Best Graphics Cards for Gaming in 2022

What matters most while gaming is “the uninterrupted performance and highly transparent display” on laptops or gaming PCs. This would mos30t probably be impossible without a premium quality graphics card dedicated to high-end gaming.

Believe me or not, professional gamers would definitely love to maintain their gaming laptops or PCs with all the basic accessories that could make their gaming experience highly optimized, comfortable, and faster than their competitors to ace in the gaming world.

To take your gaming experience to an extraordinary level and to give you a brighter, clearer, and wider screen, the graphics cards are of vital importance. This is the reason we have brought an extensive list of the best graphics cards for every gamer.

Whether you are a beginner or a professional gamer, son of a rich dad, or the one looking for a budget graphics card, we got you. The gaming cards that we have listed for you range from more than $1000 to less than $100. The reason is that we believe some high-end gamers would surely like to get a high-performance graphics card while some entry-level players would like to buy just a graphics card that comes under their budget. So, Just stay with us and read the whole article.

In the end, we have also compiled the basic information about the graphics cards and the frequently asked questions to help you with all the answers that you want. Now take a closer look at the best graphics cards for gamers.

List of The Best Graphics Cards in 2022

Best GPUs For 1080p Gaming

  1. Gigabyte GT 1030 OC
  2. Zotac GTX 1650
  3. XFX Radeon RX 550
  4. MSI RX 570 Armor MK2
  5. Sapphire Nitro+ Radeon RX 590
  6. EVGA GTX 1660 Ti XC Ultra

Best GPUs For 1440p Gaming

  1. GIGABYTE RTX 2060 Super
  2. Sapphire Radeon Pulse RX 5700 XT

Best GPUs For 4K Gaming

  1. EVGA RTX 2080 Ti FTW3
  2. ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 3060 OC Edition

Best GPUs For 1080p Gaming

1. Gigabyte GT 1030 OC

Best Mini GPU for Mini ATX Cases

Gigabyte-GeForce-GT-1030-1

Specifications

Base Clock1265 MHz
Boost Clock1544 MHz
Memory Bus64-bit
Memory TypeGDDR5
Memory Capacity8GB
Connectivity1x HDMI 2.0b 1x Dual-Link DVI-D

Reasons to Buy

  • Decent 1080p performance
  • 2GB 64bit memory
  • Affordable

Reasons to Avoid

  • 64-bit memory bus
  • No DisplayPort
  • Lacks most of the advanced features

The first graphics card on our list is from Gigabyte. I am sure that every serious gamer would agree that Gigabyte is the most reputable brand among gamers in offering a vast range of graphics cards. This is why Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 OC comes in handy and is most affordable for beginner-level gamers. With its single-fan cooler, the graphics card boasts a compact shape.

The entry-level gamers may play well with this graphics card due to its 2GB DDR5 64bit memory combined with GeForce GT1030. The card offers a one-click overclocking feature through its AORUS Graphics Engine.

Although this graphics card comes with a single fan cooler, it is impressive and performs higher than other low-end graphics cards available in the market. The reason behind this word is supported by its 2GB 64bit memory bus and its compatibility with HDMI and DVI ports.

Buy this graphics card only if you are low in budget and a beginner-level gamer. Yet this graphics card is not only under $100; you may also use it comfortably for video editing and light gaming. However, if you are a high-end gamer, just go deeper, and you will find a lot more gems.


2. Zotac GTX 1650

Best entry-level GPU for Intel Processors

Zotac-Gaming-GeForce-GTX-1650

Specifications

Base Clock 1485 MHz
Boost Clock1695 MHz
Memory Bus 128-bit
Memory Capacity4 GB
Memory Type GDDR5
Connectivity1x DisplayPort 1.4 1x HDMI 2.0 1x DL-DVI-D

Reasons to Buy

  • Attractive compact design
  • Affordable

Reasons to Avoid

  • Fan gets loud under load
  • Not up-to-the-mark performance

The second budget-friendly graphics card on our list for beginners is Zotac Gaming GeForce GTX 1650. Yes! You got me right; this is because of its high performance and affordability. The compact-sized graphics card offers 4GB DDR5 128-bit memory, relatively high and better than the Gigabyte GeForce GT 1030 OC.

This Zotac graphics card is equipped with a sleek and minimal design. But remember, it does not reduce its performance and working potential, yet this is actually a thumbs up for those who focus on the slim design.

One plus point of this graphics card is its GeForce GTX 1650 OC, which gives beginners an amazing experience of immersive gaming and brilliant performance.

