One of many hardest elements of any new pc construct or improve is discovering the best video card. In a gaming PC, the GPU is well crucial half, and you’ll restrict your expertise by going with the flawed mannequin. The shopping for course of will be irritating, particularly proper now with reminiscence shortages resulting in larger costs. On this information, we’ll make it easier to navigate the market and discover the best GPU in your wants.
It is all in regards to the video games
The primary query to ask your self is what sort of video games do you need to play. Aggressive shooters like Valorant, Overwatch and Marvel Rivals had been designed to run on older {hardware}. As such, even entry-level GPUs just like the GeForce RTX 5060 can push these video games at 120 frames per second and above at 1080p (extra on why that is vital in a second).
In contrast, if you wish to play trendy, single-player video games with ray tracing and different graphical extras, you may want a extra highly effective GPU. Simply how way more highly effective will depend upon the decision of your monitor.
A 1440p or QHD monitor has 78 p.c extra pixels than a 1080p display screen, and a 4K show has greater than twice as many pixels as a QHD panel. In brief, operating a sport at 4K, particularly at something above 60 frames per second, is demanding, and most GPUs might want to use upscaling methods like NVIDIA’s Deep Studying Tremendous Sampling (DLSS) and AMD’s FidelityFX Tremendous Decision (FSR) to push new video games at excessive refresh charges.
As regards to decision, it would not make sense to spend some huge cash on a 4K monitor solely to pair it with a cheap GPU. That is a recipe for a nasty expertise. As you are searching for a brand new video card, you need to take into consideration the decision and body charge you need to play your video games. Should you’re out there for each a GPU and show, remember to take a look at our information to the very best gaming screens.
In case your price range permits, an excellent guess is to purchase a midrange card that may comfortably render all however probably the most demanding video games at 1440p and at the least 144 frames per second. Put one other means, you need a GPU that may saturate a monitor at its native decision and refresh charge in as many video games as doable. That provides you with the smoothest doable expertise by way of movement readability, and mean you can dabble in each aggressive shooters and the newest single-player video games because the temper strikes you.
Picture by Devindra Hardawar/Engadget
NVIDIA vs AMD and Intel
One of many complicated features of the GPU trade are all of the gamers concerned. What it is advisable to know is that there are three primary gamers: AMD, Intel and NVIDIA. They design the playing cards you should buy, however delegate the manufacturing of them to so-called add-in board (AIB) companions like ASUS, XFX, Gigabyte and others.
As you may think about, this creates some complications. Probably the most annoying of which is that AMD, Intel and NVIDIA will typically set really useful costs for his or her graphic playing cards, just for their companions to promote their variations of these GPUs for greater than the producer’s urged retail value (MSRP). For instance, NVIDIA’s web site lists the RTX 5070 with a beginning value of $549. On Newegg, there aren’t any new 5070s listed at that value. The one fashions wherever near $549 are refurbished and open field specials. In order for you one which comes sealed, that may value you at the least $630.
As for what firm you should purchase your new GPU from, earlier than 2025, NVIDIA was the undisputed king of the market. Particular GeForce playing cards might haven’t supplied the very best rasterization efficiency of their value vary, however between their efficiency in video games with ray tracing and the actual fact NVIDIA was forward on options like DLSS, an RTX GPU was a protected guess.
Nonetheless, with this yr’s RTX 50 sequence launch (and excluding fashions just like the RTX 5080 and 5090 the place there is not any competitors), it is protected to say NVIDIA missed the mark this era. Should you’re out there for an entry- or mid-level GPU, AMD and Intel provide higher worth, with playing cards that include sufficient VRAM for now and into the longer term. That stated, there are nonetheless a number of causes you may contemplate an NVIDIA GPU, beginning with ray tracing.
Ray tracing
For many years, builders have used rasterization methods to approximate how gentle behaves in the true world, and the outcomes have been commendable. But when what to search for, it is simple to see the place the phantasm falls aside. For that purpose, real-time ray tracing has been a purpose of trade for years, and in 2018 it turned a actuality with NVIDIA’s first RTX playing cards.
