Stunning visuals in modern games demand powerful PCs, and a top-tier graphics card is key. This review examines the best graphics cards of 2024 and considers their relevance in 2025. From budget-friendly options to high-end powerhouses, we'll explore the top contenders. See our companion article on the most visually impressive games of 2024 to see where your upgraded PC's power can shine!
Table of Contents
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
- AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Super
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
- AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
- Intel Arc B580
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
A classic workhorse, the RTX 3060 remains a popular choice for everyday gamers. Offering 8GB to 12GB of memory and supporting ray tracing, it handles most tasks well, though it's starting to show its age with newer, demanding titles.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
The RTX 3080 continues to impress, outperforming even newer cards in some scenarios. Its power and efficiency make it a compelling choice, especially given its excellent price-to-performance ratio. A slight overclock provides noticeable gains.
AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
This AMD card stands out for its exceptional price-to-performance. It smoothly handles modern games and surpasses the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti in value, offering more memory and a wider bus interface, ideal for 2560x1440 resolutions.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
Unlike its less successful sibling, the RTX 4060, the 4060 Ti delivers solid performance, slightly outpacing its predecessor. The Frame Generation feature further boosts its capabilities.
AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
This AMD card significantly outperforms the more expensive NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, especially at 2560x1440 resolution. Its 16GB of VRAM ensures future-proofing, and it excels in ray-traced games at QHD.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Super
NVIDIA's response to competition, the 4070 Super offers a noticeable performance boost over the 4070. It's a strong contender at 2K resolution, and undervolting can further enhance performance and reduce temperatures.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
A top-tier card suitable for demanding games, including 4K gaming. Its substantial VRAM and enhanced ray tracing make it a future-proof investment, often considered NVIDIA's flagship alongside the 4090.
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
NVIDIA's true flagship, offering unparalleled performance. While not drastically better than the 4080, its longevity and potential value considering future card releases make it a compelling high-end option.
AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
AMD's high-end competitor to NVIDIA's flagship, offering comparable performance at a more attractive price point. It’s a powerful, future-proof option for high-end gaming.
Intel Arc B580
Intel's surprise entry in late 2024 proved highly successful. The B580 outperforms competitors like the RTX 4060 Ti and RX 7600 at a remarkably affordable price, creating significant competition in the market.
The graphics card market offers options for various budgets. Even those on a tighter budget can find strong performers, while high-end cards ensure smooth gameplay and longevity for years to come.