Whether you’ve been taking part in PC video games for years otherwise you’re constructing your first gaming PC, selecting the correct graphics card might be one of the consequential decisions. It doesn’t assist that now there’s three corporations making graphics playing cards, which suggests there are extra choices on the market than ever earlier than.
But there are a number of causes to select an Nvidia graphics card over one made by AMD or Intel. For one, whether or not you adore it or hate it, Nvidia has loads of software program and options which are unique to its graphics playing cards, whereas issues like FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) from AMD will work it doesn’t matter what GPU is in your system. Features like DLSS, or Deep Learning Super Sampling, make an Nvidia graphics card a lovely selection – no less than till the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT comes out with FSR 4, AMD’s AI upscaler.
Nvidia additionally has essentially the most highly effective graphics playing cards in the marketplace proper now, particularly on the high-end. There merely will not be one other graphics card that may match the RTX 5090 in pure efficiency. But even relating to extra reasonably priced graphics playing cards just like the RTX 4060 Ti, the AI upscaling supplied by DLSS can actually assist stretch the efficiency, and may even push into greater resolutions than you’d in any other case be capable to.
It’s nonetheless essential to determine what decision you need to play video games at, as a result of that’s going to vary what kind of graphics card you need to go for. If you need to play all the most recent PC video games at 4K with all of the settings maxed, you’re going to want a way more highly effective card than somebody that simply desires to play World of Warcraft at 1080p.
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Graphics Cards Basics
While graphics playing cards are extraordinarily sophisticated units, looking for one doesn’t must be that a lot of a trouble. As lengthy as you retain a watch out for some easy specs, it’s best to have a fairly good thought of what you’re stepping into.
The most evident factor to search for is whether or not or not your graphics card is definitely half of the present technology. You don’t need to miss out on efficiency or options, particularly for those who’re spending a whole bunch of {dollars} on simply one half of your pc. With Nvidia graphics playing cards, that is truly extraordinarily straightforward, simply have a look at the 2 numbers following the ‘RTX’ or ‘GTX’ within the graphics card’s title. Nvidia simply launched its latest technology of graphics playing cards, that are labeled with ’50.’ If it’s ‘40,’ that’s the earlier technology from 2022; ‘30’ and ‘20’ are the 2 generations earlier than that.
Don’t get me flawed, getting a 30-series or 20-series card will nonetheless present a superb gaming expertise, with the RTX 3080 nonetheless in a position to energy most video games at 4K with out breaking a sweat.
But what in regards to the second two numbers? Well, check out the RTX 5090, the top-end graphics card in the marketplace. Then, check out the RTX 4050, which is simply a laptop computer GPU, however is manner weaker. The scale sometimes goes from 50-90, with the upper quantity which means a extra highly effective graphics card. Nvidia does typically add additional letters or phrases on the finish of its graphics playing cards, with ‘Ti’ and ‘Super’ being frequent variants. This sometimes means a barely extra highly effective card. For occasion, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti goes to be barely extra highly effective than the RTX 5070. The fundamental rule of thumb is that, after the quantity, any additional letters or phrases sometimes point out a quicker graphics card.
When it involves specs, graphics playing cards have a number of numbers and lingo to swallow, which might undoubtedly be overwhelming. But for those who simply need to slot a GPU in your rig and neglect about it, you don’t want to concentrate to each little element.
The quantity of VRAM you want goes to largely rely upon what decision you need to play your video games at. If you need to play video games at 4K, you’re going to need as a lot video reminiscence as you possibly can afford. There are video games that can eat up upwards of 20GB of VRAM at that decision for those who allow them to, so the sky actually is the restrict. For decrease resolutions like 1080p, nonetheless, you will get by with 8GB of RAM, although I might advocate going with a 12GB or 16GB card if it’s in your finances. An 8GB card will get you thru most video games, however there’s a rising variety of AAA PC video games that want extra reminiscence.
There are another specs you possibly can have a look at for those who actually need to, like clock velocity, CUDA core rely and Streaming Multiprocessors – what Nvidia calls its compute models – however these largely simply get higher as you get a extra high-end graphics card both manner. Compute Units are primarily the identical as CPU cores on a processor, and every one comprises 128 CUDA cores. So, the RTX 5080 with its 84 Compute Units, comprises a complete of 10,752 CUDA cores. Just needless to say immediately evaluating two graphics playing cards of various generations by the core counts alone received’t let you know how a lot of a efficiency soar it’ll be.
