The best graphics cards 2018: all the top GPUs for gaming
Remember that the best graphics cards can vary wildly depending on the kind of build you’re pursuing, so it can be hard to find the best graphics card for your needs – it’s not always the most expensive one. That’s why we decided to compile a guide of the best graphics cards you can buy today, all of which have been tested and reviewed here at TechRadar. So, before you go out to pick up one of the best graphics cards, we’ll list out the best graphics cards you can buy today.
The king of mainstream gaming
Stream Processors: 2,944 | Core Clock: 1,515MHz (1,800MHz boost) | Memory: 8GB GDDR6 | Memory Clock: 14Gbps | Power Connectors: 1 x 8-pin, 1 x 6-pin | Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB-C
Solid 4K performance
Easy to overclock
More expensive than past xx80 cards
Nvidia
Turing is out and full force, and the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 is the
new best graphics card out there. While it’s more expensive than past
xx80 releases, it’s also much more powerful – showing up even the
four-figure price Titan Xp. With the RTX 2080, there should be nothing
stopping you from achieving high resolution gaming, though you’ll have
to turn down some settings if you’re trying to play at 4K, 60 fps.Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080
Power overwhelming
Stream Processors: 4,352 | Core Clock: 1,350MHz (1,635MHz boost) | Memory: 11GB GDDR6 | Memory Clock: 14Gbps | Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin | Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x USB-C
High fps 4K gaming
Spearheading ray tracing revolution
Extremely expensive
If
you’re on the market for one of the best graphics cards, and you’ve got
some cash to burn, you might want to consider the Nvidia GeForce RTX
2080 Ti. Without a doubt, it’s the most powerful graphics cards on the
market, as long as the price doesn’t scare you away. And, the first
actual game with Ray Tracing is finally available, Battlefield V. While
you can turn RTX On, just keep in mind that it’ll hamper performance a
bit.Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
Turing, meet 1440p
Stream processors: 2,304 | Core clock: 1,410 | Memory: 8GB GDDR6 | Memory clock: 14Gbps | Power connectors: 1 x 8-pin | Outputs: 2 x DisplayPort 1.4a, 1 x HDMI 2.0b, 1 x DVI, 1 x USB-C
Handles both 1440p and 4K gaming
Lower power consumption
Too expensive
If
you want to stick to QHD, with some brief forays into 4K, you might
want to check out the RTX 2070. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 brings the
new Turing architecture to the mid range with performance that dwarfs
the GTX 1070 that came before. Not only will you be able to play
everything at 1440p, but you’re going to get insane performance – up to
120fps in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. However, you should consider that
the RTX 2070 is significantly more expensive than its predecessor, so
that trade off in price-to-performance may not be worth it – especially
if you’re coming from a Pascal card.Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070
Punchy graphics performance above its weight
Stream Processors: 3,584 | Core Clock: 1,156MHz | Memory: 8GB HBM2 | Memory Clock: 800MHz | Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin | Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0
Maxed out 1080p performance
High energy consumption
Runs a tad hot
The
AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 is the best graphics card for Full HD gaming you
can buy today – your benchmarks put it above the GTX 1070. And, now that
it’s fallen in price to what we would call an ‘acceptable’ level,
there’s never been a better time to pick one up. While it’s arguably a
bit overkill for Full HD gaming, the RX Vega 56 will come in handy for
144 to 240hz monitors and future-proofing against increasingly demanding
games. You can also expect a fantastic 1440p experience with this
card.
AMD’s return to high-end graphics cards
Stream Processors: 4,096 | Core Clock: 1,247MHz | Memory: 8GB HBM2 | Memory Clock: 945MHz | Power Connectors: 2 x 8-pin | Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0
Impressive benchmark results
GPU tuning control
Higher energy draw than Nvidia Pascal
Especially
now that it’s fallen in price from the heyday of cryptocurrency miners,
the AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 is the best graphics card for VR gaming.
Boasting 4,096 stream processors, 256 texture units and 8GB of HBM2
memory, it’s every bit as competent as the Nvidia GTX 1080 – at a lower
price. This truly is the AMD card to rule them all.Read the full review: AMD Radeon RX Vega 64
Best mini graphics card: Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Mini
Stream processors: 3,584 | Core clock: 1,506 | Memory: 11GB GDDR5X | Memory clock: 10Gbps | Power connectors: 2 x 8-pin | Outputs: 3 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0b, 1 x DL-DVI-D
World’s smallest 1080 Ti
SLI support
Inferior performance
Runs hot and loud
If
you’re setting out to build a microATX or a mini-ITX gaming PC, you
shouldn’t have to settle for a low-end GPU. You can find mini graphics
cards like the Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Mini. And, sure it’s not the
latest and greatest GPU out there anymore, but the 1080 Ti has a lot of
life left in it. Plus, when you can get that power in a card that’s just
211 x 125 x 41mm, the loss in performance is totally worth the
beautiful mini PC you’ll get.
The little GPU that could
Stream Processors: 640 | Core Clock: 1,354MHz | Memory: 2GB GDDR5 | Memory Clock: 7Gbps | Power Connectors: PCIe | Outputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0, DL-DVI
Affordably priced
Small form factor for tiny cases
Maximum 2GB of video memory
The
Nvidia GTX 1050 might not look like much on paper, what with only 2GB
of video memory onboard, but this affordable GPU plays games better than
you would think. If you’re willing to drop settings to medium, you can
play Overwatch, CS:GO and other popular competitive shooters well above
the silky smooth 60fps mark. Thanks to its compact size, it’s also
perfect for small builds and entertainment center-bound streaming PCs.
Competitive for both eSports and in price
Stream Processors: 768 | Core Clock: 1,290MHz | Memory: 4GB GDDR5 | Memory Clock: 7Gbps | Power Connectors: PCIe | Outputs: 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x HDMI 2.0, DL-DVI
Solid 1080p performer
Good overclocking potential
Greater than 75W TDP
Any
eSports player will tell you that high frame rates are far more
important than beautifully rendered graphical details – and that’s where
the Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti shines. In a time where graphics cards cost as
much as rent, it’s an affordable, but potent GPU that can play most
eSports games well above 60fps. It’s a bit pricier than the lower-end
Nvidia GTX 1050, but you’ll appreciate the extra power behind this card
to play future eSports titles, as well as the odd AAA title.Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
- These are the best gaming monitors to go with your shiny new GPU
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