Best Graphics Cards 2025

Short answer: top picks by budget

Best overall value (most gamers): AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT. Best for 1440p: AMD Radeon RX 9070. Best high-end: NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti. For tight budgets, the Intel Arc B570/B580 series give good value.

How to pick a GPU in 2025

Pick by three things: resolution (1080p, 1440p, 4K), budget, and the games you play. If you use ray tracing or AI features, Nvidia's Blackwell cards are strongest. If you want raw raster performance per dollar, AMD RDNA 3 and 4 parts often win. For cheap builds, Intel Arc now competes well after driver improvements.

Quick checklist

• Match GPU to monitor: 1440p needs more power than 1080p.
• Check VRAM: 8GB is OK for 1080p, 12–16GB is safer for 1440p and future games.
• Consider power and case size: some top cards use 250–350W.
• Compare street price to MSRP—many cards sell above launch price.

Our Value Score table (simple guide)

We combined benchmark performance and current street price to make a Value Score. Higher is better. Sources: BestValueGPU value tables, PassMark value chart, Tom's Hardware GPU reviews, and market reports like ExtremeTech deals.

GPU	Typical Price	Best For	Value Score
AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT	$269–$349	1440p value	61
Intel Arc B570 / B580	$199–$249	Budget 1080p/medium 1440p	59–63
AMD Radeon RX 9070	$549–$669	Best midrange 1440p	48–50
NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti	$749–$930	High-end 1440p / 4K light	54
NVIDIA RTX 5060	$299–$349	Budget RTX / 1080p	46

Note: Prices change fast. Benchmarks are mixed by engine; check reviews for your games. See raw score lists at UL Benchmarks and community price watch videos like GPU Price Watch.

Best GPUs by price (direct answers)

Best under $200

Intel Arc B570 (or used GTX 1650 Super). The Arc B570 gives strong raster performance for the cost and improved drivers. Good for 1080p and esports titles.

Best under $300

AMD Radeon RX 9060 XT or NVIDIA RTX 5060 if you want RTX features. The 9060 XT is our pick for best price-to-performance for 1440p in many modern games.

Best under $400

Radeon RX 7700 XT or the 9060 XT 16GB variant. These balance VRAM and raster power for high detail at 1440p.

Best under $600

AMD Radeon RX 9070 or NVIDIA RTX 5060 Ti 16GB. Great for solid 1440p performance and some 4K capability in less demanding titles.

Best high-end

RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5080 are top picks for gamers who want high frame rates and the best ray tracing plus AI features. For raw raster performance per dollar, AMD's 7900/9000 series remain strong options.

Best for specific uses

Best for 1440p gaming

Radeon RX 9070. It hits the sweet spot for most modern titles at 1440p with high settings. See the detailed review at Tom's Hardware.

Best for ray tracing

NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti / 5080. Blackwell architecture leads in ray tracing and AI upscaling performance.

Best budget Radeon alternative

RX 9060 XT 16GB gives more VRAM for future-proofing while staying affordable. PassMark and value charts confirm strong price-to-performance for many users: PassMark value.

Used market: when to buy used

Used cards can be great value. Look for well-known models like RTX 3080, RTX 3070, or older Radeon RX 6000 cards if prices are low. Check for warranty transfers, visible wear, and seller reviews. Community marketplaces and the Hardware Unboxed value threads often show deals.

Upgrade advice: is it worth moving from an RTX 3060?

Upgrading from an RTX 3060 makes sense if you want a major boost at 1440p or ray tracing with high frames. If you play at 1080p, a 3060 still holds up well. For many, the sweet upgrade is to a 5060 / 9060 XT or jump to a 9070 for bigger gains. UserBenchmark and community threads recommend waiting for MSRP drops rather than paying scalper prices.

Power, size, and compatibility checklist

• Power supply: check TBP/TDP. High-end cards can need 250–350W and extra PCIe connectors.
• Case clearance: measure card length vs your case.
• CPU bottleneck: avoid pairing a top GPU with an old CPU. Balanced builds give the best results.

Quick buying tips and where to check prices

1. Compare MSRP vs street price; many cards sell above MSRP.
2. Use price trackers and watch deal pages like ExtremeTech deals and community price watch videos (YouTube GPU Price Watch).
3. Check benchmarks in the games you play, not just synthetic scores. Tom's Hardware and PC Gamer have detailed game tests: PC Gamer.

FAQ

Is 8GB VRAM enough in 2025?

For 1080p, yes in many games. For 1440p and higher settings, 12–16GB is safer. Newer titles and higher texture packs benefit from more VRAM.

Should I wait for a new release?

Only if a new architecture is right around the corner or prices are unusually high now. Otherwise buy when a card matches your budget and needs.

Are Intel Arc GPUs worth it?

Yes for budget builds. Drivers improved in 2025 and some Arc cards offer excellent value for rasterization. For ray tracing, Nvidia remains stronger.

Closing takeaway

Match the GPU to your monitor and budget. For most buyers seeking the best price-to-performance in 2025, the Radeon RX 9060 XT is the smart pick. If you want top ray tracing and AI, choose Nvidia's 50-series. Track prices, check game benchmarks, and avoid scalper rates.

Sources and further reading: BestValueGPU, PassMark, Tom's Hardware, ExtremeTech, UL Benchmarks, and community price threads.