Once you’ve picked the graphics card you need, it’s worthwhile to be sure you have an influence provide that may deal with it. You can normally examine the field your graphics card is available in to get an thought of how a lot energy the cardboard requires, and if not, Nvidia has it listed out on its web site. My recommendation could be to examine the required energy in your graphics playing cards after which get an influence provide that may present only a bit extra wattage. For occasion, in case your graphics card recommends a 450W energy provide, I’d get a 550 or a 650W unit simply to be on the protected aspect.
1. If You Just Want the Best: RTX 5090
CUDA Cores/Stream Processors
21,760
Memory Bandwidth
1.79 TB/s
Power Connectors
1 x 16-pin
Outputs
1 x HDMI 2.1b, 3 x Display Port 1.4b
Size
12 x 5.4 x 1.9 inches (L x W x H) (Dual-Slot)
The strongest shopper GPU on the market, interval.
Multi-Frame Generation is cool if in case you have a 4K 240Hz monitor
Not way more highly effective than the last-gen RTX 4090
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 is essentially the most highly effective graphics card in the marketplace proper now, there isn’t any manner round that. But I nonetheless would not advocate most individuals purchase it. This is a $1,999 graphics card to start out and it isn’t precisely tremendous out there on retailer cabinets proper now. We’ve even began seeing scalpers promoting this factor for $9000 on eBay, only a day after launch. If you do have the funds to get your arms on it, although, you possibly can count on the very best 4K gaming expertise cash can purchase, even when it is not light-years forward of the RTX 4090.
When I reviewed the Nvidia RTX 5090, I discovered that it is round 20-25% quicker than the RTX 4090 at 4K, with the efficiency lead clearly waning at decrease resolutions. That’s a comparatively small gen-on-gen efficiency uplift, however on the finish of the day, quicker is quicker. The RTX 5090 largely will get its bigger efficiency from a fully huge GPU, with 21,760 CUDA cores, which might increase as much as 2.41GHz. That’s a large soar from the RTX 4090, and it is doable primarily by way of a a lot bigger energy finances. This graphics card requires 575W of energy to run, which is essentially the most energy a shopper graphics card has ever required – together with again within the days of dual-GPU graphics playing cards just like the AMD Radeon R9 295X2.
As such, you are going to want a severe energy provide to maintain this GPU fed with energy. Nvidia recommends no less than a 1,000W unit to pair with the RTX 5090, however I’d advocate going a little bit past that, with one thing like a 1,200W PSU, simply to verify it stays environment friendly once you’re actually pushing it to its limits. Because this graphics card will hit that energy restrict, particularly when DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Generation is enabled, and that is largely the rationale to get this graphics card.
Essentially, DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Generation, or MFG, makes use of the AI Tensor Cores to generate as much as 3 AI frames off of every rendered body. This can vastly enhance your framerate, however can introduce severe latency for those who’re not already getting a strong body fee. This is a function it’s best to solely actually allow for those who’re already getting 60-70 fps, however it’ll be uncommon to discover a PC sport that the 5090 goes to have any hassle hitting that body fee on.
2. Best for 4K (for Most People): RTX 5080
Power Connectors
1 x 16-pin
Outputs
1 x HDMI 2.1b, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4b
Smallest gen-on-gen enchancment in years
Every GPU technology is a big gamble of whether or not or not it’ll be an enormous enchancment on what got here earlier than, or simply fall flat. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 sort of leans in direction of the latter choice, however that is to not say it is a dangerous graphics card. While I would not advocate anybody who has an RTX 4000 graphics card to improve to the 5080, it is a good improve for anybody that is been ready a few generations for a brand new graphics card.
In my overview, the RTX 5080 solely ended up being round 11% quicker and eight% quicker than the RTX 4080 and RTX 4080 Super, respectively, at 4K. That’s one of many weakest generational uplifts for a graphics card in years, and it stays slower than the last-generation flagship, the RTX 4090. But provided that the RTX 4090 remains to be far more costly than the RTX 5080, that is nonetheless the very best Nvidia graphics card you are going to get round a thousand bucks – assuming you will discover one.
The predominant purpose the RTX 5080 is not a lot quicker than its last-gen counterpart is as a result of Nvidia did not shrink the manufacturing course of, remaining on an identical 4nm node, whereas additionally not drastically growing the quantity of CUDA cores on supply. Luckily, that helps keep away from the huge energy necessities seen on the RTX 5090, with the 5080 ‘solely’ requiring 360W of energy to run. That means you need not fork over the money for an costly high-wattage energy provide, which suggests extra cash for the video games you need to play.
