When it comes to gaming, GPUs play the most vital role in delivering you a realistic and visually stunning in-game environment. Every gamers’ dream is to own a graphic card that can run games at the highest possible graphic settings with buttery smooth 100 above fps. Only two big names dominate the market in GPU manufacturing, i.e., Nvidia and AMD.
At A Glance:
Best Premium GPU to Buy
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
✓ Good Heat Sink
✓ Dual BIOS & RGB
✓ Great graphics results
Best Overall GPU to Buy
EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 Super
✓ Compact Design
✓ Good value for money
✓ Water Cooling Compatible
View on AmazonYou might be wondering what the best GPU available is. We will help you decide that yourself by the end of this article. A GFX card is a complex combination of electronic hardware whose performance can be interpreted here via its specification, but you will need benchmark scores to come to a definite conclusion. Everything from the GPU cores, clock speed, memory width, memory speed, memory size, and power consumption can affect the graphic card’s capability.
We will review the top-shelf GPUs available in the market, keeping in view the user’s requirements. An enthusiast and casual gamer can never require the same rig. Some GFX cards are budget-friendly and offer the best value for money, while others push the limits of neglecting capital and running costs. This list of reviews contains both AMD and Nvidia GPU. All the brands who use these GPUs offer similar performance to be based on looks. So let’s get into the reviews.
Our Recommendations For Best GPU to Buy
Award | Modal | Design | Retailer |
---|---|---|---|
Best Premium GPU to Buy | ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2080 Ti | ||
Best Flagship GPU to Buy | MSI GAMING X TRIO GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER | ||
Best Overall GPU to Buy | EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 Super | View on amazon | |
Best Mid-Range GPU to Buy | MSI GAMING X TRIO GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER | ||
Best Enthusiast GPU to Buy | GIGABYTE GAMING Radeon RX 5700 XT | ||
Best Performance GPU to Buy | MSI GeForce RTX 2060 Super | ||
Best Value GPU to Buy | XFX AMD Radeon RX 590 Fatboy | ||
Best Reasonable GPU to Buy | GIGABYTE Gaming Radeon RX 580 |
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
Best pick View on amazonBrand: Asus | GPU Clock: 1665 MHz (OC) | Memory Type: GDDR6 | Memory Speed: 14000 MHz | Memory Width: 352-bits | Memory Size: 11 GB | Max Resolution: 7680x4320 | Power Consumption: 300+ Watt | Dimensions: 12 x 5.13 x 2.13 inches
What recent buyers report?
With a recommended 650 watts PSU and 2x8pin connectors, you can experience gaming at 200+fps on 4K resolution. It’s AURA compatible so that you can synchronize other RGBs installed in the chassis with your graphic card LEDs. The user can utilize “GPU Tweak II” software to overclock this graphic card to the limits, as this card can take that much load.
Why it stands out to us?
We picked ASUS as the graphic card manufacturer for the “RTX 2080 Ti” GPU because it has a very sturdy PCB with a reinforced plate. The sag on this card after installation is minimal. 11GB memory size can significantly improve the depth of field in games. The hardware power limit and core limit are almost the same for this card, and it overclocks with little to no hassle. The mentioned card is the best potential performance you can get out of this Nvidia chip.
Who will use it most?
We can use one word for ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2080 Ti users, i.e., overclocker, because this card is for those people who can’t handle lowering their graphics to play the game with smooth movements. It is for people who cannot afford to have a single frame drop in their competitive gaming session or love mesmerizing the landscapes of open-world games like Kingdom Come: Deliverance and Just Cause 4.0.
Bottom Line
Asus has been around for a long time, and their technology is mature enough to trust. This graphics card is enthusiast-level, and any investment made in this tier should be on tried and tested equipment. Asus lives up to its name in manufacturing this card. It has essential sensors to keep your card health in check. The heat sinks have five vapor chamber heat pipes, and the heat sink contact offers a smoother surface for better heat conduction. It gives stable 60 fps on ray tracing. This card might be the only feasible option for ray tracing technology, which is still in its initial stages.
