10 best video cards for games

Video cards for games are special graphics accelerators designed for working with 3D graphics, in fact, in computer games. It is the video card that is responsible for the quality of the graphics and the number of frames per second. But to choose something on the market is quite difficult - manufacturers often produce new models, and only experienced gamers will understand the differences between the options.

Today, only two manufacturers produce high-quality video cards - NVidia and AMD. First brand models are more common and support more new technologies. AMD cards are slightly cheaper and more affordable. Which one to choose is up to you. And we made a rating of the top 10 video cards for games, including the most successful models in three categories - budget, high-end and successful in terms of price-quality ratio.

The best budget video cards for games

Low-cost video cards are models that were released several years ago, but still have not lost their relevance. They are sold at a cost of up to 15 thousand rubles - for the money you can buy a decent card that will cope with most modern projects. Of course, not at the highest settings and in FullHD resolution, but still. The use of cards will allow to achieve a frame rate of 30-35 FPS, which is quite comfortable for the eyes.

3 ASUS RADEON RX 550 4GB

And this is our budget model from AMD, which at one time showed excellent results, opens our rating of the best video cards for games. According to the characteristics, it is not far behind other models. Video memory in the model of 4 GB type GDDR5 and 7000 MHz frequency. At the same time, the memory bus is 128 bits. There are 512 pieces of universal shader units in the video card responsible for drawing the model. There are 32 texture units that are responsible for applying the texture to the drawn model.

Naturally, a video card with such characteristics is not able to pull productive games at maximum settings. It is necessary to reduce the quality of graphics to at least average values ​​and limit the resolution to FullHD Then you can count on 25-30 FPS.

Unfortunately, the video card has a bad cooling system - it is very hot due to the weak fan of an unsuccessful design. It simply does not pull out the desired air flow due to the small size and decorative die covering one third of the cooler.

2 MSI RADEON RX 560 4GB

A good graphics card from an inexpensive segment for games and graphic editors. According to the characteristics it looks better than the leader of our rating, but it turns out to be 30-35% weaker in games due to the poor optimization of the latter under AMD. It works fine with FullHD resolution, but everything above that starts to stumble and does not give out more than 15-20 FPS.

The model has on board 4 GB of GDDR5 memory with a 128-bit bus and a frequency of 7000 MHz. There are a lot of shader units - 1024, textural - 64. Due to the shape, it received only one cooler, because of which the cooling turned out to be quiet and almost imperceptible.

The device is quite compact - it fits in a small case and does not take up much space, which is convenient for owners of small system units.Unfortunately, like most AMD video cards, the model is very hot under load (and it's easy to set) - up to 81 degrees or more, even with a high-quality cooling system.

1 ASUS GEFORCE GTX 1050 Ti 4GB

The best inexpensive graphics card for games a year older than their rivals. At the same time, it is more productive on average by 30-35% in games, it supports more technologies. And in general, more games were optimized for it. Naturally, even it will not “digest” modern projects at any high settings and resolutions above FullHD. But with certain compromises in the novelties, it will still work out.

The video card received 4 GB of GDDR5 video memory with a frequency of 7008 MHz and a 128-bit bus. There is almost no difference with rivals. At the same time, it has fewer shader units - 768, and textural ones - 48. But due to optimization and better architecture, it benefits AMD models by about 30% of performance.

The model has received the best customer reviews - 87% recommend to purchase it, and many note the high quality and not disappearing relevance to this day. Of course, with the release of new products, it will increasingly pass, but with a limited budget, this is the best you can buy.

The best video cards for games in terms of price-quality ratio

This section includes four video cards for games that are already capable of providing medium and high quality graphics in top projects, even if you play at 2K resolution. But the optimal is still considered the work of such cards in FullHD with medium and medium-high graphics settings. Models of this kind should be enough for 2-3 years, subject to lower settings. There are video cards within reason - up to 35 thousand rubles.

4 MSI Radeon RX 580 8 GB

The comparatively new AMD model opens the ranking of the best mid-end gaming graphics cards. She received 8 GB of GDDR5 video memory with a 256-bit bus and a frequency of 8000 MHz. There are 2304 universal shader units and 144 texture units. But despite these characteristics, the model loses to the “poorer” NVidia 1060, with about 10% performance.

The configuration with 8 gigabytes of video memory on board is able to digest even productive games at medium settings in FullHD resolution. With its characteristics, it does an excellent job. For example, "The Witcher 3" consistently gives 50 FPS at high settings.

Naturally, it was not without features. To begin with, it is worth remembering about the standard high power consumption for AMD. The video card will require a powerful power supply for at least 500 watts. And it will warm up under load to 70-75 degrees - good cooling is required.

3 ASUS GEFORCE GTX 1060 6 GB

The video card of 2016, even after years, remains relevant for modern projects. The overall high performance at 6 gigabytes of GDDR5 video memory and 8000 MHz is limited to a “narrow” 192-bit bus. At the same time, the case contains 1280 universal shader units and a total of 80 texture units.

With its characteristics, the video card does an excellent job with drawing graphics. Its power allows servicing demanding graphics projects at high and ultra-settings at FullHD resolution. In particular, The Witcher 3 on Ultra displays a stable 55 FPS.

