The best graphics cards for gaming in 2023
The
best graphics cards for gaming in 2023
The best graphics
cards for gaming will be the ones to go for if playing games is at, or
near, the top of your PC-use priority list. Helpfully, consumer graphics cards,
or GPUs, are the ones that are naturally built with gaming in mind so the
initial bit of good news is that there is a whole host of choices out there.
After all, some of the best graphics cards overall are
definitely some of the best for gaming.
However,
the flip side of the sheer number of cards available means that navigating it
and choosing the best graphics cards for gaming for you can be a bit of
a tough ask. But fear not, as that's where we come in. From premium powerhouses
to budget-friendly workhorses, we're well-versed in what makes a good graphics
card for gaming. And we're also experienced enough to know the key differences
between the best graphics cards for video editing and those
hard-focused toward gaming too. You'll need to look at our dedicated guide for
that function if you're looking for professional cards.
01.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
SPECIFICATIONS
CUDA cores: 16,384
Base clock: 2,230 MHz
Boost clock: 2,520 MHz
Memory: 24GB GDDR6X
REASONS
TO BUY
+ Incredible performance
+4K capable - impressively so
+DLSS Frame Generation is great
+Excellent clock speeds
REASONS
TO AVOID
-The priciest card of them all
-Physically enormous
Perhaps somewhat unsurprisingly, but when it comes to gaming and
having confidence that your card can do it all, then the RTX 4090 is indeed the
best graphics card for gaming to get right now.
Its 24GB of video memory and 16,384 CUDA cores means it can handle
anything, at any resolution, and crunch through even the most demanding games
to give you high-quality detail, and smooth-as-butter frames. If you want the
crispest of game images at 4K, this is for you; if you want to game at 1440p or
even 1080p but with eye-bleedingly fast frames, then this is for you too.
Now, of course, the price for this performance is high. In fact,
it's so high that the cost of this component will likely be the same as many
people's whole PCs. However, for that price, you get totally uncompromised
performance, exquisite 4K, high frame rate gaming, and all the benefits of a
modern, new Nvidia card (DLSS 3, Fram Generation, et al).
Such is the power of the 4090, by default it is not only the
best GPU for gaming, but the best 4K gaming GPU, and the best Nvidia card right
now too. If you can afford it, it really is magnificent.
02.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070
SPECIFICATIONS
CUDA cores: 5,888
Base clock: 1,920 MHz
Boost clock: 2,480 Mhz
Memory: 12GB GDDR6X
REASONS
TO BUY
+RTX 3080-level performance
+Great value
+Runs cool and quiet
+Probably the best at 1440p
REASONS
TO AVOID
-Frame Generation not widely supported
It's often the case that you have to look at the middle of the
pack to find the best graphics card for gaming for genuine value for money -
and the RTX 4070 is the card that balances price and performance in 2023.
And even in the wake of newer cards filling gaps around it -
like the 4070 Ti, and more recent 4060 cards, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 is
already earmarked as one of the top cards of the whole lineup of Nvidia's
current generation.
That's mainly due to the 4070's genuine power that sees it offer
something even better than the previous-gen RTX 3080 - but for less money. This
card will absolutely belt out games at 1080p and 1440p and even have a fair
crack at 4K gaming too - certainly offering a 4K gaming experience to that of
the 3080. But not only will it give you around the same performance level as
the RTX 3080, but it'll also get you all the benefits of a new Nvidia card too.
So, along with its 12GB of GDDR6X VRAM and 5,888 CUDA cores within, it will
also bag you DLSS 3, Frame Generation, and advance ray tracing capability too.
A brilliant mid-range package - and probably the best graphics card for gaming
at 1440p too.
03.
Intel Arc A750
SPECIFICATIONS
Shading units/cores: 3,584
Base clock: 2,050 MHz
Boost clock: 2,400 MHz
Memory: 8GB GDDR6
REASONS
TO BUY
+Incredibly affordable
+Good ray tracing performance
+Cool and quiet
REASONS
TO AVOID
-AMD RX 6600 can be slightly better value
-Power thirsty
If you're familiar with graphics cards at all, then this may
come as a bit of a surprise - and I'd allow you to raise an eyebrow. However,
if you're looking for a truly cheap graphics card for gaming in 2023 - and one
that won't just get you the bare minimum at 1080p - then the Arc A750 is a
splendid candidate.
It'll be a great servant for you at 1080p and also does a fine
job of 1440p gaming with the latest and greatest and does so, crucially, at an
incredibly attractive price point. The price point generally is attractive
within the context of graphics cards - you can get the Arc A750 for around $250
/ £230 now, which is exceptional. But it's also stupendous value for money. For
that low price, you're getting a card with a solid 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM and 3,584
shading cores and that
will give you pretty decent ray-trading performance too. It really is a
cracking cheap card.
It's not without caveats of course, as it does demand a bunch of
power, and an important one that our friends at PC Gamer recognized was
that you'll need Resize BAR software installed to get the best out of it - this
is crucial. Also, for a bit of context, if you are looking at the cheaper
options alongside this card, but want something from the traditional two, then
Nvidia's RTX 3050 is a good call, and AMDs 6500 XT or 7600 (if you can up the
budget a fraction) are great options.
