Best Graphics Cards In 2018 – Comprehensive GPU Buyer’s Guide and Reviews

Our main focus on this website is 144Hz monitors, although we cover all monitors out there that are interesting to us as well. However, in order to take full advantage of a 144Hz refresh rate, you will need a GPU capable of delivering 144 FPS (Frames Per Second) or above. If you are playing a very demanding game, it may be difficult to reach the desired 144FPS and you may want to upgrade your graphics card or lower the settings to take advantage of your monitor.

If you’re buying a graphics card for gaming in 2018, you’ve probably faced the ugly truth that the prices are skyrocketing and will continue to do so into Q3 2018 due to the cryptocurrency mining craze. So, even if now is not the perfect time for buying a new GPU, it will get worse before it gets better and if you happen to come across an okay deal, you may regret missing it for a long time. That’s why we’ve put this buyer’s guide together.

Here, you will find all the new and most popular graphics card from both NVIDIA and AMD as well as everything you need to know about them including which is the best GPUs for 1080p, 1440p, and 4K gaming and what frame rate and picture settings you can expect. We’ve laid down everything you need to know before making an informed decision on getting the right PC graphics card for your gaming needs.

The 14 Best Graphics Cards For 2018

Type	Graphics Card	VRAM	Base Core Clock	Memory Clock	Min. Power Supply
Entry-level Graphics Card	NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030	2 GB GDDR5	1227 MHz	6008 MHz	300W	Check on Amazon
Entry-level Graphics Card	AMD Radeon RX 550	2 GB GDDR5	1100 MHz	7000 MHz	400W	Check on Amazon
Best Budget Graphics Cards For 1080p Gaming	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050	2GB GDDR5	1379 MHz	7008 MHz	300W	Check on Amazon
	AMD Radeon RX 560	4 GB GDDR5	1270 MHz	7000 MHz	450W	Check on Amazon
	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti	4 GB GDDR5	1290 MHz	7008 MHz	300W	Check on Amazon
Best Mid-Range Video Cards For Gaming	AMD Radeon RX 570	4 GB GDDR5	1168 MHz	7000 MHz	450W	Check on Amazon
	AMD Radeon RX 580	8 GB GDDR5	1366 MHz	8000 MHz	450W	Check on Amazon
	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060-6GB	6 GB GDDR5	1564 MHz	8008 MHz	400W	Check on Amazon
Best Graphics Cards For The Money	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070	8 GB GDDR5	1594 MHz	8008 MHz	500W	Check on Amazon
	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti	8 GB GDDR5	1607 MHz	8008 MHz	550W	Check on Amazon
	AMD Radeon RX VEGA 56	8 GB GDDR5	1156 MHz	1.6 Gbps	750W	Check on Amazon
Best PC Graphics Card For Gaming	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080	8 GB GDDR5	1695 MHz	10010 MHz	500W	Check on Amazon
Best PC Graphics Card For Gaming	AMD Radeon RX VEGA 64	8 GB GDDR5	1247 MHz	1.89 Gbps	750W	Check on Amazon
Best 4K Gaming Graphics Card	NVIDIA GeForce 1080 Ti	11 GB GDDR5X	1544 MHz	11004 MHz	600W	Check on Amazon

A detailed sheet of graphics card specifications and tons of reviews are great without a doubt, but it will surely cost you a lot of time and stress to look through a bunch of computer graphics cards. We have done the paperwork and collected a list of the best Nvidia and AMD graphics cards, split into several different categories. You simply look at the categories and choose the one that fits your situation best, and then select a GPU accordingly.

In categories where GPUs support AMD FreeSync or NVIDIA G-SYNC, we try to include one GPU from each manufacturer that are very much alike and support the respective technology. So if you already have a FreeSync monitor, you choose the AMD card and the NVIDIA card if you have a G-SYNC monitor. Choosing one technology over the other pretty much locks you to that GPU vendor until you purchase a new monitor and it’s not like you are going to replace your monitor every year. On average, a monitor is replaced every 4-5 years.