Regarding its connectivity and compatibility, one must bear in mind that the graphics card comes with an HDMI 2. 0b that supports 4K, a Display port 1. 4, and HDCP support. It also offers a feature of up to 3 simultaneous displays and supports Microsoft Direct X 12 API and OpenGL 4.5. Also, It is compatible with NVIDIA G-SYNC, NVIDIA Ansel, and Windows 10/7 x64.

One minus point of this graphics card is that it is equipped with a single fan which means less efficiency under heavy load.

Buy it only if you are tight on your budget and cannot afford a high-end graphics card for gaming. Yet this is the most affordable graphics card under 200 and most suitable for video streaming, editing, and 3D modeling.


3. XFX Radeon RX 550

Best entry-level GPU for AMD Processors

XFX-Radeon-RX-550

Specifications

Base Clock1203 MHz
Memory TypeGDDR5
Memory Capacity2 GB
Memory Bus128-bit
Connectivity1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x HDMI 2.0 1x DL-DVI-D

Reasons to Buy

  • Good performance
  • Compact design
  • Affordable

Reasons to Avoid

  • Not eye-catching design
  • Lacks more options to use for future use

The next graphics card on our list comes from a reputable company. The XFX Radeon RX 550 might not be an eye-catching graphics driver, yet this is one of the powerful graphics cards for beginners and above-average gamers at an affordable price.

One thing that should be kept in mind is that despite its build, design, and look, this GPU is equal in performance with GeForce GT 1030. The reason is none other than its 2GB DDR5 video memory and 7000 MHz memory clock making it fast graphics card for daily use and normal gaming.

The graphics card is actually compact in design and lacks any fancy LED lights. Like other low-budget graphics cards, it too may get louder or get heated during serious and high-end gaming or under load.

Overall, XFX Radeon RX 550 is a medium-performance graphics card for average gaming. Also, you may use it for CAD and video editing. But remember that this is not a high-end gaming GPU. For this purpose, you should look for other options given below.

Having discussed the beginner-level GPUs, it is time we discuss the intermediate-level graphics cards for the medium as well as high-end gamers.


4. MSI Radeon RX 570 Armor MK2

Best mid-level gaming GPU for AMD processors

MSI-Radeon-RX-570-Armor-MK2

Specifications

Base Clock1168 MHz
Memory TypeGDDR5
Memory Capacity8 GB
Memory Clock7000 MHz
Memory Bus256-bit
Connectivity2x DisplayPort 1.4 2x HDMI 2.0 1x DL-DVI-D

Reasons to Buy

  • Outstanding performance
  • Attractive design
  • The medium-range for the money

Reasons to Avoid

  • Old architecture
  • Heavy and bulky
  • Consumes more power than other GPUs

The first one on our list is MSI Radeon RX 570 Armor MK2, which, with new updates and additions, has become the super attractive red-colored design, high in performance, and a professional GPU for high-end gaming.

The RX 570 is a powerful gaming GPU that won’t disappoint you in performance as it comes with a hefty 8GB GDD5 memory, not to mention its beautiful compact design and affordable price. I would like to say that it can easily outperform the average Nvidia model in performance due to its heavily loaded memory and bus.

Though it consumes more power than other GPUs, it also offers high performance and is quiet in operation.

In terms of its compatibility, the RX 570 is the best GPU available for most devices and VR headsets like the Oculus Quest VR headset. Also, the graphics card comes with major options of connectivity that can be used in the future.

If you are a professional gamer looking for the best gaming GPU that is the combo of performance and design, the RX 570 should be the first choice on your list.


5. Sapphire Nitro+ Radeon RX 590

Stunning AMD card at an affordable price

Sapphire-Nitro-Radeon-RX-590

Specifications

Base Clock1469 MHz
Boost Clock1560 MHz
Memory TypeGDDR5
Memory Capacity8 GB
Memory Bus256-bit
Connectivity2x DisplayPort 1.4 2x HDMI 2.0 1x DL-DVI-D

Reasons to Buy

  • Fabulous performance
  • Relatively affordable
  • Sleek design

Reasons to Avoid

  • High power consumption

Sapphire is not only a most reputable brand in GPUs but also a trusted AMD partner. In its models, the Nitro+ Radeon RX 590 is listed as one of the best gaming GPUs in 2022. The graphics card has successfully managed to hold a position due to its outstanding performance (because of its 12nm process technology) and affordable price.

Despite its dated architecture, the Nitro+ Radeon RX 590 still offers various features and options to make it a perfect choice for professional gamers. One interesting thing worth noting is that the Nitro+ Radeon RX 590 is an AMD Radeon card which means this is a powerful gaming card for every type of gamer at an affordable price.

