THE BEST GRAPHICS CARDS

Updated 11 Jul 2022

Why Trust RevuuBuddy?

We spend thousands of hours researching, evaluating, and testing items to recommend the best options for the customers. We only get paid if you purchase anything through one of our links, and all of our product opinions are our own.

Finding the correct product can be difficult and time-consuming. You might not have time to do it yourself, so let us help you. RevuuBuddy reviews thousands of items in hundreds of categories, including home appliances, toys, camping supplies, and everything in between.

We compare the most popular brands and models, and we boil them down to the top five to give you the most in-depth and dependable buying recommendation - so you can make the best buying decision possible.

BEST OF THE BEST

How We Tested

These products are recommended based on a thorough research process that aims to cut through the clutter and uncover the best products in this category. We spend hours looking into the elements that matter with the assistance of experts to provide you with these options.

Models Considered

180

Consumers Consulted

Hours Researched

Updated 11 Jul 2022

Written by

Revuu Buddy

EVGA GeForce RTX 3080

Bottom Line
Most Detailed
This powerful computer is one of our tech expert's favorites because it can easily play 4k video at 70 frames per second.

Pros
It has 10 gigabytes of VRAM. Thanks to the power shown, it can utilize Ray-Tracing on even the most graphic-intensive games. Thanks to the computing power that most games cannot fully use, it will last for years. There are three fans in this computer case.

Cons
It's not easy to get a new graphics card. You'll probably have to upgrade other components of your PC as well.

Check Price

ASUS GeForce GTX 1050 Ti

Bottom Line
Budget-Friendly
A good choice for gamers on a budget who want to play most PC games on a modest system.

Pros
The 780 should be able to play most games at 1080p with 60 fps. Even in graphics-heavy games, the card's well-designed cooling fan prevents it from overheating. For easy upgrade choices, there are plenty of connection ports available.

Cons
Customers have reported a variety of problems with their service.

Check Price

PNY NVIDIA Quadro P400 Professional Graphics Board

Bottom Line
Being a well-trusted brand
A Graphics board that is reasonably priced and highly configurable has simple installation and superior performance.

Pros
NVIDIA's GTX 1080 is faster than the previous NVIDIA variants. The display has been enhanced. More memory capacity than previous versions. This model's small form factor supports DirectX 11 and 12. More compact design.

Cons
Only two of the three video outputs may be used at once.

Check Price

Gigabyte GT 1030 OC 2G

Bottom Line
Bargain Purchase
This low-cost option is a rock-solid graphics card for mid-range gaming PCs.

Pros
This computer is affordable and runs cool under pressure. It also has a rugged design that is simple to install. Plus, it has excellent video quality for mid-level PC gaming.

Cons
Some games should be played in a lower visual setting for optimum performance.

Check Price

PNY QUADRO P620

Bottom Line
Yet solid and simple
This affordable option is great for people who have a small setup.

Pros
The lower profile of this mounting solution allows it to be placed in almost any personal computer system without requiring additional room. 2 different plates are included. Multiple 4k monitors may be used at the same time. It's really simple to set up.

Cons
The graphics card has just 2 GB of VRAM, which may be slightly restricting.

Check Price

HOW WE TESTED

We suggest these goods based on a thorough research process that seeks to cut through the confusion and locate the finest products in this market. We spend hours looking into the elements that matter as advised by specialists to provide you with these options.

Buying guide for

THE BEST GRAPHIC CARDS

In the realm of PC gaming, there is one hardware specification that matters more than any other: the graphics card.

Your computer's graphics card, often known as a video card, is in charge of everything you see on your screen. It renders everything from streaming videos to games to the desktop. That means if you're a gamer, you'll need a graphics card that can keep up with the visual demands of your games, especially if you play 4K or on a large monitor.

There are a lot of graphics card models available, ranging from adequate to outstanding, so you'll have a lot of alternatives when shopping.

Consider purchasing an external video card if you have a laptop. These are housed in their shells and connected via USB. They're often more expensive than internal versions, but they're helpful for machines that aren't upgradeable because they're portable and compact.

SOME IMPORTANT ISSUES TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION

Before you begin comparing video cards, answer the questions in this part. As a result, you'll be able to eliminate a lot of possibilities and identify the finest card much faster.

What kind of PC case do you have? How much space does it take up?

Video cards are huge, and the more powerful variants are larger than the basic ones, so before purchasing a high-end video card, verify that your computer has adequate space. If things appear tight, get a card that fits the area with a tape measure.

EXPERT TIP

Remember that GPUs produce heat, so ensure your PC has enough space for airflow and an adequate surrounding area to allow exhaust air to dissipate.

Revuubuddy

What sorts of games do you enjoy?

High-end graphics cards are designed to play video games like Overwatch or Counter-Strike, but you don't need as much power if you prefer platformers, puzzles, or retro games. If you play many 3D games, you'll need a better-than-average video card; budgeting at least $150 is recommended.

How many monitors do you have going at once?