Entry-level Graphics Cards

If you play older or low-demanding but popular games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and CS: GO, you can easily play those with one of the following cards at 1920×1080 resolution and a steady frame rate. Granted you won’t be able to max all settings, but you will be able to maintain smooth ~60FPS at medium or even high settings, depending on the game. These are the best gaming graphics card under 100 USD. If you can invest a bit extra, we suggest you have a look at the best budget graphics card category as these will allow you to play the latest games at decent settings and frame rates as well.

NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030

About the GPU

The best NVIDIA graphic card under 100 USD right now is the NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030. This is the cheapest NVIDIA graphics card that’s based on the Pascal architecture and it’s very good for its price, which is around $70. That’s a very generous amount of money for a 2GB GPU and 1506 MHz core speed in the OC mode which you can effortlessly overclock in the provided software. It comes with the low profile bracket and is only 150mm in length, so you can fit it in mini PCs as well. The recommended minimum power supply wattage is 300W.

Performance & Specifications

The GT 1030 delivers exceptional performance for its price tag. While it may struggle in newer games, you will still be able to play them sub-30 FPS at high settings or up to 60 FPS with low/medium settings at 1080p. We’ve picked the Gigabyte version as it offers the best performance for the money including the 1468 MHz core clock which you can easily overclock up to 1506 MHz in the AORUS graphics engine software. This low profile graphics card fits even in the smallest PC cases but therefore has only two ports.

NVIDIA GeForce GT 1030 Specifications
Boost Clock	1468 MHz
Core Clock	1227 MHz
CUDA Cores	384
Memory Clock	6008 MHz
Ports	DVI-D, HDMI 2.0b
Recommended PSU	300W
VRAM	2GB GDDR5

What We Loved

Inexpensive
Great performance

What We Didn’t Like

Only two ports

View on Amazon

AMD Radeon RX 550

About the GPU

If you want an AMD discrete GPU, then our top suggestion is the AMD Radeon RX 550. In comparison to the GT 1030 card, the RX 550-2GB features a lesser base core clock of 1100 MHz, but a faster memory at 7000 MHz. It also requires a stronger PSU, recommended 400W. Although it’s a bit more expensive, it’s worth the difference – especially if you have or plan to get a FreeSync gaming monitor.

Performance & Specifications

The AMD FreeSync technology will further help with the gameplay performance by eliminating screen stutter and tearing. Unlike, G-Sync monitors, FreeSync doesn’t increase the price of the display and is hence ideal for gamers on a budget. The RX 550 is also available as a 4GB model, but in that price range, we recommend the RX 560-4GB instead. In case you’re in the need of a power supply as well, then you might find our pick for the best PC power supply in this specific category.

AMD Radeon RX 550 Specifications
Boost Clock	1136 MHz
Core Clock	1100 MHz
Memory Clock	7000 MHz
Ports	DVI-D, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort
Recommended PSU	400W
Stream Processors	512
VRAM	2GB GDDR5

What We Loved

FreeSync-compatible
Great value for money

What We Didn’t Like

None

View on Amazon

Best Budget Graphics Cards For 1080p Gaming

A GPU is most likely the most expensive hardware in a powerful gaming rig, but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to get a decent amount of power so that you can play your favorite games with high settings and smooth frame rate at the 1080p resolution. We have both an AMD gaming graphics card and an NVIDIA graphics card in this category.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050

About the GPU

At the moment, the NVIDIA GTX 1050 is the only available graphics card for gaming with a price tag of around 150 USD. It will give you a noticeable improvement in performance in comparison to the RX 550 and the GT 1030. However, it has only 2GB of VRAM which will make the GPU underperform in modern games. In classic and less demanding games such as the CS: GO, you’ll be able to maintain over 100 FPS at max settings.

Performance & Specifications

The Gigabyte NVIDIA GTX 1050 graphics card features a 1379 MHz core clock and 1493 MHz boost clock which can be increased to 1404 MHz/1518 MHz in OC mode. With 640 CUDA cores and 7008 MHz memory clock, it’s an obvious improvement in comparison to the GT 1030 and RX 550 cards. The Gigabyte GTX 1050 also features dual fan design for an effective cooling and supports the G-SYNC technology.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Specifications
Boost Clock	1493 MHz
Core Clock	1379 MHz
CUDA Cores	640
Memory Clock	7008 MHz
Ports	DVI-D, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort
Recommended PSU	300W
VRAM	2GB GDDR5

What We Loved

Great performance for the money
G-SYNC

What We Didn’t Like

Only 2GB of VRAM

View on Amazon

AMD Radeon RX 560-4GB

About the GPU

Our AMD recommendation for the best budget GPU is the AMD Radeon RX 560 with 4 GB GDDR5, 1196 MHz base clock, 7000 MHz memory clock speed, 128-bit memory bus, support for 4K UHD resolution, and finally support for AMD FreeSync, Vulkan, DirectX 12, and AMD CrossFire.

