The top-notch graphics cards are the core element of any gaming PC, taking precedence over everything else. A potent GPU is crucial for optimal performance, as even the swiftest CPU won’t achieve much without it. While a single graphics card won’t suit every individual, we will present choices for all budgets and preferences below. Whether your preference is for the fastest graphics card, the best value, or the finest card within a specific price range, we have you covered.
In our GPU benchmarks hierarchy, we rank all cards based purely on performance. Conversely, our compilation of the finest graphics cards takes a holistic view. Current GPU pricing, performance, features, efficiency, and availability are all vital factors, albeit with some subjectivity in weighing them. Considering all these aspects, these are the most exceptional graphics cards currently accessible. Our list now encompasses AMD’s RX 7800 XT, a model that effectively supersedes the previous generation RX 6800 XT in terms of both price and performance, along with a few additional features. All GPUs of the present generation are now available for purchase at or below their respective MSRPs, although pricing trends have seen an increase in many cases.
Both AMD and Nvidia have concluded their latest generation GPU lineups unless plans for an RTX 4050 at the lower end of the spectrum are still in motion. The specifications of such a chip remain uncertain at this juncture. It could potentially entail 8GB of memory on a 128-bit interface (once again), or Nvidia might consider introducing a 96-bit 6GB card to the market. Ideally, it would be the former rather than the latter.
On the other hand, Intel’s Arc Alchemist GPUs are still positioned more as hardware from the preceding generation. This is due to their manufacturing on TSMC N6 and direct competition with the RTX 3060 and RX 6700 10GB instead of newer components. Nevertheless, the Arc A750, priced at $199, remains a highly competitive choice, provided you can overlook occasional driver issues and increased power consumption.”
| Graphics Card | 1080p FPS | 1440p FPS | 4K FPS | Power |
GeForce RTX 4090 | 179.7 | 133.2 | 84.8 | 311W |
GeForce RTX 4080 | 159.3 | 108.3 | 62.7 | 245W |
Radeon RX 7900 XTX | 144.4 | 96.6 | 56.3 | 338W |
Radeon RX 7900 XT | 134.1 | 86.2 | 47.8 | 301W |
GeForce RTX 4070 | 125.5 | 73.7 | 39.5 | 184W |
Radeon RX 7800 XT | 115.3 | 69.7 | 37.7 | 245W |
GeForce RTX 4060 Ti | 100.4 | 55.5 | 27.4 | 142W |
Radeon RX 6700 XT | 80.4 | 44.3 | 22.8 | 210W |
GeForce RTX 4060 | 82.6 | 44.3 | 22.0 | 127W |
Radeon RX 7600 | 68.6 | 34.3 | — | 153W |
Intel Arc A750 | 66.6 | 36.8 | — | 193W |
Intel Arc A380 | 25.0 | — | — | 71W |
The list mentioned primarily comprises the most recent generation of cards, aside from a single card from the preceding generation (RX 6750 XT), unless we categorize Arc as part of the earlier generation.” These older components rank lower in terms of performance, yet they still present significant value, especially if you prioritize value over peak performance or efficiency.
The performance ranking (above) encompasses a series of 15 games from our recently updated test suite, evaluating both rasterization and ray tracing performance. Previously, we had a separate column for DXR (DirectX Raytracing), but with the increasing number of RT-enabled games, we have aggregated the scores. It’s important to note that we haven’t included upscaling results in the table, as it could potentially tilt the results in favor of Nvidia GPUs depending on the game selection. However, the DXR games do account for this to some extent.
The table above is organized based on performance, placing the RTX 4090 at the pinnacle and the RTX 4070 slightly ahead of the 7800 XT. Our subjective rankings below consider factors such as price, power consumption, and features, colored by our own assessments. While others may have a slightly different perspective, every card listed here deserves careful consideration.
Top 3 Graphics Cards for Gaming 2023
1. GeForce RTX 4090
For certain individuals, the optimal graphics card is the fastest one, regardless of cost. Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 4090 is precisely designed for users falling into this category. It marks the introduction of Nvidia’s Ada Lovelace architecture and stands as Nvidia’s most powerful card, likely retaining this status until 2025, when the subsequent generation GPUs are anticipated.
The RTX 4090 exhibits a considerable performance gap compared to the nearest Nvidia GPU. Across our array of gaming benchmarks, it showcases an overall 35% speed boost over the RTX 4080. Furthermore, it outpaces AMD’s highest-performing RX 7900 XTX by a substantial 51%, albeit at an approximate 60% higher cost.