In some video games, results like ray-traced reflections and international illumination are transformational. Sadly, these options are costly to run, typically coming at a big body charge drop with out upscaling. Since ray tracing was non-obligatory in lots of video games earlier than 2025, you can get monetary savings by shopping for an AMD GPU. For instance, even when the RX 7800 XT was worse at ray tracing than the RTX 4070, the previous was typically cheaper to purchase, had extra onboard VRAM and supplied pretty much as good or higher rasterization efficiency in lots of video games.
Nonetheless, you may’t ignore ray tracing efficiency anymore. We’re beginning to see releases like Doom: The Darkish Ages the place the tech is an integral a part of a sport’s rendering pipeline, and extra are more likely to comply with sooner or later. Fortunately, AMD’s latest playing cards are significantly better in that regard, although you may nonetheless get an edge operating an NVIDIA mannequin. For that purpose, if ray tracing is vital to you, NVIDIA playing cards are nonetheless the way in which to go.
Refresh charges and body charges
Should you’re new to the world of PC gaming, it may be tough to wrap your head round refresh charges. In brief, the upper the refresh charge of a monitor, the extra occasions it may replace the picture it shows on display screen each second, thereby producing a smoother transferring image.
For instance, transferring parts on a monitor with a 240Hz refresh charge will look higher than on one with a 120Hz refresh charge. Nonetheless, that is dependent in your GPU having the ability to constantly render a sport on the applicable body charges. Within the case of a 120Hz monitor, you need a GPU with sufficient headroom to drive most video games at 120 fps. Realistically, most video playing cards will not be capable of obtain that in each sport, however it’s an excellent baseline to goal for when searching for a brand new GPU.
Body era
For the reason that launch of NVIDIA’s RTX 40-series GPU, the corporate has supplied a characteristic referred to as body era. Because the identify suggests, it permits NVIDIA’s newest video playing cards to generate a further body for each body they render usually. With the 50-series, NVIDIA has since begun providing multi-frame era, which supplies these GPUs the flexibility to generate as much as three further frames for each rendered body. AMD has its personal tackle the tech, as does Intel, although NVIDIA’s providing is taken into account superior to each because of the way it handles body pacing.
Body era is sweet to have, however it’s not the silver bullet it might sound. Enabling it’ll enhance system latency, decreasing how responsive your video games really feel. Considerably unintuitively, high-end GPUs additionally profit extra from the tech than their entry-level counterparts since they will naturally render extra frames. For that purpose, it is best to think about body era as a option to get probably the most out of a excessive refresh charge show.
Upscaling and latency
I’ve talked about DLSS a number of occasions already. Alongside FSR and Intel XeSS, DLSS is an instance of what is often known as a picture reconstruction know-how. An increasing number of, native rendering goes out of trend in sport design. With ray tracing and different trendy results enabled, even probably the most highly effective GPUs can wrestle to render a sport at 1440p or 4K and a playable framerate. That’s why many builders will flip to DLSS, FSR or XeSS to eke out further efficiency by upscaling a decrease decision picture to QHD or UHD.
Upscaling in video games is nothing new. For instance, the PS4 Professional used a checkerboard method to output video games in 4K. What’s totally different now’s how trendy GPUs go about it. With DLSS, NVIDIA pioneered an method that makes use of machine studying to recreate a picture at a better decision, and within the course of, addressed a few of the pitfalls of previous upscaling strategies. Should you’re delicate to those types of issues, there’s nonetheless blur and shimmer with DLSS, FSR and XeSS, however it’s a lot much less pronounced and may result in important efficiency good points.
To DLSS, NVIDIA later added single and multi-frame era. DLSS is barely out there on NVIDIA playing cards, and following the latest launch of DLSS 4.5, extensively thought of to supply the very best picture high quality. That is one more reason why you may select an NVIDIA card over certainly one of its opponents.
Nonetheless, in case you resolve to go together with an AMD GPU, do not feel such as you’re lacking out. The corporate lately launched FSR 4. Whereas it isn’t fairly on par with DLSS 4 and 4.5 by way of help and picture high quality, it is a main leap over FSR 3 and FSR 2.
