How to make modern games work: Top graphics cards

The visual fidelity of video games continues to advance, blurring the lines between reality and digital worlds. This trend, while fueling countless online memes, also significantly increases system requirements. Upgrading your PC, particularly the graphics card, becomes a frequent necessity for gamers. This article reviews the top graphics cards of 2024 and considers the best options for 2025. For a visual complement, check out our article showcasing the most stunning games of 2024.

Table of Contents

• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
• AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti
• AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Super
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
• AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX
• Intel Arc B580

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060

A classic and still popular choice, the RTX 3060 remains a reliable workhorse for many gamers. Offering memory capacities from 8GB to 12GB, it supports ray tracing and handles most tasks well. While showing its age with some newer titles, it retains a strong position in the market.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080

The RTX 3080, a powerful and efficient card, continues to impress. Its robust design surpasses even newer models in certain scenarios, making it a compelling choice for its price-to-performance ratio, even in 2025. A slight overclock can further enhance its capabilities.

AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT

The RX 6700 XT stands out for its exceptional price-to-performance ratio. It handles modern games with ease and provides a strong challenge to NVIDIA's offerings, particularly the RTX 4060 Ti. Its larger memory and bus interface contribute to smooth gameplay at 2560x1440 resolution.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Ti

Unlike its less successful counterpart, the RTX 4060, the 4060 Ti delivers solid performance. While not drastically outperforming the RTX 3080 or AMD competitors, it offers a noticeable improvement over its predecessor, further enhanced by Frame Generation.

AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT

The RX 7800 XT significantly outperforms the more expensive NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, providing a considerable performance advantage. Its 16GB of VRAM ensures future-proofing, and it excels in ray tracing at QHD resolution.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Super

NVIDIA's response to competition, the 4070 Super offers a substantial performance boost over the standard 4070. It's a strong contender for 2K gaming, and undervolting can further improve performance and reduce temperatures.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080

A top performer suitable for virtually any game, the 4080 is often considered ideal for 4K gaming. Its substantial VRAM and enhanced ray tracing capabilities make it a future-proof investment.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090

NVIDIA's flagship, the 4090, delivers unparalleled performance. While not drastically superior to the 4080, its longevity and potential value compared to future 50-series cards make it a compelling high-end option.

AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX

AMD's top-tier offering rivals NVIDIA's flagship in performance but boasts a significant price advantage. It's a powerful and cost-effective choice for high-end gaming.

Intel Arc B580

Intel's surprise entry, the Arc B580, quickly sold out due to its impressive performance and competitive pricing. It outperforms the RTX 4060 Ti and RX 7600, offering 12GB of VRAM at a remarkably affordable price point.

In conclusion, despite rising prices, gamers have access to powerful graphics cards across various budgets. Even budget-friendly options offer solid performance, while high-end models ensure a future-proof gaming experience for years to come.