Gpu Hierarchy Update 11/2024

Tier 1: The Ultimate (The Best 4K and VR Experiences)

Tier 1: The Ultimate is the starting point of our GPU Hierarchy.

The graphics cards in this price range are the most powerful currently available, and they can easily handle the most demanding AAA titles, even at ultra settings and 4K resolution. This extra GPU power is especially useful for powering 120 Hz VR experiences, but users of high-end VR headsets like the HTC Vive Pro, Valve Index, and the Oculus Rift S will also benefit.

Keep in mind that this is not the price point where you should be looking for the best value. The most expensive and ridiculously powerful GPUs can cost several thousand dollars. The typical upgrade cycle is 4 years, but if you buy these now, you should be able to delay that until at least the middle of the next decade.

#1. Nvidia Titan RTX

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Design Name: Turing | Video Memory: 24 GB GDDR6 | Previous-Generation Compatibility: None (replaces Titan V)

• Outstanding efficiency. The undisputed king of video card manufacturers. The Titan RTX’s massive amount of video memory (VRAM) also makes it well-suited for AI research and other professional uses. This graphics card is more suited for professionals or power users than regular consumers.
• Price to performance ratio is incredibly low. The 2080 Ti offers nearly the same performance at a significantly reduced cost. This is merely a cosmetic accessory for gamers.
• Designed to appeal to a narrow niche. Those on the outside should stay far, far away. If you’re a gamer who wants the best of the best, the RTX 2080 Ti is still your best bet.
• Benchmarks! (GamersNexus)

#2. Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti

GPU architecture (Turing) | Video memory (11)GB GDDR6 | Previous-generation equivalent (other than 1080 Ti): none

• Even the performance was excellent. Even though it is several times cheaper than the Titan RTX, the RTX 2080 Ti is almost as powerful as the latter in every gaming scenario. The 2080 Ti has a different target market than the Titan RTX, as it was designed with gaming in mind from the start.
• Value: Excellent in comparison to the Titan RTX, but subpar when compared to less expensive alternatives because of declining performance per dollar.
• The RTX 2080 Ti is an excellent choice if you want the best gaming experience without breaking the bank.
• The bar has been raised (Digital Foundry @ Eurogamer)
• Recommended Reading: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Ti

#3. Nvidia RTX 2080 Super

GPUs from the previous generation that can be considered equivalent to Turing’s 1080 Ti and 2080

• Likewise, the performance was outstanding. However, its performance is nearly 25% lower than that of an RTX 2080 Ti, so it only just squeaks into this price bracket. However, for the vast majority of gaming situations, this is still more than sufficient for great experiences in VR and 4K.
• Inexpensive, for a GPU of this caliber… however, it has a poor performance-to-cost ratio, much like other high-end graphics cards.
• Except for ray tracing, it’s essentially the same as any other GTX 1080 Ti.
• The bar has been raised (Digital Foundry @ Eurogamer)
• Super Graphics Card RTX 2080 for More Information

Tier 2: High-End (4K and High-End VR Gaming)

When it comes to gaming, High-End is where you want to be, as it delivers exceptional performance in both 4K and VR. This is also where you’ll find the graphical muscle to smoothly push games to 120 Hz and beyond if you’re playing at 1440p, giving you a level of fluidity that console players can only dream of.

#4. AMD RX 5700 XT

Navi Architecture; 8GB GDDR6 Video RAM; Radeon VII or Later-Generation Compatibility

• Among its competitors, it offers the best performance for the lowest cost.
• Compares favorably in performance to the more expensive 2070 Super, and often outperforms it. Great.
• There is no ray-tracing support, though.
• Standard-setters! (Digital Foundry at Eurogamer)
• Best RX 5700 XT Video Card – Recommended Reading

#5. Nvidia RTX 2070 Super

Architecture: Turing; Video Memory: 8GB GDDR6; Generation: Previous; A similar GPU would be the 2070 (slightly better), or the 2080 (slightly worse).

• In terms of performance, it is only slightly behind the best option at this price. Both the 2070 S and the 5700 XT are frequent punching bags.
• Value: Significantly more costly than the 5700 XT, with only limited advantages.
• This card has a leg up on the competition because of its support for ray tracing.
• Measures of Success! (Digital Foundry at Eurogamer)
• Super Graphics Card RTX 2070: Recommended Reading

Tier 3: Midrange Powerhouses (1440p and Mid-Range VR Gaming)

On to the third tier, the heavy hitters of the middle range. You get some of the best performance-per-dollar while still future-proofing your system in this price range, making it one of the most popular ranges to buy a graphics card in.

In addition to 1440p and VR at high to max settings and 60 FPS, some 4K gaming will be possible with the high VRAM capacity and general power offered by the cards in this category. If you want to keep your frame rate above 60 FPS, you may need to lower the resolution to 1800p or adjust some of the other settings.

Players whose monitors max out at 1080p and 144/240 Hz may also enjoy this Tier.

