The Best Graphics Cards For Gaming PCs

  • Dani Rosewater

No gaming rig is complete without a quality graphics card. Indeed, the graphics card is the keystone element of smooth gameplay and high resolutions, so it's not a purchase that should be taken lightly. To help you out, we've decided to assemble a list of the best graphics cards for gaming that the market has to offer. For our in-depth reviews, read on.

What to Look For

We searched for the best graphics cards with four questions to guide us: Can it generate high-quality, smooth graphics? How much onboard RAM does it have? Is the price fair for the quality? Does it have competitive specs that will remain highly considered for years to come? With these in mind, the GeForce RTX 3060 from ZOTAC GAMING won the top spot on our list thanks to its 12GB of onboard GDDR6 RAM, excellent cooling, and insane performance. But if you’re shopping on a tight budget, then the RTX 2060 from EVGA is an affordable and excellent graphics card that can still run plenty of top titles without a cinch. Now, let’s dive into the reviews.

ZOTAC GAMING GeForce RTX 3060 AMP White Edition Graphics Card

Hardcore hardware

This cutting-edge graphics card can deliver beautiful graphics and super speeds to bring you your favorite gaming titles in all their splendor.
Best Overall

Find on Amazon

GeForce has been serving PC gamers for years, and their reputation for speed is deserved. Their innovative RTX 3060, available from ZOTAC Gaming, keeps the legacy alive with impressive specs. Thanks to the 12GB of GDDR6 RAM, it can run the vast majority of popular games at high and ultra graphics settings, which means 4K gaming is now possible. We also love the efficiency of the cooling system since it sports “active fan control” to allow you to push the card to its limits without risking severe overheating. Best of all, the whole thing comes at a bargain price for the quality, making this an investment that will pay off in virtual dividends for years to come.

Pros:

  • Capable of running most games on high and ultra settings
  • Smooth, lag-free
  • Easy to install and setup
  • Excellent cooling system

Cons:

  • Although the white edition is cool, this option’s lack of LEDs might disappoint some of those with transparent cases

Gigabyte GeForce RTX 3050 Graphics Card

Powerful specs for a bargain

With an accessible price tag and all the power a gamer needs to run most triple-A titles, this option is a strong contender for first place.
Runner Up

Find on Amazon

If you’re looking for something a little more affordable, the RTX 3050 is an excellent choice. It’s more than capable in the realm of the latest titles and AAA games, and the only differences with its RTX 3060 cousin are the slightly lower 8GB of onboard GDDR6 RAM and 128-bit onboard processor (compared to the 192-bit RTX 3060). But if you’re willing to take on these excellent specs for a significantly reduced price, the RTX 3050 is worth it.

Pros:

  • Great value for the price
  • Cool, sleek aesthetics
  • Runs almost all the popular titles on high settings
  • The high-end components will remain on top for years

Cons:

  • Besides the lower price, it has lower specs compared to the RTX 3060

EVGA GeForce RTX 2060 KO Ultra Graphics Card

Save without compromising

It might not be the biggest fish in the pond, but this graphics card has respectable specs and an affordable price.
Best On A Budget

Find on Amazon

Graphics cards can be pretty pricey, but that shouldn’t exclude you from running your favorite games. This budget-friendly pick from EVGA offers more than enough power for awesome graphics and smooth rendering. In fact, with the 6GB onboard RAM and advanced cooling system, it can deliver framerates that reach the levels of professional gaming. Even if you’re considering splurging on something pricier, the RTX 2060 is well worth a gander.

Pros:

  • Can achieve 1080p resolution at 60+ frames per second
  • Fantastic value for the price
  • Broad compatibility, easy to install, and quick to set up

Cons:

  • When pushed to the limit, the fans can get audible (though rarely noisy to the point of disruption)

XFX Speedster MERC319 AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT CORE Graphics Card

A beast of a machine

With a premium price to reflect its advanced specs, this powerhouse can please even professional gamers.
Best Premium

Find on Amazon

With a name like XFX Speedster, you can bet that this thing is fast. And indeed, it does live up to its name, with the AMD Radeon RX 6800 delivering amazing graphics through its 16GB of onboard RAM. It’s our top recommendation for those looking for competitive specs, as it can deliver over 144fps on shooters like Valorant, Escape From Tarkov, Call of Duty, Overwatch 2, Fortnite, and more. As long as it’s paired with a comparatively powerful processor, sufficient RAM, and a high-refresh-rate monitor, this premium graphics card is sure to deliver the goods.

Pros:

  • Sleek build that fits most cases
  • Excellent cooling thanks to three high-tech fans
  • Surprisingly quiet, even when pushed to its limits

Cons:

  • Undeniably expensive, and you’ll need other expensive hardware to take advantage of its power

PowerColor Red Devil AMD Radeon RX 6950 XT Graphics Card

Keep it cool

This is a great choice if you want a reliable graphics card with excellent cooling fans and nearly future-proof specs.
Most Reliable

Find on Amazon

It can be a bummer to shell out the dough for a quality graphics card only to find that it overheats. That’s when we recommend this AMD Radeon RX 6850 XT from PowerColor. They call it the “Red Devil,” though it keeps cool as a cucumber under heavy stress. That’s because it has a brilliant cooling design centered around three variable fans that can keep processing speeds at their maximum. The result is a reliable GPU that delivers amazing graphics for premium gaming sessions.

Pros:

  • High specs that will remain top-of-the-line for years
  • Virtually silent, even when boosted
  • Extremely high-end performance
  • Can run many modern titles at ultra settings

Cons:

  • Very expensive, though the value for the price is worth the investment

Frequently Asked Questions

Are graphics cards easy to install?

Although it has a few more steps than RAM installation, installing a graphics card is remarkably easy. There are tons of straightforward guides on the internet that can walk you through the process, and they’ll even spell out all the necessary safety measures. Even if you aren’t very tech-savvy, you’ll likely find that swapping out an old graphics card for a new one is a simple undertaking.

What are the minimum requirements for a graphics card to run video games?

For the majority of video games, many budget-friendly graphics cards with onboard memory as low as 2GB will run popular titles at medium-to-high graphics settings. Competitive games, like first-person shooters, however, often demand fast reaction times and, consequently, fast frame rates. Thus, you should base your choice on the type of games you prefer. We recommend doing a little research to see if your graphics card of choice can meet the requirements of your favorite games.

About the Author

If you're a console gamer, Dani won't hold that against you. Although he plays on the PC, he grew up with an Xbox controller in his hand. He's also a filmmaker and musician, so he's figured out the importance of quality gear. He hopes to use his expertise to help people make informed decisions in their search for tech that works.

Why Trust Us

With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.