As a gamer myself, one of my top priorities when it comes to my setup is the graphics card. That’s because it largely impacts how games will run (smooth or not), how detailed graphics will be, and how immersed I’ll be in the games. This year, we have our pick of the best graphics cards for gaming. You can see them when you scroll down below! We’ll also discuss what graphics cards are, their minimum memory, and a comparison of GTX vs RTX for gaming.
What are graphics cards?
So, here’s the deal: A graphics card is like a secret tool in my gaming setup. It’s one piece of hardware that takes on the graphics, offloading tasks from the CPU. By handling all the eye-popping visuals, it makes everything look and run smoother.
What is the minimum memory for a graphics card?
If you want to play at 1080p, 4GB of VRAM usually does the trick. But if you want more quality, like 1440p or 4K, you’ll want at least 6GB. Or better yet, 8GB. And for those of us who crave ultra-high-def or want to future-proof, shooting for 12GB or more is the way to go.
Best Graphics Cards in 2024
Zotac GAMING GeForce RTX 3070 Twin Edge OC LHR 8GB GDDR6 Graphics Card
Built on NVIDIA’s powerful Ampere architecture, the GeForce RTX 3070 Twin Edge OC card has 2nd Gen Ray Tracing Cores and 3rd Gen Tensor Cores inside ’em so your games can look stunning and run smoother than you’ve ever seen. Oh, and enjoy having AI-powered DLSS! It’s a feature that lets you can crank up your settings without sacrificing performance. So, every frame is a feast for your eyes.
And don’t overlook the cooling system! The IceStorm 2.0 tech keeps things cool under pressure. It has an 11-blade fan and smart airflow design that ensures your card stays frosty even during intense gaming marathons.
PNY Technologies GeForce RTX 3070 8GB XLR8 Gaming EPIC-X RGB Graphics Card
A powerhouse for gamers and creators takes shape in this PNY Technologies GeForce RTX 3070 8GB Graphics Card. It’s powered by NVIDIA’s amazing Ampere architecture. Purchasing this bad boy gives you access to new streaming multiprocessors and enhanced 3rd generation Tensor Cores and enhanced 1st generation RT Cores. The three of those combined provide all the power you need, even for the most demanding games. See every pixel clearly.
And if you’re a multitasker (whether as a gamer or worker), the GeForce RTX 3070 has many DisplayPort and HDMI ports at your disposal. And if you’re worried about overheating, this GPU has three fans — you’re good!
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 16GB XLR8 Gaming VERTO EPIC-X GDDR6X RGB Triple Fan Graphics Card
Do you know Ada Lovelace? She was considered the first computer programmer ever. To honor her and her ideas, many brands and programmers alike have named many things after her. One of these things is NVIDIA’s “Ada Lovelace architecture” often shortened to “Ada GPU” which is what powers this next graphics card. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 16GB XLR8 Gaming VERTO EPIC-X has AI-powered NVIDIA DLSS 3 that boosts your frame rates, letting you play your fave games in 8K.
You can confidently tackle the latest AAA titles or dive into creative projects because this card delivers the speed, efficiency, and sheer power you need.
Which is better: GTX or RTX for gaming?
GTX (Giga Texel Shader eXtreme) cards are derived from NVIDIA older generation of technologies and are made mid-range to high-end gaming. I personally recommend them for general use as most gamers don’t play beyond 1080p or 1440p and they will give you decent performance. The GTX cards are also cheaper , so it’ll be very suitable for gamers operating on a limited budget.
RTX (Ray Tracing Texel eXtreme) cards are in NVIDIA’s latest generation and are also equipped with dedicated hardware for real time ray tracing and AI-powered graphics. Ray tracing is a recent thing in the gaming world made to add and enhance the actual rays of lights in a scene to render accurate lighting, shadow, and reflections. RTX cards also have an advantage of DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) used to increase the frame rates without affecting the quality of graphics.
For gamers wanting the most powerful card and the highest visual fidelity, then the RTX cards are for them. Still, if one cannot afford the latest card, or doesn’t require the features an RTX card offers, a GTX card is going to give you a good gaming experience.
Choose carefully!
It’s up to you if you want a GTX or RTX to be in your setup. Make sure you choose wisely and read up on everything we have here before you make a decision!
When it comes to graphics cards, always think about the look, feel, and performance. You deserve only the best.