The Pros
✓ Good Heat Sink
✓ Dual BIOS & RGB
✓ Great graphics results
The Cons
✗ High Power Consumption
MSI GAMING X TRIO GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER
View on amazonBrand: MSI | GPU Clock: 1845 MHz (OC) | Memory Type: GDDR6 | Memory Speed: 15.5 Gbps | Memory Width: 256-bits | Memory Size: 8 GB | Max Resolution: 7680x4320 | Power Consumption: 250 Watt | Dimensions: 12.9 x 5.51 x 2.22 inches
What recent buyers report?
Comparing it to the RTX 2080 Ti GPU, this card is feasible and pocket-friendly. The power consumption for the performance is also justifiable. This card is the best implementation of the 2080 technology. It doesn’t breach 68oC under load even when overclocked to the limits. On a 240Hz monitor, you can start the G-sync and experience smooth as silk gaming.
Why it stands out to us?
The thermal design of this GFX card is groundbreaking as it features the TORX fan 3.0. These fans specifically direct the air to the heat sink silently. The double ball bearing provides stability and long-lasting performance. The MSI RGB Mystic light makes it look gorgeous inside your chassis. The price is justifiable, as this card has an extra stable design.
Who will use it most?
MSI GAMING X TRIO GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER It can play Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Metro Exodus, and Call of Duty Modern Warfare on Ultra settings, ray tracing ON, and HDR enabled. It Gives out min 55 fps on 1440p with the stated configuration. This card is for a hard-core gamer that can’t handle bottlenecks in games. Casual gamers who want to get mesmerized by the graphics and stroll through the in-game landscapes can spend a few bucks to get this powerhouse.
Bottom Line
It offers slightly lower CUDA cores, lower memory width, and memory size but keeps in view the average user’s requirement. This card provides the performance that matches all AAA game title requirements. It can also run games at 4K resolution. If you are a fan of ray tracing, then buying the Ti version should be your choice. This card with ray tracing turned ON drops significant fps.
The Pros
✓ Silent Fans
✓ 2 x 8 Pin Connector
✓ Stable performance during overclocking
The Cons
✗ Bigger in Size
EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 Super
Staff Pick View on amazonBrand: EVGA | GPU Clock: 1770 MHz (OC) | Memory Type: GDDR6 | Memory Speed: 14000 MHz | Memory Width: 256-bits | Memory Size: 8 GB | Max Resolution: 7680x4320 | Power Consumption: 215 Watt | Dimensions: 10.62 x 4.38 x 1.54 inches
What recent buyers report?
It features the Nvidia Turing technology to improve support for the all-new RTX platform. It enhances the ray tracing performance six times than the previous generation. This card plays games like Gears of Wars 5, Forza 7, Fallout 4, Fortnite, Red Dead Redemption 2, and GTA V without any issues at 1080p 60fps or above with the highest settings.
Why it stands out to us?
EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 Super has done an excellent job in improving the heatsink design. Its great value for money makes it the right choice for budget gamers. Overclocking is easy and works like a charm. The card design is compatible with a water-cooling kit. It draws low power to deliver the performance in premium games. The built-in 7.1 surround sound support is a bonus.
Who will use it most?
This graphic card is suitable for mid-range to high-end gaming PCs. Competitive or enthusiastic gamers have other viable options in the market for top-tier rigs. If someone has RGB installed in their chassis, they might not be worried about the RGB’s absence on this graphics card.
Bottom Line
This card is the cheapest SKU by EVGA. You can water cool to improve heat removal and coil whining issues. The GFX card is an excellent performer. It should be the choice of every casual gamer as it does the job. People who don’t own a glass side chassis can also buy this card as it is manufactured for minimalists. It runs most AAA title games 100+fps at 1080p resolution with decent settings.
The Pros
✓ Compact Design
✓ Good value for money
✓ Water Cooling Compatible
The Cons
✗ No RGB
MSI GAMING X TRIO GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER
View on amazonBrand: MSI | GPU Clock: 1800 MHz (OC) | Memory Type: GDDR6 | Memory Speed: 14 Gbps | Memory Width: 256-bits | Memory Size: 8 GB | Max Resolution: 7680x4320 | Power Consumption: 215 Watt | Dimensions: 12.9 x 5.51 x 2.22 inches
What recent buyers report?