Do you know what is best about Sapphire RX 590?

Its classic design is beautiful and has an outstanding memory of 8GB GDDR5 with stream processors up to 2304 units. The graphics card also comes with an astonishing memory bus of 256-bits that is quite sufficient for any HD and 4K gaming, especially Fortnite, and good for non-gaming purposes like 3D modeling and video editing.

Apart from its heavy power consumption and old architecture, this is undoubtedly the perfect graphics card for medium and high-end gaming. We would definitely recommend this GPU for high-end gaming and non-gaming tasks that require maximum performance.


6. EVGA GTX 1660 Ti XC Ultra

Best for mid-level gaming at a competitive price

EVGA-GeForce-GTX-1660-Ti-XC-Ultra-graphics-card

Specifications

Base Clock1500 MHz
Boost Clock1860 MHz
Memory TypeGDDR6
Memory Capacity6 GB
Memory Bus192-bit
Connectivity1x DisplayPort 1.4 1x HDMI 2.0 1x DL-DVI-D

Reasons to Buy

  • Great value for your money
  • Excellent gaming performance
  • Amazing cooling with dual fan

Reasons to Avoid

  • Lacks backplate
  • High Price tag

The next mid-range GPU for high-end gamers on our list is none other than EVGA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti XC Ultra Gaming. As the name suggests, the graphics card is dedicated to an ultra-gaming experience which means you will not feel any lag or performance issues after using this GPU.

This is actually a gaming GPU whose popularity among gamers is continuously increasing based on its performance due to its futuristic design and dual-fan cooling process. 

Although the EVGA 1660 Ti XC comes with 6GB memory, it still outperforms its competitors because of its 12000 MHz memory speed, 1.86 GHz Boost clock, and advanced dual HDB fan the machine. With these features, you will be able to play games of any framerate or quality. Also, the GPU is much better as compared to the GTX 1060 6GB model.

Actually, this graphics card is a great addition to the latest GPUs. A small graphics card can easily fit even into Alienware aurora and even in Micro ATX towers. Also, it supports DisplayPort, HDMI, and DVI-D, which means you will be able to connect all the monitors with it without any problem.

The EVGA 1660 Ti XC is a premium graphics card with all that you need in the best graphics card for gaming. Despite the presence of multiple alternatives, it still is the most appealing and high-performance gaming GPU for all types of gamers.

The next category in best graphic cards is dedicated to high-end gamers. We have made this category because some gamers are completely focused on their gaming accessories and compromise price over performance. So the first GPU in this category is here.


Best GPUs For 1440p Gaming

1. GIGABYTE RTX 2060 Super

Good 4K performance and perfect cooling

Gigabyte-GeForce-RTX-2060-SUPER-Gaming-GPU

Specifications

Base Clock1470 MHz
Boost Clock1845 MHz
Memory TypeGDDR6
Memory Capacity8 GB
Memory Bus256-bit
Connectivity3x DisplayPort 1.4 3x HDMI 2.0 1x USB-C

Reasons to Buy

  • Good 4K performance
  • Fabulous design
  • Amazing triple-fan cooling with alternate spinning fans

Reasons to Avoid

  • Costly
  • Bulky and heavy

The Gigabyte RTX 2060 Super is actually a modified and updated version of RTX 2060 that is still amazing in its performance. In this new edition, the RTX 2060 Super comes with a lot more improved performance and appealing design.

The Gigabyte Aorus RTX 2060 Super has an advanced Nvidia Turing architecture that makes it a long-lasting GPU. Also, its 3Xcooling system by the excellent triple fans with alternate spinning technology provides a highly cool environment while playing heavy games.

Whether you are playing Fortnite, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Far Cry 5, or Assassin’s Creed Odyssey, this monster will never lag in gaming. Nor will it heat the environment or create a noisy sound of fans.

The RTX 2060 Super is actually a super deal against the money that you will invest. Compared to its predecessors and other competitors, you will not have to compromise over your gaming after using this graphics card. It will offer maximum performance, up to 4K clear display, and reach 60 FPS and AAA games. One downside is that due to the tough competition and new advancements, the RX 5700 XT is better and more affordable than this GPU. This is also listed in our best RTX 2060 Super graphics cards for gaming.

Gigabyte Aorus RTX 2060 Super is the king of the best GPUs available online. Its extensive three fan cooling system and 8GB memory capacity are perfect for high-end gamers. If price is not the issue, then go for this; otherwise, you may opt for the RX 5700 XT, which offers the same features at an affordable price.