The performance of this video card is close to the previous place of our rating - the difference is kept within 10% in favor of 1060, despite the slightly smaller number of blocks and memory. It has lower power consumption (400 W power supply is recommended) and, accordingly, operating temperatures. And it is a bit cheaper, and most games are optimized for NVidia chips.

2 MSI GeForce GTX 1070 8 GB

A little more powerful and almost the most popular model among buyers honestly takes second place in the rating. She received 8 gigabytes of GDDR5 video memory, as well as the previous version. But at the same time it has a wider memory bus - 256 bits. And the frequency remains the same - 8000 MHz. The model has much more blocks - 1920 shader and 120 texture.Due to this, it is much better with modern tasks.

Compared with the previous model, the GTX 1070 is about 30% more powerful. This means that it can easily work on the high and ultra-graphics settings of many modern projects of 2016–17, and at lower settings it will successfully cope with the latest 2-3 years minimum. Specifically, the "Witcher 3" on the ultra-settings easily pulls 65-70 FPS.

The responses to the model are mostly positive - the map is of high quality and durable, it is heated in moderation - up to 60-65 degrees. But some users write that the video card is noisy - especially noticeable when the case is open, standing on the table.

1 Sapphire Pulse RADEON RX VEGA 56 8 GB

The “younger” version of the best AMD video card on the market is the Vega 56, which can work with any games and remain relevant for several years. Interestingly, the video card easily supports up to four monitors, so you can build a good gaming station at its base. The card received 3584 shader units and 224 texture units, while it has 8 GB of HBM2 video memory with a frequency of 1600 MHz and a bus width of 2048 bits.

The performance of the model is high - if previous cards cope with top projects at FullHD resolution, then this one can produce good FPS with ultra-graphics at 2K resolution. And when you run the Witcher 3 in 4K on ultra, it even consistently maintained FPS 40. But the memory bandwidth is almost twice as large as that of all other models in the category - 409.6 gigabytes per second.

This video card has a factory overclocking of the processor, which significantly improves its capabilities. Even if we do not forget about the standard drawbacks of AMD chips (high power consumption and high temperature under load), this video card fully deserved first place in the ranking of the best.

The best video cards for top-class games

The best video cards in the world are the most powerful, productive and, accordingly, expensive. They support the latest technology, allow you to work with virtual reality and can provide decent graphics in AAA games for at least 3-4 years. Actual they will remain for another 5-6 years, if you reduce the image settings. Top gaming graphics cards came out quite recently, so not all games support the latest technology, and in some cases marriage is possible (although it happens very rarely).

3 Sapphire Nitro + Radeon RX Vega 64 8GB

The only representative of AMD in the section of top-end video cards sags noticeably in comparison with the first two places, as it is rather a direct competitor to the GeForce 1080 Ti. But among the models of its company Vega 64 is objectively the best for computer games. It is the only chip from the company that received HBM2 memory and the ability to use it as a cache.

The model has a wide memory bus of 2048 bits with a video memory capacity of 8 gigabytes. At the same time, its frequency is only 1890 MHz. The video card received 4096 universal shader units and 256 texture units. In general, it has a good performance - in Battlefield 4 on the ultra and in the resolution of 4K, it quietly holds 40-50 FPS.

Despite its low performance compared to the best graphics cards in the world, the model is considered the flagship. And at the same time it has a very attractive price. And after the release of the Radeon VII in the sale of its value may be reduced even more, making it almost the most profitable video card.

2 GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 2080 8GB

The video card for games from the new generation GeForce, the second in performance after the Ti version and not inferior to it. Received 8 gigabytes of GDDR6 video memory with a memory frequency of 14,000 MHz and a 256-bit bus. There are less universal shader units in it than in the older version - 2944, and 184. in the textural ones. In general, the indicators are decent.

Performance is highly dependent on screen resolution. But even at the maximum value, the video card consistently gives a high frame rate. When playing in 4K resolution on ultra-settings, the model withstands at least 40 FPS in the most demanding projects (for example, Assassin’s Creed: Origins), although NVidia promised at least 60.But in general, the card copes well and significantly exceeds previous generations in power.

It supports the new RTX technology - ray tracing, which, by reflecting on surfaces, makes the image in games as natural as possible. The technology is not yet very popular, but in the near future a lot of games will be released with its support.

1 Palit GeForce RTX 2080 Ti 11 GB

The most powerful gaming graphics card available today. As well as 2080, supports RTX. But she is noticeably more advanced and capable of more than her colleague. On board - 11 gigabytes of the latest GDDR6 memory with a frequency of 14,000 MHz with a wide memory bus of 352 bits. It contains 4352 universal shader units and 272 texture units. In general, with graphics, even the most demanding games, this video card copes better than all existing models.

The performance of the video card is high - even in the most "heavy" games like Assassin’s Creed: Origins, with the appropriate hardware, it does not give out less than 60 FPS when playing in 4K resolution. At the same time, the potential of technology in it is enormous - over the next few years it will gradually unfold, showing new opportunities. The urgency of the card will not lose for six years exactly.

Of course, this model was not without its problems - a number of users complained about artifacts and “blue screens”. But the problem has long been known to the company, it is being solved. So new video cards on the market will be already without marriage.

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