This MSI GAMING X TRIO GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER card is the perfect combination of power and looks. This card can run most game titles at 60 fps at 4K resolution with low settings. However, it can perform well on Doom Eternal on Ultra Nightmare graphics at 1440p on 180+ fps. It works excellent with Oculus Rift. The overclocking is also good and reaches around 72 degrees after long gaming sessions.
Why it stands out to us?
The MSI Afterburner software that comes with this card gives you the option to overclock the card to limits and gives you wireless control through android, in-game video recording, and supports multiple GPUs. The thermal design air-fin heat exchanger fits with an excellent fan design for low noise. The support plate and backplate provide sturdiness to the whole assembly.
Who will use it most?
This graphic card is for VR gamers. This graphic card provides enough pixels with smooth in-game graphics for 3d simulated environments. High-end PC gamers can also enjoy the overclocking feature to push the limits in hardware demanding games. This card requires a lot of space, so small chassis owners won’t fit this bulky graphics card in remote form factor PCs.
Bottom Line
MSI GAMING X TRIO GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER has a robust design. You can count on MSI for a long-lasting, well-built product. The GPU does fall below 2080 Ti in terms of price per performance but still beats many graphic cards. Games like Witcher 3, DCS, and Skyrim walk in a park for this graphic card. It can provide stable frame rates for a 100+ Hz monitor.
The Pros
✓ Good thermal design
✓ Quality build material
✓ Support bracket and backplate included
The Cons
✗ No water-cooling provisions
GIGABYTE GAMING Radeon RX 5700 XT
Budget Pick View on amazonBrand: GIGABYTE | GPU Clock: 1905 MHz (OC) | Memory Type: GDDR6 | Memory Speed: 14000 MHz | Memory Width: 256-bits | Memory Size: 8 GB | Max Resolution: 7680x4320 | Power Consumption: 186 Watt | Dimensions: 11.01 x 4.5 x 1.95 inches
What recent buyers report?
The cooling on this specific model by GIGABYTE has three fans to cool the 7nm chips. The hardware is well built, while the software is a bit glitchy. Long hours of gaming keep the GPU temperatures at around 67oC. It does not have liquid cooling but still manages to give stable temperatures.
Why it stands out to us?
144 Hz monitors will display smooth outputs without any tearing and stuttering, as this card features AMD’s FreeSync Technology. It should be the choice for every gamer as this card is an excellent performer and does its job quite well. The temperatures remain low and within the operable range under heavy gaming loads. The graphics card draws out a maximum of 250 watts.
Who will use it most?
Games like Dark Soul 3 can run at 60FPS @1080p resolution on this graphic card. It does not support ray tracing. However, ray tracing is still in the development phase, and most games do not support ray tracing in their programming, so AMD has always been the right choice for budget gaming. It maintains 120 FPS on the stock clock at 2K resolution on Call of Duty Modern Warfare with maximum possible settings.
Bottom Line
GIGABYTE GAMING Radeon RX 5700 XT graphic card is for gamers who can compromise on the ray tracing technology and save a few bucks. Users can save money to upgrade other critical hardware components. This card is best in terms of thermal design, benchmarking scores, price, and built quality. Some bugs have been reported regarding instability during gaming sessions, but those are mostly software-related, and future drivers by AMD could rectify those problems.
The Pros
✓ Power Indication
✓ Low Power Consumption
✓ Metal backplate protection
The Cons
✗ Dual BIOS not available
MSI GeForce RTX 2060 Super
View on amazonBrand: MSI | GPU Clock: 1695 MHz (OC) | Memory Type: GDDR6 | Memory Speed: 14000 MHz | Memory Width: 256-bits | Memory Size: 8 GB | Max Resolution: 7680x4320 | Power Consumption: 175 Watt | Dimensions: 9.76 x 5.0 x 2.0 Inches
What recent buyers report?
It is a solidly built card that is a bit fat, but not long due to the twin fan setup. It does cover some slots adjacent to the PCIe slot you place your card in. The GFX card is visually stunning, with the RGB logo on the top. It has a premium look due to the backplate and runs as quiet as the ten series of Nvidia GPUs.
Why it stands out to us?