#6. Nvidia RTX 2060 Super

Graphics processing units of the previous generation equivalent to Turing’s 2070

• Excellent performance; best in class for 1440p and mid-range VR at this price.
• Worth the price. Just about as good as the much more affordable RX 5700.
• Ray tracing compatibility! The Super RTX 2060 is essentially a generation-old RTX 2070, so it’s a significant improvement. If not for the 5700’s introduction, this would be the best deal in this class.
• Standard-setters! (Digital Foundry at Eurogamer)
• Super Graphics Card RTX 2060: Recommended Reading

#7. AMD RX 5700

GPUs from the previous generation are not comparable to the Navi’s.

• The second-best performer in this price range, and by no means last. Amazing for 1080p. 1440p and Virtual Reality (VR) Games.
• Great price! Quite a bit cheaper than the 2060 Super and quite a bit better than the RTX 2060.
• The lack of ray-tracing is disappointing.
• Indisputable Standards (Digital Foundry at Eurogamer)
• Best RX 5700 Video Card – Recommended Reading

#8. AMD RX Vega 64

Vega architecture; 8GB GDDR5 (or HBM2) video RAM; no GPUs from the previous generation can compare.

• Although it is a much older GPU, its performance is only slightly below that of #2. Good enough.
• Good if it costs less than the RX 5700. As the 5700 and 5700 XT gradually replace it, the price will drop the longer you wait.
• As was previously mentioned, this usage is gradually dying out. Furthermore, ray-tracing is still not supported.
• Standard-setters! (Digital Foundry at Eurogamer)

#9. AMD RX Vega 56

There are no GPUs that are functionally equivalent to the Vega architecture from the previous generation.

• If you can find it for less money than an RTX 2060, the performance is adequate.
• Value: Fair, if it costs less than the Vega 64 and the 5700. The 5700 is gradually replacing it, so things will improve over time, but only marginally.
• Similar to the RX Vega, its predecessor, it is being phased out. There is no ray tracing, just like the Vega 64.
• The bar has been raised (Digital Foundry @ Eurogamer)

#10. Nvidia RTX 2060

Architecture: Turing; Video Memory: 6GB GDDR6; Generation: Previous; Similar GPUs: 1070, but considerably more powerful.

• Efficiency: satisfactory. Superior to the 1660 Ti at only a slight premium, and ray-tracing enables a slew of previously unavailable features.
• Worth it. Provides a low-cost, accessible gateway to the midrange and includes fancy graphical ray-tracing effects as icing on the cake. The cheapest graphics processing unit (GPU) designed for modern games.
• This card is the most cost-effective option for ray-tracing. For those who can’t spend more than $400 on a graphics card, it’s still a decent option.
• The bar has been raised (Digital Foundry @ Eurogamer)
• Recommended Reading: RTX 2060 Video Card

Tier 4: Midrange Value (1080p and Entry-Level VR Gaming)

Here we are at the fourth tier, where the price is somewhat in the middle.

None of the cards in this price range support ray tracing in real time, and their performance is very similar. Expect a maximum of a 15-20 FPS increase when switching between cards.

#11. Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti

GPUs of previous generations with an equivalent performance to the GTX 1070’s Turing architecture

• In terms of performance, it’s hard to beat at this price.
• Worth it? Not really. However, the RTX 2060, which is not much more expensive, offers significantly better performance for the same price.
• If you have the means, you might consider putting away a bit more for a 2060.
• Measures of Success! (Digital Foundry at Eurogamer)
• Best Graphics Card for GTX 1660 Ti

#12. Nvidia GTX 1660

The Turing architecture has 6GB of GDDR5 video memory and is equivalent to the GPUs found in the GeForce GTX 1060.

• The performance is decent; it’s a significant improvement over the next best card in this price range.
• Excellent cost-effectiveness; among the top GPUs available. Thanks to this, mid-tier players can benefit greatly from it.
• It’s our go-to low-cost GPU.
• Compare and contrast (Digital Foundry at Eurogamer)
• Graphics Card: Best GTX 1660 for Additional Reading

#13. AMD RX 590

Polaris Architecture; 8GB GDDR5 Video RAM; No Previous-Generation GPUs Can Compare

• The performance is slightly better than the 580, but both are excellent.
• Poor value. In terms of performance for the price, the GTX 1660 is far superior.
• The 1660 is recommended unless you plan on purchasing an AMD Game Bundle.
• Standard-setters! (Digital Foundry at Eurogamer)

#14. AMD RX 580

Polaris Architecture | 8GB GDDR5 Video RAM | Previous-Gen Similar GPUs: RX 480, albeit with a noticeable improvement.

• Despite its age, the hardware provides excellent performance for 1080p gaming. However, it can no longer boast of being the king of value.
• Price/performance: Nearly on par with the RX 590. However, if you’re interested in virtual reality or resolutions higher than 1080p, it’s vital that you stick with the 8GB model.
• Invest in 8GB, and see how it stacks up against the 590 in terms of cost.
• Indisputable Standards (Digital Foundry at Eurogamer)
• Best RX 580 Video Card – Recommended Reading

#15. AMD RX 570

Polaris Architecture | 8GB GDDR5 Video RAM | Previous-Gen Similar GPUs are the RX 470, but they are significantly better.