Connecting a single video card to a triple monitor setup doesn't have much difficulty. Multiple outputs are typical on all video cards, so adding another display to your gaming setup is typically simple. When gaming with multiple displays, however, it's typical for video cards to operate at a faster frame rate or higher resolution when connected to a single monitor (or another display device). Suppose you're interested in exploring the possibilities of a multiple monitor gaming setup. In that case, this article will guide you through the basics—the whole story: Any video card will suffice if you have multiple monitors and play 2D games. If you want to play graphics-intensive games (or even massively multiplayer games like World of Warcraft) at their highest settings on two screens, you'll need at least one high-end video card or possibly two (more on multi-card setups later).

EXPERT TIP

Velcro strips are an excellent method to control your PC case's cables. Necessary velcro pieces can be bought from several sources, including eBay.

Revuubuddy

FEATURES OF GRAPHICS CARDS

The three most important features of GPU dual-card support and VR support when purchasing a video card are. Video card makers frequently attempt to differentiate themselves by adding distinctive features or unusual cosmetics. Still, it comes down to three factors: GPU, double-card compatibility, and VR capability.

GPU

Every video card has a core graphics processing unit (GPU). The GPU is in charge of all aspects of video handling, from resolution to frame rate and everything in between. AMD and NVIDIA are the two main GPU manufacturers, although both produce their cards through licensing agreements with other firms to produce the final product. ATI (owned by AMD) and NVIDIA produce the vast majority of today's GPUs.There are several ways to judge a video card's performance.

When you're looking for something to buy, you'll most likely come across AMD's Radeon range of GPUs and NVIDIA's GeForce brand, and the most important thing is the GPU from that company. The NVIDIA GeForce 1080 Ti is their most popular graphics card and is available from several manufacturers. Similarly, there are various brands based on the Radeon RX 580.

EXPERT TIP

For optimum performance, connect your computer to a DisplayPort monitor or display. HDMI is the most popular connection, although DVI and DisplayPort are available on some graphics cards. Although many individuals claim that the color from DisplayPort is superior, HDMI is the most general. If you're unsure which one you prefer, try them out and see which is best for you.

Revuubuddy

GRAPHICS CARDS' COSTS

The worldwide market and the availability of microchips impact microchip-dependent goods. So, if there's a problem, you can expect to pay more.

Inexpensive

For casual gaming, graphics cards start at $50 and go up to $150. Cards in this price range provide good support for common HD games (1080p) and multiple displays. You don't need to spend more than this if you're using a single-monitor configuration and haven't jumped to 4K.

Mid-range

If you want to play games in 4K or run several graphics cards simultaneously, your budget will be between $150 and $250. Video cards in this price range are powerful and far enough ahead of future games' requirements that most gamers will be satisfied with.

Expensive

If you want to go all out, expect to spend between $250 and $1,500 for the most powerful graphics card. Video card standards are changing at a rapid pace, so the most expensive versions are typically outdated after only 12 to 18 months.

TIPS

Consider buying a card that allows you to develop your skills. It's vital to make sure the graphics card you purchase is up to snuff for your existing games, but it's also critical to keep future games in mind because newer games will need more resources. If you have the cash, get a graphics card greater than what you require so that you can play new titles as they become available (without having to upgrade).
Stick with manufacturers you're familiar with. It's easy to lose the video card market because no-name manufacturers may use well-known GPUs. For example, you might come across numerous cards based on NVIDIA's 1080 Ti chipset, but not all of them will be produced by reputable companies. Stick with names like Gigabyte, ASUS, Zotac, MSI, Sapphire, XFX, and the like to ensure you get a quality product.
Consider purchasing two graphics cards for an even more immersive gaming experience. Because video cards may be used in pairs, you might install two of them and double your graphics processing power. Running games with two GPUs allows you to play at higher frame rates and resolutions. A dual-card configuration is required to build a gaming PC with multiple 4K displays. Make sure the cards you buy are identical and that there's enough space in your computer case for two cards. Look for "SLI compatible" cards if you purchase GPUs based on an NVIDIA chipset. Look for CrossFire support if you buy AMD-based products.

Plastic zip ties for cable management are a must before purchasing a new graphics card. Tying your cables together (and keeping them out of the case's airflow) ensures that your internal components stay cool and stable.

FAQ

Q. Is it difficult to install a graphics card?

A. nope, as long as you follow a few safety measures. Installing a video card usually entails opening up your PC case, removing the current video card from its slot, and sliding in the new one (often, there's also a single screw that holds it in place). Before you do anything else, though, make sure to unplug your PC. Once the new card is in place, you'll need to connect any relevant power cables (usually there are one or two) and then boot up your computer. After a few initial adjustments, you should be good to go!

Q. Can I use all the outputs on a graphics card at once?

A. Yes. Video cards are designed to transmit video from all of their ports so that you may connect numerous displays. Remember that adding additional monitors asks your graphics card to do more work. Thus it will generate more heat. Connecting many displays is sometimes feasible, but the video card will have to run at reduced settings when linked to several displays.

Q. Some graphics cards have one fan, while others have two. Which is better?

A.It all depends on your computer case and how things are set up. To keep the video card from heating up and malfunctioning, your fans should ideally push air in the direction of your computer's exhaust fans. A graphics card with a single fan may be better for airflow in some cases, while a two-fan card might be more effective in others. You'll have to experiment to see what works best for your particular setup.