Whereas with reference to DLSS, I will additionally point out NVIDIA Reflex. It is a latency-reducing know-how NVIDIA launched in 2020. AMD has its personal model referred to as Radeon Anti-Lag, however right here once more Group Inexperienced has a slight edge. Should you’re severe about aggressive video games, Reflex can considerably scale back enter lag, which can make it simpler to nail your pictures in Counter-Strike 2, Valorant and different shooters.
Driver help
Beforehand, one of many causes to choose an NVIDIA GPU over the competitors was the corporate’s strong observe file of driver help. With one of many firm’s video playing cards, you had been much less more likely to run into stability points and video games failing to launch. In the beginning of 2025, NVIDIA’s drivers had been abysmal, however the firm has since corrected course.
VRAM
As you are evaluating totally different GPUs, particularly these in the identical tier, pay shut consideration to the quantity of VRAM they provide. Many trendy video games will eat up as a lot VRAM as a GPU can provide, and in case your card has a low quantity, corresponding to 8GB, you are more likely to run right into a efficiency bottleneck.
In case your price range permits for it, at all times go for the mannequin with extra VRAM. Take into account, for example, the distinction between the $379 RTX 5060 Ti 8GB and $429 RTX 5060 Ti 16GB. Spending an additional $50 goes to be lots for some individuals, however it’s the distinction between a card that’s solely satisfactory for a lot of latest releases and one that may final you for a number of years. In lots of circumstances, extra VRAM is best.
A slight caveat to that is when evaluating fashions which have totally different reminiscence bandwidths. A GPU that may entry extra of its reminiscence sooner can outperform one with extra reminiscence, even when it has much less of it outright. Right here, you may need to learn opinions of the fashions you are evaluating to see how they carry out in numerous video games.
Dimension and energy draw
Fashionable GPUs are large. Most new playing cards will take up at the least two PCI slots on the again of your motherboard. They’ll additionally fluctuate dramatically in size, relying on the variety of followers the AIB has added to chill the PCB. To be protected, remember to test the size of the cardboard you need to purchase in opposition to the utmost clearance listed by your case producer. You probably have a radiator on the entrance of your case, additionally, you will have to issue the scale of that in your measurements. The very last thing you need is to purchase a card that does not slot in your case.
Lastly, remember to test the really useful energy provide for the cardboard you need. As a rule of thumb, until what you are doing, it is best to only follow the producer’s suggestion. For example, NVIDIA suggests pairing the RTX 5070 Ti with a 750 watt PSU. So in case you’re presently operating a 650 watt unit, you may have to issue within the value of a PSU improve together with your new GPU.
Devindra Hardawar for Engadget
Must you purchase a used GPU?
It relies upon. If you could find a deal on an outdated RTX 40 sequence GPU, then sure. NVIDIA’s RTX 50 sequence do not provide tremendously improved efficiency over their predecessors, and with most fashions promoting for greater than their urged retail value, it isn’t the very best time to purchase a brand new NVIDIA card.
That stated, I believe discovering an excellent deal on a used GPU will probably be tough. Most individuals will know the worth of what they’ve, and contemplating the present market, will most likely attempt to get as a lot as they will for his or her outdated card.
It’s possible you’ll discover higher offers on older AMD and Intel GPUs, however I feel you are higher off spending extra now on a brand new mannequin from a type of corporations because the generational good points supplied by their newest playing cards are way more spectacular. Merely put, the 9070 XT and B580 are two of the very best playing cards you should buy proper now.
Something older than a card from NVIDIA’s 40 sequence or AMD’s RX 6000 household isn’t value contemplating. Except your price range is extraordinarily tight otherwise you largely play older video games, you are significantly better off spending extra to purchase a brand new card that may final you longer.
When is an effective time to purchase a brand new GPU?
Should you’ve learn up so far, you are most likely questioning if it is even value shopping for a GPU proper now. The reply is (unsurprisingly) difficult. There are a handful of nice playing cards just like the Radeon RX 9060 XT and 9070 which are completely value it. The issue is discovering any GPU at a value approaching these set by AMD, Intel or NVIDIA.