Currently, it’s available for over 200 USD which is almost double its original price due to the cryptocurrency mining craze. Keep in mind that the next tier of GPUs is within 400 USD price range, so if you just want the best price/performance ratio for gaming at 1080p, you should either get the RX 560 or the 1050 Ti which we’ll get into later.

Performance & Specifications

The RX 560 is an excellent video card for 1080p gaming as it will provide you with a smooth performance and great image quality even in the latest titles. In games such as WoW, Doom, Witcher 3, GTA V, etc you can easily maintain up to 60 FPS with high settings; even better if you have a budget FreeSync gaming monitor. Pay attention when buying the RX 560 and comparing prices as there are two versions of the card – one with 896 stream processors (RX 560 14CU) and one with 1024 (RX 560 16CU).

AMD Radeon RX 560 Specifications
Boost Clock	1196 MHz
Core Clock	1270 MHz
Memory Clock	7000 MHz
Ports	DVI-D, HDMI, DisplayPort
Recommended PSU	400W
Stream Processors	1024
VRAM	4GB GDDR5

What We Loved

Perfect for a budget FreeSync monitor and 1080p gaming

What We Didn’t Like

None

View on Amazon

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti

About the GPU

The GTX 1050 Ti needs a recommended minimum power supply of only 300W, and it has a good 4 GB GDDR5 memory and support for DX12 (DirectX 12 OSD). Besides offering G-SYNC, you can even achieve 144FPS on many popular and competitive games at 1080p though with tuned down settings and a proper CPU. At the moment, it’s priced at around $200 which is an okay price considering the mining craze. You can see how it compares to the RX 560 in the embedded player below.

Performance & Specifications

In comparison to the RX 560, the GTX 1050 Ti offers 5-10% better performance depending on the game. In the end, it’s all up to your preferences – which gaming monitor you have and which best deal you can get on either of them. Either way, you’ll be able to enjoy the latest AAA titles at 1080p, not necessarily at high settings (depending on the game), but certainly at a satisfactory level of graphics details and FPS rate.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti Specifications
Boost Clock	1392 MHz
Core Clock	1290 MHz
CUDA Cores	768
Memory Clock	7000 MHz
Ports	DVI-D, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort
Recommended PSU	300W
VRAM	4GB DDR5

What We Loved

Great price/performance card for 1080p at 60Hz

What We Didn’t Like

There are cheaper alternatives (RX 560)

View on Amazon

Best Mid-Range Video Cards For Gaming

If 1080p at 60Hz isn’t the gaming experience you are after, you’re going to need a more expensive card. The following GPUs will provide you with 144Hz at 1080p and 60Hz at 1440p depending on the rest of your gear, the game you’re playing, and the picture settings you use. Continue reading to find out which card is the perfect one for your gaming demands.

AMD Radeon RX 570-4GB

About the GPU

The AMD Radeon RX 570 is one of the most cost-effective graphics cards for high-quality gaming at 1080p with smooth and steady 60 FPS and maxed picture settings. The ASUS ROG Strix RX 570 model comes with a plethora of cool features including the Aura Lightning LED lighting, the 0db fans which turn on only when needed while the innovative 40% heat sink surface design ensures superior heat dissipation.

Performance & Specifications

In comparison to the RX 560, the RX 570 will give you twice as many frames per second at twice the price. Since the AMD Radeon 5xx series support CrossFire, you may want to consider getting two RX 560 if your favorite games work well with AMD CrossFire. While the RX 560 price is also affected by miners, it’s not as sought after as the RX 570 which means you may still be able to snatch a great deal of it, or two. Nonetheless, the RX 570 is a solid card and perfect for 1080p gaming at 60+ FPS and high/ultra picture settings.

