The Top 5 Best Graphics Cards for Gaming in 2018-2019
Stop looking. This is the only list you need. We hunted down every graphics card in the field. We cut them open and looked at all the specs. We found the best graphic cards for every gamer out there. We know exactly what graphics card you need to mount in your rig.
Number One: AMD Radeon RX 580 8GB
Stream Processors: 2,304 | Core Clock: 1,380 MHz | Memory: 8 GB | Outputs: 2x HDMI 2.0, 2x DisplayPort, 1x DVI-D
Why should you buy this: The RX 580 is flexible and adaptable. It offers a little bit of everything. A great performer for the price.
Who’s it for: The gamers looking to play most games on maximum settings and maybe even dabble in a little VR.
How much will it cost: currently, $312
Why we picked it: While the price is a little higher than we like, It’s the versatility of the card that pushes it into our number one choice. The 8 GB RX 580 provides a perfect 60 fps at 1080p, offers a nearly flawless performance in 2k, and admirably takes on some 4k games. Not great but it does it. All that and the card still has more to offer. VR. The card is completely VR ready. It even offers easy overclocking if it’s not doing enough for you. It’s a total powerhouse but beware, it gets hot.
Number Two: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
Stream Processors: 1,280 | Core Clock: 1,531 MHz | Memory: 6 GB | Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.0, 3x DisplayPort, 1x DVI-D
Why should you buy this: It almost made number one. In some areas, it’s performance is equal if not better than the RX 580 above. It’s just not as versatile.
Who’s it for: The GTX 1060 is for gamers looking to play maximum settings on a cool low power build.
How much will it cost: currently, $320
Why we picked it: It performs exceptionally well. Like the RX 580 above, the GTX 1060 can easily run 1080p at 60 fps and 2k just below. Even 4k is possible. With stock performance being almost equal, it might seem redundant to list the GTX 1060. But it offers its own unique traits; it runs cool and uses less power. It’s the perfect choice for those being conscious of their heat and power consumption.
Number Three: AMD Radeon RX 560
Stream Processors: 1024 | Core Clock: 1,196 MHz| Memory: 4 GB | Outputs: 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort, 1x DVI-D
Why should you buy this: On board graphics from your CPU just aren’t going to cut it. The RX 560 is the only budget graphics card worth getting. Cheaper cards exist but the compromise on experience is drastic.
Who’s it for: My favorites, coin counters and budget gamers. Personally, we gave it to the guy who kept lurking over our shoulders to watch us play. Get in the game already.
How much will it cost: currently, $150
Why we picked it: It’s where the money spent does the most in performance. We appreciate that the card can offer a solid 30 fps in 1080p and a stable 60fps if you lower your settings. We know that $150 doesn’t feel like much of a budget, but remember, a gaming rig isn’t any good if it can’t play games.
Number Four: AMD Radeon RX Vega 64
Stream Processors: 4,096 | Core Clock: 1,590 MHz | Memory: 8 GB | Outputs: 2x HDMI 2.0, 2x DisplayPort, 1x DVI-D
Why should you buy this: If you can find it, It’s a great VR graphics card.
Who’s it for: The hardcore gamer looking for 4k and VR. The red team AMD gamers that have been waiting for something high end.
How much will it cost: currently, $730
Why we picked it: With the RX Vega 64, AMD introduced a whole new architecture. We don’t want to get into the technical parts here, but let’s just say, it puts AMD back on the map for high end cards. It handles 4k like a champion offering just around the 60 fps mark. Drop into 1080p or 2k and its barely under stress. Nvidia offers a valid competitor at this level but we felt the red team earned some well-deserved love.
Number Five: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
Stream Processors: 3,584 | Core Clock: 1,594 MHz | Memory: 11 GB | Outputs: 2x HDMI 2.0, 2x DisplayPort, 1x DVI-D
Why should you buy this: This is the top of the line graphics card. Put it to the test, you won’t be disappointed.
Who’s it for: The lucky soul you wish you were. The gamer without compromise. 4k, VR, whatever you want. It’s going to do it just the way you like. Better yet, it’s also perfect for game developers.
How much will it cost: currently, $830
Why we picked it: How could we not? We read 11 GB memory and needed a mop to clean up all the drool. We can’t think of a game or application to challenge that kind of offering. Test it if you can. The GTX 1080Ti runs most games at 60 fps and that’s in 4k. It’s a beast. A hot-blooded beast so watch your air flow. A card with this kind of power isn’t without its drawbacks. Aside from heat, it’s massive at a little over five inches wide and almost twelve inches long. We can’t think of anything else wrong with it. The GTX 1080Ti is unchallenged.
Our Notes
We scoured the web for details and benchmarks. We wanted to provide the top 5 best graphics cards for gaming. It was rough. Graphics cards are going through some interesting times. They all seem extremely overpriced at the moment and some models are exceptionally hard to find. It seems aside from gamers, Cryptocoin Miners are buying up all the stock. We made sure that all the graphics cards on the list are easily available. The AMD Radeon RX Vega 64 is the only exception.
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