To maximize the potential of the RTX 4090, a high refresh rate 4K monitor is essential. At 1440p, its edge over the 4080 diminishes to 23%, and this reduces further to only 13% at 1080p — inclusive of demanding DXR games. The lead over the RX 7900 XTX also narrows to merely 24% at 1080p. Achieving the optimum performance with the 4090 necessitates not only a high-resolution, high refresh rate monitor but also the fastest CPU available.
The benefits extend beyond gaming performance. In professional content creation tasks using applications like Blender, Octane, and V-Ray, the RTX 4090 outpaces the RTX 4080 by up to 45%. Specifically in Blender, it performs over three times faster than the RX 7900 XTX. The disparity is even more striking in artificial intelligence tasks. During Stable Diffusion testing, the RTX 4090 surpasses the 7900 XTX by about four times for 512×512 images and nearly seven times for 768×768 images.
2. Radeon RX 7900 XTX
The dominant era of the Red Team King has come to an end, making way for the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX as the premier offering, residing near the pinnacle of the performance charts, albeit with an increase in price for this generation. Officially tagged at $999, the more affordable variants now commence at approximately $950, and the supply has finally met the demand. The driving force behind this demand is the integration of AMD’s latest RDNA 3 architecture within the 7900 XTX.
This incorporation empowers the 7900 XTX with significantly enhanced computational potential, accompanied by a 33% augmentation in memory and bandwidth. In comparison to the RX 6950 XT, the new GPU showcases an average of 40% higher performance at 4K, albeit this advantage diminishes to 30% at 1440p and 24% at 1080p. Remarkably, this performance boost is achieved without a substantial increase in power consumption or the physical size of the graphics card.
For those prioritizing ray tracing less, AMD continues to offer a compelling solution. The notable reduction in performance for often marginal improvements in image fidelity associated with ray tracing makes this choice more understandable. However, it’s worth noting that the number of games with ray tracing support is growing, and most of these also integrate Nvidia’s DLSS technology, an area where AMD has yet to offer a complete response, even though FSR2 occasionally comes close. If the objective is to have the best DXR/RT experience at present, Nvidia unquestionably holds the advantage.
Additionally, AMD’s GPUs are versatile for professional and content creation tasks, although the performance varies. While certain applications within the SPECviewperf suite demonstrate great performance on AMD hardware, others fall short. However, if the focus is on AI or deep learning research, Nvidia’s cards undeniably stand as the superior choice. In this generation, the RX 7900 XTX stands as AMD’s fastest option, packing a formidable punch. If considering a step down to the 7900 XT, it’s a viable choice, especially given the potential pricing advantages.
3. Radeon RX 7600
The Radeon RX 7600 and its Navi 33 GPU have replaced the previous generation Navi 23 parts, mostly as a sideways move with a few extra features. Performance ends up just slightly faster than the RX 6650 XT while using about 20W less power, for about $20 extra. The extras include superior AI performance (if that matters), AV1 encoding and decoding hardware, and DisplayPort 2.1 UHBR13.5 outputs.
Prices have dropped about $20 since the RX 7600 first appeared, though the previous generation RX 6600-class GPUs have generally kept pace. Specs are similar as well, with the same 8GB GDDR6 and a 128-bit memory interface. Both the 6650 XT and RX 7600 also use 18 Gbps memory, so bandwidth likewise remains the same.
Across our test suite of 15 games, the RX 7600 outperformed the RX 6650 XT by 4% overall at 1080p, and just 1% at 1440p ultra. There really is almost no discernable difference, though there are a few outliers — Metro Exodus Enhanced performance was quite a bit better on the 7600, while Forza Horizon 5 performance was worse. (Newer drivers may have changed those results, however.)
Price-wise, there’s not really a direct Nvidia competitor. The RTX 4060 costs $40–$50 more, while the RTX 3050 now costs about $20 less but is on the way out. AMD gets an easy win over the anemic 3050, delivering 40% more performance, but we never really liked that card. The RTX 4060 meanwhile offers roughly 25% more performance for 16% more money.
Buy the RX 7600 if you’re mostly looking for acceptable performance and efficiency at the lowest price possible, and you don’t want to deal with Intel’s drivers and don’t care about ray tracing. Otherwise, give the Arc A750 and RTX 4060 a thought. The RX 6600 also warrants a look, depending on how low you want to go on pricing — that card often sells for less than $200 now, though performance ends up being quite a bit lower than the RX 7600 (22% slower across our test suite).