AMD Radeon RX 570-4GB Specifications
Boost Clock	1310 MHz
Core Clock	1168 MHz
Memory Clock	7000 MHz
Ports	2x DVI, HDMI, 1x DisplayPort
Recommended PSU	500W
Stream Processors	2048
VRAM	4GB GDDR5

What We Loved

Perfect for 1080p gaming at 60+ FPS and high/ultra settings

What We Didn’t Like

Not as efficient at higher resolutions

View on Amazon

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060-6GB

About the GPU

The NVIDIA GTX 1060-6GB has been considered the best mid-range gaming graphics card for a long time. It is just an incredible card with good performance for a fair price. There is a reason that it is one of the best-selling graphics cards on Amazon. It supports DirectX 12, is VR ready and has a good 6GB GDDR5 memory. We recommend that you have at least a 400W PSU to supply power to this beast. The OC version of the card boasts stunning 1809 MHz boost clock in the OC mode which makes this one of the best graphics cards for overclocking. See below how the card behaves at 1080p and 1440p as well as how it compares to the 3 GB version.

Performance & Specifications

In comparison to the RX 580, the GeForce GTX 1060-6GB is usually equally priced. It offers a bit less VRAM, but it’s a lot faster. Overall, both are exceptionally good GPUs and you can’t make a wrong choice. Some games better run with Nvidia cards while the others perform better with AMD GPUs, so check out what’s the case with your favorite games. The ASUS GTX 1060 model we’ve picked features plenty of ports including two HDMI which along with its great performance make it a great graphics card for VR.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Specifications
Boost Clock	1785 MHz
Core Clock	1564 MHz
CUDA Cores	1280
Memory Clock	8008 MHz
Ports	DVI-D, 2x HDMI, 2x DisplayPort
Recommended PSU	400W
VRAM	6GB GDDR5

What We Loved

Exceptional speed and overclocking value

What We Didn’t Like

Only 6GB of VRAM as opposed to 8GB of RX 580

View on Amazon

AMD Radeon RX 580-8GB

About the GPU

The AMD Radeon RX 580 is one of the most cost-effective graphics cards for high-quality gaming at 1080p ultrawide with smooth and steady 60+ FPS and maxed picture settings in the latest games as well as 144FPS for competitive titles and 1440p gaming with medium settings.

Performance & Specifications

It performs better in some games and worse in the others when we compare it to the GTX 1060. So, pick between the two according to what games you mostly play and what, if any, adaptive-sync technology your monitor features. The RX 580 offers a solid 1366 MHz clock speed and it’s also the most cost-effective card with 8 GB of VRAM, however, it requires a beefy power supply, recommended minimum 500W.

AMD Radeon RX 580 Specifications
Boost Clock	1386 MHz
Core Clock	1366 MHz
Memory Clock	8100 MHz
Ports	DVI-D, HDMI, 3x DisplayPort
Recommended PSU	500W
Stream Processors	2304
VRAM	8GB DDR5

What We Loved

8GB VRAM

What We Didn’t Like

Power-hungry

View on Amazon

Best Graphics Cards For The Money In 2018

The following graphics cards are even pricier, but you will need one if you wish to max out settings at 1440p or reach 144Hz at the same resolution. You might even be able to dabble in 4K gaming though with reduced settings and lower frame rate, depending on the game and the rest of your PC rig.

These cards are also great for running 1080p and 1440p ultra-wide resolutions with high settings and decent frame rate. With these cards, you can max out settings for slower-paced games and enjoy the scenery at 60 FPS and then when you wish to delve into competitive gaming, lower some settings and enjoy the higher frame rate.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070

About the GPU

The Nvidia GTX 1070 is known as the best 1440p graphics card. It’s an excellent graphics card for SLI option, VR, and maxed out gaming at 2560×1440 and 3440×1440. The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 gives you a choice to run the latest games with maxed settings on either steady 60FPS at 1440p and 144FPS at 1440p with some lowered settings depending on the game, or over 144 FPS at 1080p.