04. AMD
Radeon RX 6700 XT
Check and buy from Amazon
SPECIFICATIONS
Stream processors: 2,048
Base clock: 2,321 MHz
Boost clock: 2,581 MHz
Memory : 12GB GDDR6
REASONS
TO BUY
+Brilliant value at 1440p (and 1080p)
+Good cooling
+Great clock speeds
REASONS
TO AVOID
-Not a 4K performer
-Stiff competition from cheaper 30-series cards
There are a few cards now that do a pretty good job of offering
great bang for buck value, but if we had to pick one for getting literally the
'most graphics card' for your money - and using the 1440p sweet spot as, well,
the sweet spot - then the RX 6700 XT takes the biscuit.
It offers an excellent generation-on-generation performance
bounce, and has the chops to back it up: with 12GB of GDDR6 RAM under the hood
as well as the strong supporting act of 2,048 stream processors, you're getting
something that not only will have you caning games at 1080p but also crunching
through all the latest demanding titles at 1440p too. And what's more, you're
getting something from the latest line of AMD that bags you all the benefits of
RDNA 2 architecture such as FSR 2.0 which boosts the card's performance even
further.
Given the card now sells regularly for around the $330 / £350
mark, the RX 6700 XT is incredibly good value for money for anyone looking for
a sub-$500 graphics card for gaming.
04. AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
SPECIFICATIONS
Stream Processors: 6,144
Base clock: 2,300 MHz
Boost clock: 2,500 MHz
Memory: 24GB GDDR6
REASONS
TO BUY
+Excellent performance - and at 4K
+Very efficient
+Great ray tracing
+Multichiplet design
REASONS
TO AVOID
-Can get quite hot
-Very power-hungry
-A sizeable investment
If you're loyal to Team Red or are just looking to get a card
from the top of the pile while saving as many pennies as possible then the best
AMD graphics card for gaming, the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX, is the one for you.
It fights directly against Nvidia's RTX 4080 and while it isn't
quite as consistent as that card from Team Green, it offers similar-level
performance, all the benefits of a high-end, latest-gen AMD card, and does it
all for comfortably less money. Yes, it's still got a high price tag, but we're
swimming in high-end card territory here; it's no more expensive than its
predecessor, is cheaper than its main rivals, and at its price point it really
does offer a decent, premium performance-to-value ratio.
Stand-out features include its multi-chiplet design offering a
big performance boost from the last gen, a massive 24GB of GDDR6 memory, 6,144
stream processors, and excellent performance in ray-tracing on the RDNA 3
architecture - all of which combine to offer a serious, premium package from
AMD that continues Team Red's proposition of offering high value for money
cards to gamers.
05.
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
SPECIFICATIONS
CUDA cores: 4,864
Base clock: 1,410 MHz
Boost clock: 1,670 MHz
Memory: 8GB GDDR6
REASONS
TO BUY
+Incredible performance at 1080p
+Great value for money
+Can also have a crack at 1440p and even 4K
REASONS
TO AVOID
-Potentially about to be usurped by the 4060 Ti
-Old-gen card
Yes, there are many competent 1080p performers from the very
latest generation of graphics cards for gaming, but if you're looking for
something to absolutely own the 1080p resolution, do so with some bells and
whistles, and maximise
your investment in the process, then you'd (still) be hard-pushed to beat the
RTX 3060 Ti.
Rightly hailed as arguably the best pound-for-pound graphics
card to come out of the last generation of GPUs, the 3060 Ti is still going
strong in 2023. And if you're genuinely keeping your games at Full HD
resolutions, and primarily want to crank the frame rates up, the 3060 Ti and
its beefy specs have you covered. Inside this card is 8GB of GDDR6 memory, and
chunky 4,864 CUDA cores - specs that might seem a little lean compared to the
very latest GPUS, but specs that are tight, mean, and punchy, nonetheless.
For full disclosure though, if you are interested in the 3060 Ti
right now (mid-2023) then it might just be worth keeping tabs on the 4060 and
4060 Ti cards too - should these get price cuts or plummet in sales, then it'd
be harder to still stick to the 3060 Ti. Until then, however, the 3060 Ti is
still a superb choice for 1080p gaming.
Best graphics cards for gaming 2023: FAQs
Which graphics card is
best for gaming?
Simply
put, if you're looking for the absolutely best graphics card for gaming then
the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 is the card to go for. Its power and performance
beat out any competitor. However, on our best graphics card for gaming list,
we've endeavored to try and hit several different beats and niches in your
search; if the best GPU for gaming for you is something cheap, something from
AMD, or something for a specific resolution then you can find it here.
How do I choose the best
graphics card for gaming for me?
Selecting
and committing to the best graphics card for gaming isn't as simple as going
for the most power - given the prices of modern cards, that approach isn't
sustainable. As a result, with all big tech purchases, it's important to
consider other factors: price and your upper limit, exclusive features,
creative capability, size, and what resolution you game at are all brilliant
and useful factors for narrowing down your search - concentrate on your needs
and desires rather than just the most powerful.
Comments
Post a Comment