• Capable of 1080p gaming at high settings. Superior to most Tier 5 options while costing roughly the same in most cases.
• Value: Excellent, especially during the regular sales it has. A 8GB model is not drastically inferior to its predecessors.
• Keep an eye on the pricing of other RX 500 series cards and make sure to get 8GB. These three are very interchangeable with one another.
• Measures of Success! (Digital Foundry at Eurogamer)

Tier 5: Low-End (720p Gaming)

Fifth tier: the bargain basement. We won’t sugarcoat it: these cards aren’t great for performance-per-dollar unless you need low-profile cards for old and weak systems. Get a Tier 4 card if you can afford it.

No matter what, the best choices in this price range are:

#16. Nvidia GTX 1650

Turing Architecture; 4GB GDDR5 Video RAM; Previous-Generation Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) of Equivalent Performance: GTX 1050 Ti

• Compared to the 560, its performance has greatly improved. Playing modern games at 1080p is possible, and it handles older games quickly.
• Worth it only if you absolutely have to have it. For older games, this is adequate as a first GPU.
• Undervalued in comparison to the similarly priced RX 570.
• Standard-setters! (Digital Foundry at Eurogamer)
• Recommended Reading: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Graphics Card

#17. AMD RX 560

Polaris-Based Design; 4GB GDDR5 Video RAM; Previous-Generation Comparable GPUs are the RX 460, but they’re slightly better.

• Capable of 720p gaming in newer games and 1080p gaming with some tweaking of the settings for older games.
• Poor value; only those on the tightest of gaming budgets should bother. And even then…you might be happier with a pre-owned GPU.
• Do you really think that?
• The bar has been raised (Digital Foundry @ Eurogamer)

FAQs

Where is [X graphics card]?

Our graphics card tier list has been simplified to include only cards that are currently being produced and can be purchased from major online retailers like Amazon and Newegg. We’ve also included the equivalent GPUs from the previous generation, in case you’re looking to do some second-hand shopping on eBay or just want to see how your current setup stacks up.

What is VRAM, and why does it matter?

Video RAM, or VRAM, is the memory that your graphics processor has access to. The amount and speed of your VRAM will determine the maximum resolution your graphics card can handle, but it doesn’t have the biggest direct impact on in-game performance. Texture quality, the efficiency of post-processing effects, and other factors may be affected.

Having a lot of fast virtual memory (VRAM) is useful for some professional workloads. However, 8 GB is usually sufficient for typical consumer use.

VRAM Capacity

• A minimum of 4 GB of video memory (VRAM) is recommended for 1080p gaming at high-resolution texture settings.
• High-resolution 1440p and virtual reality (VR) gaming requires a minimum of 6 GB of video RAM.
• 8 GB of video RAM is perfect for 1440p, virtual reality, and 4K gaming with detailed textures. Although only a handful of games can actually utilize such a large frame buffer, it’s always welcome.

VRAM Variants

• The bare minimum for modern cards is GDDR5, which is also reasonably fast. These are the metrics upon which the preceding VRAM figures are based.
• Because GDDR6 is so much quicker than its predecessor, GDDR5, less GDDR6 VRAM may be used in some situations while still achieving the same level of performance. The Navi and Turing graphics processing units have this feature.
• HBM2 is a specification used by only a small number of AMD and Nvidia’s high-end and prosumer GPUs. Although technically superior to GDDR6, it is prohibitively more expensive.

What is RTX?

Nvidia’s new RTX product line is the first to include “RT cores” in their GPUs. The Turing architecture is currently exclusive to the RTX 20-Series of RTX cards. Real-time ray tracing, DLSS, and other Nvidia-unique features to improve visuals are made possible by RT cores.

Real-time ray-tracing provided by RTX is undoubtedly its most impressive feature, as it enables more lifelike simulation of light and reflections in games than was previously possible. Unfortunately, modern games suffer a significant performance hit from this, though this will improve as technology advances.

Using ray-tracing has a significant impact on framerate and resolution, so at this time there aren’t many games that support it. For the time being, this is primarily a futuristic addition.

Is there an AMD equivalent?

Not yet. Ray-tracing is currently very niche, and adding support for it to AMD’s latest Navi architecture would significantly increase costs. The vast majority of currently available games do not support ray tracing, and AMD is not expected to release a ray tracing enabled card until 2021.

If you need ray-tracing now or aren’t planning an upgrade for at least three years, an Nvidia RTX card may be your best bet. Otherwise, the value of AMD’s products across the board is exceptional.

Are these rankings accurate?

Yes. Our own in-depth research and experience, in addition to independent third-party benchmarks from Digital Foundry, underpin all of our rankings. These graphics card rankings are generally reflective of the experience you can expect as a consumer, though there may be some instances where cards within the same tier swap places depending on the specific game or application.