Performance & Specifications

Powered by 8 GB of VRAM and 1822 MHz boost clock in the OC mode, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 is one of the best high range graphics cards available. You can check out our best GTX 1070 article for Nvidia graphics cards comparison with other 1070 models.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Specifications
Boost Clock	1784 MHz
Core Clock	1594 MHz
CUDA Cores	1920
Memory Clock	8008 MHz
Ports	DVI-D, HDMI, 3x DisplayPort
Recommended PSU	500W
VRAM	8GB GDDR5

What We Loved

Best price/performance for 1440p at 60Hz
Solid performance for 1440p at 144Hz

What We Didn’t Like

None

View on Amazon

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti

About the GPU

As a response to the Vega 56 which we’ll get into next, Nvidia released the GTX 1070 Ti card on October 26th with 2432 CUDA cores as opposed to 1920 cores of the GTX 1070.

Performance & Specifications

With proper cooling, you could overclock the GTX 1070 and get it to work as efficiently as the 1070 Ti. If you don’t want to fiddle with cooling and overclocking and just want the extra 5-10 FPS in your games, go with the GTX 1070 Ti – as long as doesn’t cost more than $50 than the GTX 1070. You can also see how the GTX 1070 Ti compares to the GTX 1080 Ti here.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070 Ti Specifications
Boost Clock	1683 MHz
Core Clock	1607 MHz
CUDA Cores	2432
Memory Clock	8008 MHz
Ports	DVI-D, 2x HDMI, 2x DisplayPort
Recommended PSU	500W
VRAM	8GB GDDR5

What We Loved

The slight improvement over the 1070 will prove efficient in future games

What We Didn’t Like

Custom cards not factory-overclocked, you can OC it yourself though
Only slight improvement over the GTX 1070

View on Amazon

AMD Radeon RX Vega 56

About the GPU

The long-awaited AMD Vega cards were supposed to counter Nvidia’s high-end GPUs, however, their performance and price caused mostly negative and disappointing response. If AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 was priced as initially thought (around $400), it would’ve been an amazing GPU for the money even though the GTX 1070 is still a bit faster and requires less power.

Performance & Specifications

The RX Vega 56 card is e a great pair for a high-resolution FreeSync gaming monitor as, on balance, it is a much cheaper deal than the GTX 1070/G-SYNC monitor combo with an almost equally good performance.

For instance, the 144Hz 2560×1080 ultra-wide gaming monitors, the LG 34UC89G-B and the LG 34UC79-B, differ in price by a whopping $400 yet the only difference lies in their variable-sync technology. So, if you’re interested in getting both a gaming monitor and a GPU, the LG 34UC79-B and the Vega 56 would be a much more cost-effective choice and arguably equally good.

AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 Specifications
Boost Clock	1471 MHz
Core Clock	1156 MHz
Memory Clock	1.6 Gbps
Ports	HDMI, 3x DisplayPort
Recommended PSU	750W
Stream Processors	3584
VRAM	8GB HBM2

What We Loved

Great pair with FreeSync monitors

What We Didn’t Like

Power-hungry
GTX 1070 has better performance

View on Amazon

Best High-Range PC Graphics Cards For Gaming

If you want the best performance in video games but you don’t want to buy the most expensive card there is, one of these two cards (depending on what games you play, what monitor you use, and which is cheaper at the moment of buying) is for you. These cards are perfect for gaming at 1440p ultrawide and 100 FPS, 1440p widescreen and 144 FPS with maxed settings as well as 4K and 60Hz though with some settings tuned down.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080

About the GPU

The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 graphics card delivers 8GB of GDDR5X VRAM, 10010 MHz memory clock, and striking 1860 MHz boost clock in the OC mode which makes it viable for gaming at 4K with decent settings and FPS rate as well as for immersive fast-paced VR games. Whether you’re looking to professionally compete or enjoy celestial graphics, the GTX 1080 is a first-class investment. If paired with a G-SYNC gaming monitor, it’s unstoppable.

Performance & Specifications

On Amazon, the Gigabyte WindForce version is a bit slower with 1797Mhz in the OC mode though due to its $100 cheaper price, it’s definitely worth it and it’s the best GTX 1080 deal at the moment. In this article, you can compare our choice for the best GTX 1080 graphics card at the moment with the rest of the models.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Specifications
Boost Clock	1835 MHz
Core Clock	1695 MHz
CUDA Cores	2560
Memory Clock	10010 MHz
Ports	DVI-D, HDMI, 3x DisplayPort
Recommended PSU	500W
VRAM	8GB GDDR5X

What We Loved

Amazing performance

What We Didn’t Like

None

View on Amazon

AMD Radeon RX Vega 64

About the GPU

The AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 features lesser boost (1546MHz) and base (1247MHz) clock speeds but an actually higher memory bandwidth due to the HBM2 memory technology. It’s quite power-hungry though, requiring minimum 750W PSU.

