If you want to buy a new graphics card in 2024, you've come to the right place! In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through the best GPUs at every budget to help you find the perfect graphics card.
How Important is a Graphics Card?
The graphics card is by far the most vital part of any gaming PC. It directly determines the frame rates, resolutions, and graphics settings you can achieve. You should devote as much of your PC budget as possible to the best GPU you can afford, then select other components to fit the remaining budget.
Technically, a graphics card contains a GPU (graphics processing unit) chip made by Nvidia, AMD, or Intel. Manufacturers add memory, power circuitry, cooling systems, and custom PCBs to create finished cards. More fans and elaborate cooling typically allow higher performance potential through increased heat dissipation.
Choosing Between Nvidia, AMD, and Intel
Currently Nvidia leads in features and mindshare, but cards cost more. Nvidia GPUs excel at ray tracing and have exclusive features like DLSS, NVENC encoding, and more. However, AMD offers better value and higher VRAM for the money.
Nvidia's RTX ray tracing looks stunning when implemented well, but still carries a heavy performance cost. It's impressive tech but not a must-have yet. DLSS is more universally beneficial, boosting fps and image quality.
AMD can't match Nvidia's features but provides great value. More VRAM improves longevity and higher resolutions. AMD cards are compelling picks for gaming value.
Intel Arc is the newcomer. Arc cards start around $165 and deliver usable 1080p/1440p performance – a great budget option now drivers have improved.
Best Budget GPUs
- Intel Arc A580 – Great 1080p gaming for only $165. Performance punches above its weight.
- AMD Radeon RX 6600 – Slightly faster than Arc A580. More reliable drivers for ~10% more cost.
The Arc A580 and RX 6600 provide awesome 1080p gaming for under $200. Great eSports and AAA gaming for tight budgets. The AMD card has a reliability advantage.
Best Mid-Range GPUs
- AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT – Excellent 1440p and entry 4K gaming. Great value at $400.
- Nvidia RTX 4060 – $100 more but adds DLSS, better ray tracing and Nvidia features.
The RX 6700 XT hits well above its weight class for 1440p and 4K gaming thanks to 12GB VRAM. The RTX 4060 costs more but improves ray tracing and DLSS support.
Best High-End GPUs
- AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT – Our favorite high-end GPU. Great price-to-performance and 16GB VRAM.
- Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti – Better ray tracing but lower VRAM. DLSS is excellent here though.
The RX 7800 XT provides tremendous value at $699 with beastly traditional rendering and lots of VRAM. The RTX 4070 Ti costs more but dominates ray tracing thanks to DLSS.
Best Ultra High-End GPUs
- Nvidia RTX 4080 – Unmatched ray tracing and Nvidia features. Lower VRAM than AMD.
- AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX – Beats 4080 in raw fps for less money but worse ray tracing and lacks features.
Here it comes down to preferences and budget. The 7900 XTX is better value but the RTX 4080 provides a superior overall experience if ray tracing matters to you.
The Best No-Compromise GPU
That title belongs to the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090. It crushes any other GPU in performance and features but comes at an extreme price. This is overkill for nearly all gamers but delivers unmatched 4K gaming if you can afford it.
Closing Recommendations
We hope this guide has made choosing a new graphics card easier. The key is balancing performance and budget. Consider what games and resolutions matter most, not just chasing the highest specs. Let us know if you have any other GPU questions!