MSI GeForce RTX 2060 Super card has the least power consumption for the performance it pushes on to the screen. The cooling is quiet, and the TORX Fan 2.0 provides good airflow. It has a solid backplate and looks rigid in looks. It is compact compared to other similar performing graphic cards. The RGB stands out on this card and makes it look attractive.
Who will use it most?
This card is for 1440p gaming users. 4K gaming on this card is still not possible at medium or high settings. Content creators prefer big screens and high resolutions. The size of the screen helps make them critically view their content before premiering. The 7680x4320 canvas is large enough to fulfill such a requirement. It runs cool, approximately 70oC. This card can save you some money on buying a power supply.
Bottom Line
This card is the more budget option in the latest Nvidia’s Turing technology, currently the most advanced GPU architecture in the market. It offers six times the faster performance than the previous generation 10 series lineup of GPUs. It is VR-ready, G-Sync, and Overclocking capable GPU with an excellent cooling system. It offers RGB light effects for aesthetics.
The Pros
✓ RGB Backlight
✓ Lowest Power Consumption
✓ Runs AAA titles (60+ fps @1080p)
The Cons
✗ No 240+ fps
XFX AMD Radeon RX 590 Fatboy
View on amazonBrand: XFX | GPU Clock: 1565 MHz (OC) | Memory Type: GDDR5 | Memory Speed: 8000 MHz | Memory Width: 256-bits | Memory Size: 8 GB | Max Resolution: 4096 x 2160 | Power Consumption: 225 Watt | Dimensions: 10.63 x 4.88 x 2.09 Inches
What recent buyers report?
This graphics card has good performance and offers an impressive FPS on games. It has a dual BIOS switch and includes streaming settings to share your gaming experience with the world. Noise, however, for the gaming mode is very high, which is reduced when put under silent mode. XFX AMD Radeon RX 590 Fatboy is a massive and long graphic card compared to other manufacturers offering similar GPUs.
Why it stands out to us?
It can run VR modules. It runs anything played in 1080p resolution at reasonable graphics settings. It is the best choice for casual gamers and people who are looking to play AAA titles smoothly under a budget. It has the AMD FreeSync 2 technology to give you stutter and tearing free gameplay. The heat sink has a 50% greater surface than the previous RX series graphic cards.
Who will use it most?
This card Is not for the 4K gamers. If you like a subtle design and do not want RGB all over the place inside your chassis, then this is the graphic card for you. It requires a 6pin and an 8pin connector to power the needed 225watt. It offers a long-lasting performance, which is ensured by the 3-year warranty provided by XFX.
Bottom Line
It is the best performing mid-range GPU by AMD. It does have some heating issues and reaches 80oC on a 1080p resolution with ultra-settings on AAA titles. However, it does outshine its rival GeForce GTX 1060 and gives the economic edge over it for the gamers. If you own a monitor capable of running at 144Hz, this card can sync with FPS and give buttery-smooth gameplay.
The Pros
✓ Nicely support real-time ray tracing
✓ Switch for quiet and performance mode
✓ Modern titles run smooth (60+ FPS @ 1080p Ultra Settings)
The Cons
✗ No 4K gaming
GIGABYTE Gaming Radeon RX 580
View on amazonBrand: GIGABYTE | GPU Clock: 1355 MHz (OC) | Memory Type: GDDR5 | Memory Speed: 8000 MHz | Memory Width: 256-bits | Memory Size: 8 GB | Max Resolution: 7680x4320 | Power Consumption: 225 Watt | Dimensions: 9.13 x 4.56 x 1.57 Inches
What recent buyers report?
This GPU processor has a slightly higher frequency than the other option for the same Radeon RX 580 processor. GIGABYTE Gaming Radeon RX 580 card is mostly used for Crypto mining due to a low price. This GFX card can play most games at 60 fps 1080p. The red-themed AMD build is stunning. It runs VR flawlessly and maintains around 60oC temperature. It has high vibration compared to other counterparts.
Why it stands out to us?
It is the cheapest available RX580 8GB version offered by any graphic card manufacturer. The card has a compact size and can easily fit into close cases. It comes with a GDDR5, which can be overclocked from its base frequency of 8000MHz. The graphic card looks neat and clean aesthetically with no logos. It can run almost all the AAA games at High graphics setting 60fps+ @1080p resolution.
Who will use it most?