And whereas this graphics card is perhaps a little bit disappointing for anybody who retains a laser concentrate on graphics playing cards each technology, taking part in video games on this factor is superior. Throughout my complete take a look at suite, the one sport that did not get 60 fps at 4K was Metro Exodus: Enhanced Edition, and that was as a result of I used to be operating it with out DLSS with Ray Tracing cranked up. Turn on DLSS, and that quantity goes to hit the triple digits, similar to just about any AAA sport in the marketplace proper now. Add in DLSS 4 Multi-Frame Generation, and you should not have any downside totally saturating a high-refresh 4K monitor. Just be sure you can hit 60-70 fps earlier than you flip it on.
3. Best for 1440p: RTX 4070 Super
Memory Bandwidth
504.2GB/s
Power Connectors
1 x 16-pin
Outputs
1 x HDMI 2.1, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a
Should have had 16GB of VRAM
If you ask me, 1440p is the gold customary PC gaming decision. Not solely are the screens less expensive than their 4K brethren, however they’re a lot simpler to energy with reasonably priced graphics playing cards. You can completely strap an RTX 4080 Super right into a gaming PC to play video games at 1440p, too, however you’re higher off dialing within the efficiency and saving extra money for video games. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Super is the proper Nvidia graphics card for 1440p, it doesn’t matter what video games you’re taking part in.
In my overview, I discovered that the RTX 4070 Super is well in a position to play essentially the most demanding video games like Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p, delivering 91 fps on the Ray Tracing Ultra preset. And in video games like Forza Horizon 5, that quantity goes as much as 158 fps, proving the RTX 4070 Super is able to excessive body fee gaming at 1440p. And at $599, it’s way more reasonably priced than the RTX 4070 Ti or RTX 4070 Ti Super, which can set you again $749 and $799, respectively.
The solely draw back is that Nvidia didn’t improve the VRAM when refreshing the RTX 4070. You’re nonetheless getting 12GB of GDDR6X reminiscence, which must be loads for many video games, however you would possibly discover it getting stretched in additional demanding video games like Black Myth Wukong. This is very unlucky given you will get the RTX 4060 Ti with 16GB of VRAM at a cheaper price – even when the RTX 4070 Super will outperform the 4060 Ti in each sport regardless.
4. Best for 1080p: RTX 4060 Ti
Video Memory
8GB GDDR6 – 16GB GDDR6
Power Connectors
1 x 16-pin
Outputs
1 x HDMI 2.1, 3 x DisplayPort 1.4a
Can stretch into 1440p in most video games
16GB mannequin is a waste of time
According to the newest Steam Hardware Survey, 1080p remains to be far and away the most well-liked show decision for PC players. While that quantity has been happening over time, it is sensible why so many individuals nonetheless play at 1080p. It’s merely extra reasonably priced to play at this decision, as you don’t want a particularly highly effective graphics card to play even essentially the most spectacular AAA video games. Plus, due to the low energy calls for for this decision, it stays extraordinarily well-liked amongst esports gamers, who can get insane body charges which are simply not doable at 4K.
And that’s what makes the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Ti such a fantastic 1080p graphics card. The RTX 4060 Ti is reasonably priced at $399, and is well in a position to play any sport at 1080p at a excessive body fee – and I don’t imply simply 60 fps. You see, in my overview, I discovered the RTX 4060 Ti to exceed 100 fps in a lot of the video games I examined. In reality, the one sport that it didn’t high 100 fps in was Cyberpunk 2077, with 76 fps, however that quantity went all the best way as much as 122 fps as soon as I enabled Frame Generation.
In a lot of the video games the place an excellent excessive body fee will truly matter, the RTX 4060 Ti can simply attain upwards of 200 fps. Games like Overwatch 2, Valorant and Counter-Strike 2 will love the additional frames this GPU can spit out.
One factor you’ve to concentrate on, although, is there are technically two completely different variations of the RTX 4060 Ti: An 8GB mannequin for $399 and a 16GB model that prices $499. For most individuals who simply need to play video games at 1080p, the 8GB model goes to be tremendous. And whereas, yeah, 16GB is best, it’s actually not price including an additional $100 to the worth tag for the 2 video games that want greater than 8GB at 1080p.