2. Sapphire Radeon Pulse RX 5700 XT

An AMD GPU with managed cooling and excellent gaming performance

Sapphire-Radeon-Pulse-RX-5700-XT-graphics-card-for-gaming

Specifications

Base Clock1670 MHz
Boost Clock1925 MHz
Memory TypeGDDR6
Memory Capacity8 GB
Memory Bus256-bit
Connectivity3x DisplayPort 1.4 1x HDMI 2.0

Reasons to Buy

  • Amazing 1440p and 4K performance
  • Open-air cooling mechanism
  • Best graphics card for your money

Reasons to Avoid

  • Lacks ray-tracing support
  • Design needs improvements

There was a lag and cooling issue in its previous model, which was a bit disappointing for Sapphire users. However, the company soon fixed the same issues and equipped a far more powerful and impressive GPU to satisfy its users, and this is what the best company has to offer in RX 5700 XT.

Although the RX 5700 XT comes with a dual-fan cooling system that is much lower than the RTX 2060 Super (which runs 3 fans simultaneously), it still complements its competitors in terms of performance. The RX 5700 XT neither gets heated while playing heavy games nor lags in performance due to its higher clock speeds at the rate of 1925 MHz.

In my opinion, the RX 5700 XT is actually a high-performance gaming card with an affordable price tag. However, in its recent updates, the price has been revised; more work is done on its design, precision fan control mechanism, and metal Backplates with PCB layers.

In addition, the card is equipped with modern RDNA architecture and the New TriXX Boost feature to enhance and speed up your gaming experience. A minor drawback of this GPU is the lack of ray tracing support.

With its amazing design, advanced architecture managed cooling mechanism, and amazing performance, the Sapphire Radeon Pulse RX 5700 XT is the high-quality GPU with the ultimate gaming experience for high-end gamers.

Best GPUs For 4K Gaming:

Yes, this special category is made for those for whom money is no issue. But one thing is clear in this category: you will get boosters in mini packs that will surely take your gaming to a level beyond your competitors.


EVGA RTX 2080 Ti FTW3

High-end GPU for an extraordinary performance

EVGA-GeForce-RTX-2080-Ti-FTW3

Specifications

Base Clock 1350 MHz
Boost Clock 1755 MHz
Memory Type GDDR6
Memory Capacity 11 GB
Memory Bus 352-bit
Connectivity 3x DisplayPort 1.4 1x HDMI 2.0 1x USB-C

Reasons to Buy

  • Dedicated for 4K gaming
  • Massive heat-sink with Triple fan system

Reasons to Avoid

  • Expensive
  • Some features are similar to previous models

The first graphics card in this list is EVGA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti FTW3 Ultra Gaming. Though priced under $1300, it is still beyond the reach of many gamers, and at this price, one can get the best gaming PC. You have to believe me; this is actually a beast that can take your gaming experience to an advanced level. The reason is that the RTX 2080 Ti FTW3 comes with all the features which every professional gamer expects from a high-end GPU for an extraordinary performance.

RTX 2080 Ti FTW3is one of the most powerful GPUs as it is the only graphics card that offers 60 frames per second (FPS) in 4K plus AAA titles. But keep in mind that you could buy a high-end monitor or a moderate PC in this price range. This is the reason it is difficult to say whether it is worth the money.

The major difference between this graphics card and previous RTX models is the presence of performance-oriented three fans. Besides, it boasts an 11GB memory capacity, GDDR6 memory type, and 1755MHz memory clock. This means there is a lot of performance at a much higher than expected price.

Yet the downside is that it comes with many features already available in previous EVGA RTX models, such as the same fan design, similar chassis, and RBG combination. The three fans make it bulkier and heavier than an ordinary graphics card.


ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 3060 OC Edition

Best Graphics Card for 4K-8K Gaming

asus tuf gaming rtx 3060 oc

Specifications

Base Clock1320 MHz
Boost Clock1882 MHz
Memory Bus192-bit
Memory TypeGDDR6
Memory Capacity12GB
Connectivity2x HDMI 2.1 3x DisplayPort 1.4a

Reasons to Buy

  • Better boost clock speed
  • Higher connectivity speed
  • New and improved cooler
  • Room for overclocking
  • Silent in load

Reasons to Avoid

  • Requires installing GPU Tweak II software to get the factory Overclock speed
  • The oversized cooler is for Medium to large-sized PCs only
  • Overpriced

ASUS TUF Gaming RTX 3060 OC is one of the most anticipated graphics cards with ampere streaming microprocessors. You can expect improved efficiency and power while experiencing the performance you want for playing resource-demanding gaming on your PC.