If you want a budget gaming experience with the minimum capital cost, this card is the right choice. It may not be the best choice for gamers who like to have more RGB and flashy logos in their chassis. It syncs with a FreeSync compatible monitor to give you a smooth, tear, and stutter-free experience. If you don’t use headphones, this card is not recommended as it makes a lot of noise when running.
Bottom Line
This is an excellent card for the price and relatively stable than the RX590 processor. Like the other AMD-based processors, it runs hotter than Nvidia and requires adequate air space to ensure proper flow inside the heat sink. If you pair this graphics card with a good processor and a motherboard, you will be able to experience 144fps above gaming on high settings on most games. It does consume slightly higher power than the RX590, but it’s more stable in performance.
The Pros
✓ Minimalist RGB
✓ Highly compatible with new Ryzen CPUs
✓ Suitable for crypto mining and content creation
The Cons
✗ Glitchy RGB Software
Summary For Best GPU to Buy
Award | Modal | Design | Retailer |
---|---|---|---|
Best Premium GPU to Buy | ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2080 Ti | ||
Best Flagship GPU to Buy | MSI GAMING X TRIO GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER | ||
Best Overall GPU to Buy | EVGA GeForce RTX 2070 Super | View on amazon | |
Best Mid-Range GPU to Buy | MSI GAMING X TRIO GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER | ||
Best Enthusiast GPU to Buy | GIGABYTE GAMING Radeon RX 5700 XT | ||
Best Performance GPU to Buy | MSI GeForce RTX 2060 Super | ||
Best Value GPU to Buy | XFX AMD Radeon RX 590 Fatboy | ||
Best Reasonable GPU to Buy | GIGABYTE Gaming Radeon RX 580 |
Conclusion
Graphic cards are the soul of every gaming PC. You cannot expect to play games with just integrated graphics. A dedicated GPU will always be the choice of hardcore gamers. You might find that different manufacturers use GPUs in a different manner, which results in varying performance. It would help if you based your choice on vibration, noise, aesthetics, and power consumption. As far as our verdict is concerned, we recommend the best GPU to buy; if you want a future proof graphics card, go for the RTX 2080 Super GPU as it is reasonable for the price and will go a long way. For a budget solution, AMD Radeon RX580 is a good option, but it does come with its drawbacks. Be careful when choosing your graphics card, as it might be the only thing separating you from being a pro gamer or a casual gamer. It would help if you started building your PC by selecting a GFX card first and then the processor. Later decide the motherboard and RAM as GFX card and CPU will affect your gaming performance the most.
Frequently Asked Questions
What GPU should I buy for 2021?
2020 is almost reaching the end. New graphic cards are expected to hit the market soon. So the best choice from our list of top GPUs will be the MSI GAMING X TRIO GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER as it has the most stable drivers, runs all the AAA titles at 100+fps on High settings, and has a price tag that you can spend before switching to the next-gen graphic cards that will hit the market soon.
What is the best GPU on the market?
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 2080 Ti is the best graphic card in the market. It has the highest performance and offers one of the top price/performance ratios. For a long time, ASUS has stable software to support the GPU for a long time. The overclocking head is also sufficient to push the gaming limits to the max. It can run games at 4K resolutions at 100+ FPS. It is indeed the enthusiast graphic card with the best bang for the buck.
Should I buy a GPU now or wait?
Buying a GPU now or waiting for the new generation of video cards to hit the market is a question you need to ask yourself. Are you willing to afford the gaming downtime caused by not buying a fast GPU-based graphics card, or you want to stay in the gaming league? We recommend you buy a GIGABYTE Gaming Radeon RX 580, which is not expensive and plays all the popular games in the market and wait for the new GPU to hit the market and replace this as its price will not depreciate much during 4-5 months.
What is the best affordable GPU?
GIGABYTE GAMING Radeon RX 5700 XT is the most affordable GPU with low power consumption, low noise, and stable operation. It has good value for money and will remain relevant to upcoming game titles. It has good built quality so it would last you a long way. It works with the latest VR games at max possible performance. The GPU has a low thermal load, so any chassis would be good enough to work flawlessly. It is easy to set up and has a power indicator on board. It is indeed the best available yet affordable graphics card on our list.