I have a deep affection for graphics cards, being one of my top PC components. This isn’t a controversial statement; as someone who began building PCs in the early ’90s and professionally tested PC gaming hardware since 2005, I find that GPUs are crucial for rendering graphics at high speeds.
This generation has been a bloody nightmare.
However, this year, managing GPU selections has been particularly tough. Struggling to pin down reliable recommendations is a challenge when evaluating the best graphics cards currently available. Despite some remarkable GPU releases this year, their designs often mirror previous generations, albeit with new enhancements.
AMD has introduced machine learning-based upscaling with FSR 4 and improved its ray tracing abilities. Meanwhile, Nvidia has advanced into neural rendering and unveiled Multi Frame Generation.
Nevertheless, numerous issues plague this generation, from misleading marketing tactics to Nvidia’s frustrating drivers, leading to a rough experience for fans seeking new graphics cards. The most significant problem appears to be the pricing.
Regardless of MSRP claims—Nvidia’s slightly lower than its predecessor and AMD’s considerably cheaper than Nvidia—retail prices often stray much higher. Factors like scarcity lead some shops to price them exorbitantly.
Fortunately, global GPU pricing is showing signs of stabilization, especially as retail prices begin to mirror actual values. To aid consumers, I’ve compiled a list of the current best graphics cards:
Quick List
- Best Overall: AMD Radeon RX 9070
- Best Value: AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT 16 GB
- Best Budget: Intel Arc B570
- Best Mid-Range: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5070 Ti
- Best High-End: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090
Currently, the mid-range battle is intense, with the RTX 5070 Ti and RX 9070 XT both having strong arguments for the title of the best option, given their competitive pricing.