5. Best on a Budget: GeForce GTX 1660 Super
Power Connectors
1 x 8-pin
Outputs
1 x DVI, 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4a
Still good for 1080p gaming with out ray tracing
Can discover it for reasonable on the used market
You might need to get it used
If $399 remains to be too costly, you possibly can nonetheless choose up the Nvidia GTX 1660 Super even when it is an historic graphics card by in the present day’s requirements. The GTX 1660 Super is constructed on the Nvidia Turing structure that powered the RTX 2080 again in 2018. However, whereas it’s greater than a little bit outdated at this level, it might probably nonetheless ship strong 1080p gaming, particularly in much less demanding video games like League of Legends.
If you’re going to compromise and get this older graphics card, needless to say you’re lacking out on a lot of Nvidia’s finest options. This GPU doesn’t have RT cores, so it doesn’t help ray tracing, and it doesn’t have Tensor cores, which suggests no DLSS.
When I reviewed the GTX 1660 Super for TechRadar, I used to be amazed by simply how properly it carried out at 1080p for the worth. That was 5 years in the past at this level, however Nvidia nonetheless hasn’t launched a direct successor to this finances graphics card. That’s a disgrace, as a result of Nvidia’s graphics structure has grown loads since then, and one other finances card is lengthy overdue. Luckily, Nvidia nonetheless hasn’t discontinued the GTX 1660 Super within the years because it launched and you will discover it for as little as $180. Five years later and the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super remains to be the very best Nvidia graphics card underneath $200, nonetheless shameful that’s.
What Is DLSS?
Deep Learning Super Sampling, or DLSS is an AI upscaling methodology that makes use of Nvidia’s Tensor Cores to enhance picture high quality. The Tensor Core will take visible information from the body being rendered, together with movement vector information, in an effort to precisely upscale the picture to the next decision. This course of leads to a picture that appears fairly near the native decision, however with a a lot greater body fee.
In its early days, DLSS wanted to coach the AI mannequin on every sport it might help, with builders needing to add information to Nvidia. However, DLSS has gone by way of a number of iterations, and now it doesn’t must be skilled on particular person video games. Instead, if a developer desires to incorporate DLSS of their sport, they’ll simply inject Nvidia’s API into the sport. This means extra video games can help the know-how, with out having to attend for Nvidia’s coaching on every sport.
With DLSS 3.0, Nvidia added Frame Generation to the equation. This know-how takes the visible information from two frames, together with movement vector information from the sport engine and movement data from its personal {hardware}, and creates a wholly new body that’s sandwiched between the 2 authentic frames. This would introduce a number of latency, however Nvidia requires its Reflex know-how to be enabled earlier than Frame Generation can occur. Reflex primarily syncs the graphics card and the processor, eliminating the necessity for the CPU to queue up frames for the GPU to render later.
Together, Frame Generation and Reflex enormously enhance your body fee, however there’s a catch. Because a lot of it depends on movement information, you already have to have a good body fee for Frame Generation to work easily. So, this know-how is finest used for people that may already get 60 fps or extra, and simply need to push to the next body fee.
What Is Ray Tracing?
Ray tracing is only a approach to render mild realistically. It does this by taking a light-weight supply, then simulating every ray of sunshine because it bounces across the scene. It’s a easy idea to make sure, however it finally ends up requiring a ton of compute energy to tug off. Any mild being solid probably has hundreds of rays of sunshine, every of which can bounce round a whole bunch of instances, multiply that by needing a brand new body 60 instances a second, and you’ll think about how a lot energy it’s worthwhile to pull it off.
That’s why ray tracing in video video games wants specialised {hardware} to tug this lighting methodology off with out grinding your framerate to a standstill. Luckily, Nvidia has been working this {hardware} into its graphics playing cards for the reason that RTX 2080 in 2018.
Fast ahead to in the present day, and even with that devoted ray tracing {hardware} being constructed into each mainstream graphics card – not simply from Nvidia – we nonetheless have to restrict ray tracing in an effort to maximize efficiency. There are only some video games that help full ray tracing, or ‘path tracing,’ with most different video games limiting the ray tracing components to a sure a part of the scene, like shadows or reflections, and likewise limiting the quantity of bounces calculated for every ray of sunshine.
It’s an costly approach to generate lighting, however it appears unbelievable, particularly in video games that depend on lighting for environment. In Metro Exodus, for example, the correct lighting usually results in darker environments, amplifying the extreme environment the sport already has.
Jackie Thomas is the Hardware and Buying Guides Editor at IGN and the PC elements queen. You can observe her @Jackiecobra