everything To Know To Choose The Best Gaming GPU
In this section, we cover all the tech-talk you may not be familiar with so you can make an informed buying decision.
Differences Between Resolutions When Gaming
Concerned about resolution? You should be. There are four main resolutions to know with PC gaming:
- 720p: Common for low-end, older machines, especially older laptops. The first resolution, (HD), is 1280 x 720
- 1080p: Common for most PC monitors, gaming laptops, and most HDTVs manufactured before 2018. This resolution is FHD (Full HD) or True HD, and comes in at 1920 x 1080, over twice the pixels as 720p
- 1440p: A resolution fairly exclusive to PC gaming monitors, though some modern 4K TVs support it. This comes in at 2560 x 1440, and is sometimes mistakenly called 2K. It’s actually Quad HD, since it’s four times the pixels of 720p
- 4K: A resolution for high-end TVs and high-end PC monitors. This resolution of 3840 x 2160 is four times the pixels of 1080p and well well-respected by gamers
- 5K: 5120×2880 resolution, much more expensive but increasing in popularity
- 8K: 7680 × 4320 resolution. Very expensive and considered overkill by some as the price tag isn’t always worth it. Those with advanced needs, however, will disagree
Each iteration is about a 2x boost of raw pixel count. However, it’s important to discuss screen size and PPI, as resolution alone isn’t enough to determine clarity. Other factors to consider are your PPI, or pixels per inch. Determine these by combining your resolution and your screen size.
Usually, an image on a PC monitor at average viewing distance will look clear around 90 PPI, so your ideal minimum should be:
- 90 Pixels Per Inch, or higher, if you want a clear image
- A 24 inch monitor requires a 1080p resolution
- A 27-inch monitor requires a 1440p resolution
- 4K can maintain this PPI at much higher sizes, but past 32 inches you’re flirting with TV territory, and you’ll need to sit further back to have your full screen in view
All About Refresh Rates And Frame Rates
When you’re gaming, frames per second (FPS, or frame rate) and refresh rate (measured in Hz) can massively impact your gaming experience. Here’s what to know:
- In-game frame rate and monitor refresh rate are similar, but two different things
- The monitor refresh rate will always limit the maximum FPS you actually see. Extra frames will either be discarded (with some software V-Sync solutions) or create screen tears (where different parts of the screen display different frames)
- For your typical 60 Hz monitor, you won’t see a consistent/clear difference when your FPS exceeds 60. However, without V-Sync or an FPS limiter, you’ll experience the aforementioned screen tearing, which is very distracting
To benefit from high frame rates, you need a high refresh rate monitor to match. To get those high frame rates to begin with, you’ll need to either choose a higher-end graphics card (like the ones we’ve listed) or make a lot of optimizations to your in-game settings.
Here are common FPS/refresh rate targets:
- 30 FPS – Considered the bare minimum, and unacceptable to many players. This is where motion starts to look believable, but not very smooth. It’s about half of what a standard 60 Hz is capable of displaying
- 60 FPS / 60 Hz – Most displays run at 60 Hz, and many console games/ports are locked to 60 FPS. This is the “smooth” look most gamers are used to, but there is room for improvement
- 100 FPS / 120 Hz or 144 Hz – With a high refresh rate monitor, this is a nice number if you don’t have the power needed to push 120 or 144 FPS without compromising visuals. This is where you’ll see the most difference moving up from 60 FPS
- 120 FPS / 120 Hz or 144 Hz – Ultra-smooth to most gamers
- 144 FPS / 144 Hz or 240 Hz – Same as above- real-world difference should be marginal
- 165 FPS / 165 Hz or 240 Hz – Same as above
- 200 FPS / 240 Hz or higher – For gamers with insane reflexes, 200+ FPS begins to show improvements. Most people are unlikely to notice, but for hardcore competitors, this is the best choice
- 240 FPS / 240 Hz or higher – Same as above.
- 300 FPS / 300 Hz or higher – Same as above.
Ray Tracing
Real-time ray tracing refers to technology that allows for highly realistic calculation of lighting, shadows, and reflections. Historically, ray tracing has been a computationally intensive process, but new tech makes it more accessible. These graphics are far beyond rasterization, the usual rendering method. Ray tracing abilities depend on hardware.
Should You Overclock Your GPU?
As long as you can achieve a stable overclock, don’t flash a different BIOS, or exceed voltage limits, you can overclock your GPU to squeeze out extra performance without voiding your warranty.
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