The Best Graphics Cards (GPUs) For Your Gaming PC 2022
Next to the central processing unit (CPU), the GPU has the most impact on the performance of your gaming PC. Looking for exceptional gameplay experience? You'll need a powerful GPU.
Read on to find out our recommendations. Whether you're upgrading your gaming PC set-up or starting from scratch, we've got something for everyone. From entry-level to the ultimate pro-gamer - don't miss what we have on offer.
And if you're looking to build the whole set-up, you can discover more of our top recommendations below:
1. Gaming CPU Recommendations For All Budgets
2. The Best Motherboard For Your Gaming PC
3. Top RAM (Memory) Recommendations For Your Gaming PC
4. HDD and SDD Recommendations For Your Gaming PC
5. PSU Recommendations To Power Up Your Gaming PC
6. The Best CPU Coolers For Your Gaming PC
7. The Best Gaming PC Cases and Towers
What is a GPU?
GPU stands for Graphics Process Unit – also known as your graphics card or video card. It’s a specialised processor which renders images, video, 2D and 3D animations for display, performing quick calculation to free up your CPU to do other things.
When it comes to gaming performance, your graphics card plays a crucial role. So, it’s very important you get the right one within your budget. But be prepared, they’re one of the most expensive parts of the puzzle…
GPU Recommendations - Entry Level
| AMD | Intel |
Sapphire Radeon RX 6500 XT Pulse |
ASUS NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 PH-GTX1050TI-4G |
| A good graphics card if you’re intending to build an affordable AMD gaming PC. You’ll be able to enjoy good gaming performance on most games at medium display settings – high, if they’re less demanding! |
For Intel gaming PCs, you’d be better off looking at this GeForce GTX 1050 TI, another solid option that will deliver solid frame rates at mid-range display settings on most modern games. |
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Is it right for me? The RX6500 XT is the latest in the Radeon Graphics line up. Using RDNA2, it’s perfect for newcomers, and well suited to gamers who want to get 1080p gaming without a major outlay. |
Is it right for me? This has been one of the most popular lower-value gaming cards for almost 12 years! It can handle most games at 1080p at medium settings. Perfect to start your gaming journey without a big outlay on cost. |
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Performance benchmarks Assassins Creed Valhalla - average FPS was 55 on 1080p medium settings Forza 5 - average FPS was 67 on 1080p medium settings Far Cry 6 – average FPS was 69 on 1080p medium settings |
Performance benchmarks Assassins Creed Valhalla - average FPS was 42 on 1080p medium settings Forza 5 - average FPS was 63 on 1080p medium settings Far Cry 6 – average FPS was 64 on 1080p medium settings |
GPU Recommendations - Mid-Level
| AMD | Intel |
Sapphire PULSE AMD Radeon RX 6650 XT 8 GB GDDR6 |
MSI GeForce RTX 3050 VENTUS 2X 8G NVIDIA 8 GB GDDR6 |
| If you’re after a little more performance – but without the higher price tag – you might consider the RX 6650 XT. You’ll get good FPS at medium to high settings – but you wouldn’t push it much further than that. | This is an excellent GPU for a mid-level gaming PC – it’s built with powerful performance in mind and will perform well at 4k Ultra display settings if the rest of set up is of a similar quality. |
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Is it right for me? This is a superb card allowing you to play some of the latest games, while also achieving great FPS when compared to our mid-level Intel recommendation. With a great pound-to-performance ratio, this is a fantastic option for your mid-level gaming PC. |
Is it right for me? NVIDIA’s mid-level card offers solid performance. If you are a loyal NVIDIA follower, then this is the best mid-level card for you. However, our winner in this category is the RX 6650 XT in our AMD recommendation! |
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Performance benchmarks Assassins Creed Valhalla - average FPS was 98 on 1080p very high settings Forza 5 - average FPS was 104 on 1080p ultra settings Far Cry 6 - average FPS was 75 on 1080p ultra settings |
Performance benchmarks Assassins Creed Valhalla - average FPS was 58 on 1080p very high settings Forza 5 - average FPS was 85 on 1080p ultra settings Far Cry 6 - average FPS was 48 on 1080p ultra settings |
GPU Recommendations - Enthusiast
| AMD | Intel |
MSI Radeon RX 6750 XT MECH 2X 12G OC AMD 12 GB GDDR6 |
Gigabyte AORUS XTREME GV-N307TVISION OC-8GD graphics card NVIDIA GeForce |
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Exceptionally well built, quiet and cool – and with the performance capability to easily play modern games at 1440p with good FPS numbers. Its price tag is a little high, but if you’re after beautiful pictures, that's absolutely what you'll get. |
This powerful gaming GPU does best as a 1440p gaming solution – meaning that you’ll be able to enjoy most modern games at high settings with great FPS and a smooth performance. |
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Performance benchmarks Assassins Creed Valhalla - average FPS was 82 on 1440p Ultra settings Forza 5 - average FPS was 127 on 1440p Ultra settings Far Cry 6 - average FPS was 91 on 1440p Ultra settings |
Performance benchmarks Assassins Creed Valhalla - average FPS was 80 on 1440p Ultra settings Forza 5 - average FPS was 119 on 1440p Ultra settings Far Cry 6 - average FPS was 80 on 1440p Ultra settings |
GPU Recommendations - Ultimate
| AMD | Intel |
Sapphire NITRO+ Radeon RX 6950 XT AMD Radeon RX 6950XT 16 GB GDDR6 |
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 10 GB GDDR6X |
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AMD has come into the market with a heavy hitter – the Radeon 6950 XT. Enjoy the kind of performance all gamers dream of at 4K Ultra settings. It’s a premium product, but it’s worth every penny for a true gamer – and our top choice in the AMD category trumps the NVIDIA RTX 3080. |
Are there cheaper cards with a better value proposition? Yes. But, if you are a NVIDIA fan, this is the ultimate card for you – it hits all prerequisites to be a frame-chomping, clear-pixel emitting card. Game on. |
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Is it right for me? Looking to ensure you have the best FPS, 4K detail and ray tracing to give yourself the edge over the competition? Then this is the card for you. We love this product, and given its incredible benchmarks against the NVIDIA RTX 3080, we’re crowning it as the champion card of our GPU list – that is, until the RTX 4080 or new RDNA 3 cards are released! |
Is it right for me? Love NVIDIA? Want their best card? Then roll up and bag this beauty! This is the reigning champ in the NVIDIA camp, and while the imminent release of the RTX 4080 may knock this off the top spot for pure performance, prices are falling – and the RTX 4080 price is earmarked to be over £1489, so it will need to deliver something incredible before we recommend that instead! |
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Performance benchmarks Assassins Creed Valhalla - average FPS was 120 on 1440p Ultra settings Forza 5 - average FPS was 110 on 1440p Ultra settings Far Cry 6 - average FPS was 117 on 1440p Ultra settings |
Performance benchmarks Assassins Creed Valhalla - average FPS was 85 on 1440p Ultra settings Forza 5 - average FPS was 101 on 1440p Ultra settings Far Cry 6 - average FPS was 112 on 1440p Ultra settings |
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