Performance & Specifications

Overall, the Vega 64 performance is better in some games while it falls short in certain other games. Therefore, research on how compatible the card is for now with your favorite games. If you plan on buying a monitor along with the VEGA 64 as well, by getting a cheaper and equally good FreeSync monitor rather than the G-SYNC one, you could save some extra cash.

AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 Specifications
Boost Clock	1546 MHz
Core Clock	1247 MHz
Memory Clock	1.9 Gbps
Ports	HDMI, 3x DisplayPort
Recommended PSU	750W
Stream Processors	4096
VRAM	8GB HBM2

What We Loved

Great pair with FreeSync monitors

What We Didn’t Like

Power-hungry

View on Amazon

Best 4K Gaming Graphics Card

The absolute best graphics card for gaming at 4K and 60 FPS with max settings is the GTX 1080 Ti. This powerful GPU is also perfect for the 1440p ultra-wide 120Hz monitors and with an extra 1080 Ti in SLI, it will most likely be the only viable solution for the upcoming 4K 144Hz and 3440×1440 200Hz gaming monitors until NVIDIA releases their next-gen graphics cards.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti

About the GPU

If you’re looking to achieve the ultimate greatness and reach the pinnacle of PC gaming, the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti can offer you perfection. Featuring the impeccable 352-bit 11 GB of VRAM, 11010 MHz memory clock, 1708 boost clock in the OC mode, and 3584 CUDA cores, the GTX 1080 Ti allows you to max out the settings in the latest and most demanding titles, and enjoy smooth gameplay at 4K resolution and fluid 60 FPS.

Performance & Specifications

Although the NVIDIA GTX Titan Xp offers an overall better performance with the colossal 12 GB VRAM, it’s also much more expensive, usually over 1,500 USD while the GTX 1080 Ti can be available for a more reasonable price of around 700-800 USD.

NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Specifications
Boost Clock	1657 MHz
Core Clock	1544 MHz
CUDA Cores	3584
Memory Clock	11016 MHz
Ports	DVI-D, 2x HDMI, 2x DisplayPort
Recommended PSU	600W
VRAM	11GB GDDR5X

What We Loved

Impeccable performance

What We Didn’t Like

None

View on Amazon

Conclusion

In this guide, we showed you the best gaming graphics card to buy for your needs and budget out there right now. If you have any suggestions, let us know in the comments and we will have a look at it. We hope we helped you choose your next gaming GPU!

While some of these graphics cards will surely stay relevant in the years to come, we will keep the guide up to date and revisit it as soon as the present cryptocurrency mania is over. Once the prices normalize, we will optimize the article to suit the new prices.

Since we’re talking about gaming anyways, be sure to tune in on our guide on the best PC gaming chairs.

Updates

March 2018 Update: Updated the guide with new products and additional tips and guidelines.

October 2017 Update: Updated the guide with new sections and lines so that it now fully represents the best graphics cards out there today.

July 2017 Update: Guide is now fully up-to-date and in tune with the current GPU shortage and price inflation due to the current cryptocurrency craze. It will be again optimized as soon as the craze is over.

November 2016 Update: Replaced NVIDIA GeForce GTX 750 Ti with the completely new DirectX 12 supported (DX12) NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti as the new best budget graphics card for the money. We also revamped the whole guide to include the new AMD and NVIDIA graphics cards. This guide is now fully up-to-date.

October 2016 Update: Major re-vamp of this buyer’s guide in Mid-October. Stay tuned.

NOTE: Next-gen graphics card are right around the corner. We’ll update this guide by July 2016 to account for them, but in the meantime have a look at the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080, AMD Radeon RX460, AMD Radeon RX470 and AMD Radeon RX480. The new NVIDIA Pascal and AMD Polaris architecture flagship graphics cards will be taken into account in the July 2016 update. We just wanted to inform you of these GPU’s if you wish to get these new ones.

December 2015 Update: Minor text update