The base clock speed of TUF 3060 OC is 1320 MHz which is better in the sense of raw performance. However, the 1882 MHz boost clock speed makes it stand out in the competition as it still has more room for overclocking while keeping the temperature within the bearable range.

With 3rd Gen tensor cores, you can experience 2x throughput with advanced DLSS algorithms. Due to this reason, it can support 8K resolution and gaming-oriented performance with a massive boost of its new AI capabilities.

The all-aluminum shroud gives the graphics card robust protection against any damage that may occur. Meanwhile, its no-nonsense industrial design and grayscale colorway fit into any build with ease. The back of the card is covered in a protective metal plate. The large vent helps the air to leave towards the fans instead of recycling it into your PC, allowing for better cooling and more stability when overclocking or running high-performance applications with this graphics card.

The ASUS TUF 3060 OC Gaming cards produce a steady and consistent airflow due to the high-octane architect and three fans that work in tandem. The Axial-tech fan system uses dual ball bearings to ensure longevity compared with sleeve or other bearing types.

If you are interested in the high-end RTX 3000 series, here are some of the best options listed for gaming.

How To Pick The Best GPU?

Before choosing the graphics card that suits your needs, certain points should be kept in mind and properly understood. In this section, we will be discussing all those points one by one.

The Motherboard

The motherboard should be your topmost priority in choosing the graphics card, as this is the motherboard that provides technical compatibility, speed, and other features. So, the basic thing to be kept in mind is to know if your required GPU has a PCI Express x16 slot. After recent modifications, the latest GPUs come with a PCI 3.1 version.

If you are building a custom PC, make sure you build a PC with the Multi-GPUs option. And this is the reason the GPU motherboard must be equipped with multiple PCIe slots. Besides, the slots should be installed horizontally rather than vertically to avoid obstructions in the future.

Hardware Compatibility

Another thing to be kept in mind is the hardware compatibility, and this is why most gamers find it hard to build custom PCs. Before buying any GPU, you should keep in mind that your GPU is compatible with your PC and also other major peripherals that you are using. A small mistake may cost you a heavy loss.

The Power Supply

The more powerful your GPU or eGPU is, the more power it will consume. So if you are looking for a GPU with the highest performance, you have to sacrifice a lot more power for your graphics card. So, make sure that your PSU comes with the right amount of power consumption to feed your graphics card. If you want to overclock with high-power CPUs or GPUs, make sure to have a PSU that could provide enough power to your PC components.

Chassis

Chassis is as important as the performance matters in buying a GPU. Sometimes, the best graphics cards may not fit in small PC cases, especially Mini ITX one and Micro ATX models. So, make sure that GPU you are intended to buy can physically fit in your PC. For this purpose, measure the height and depth of the PC and the port where it will be installed.

The Display

What really matters for a gamer is an excellent display for gaming. And a graphics card is incomplete without a great gaming monitor. In this respect, it must be clear that a high-quality gaming GPU will give extraordinary results only on a good monitor. If you have an inexpensive monitor, don’t ever expect good results and display from the GPU. So, before considering the graphics, first, make sure that your monitor meets the following requirements.

  • The Resolution – The monitor’s resolution is the most important point to expect higher than hopes from the graphics card. Usually the monitors come with these resolution: 1080p (FHD), 1440p (QHD), and 2160p (UHD/4K). Though all of these resolutions are perfect, the 4k or UHD is an ultra-high-definition display that good monitors offer nowadays. Some monitors, however, in QHD resolution also give a significant improvement in the display. This is up to your personal preference, but the higher the frame rate a monitor offers, the higher resolution there will be.
  • The Refresh Rate – For a higher frame per second (even beyond the limit of 60), your monitor will need to have a higher refresh rate. Normally the refresh rate in the range of 140Hz – 240Hz is ideal for excellent display. This is the best range when you will notice a significant change after using a graphics card.
  • Connectivity – Aside from refresh rate and resolution, connectivity is also crucial in buying a gaming monitor. For this purpose make sure that your monitor comes with the most widely used HDMI 2.0 port, DisplayPort 1.4, and other connectivity ports.

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Mathew Bradford

Hey! Mathew Bradford Here, A proud member of GamingExpert Team. I love playing games with new gaming gadgets. Our team is here to help you find the best gaming products, reviews of videos games and to help you decide which one is best for your. You can contact me if you need further assistance.