The AI growth, and particularly actions by OpenAI, have led to reminiscence shortages. In flip, these shortages have precipitated the value of client GPUs, SSDs and RAM kits to skyrocket in latest months. As of our newest replace to this information, some fashions just like the GeForce RTX 5070 Ti are promoting for a whole bunch of {dollars} above MSPR.
As such, in case you personal a comparatively latest GPU, you are most likely finest off attempting to carry onto your present card till issues calm down. But when your GPU is not slicing it anymore, you face a tough choice: overpay now, or wait and doubtlessly pay much more later.
To make that call simpler, I have been sustaining a separate information that lists a choice of GPU fashions you should buy near MSPR. My purpose is to replace that article at the least as soon as monthly, so remember to test typically.
Finest GPUs for 2026: Engadget ecommendations
Entry-level (1080p)
As we talked about above, in case you’re solely aiming to play fundamental aggressive shooters like Valorant and Overwatch 2 in 1080p, an entry-level GPU could also be all you want. Whereas 1080p is not a great decision on the subject of sharpness, many avid gamers choose it because it’s simpler to succeed in larger framerates. And it additionally helps that 1080p gaming screens, just like the AOC 24G15N 24-inch we advocate, have a tendency to supply speedy refresh charges for between $100 and $200. Once you’re zipping by means of matches, you possible will not have time to take a breath and admire the element from larger resolutions.
Listed below are our suggestions for entry-level video playing cards:
AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 8GB: Surprisingly sufficient, you may truly discover this AMD GPU for $300. Whilst you’ll must reside with 8GB of RAM, that is greater than sufficient for 1080p gaming, and it additionally has the advantage of DLSS 4 upscaling.
AMD Radeon RX 7600: Whereas it is a last-gen card, the RX 7600 continues to be highly effective sufficient to deal with fundamental shooters.
Midrange (1440p)
Whereas entry-level playing cards can dabble with 1440p gaming, it is value stepping as much as one thing a bit extra highly effective in case you truly need to obtain larger refresh charges. For many avid gamers, 1440p is the very best stability between sharpness and excessive body charges. It seems noticeably higher than 1080p, and would not require the horsepower overhead of 4K. (And there is a good probability you will not actually see a visible distinction with the bounce to 4K.)
Listed below are our suggestions for midrange GPUs:
NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti: Neglect the disappointing RTX 5070, the 5060 Ti delivers wonderful 1080p and 1440p efficiency. And better of all, you may nonetheless discover it beneath $500. (Learn our NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti assessment.)
AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB: A step up from the 8GB mannequin we advocate above. The 16GB 9060 XT provides wonderful efficiency throughout lots of the newest video games, and is cheaper than the 5060 Ti.
AMD Radeon RX 9070: AMD stunned us all with the Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT, two midrange playing cards that supplied comparable energy to and extra VRAM than NVIDIA’s dearer playing cards. Whilst you will not see the RX 9070 for its $550 launch value right now, you may nonetheless snag one for a slight premium at $650. (Try our AMD Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT assessment.)
Excessive-end (4K)
In order for you probably the most of what trendy PC video games have to supply, together with 4K and the entire advantages of ray tracing, then be able to spend large bucks on a high-end GPU. Should you’re going this route, although, be certain you are additionally gaming on a high-end monitor that befits these highly effective GPUs.
Listed below are our suggestions for premium GPUs:
NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti: The RTX 5070 Ti stunned me with wonderful 4K gaming efficiency for a launch value that was effectively under the RTX 5080. It is the very best general NVIDIA card if you wish to play in 4K at 120Hz or past, however it’s additionally the toughest to seek out at MSRP. (Try our NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti assessment.)
AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT: I already talked about the RX 9070 XT. With shortages of the 5070 Ti, it is the very best GPU you should buy now with out paying a ridiculous premium. (Try our AMD Radeon RX 9070 and 9070 XT assessment.)
NVIDIA RTX 5080: If the RTX 5070 Ti is not sufficient for you, the RTX 5080’s further energy and 24GB of VRAM ought to fit your fancy. Simply be ready to pay round $1,500 for it, a 50 p.c bounce from its $999 launch value.
