by The best graphics card gives life to your gaming computer and is one of the most important components in your computer construction for you to have a good gaming experience.
No graphics card is suitable for all gamers, but we all have different preferences and needs. Some are looking for the absolute fastest graphics card, while others want a good budget model, while someone else is looking for the most affordable.
Today, there are many graphics cards with similar names and names. To help you find the right model for your specific needs, we have produced a top list of different types of graphics cards that we consider to be the best models 2022.
We have also produced a guide with explanations of various concepts, functions, etc. If there is something you feel unsure about, you will find this further down in the article. Now we take and check out our top list!
Overview best graphics card 2022
1. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- Optimal combination of performance and price
- Play in 4K with the highest graphics settings
- Superb ray tracing
- 10 GB in memory size
2. AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT
- Premium cards from AMD
- Strong challenger to RTX 3080
- For 4K and QHD gaming
- 16 GB memory
3. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- NVIDIA’s superb flagship
- One of the fastest graphics cards today
- For both gaming and heavy work
- Capable of 8K resolution
4. AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT
- AMD’s fastest graphics card
- Play in 4K ultra with high FPS
- Good alternative to GeForce RTX 3090
- 16 GB in memory
5. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
- Perfect for QHD gaming
- Lots of graphics cards for the money
- Relatively energy efficient
- 8 GB internal memory
6. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
- Really good alternative to 3070
- Play with high FPS in both FHD and QHD
- Realistic ray tracing
- 8 GB of memory
7. AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
- Excellent performance for the price tag
- Strong alternative to 3060 Ti
- Significantly sharper than the previous generation
- Plenty of space with 12 GB in VRAM
8. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
- One of NVIDIA’s top cards
- Almost the same level as 3090
- Play in 4K ultra at around 60 fps
- 12 GB of internal memory
9. AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT
- Excellent graphics card for FHD resolution
- Energy efficient & low temperatures
- Good for gamers who play more casual
- The internal memory is 8 GB
10. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
- Play in FHD and ultra-resolution around 60 fps
- Good choice for a first gaming computer
- Energy efficient
- Cheap and affordable
Buying guide for graphics cards
What should you invest in for graphics cards? Which fits my computer? What is required for my games? The questions can be several when looking for a new graphics card for gaming.
To give you the best possible conditions to find the best graphics card for you, we have produced a buying guide below with explanations of different concepts and what is important to think about.
Of course, there is not only a graphics card that suits everyone best, but we have different preferences, budgets and needs.
Outputs
Before you start looking at the performance of a graphics card, it is important to look at which outputs are on the card and how many. Some monitors support HDMI, while others have DisplayPort. Most often, however, there is a combination of both. The old type called DVI, on the other hand, is almost completely gone today.
Make sure that the graphics card you want to buy has outputs that match your gaming screens , so you do not have to buy adapters or even new screens. If you had not planned for it of course.
Clock frequency (clock speed)
The clock frequency of the graphics card shows how fast the cores in the card are. The higher the speed, the faster these cores in the card work to render the graphics you see on the screen.
The clock frequency is measured in something called megahertz, abbreviated MHz. Even if the clock frequency is not the whole truth about how well a graphics card performs, it is still a sign of how fast the card is.
Cores (CUDA Cores & Stream Processors)
If you read about different graphics cards, you will probably come across the words CUDA Cores and Stream Processors. There are different names for the same thing, namely a multi-core processor and rules for how it should work. CUDA Cores is NVIDIA’s name and Stream Processors is AMD’s name. How these cores are built and work, however, differs between the two manufacturers, which makes it difficult to compare them between each other.
When it comes to gaming and other heavy work of the graphics card, more cores will mean that more processes can be handled simultaneously by the card. This means that shading, lighting and other stressful graphics work in games are easier to handle.
However, it should be said that graphics cards are evolving and getting better all the time and an older graphics card that has more cores than a new graphics card does not necessarily have to be stronger.
Memory size and speed
The graphics card’s own internal memory is called VRAM and this is where the graphics card stores temporary data that is used to render frames in the games you play. There are mainly three things that affect how much memory needs to be used:
- How high the graphics settings are in the game
- How high the resolution of the screen is
- Game level – Advanced games have more demanding textures and graphics
If you want to play heavy games with a good image, a larger memory on the graphics card is simply required, which even the more expensive and better cards usually have.
In addition to the size of the memory, there is a clock frequency that indicates how fast the graphics memory can work. The faster the better for gaming.
Power consumption
An important detail to keep track of when you buy a new graphics card is how much power it consumes and how much power the power supplies need to deliver to power the graphics card and other parts of the computer. Both of these numbers are given in watts and usually appear in the specification on each graphics card.
What is ray tracing?
Ray tracing is a word that you will probably come across if you are looking for a new graphics card. What is it then? Well it is a lighting technology that gives the game an even more realistic feel. By imitating how light is reflected and looks in reality, you can get incredibly cool and lifelike environments in play.
This technology is found in the top models from NVIDIA, which is their 30-series with the GeForce RTX 3060, 3070, 3080 and 3090 cards. At AMD, the Radeon RX 6600 XT, 6700, 6800 and 6900 XT models have ray tracing.
Different versions of the same card
NVIDIA and AMD are the largest developers of graphics cards today, but they rarely manufacture their own graphics cards. They make the processors and then give a so-called reference card to other manufacturers, which they then start from and make their own version of the graphics card.
This means that the same card (eg GeForce RTX 3080) can be available in several different versions from different manufacturers. Some examples of such manufacturers are ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, Palit, Gainward.
They can make different modifications to the graphics card such as different sizes of memory, cooler or connector. For example, some manufacturers may choose to install an additional DisplayPort connection and remove an HDMI port, while others increase the graphics memory from 8 GB to 10 GB.
With that said, we take and check out our best in test and top list of graphics cards 2022!
Top list best graphics card 2022
1. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
Best graphics card overall
- Cores : 8,704
- Memory size: 10 GB
- Memory speed: 760GB / s
- Bass frequency: 1,440 MHz
- Turbo frequency: 1 710 MHz
- Power consumption: 320W
GeForce RTX 3080 is a major upgrade from the previous generation 20 series and although the 3080 Ti and 3090 are better cards, we think the 3080 performs best based on the price tag. With this graphics card you can play both 4K and QHD with high graphics settings.
For this generation, the ray tracing technology has also been further developed and this is a big difference from the 20 cards. Which means you can enjoy even more realistic environments in the games.
A really good power package for a reasonable price, which makes 4K gaming easily accessible!
2. AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT
Best AMD graphics card
- Cores : 4,608
- Memory size: 16 GB
- Memory speed: 512GB / s
- Bass frequency: 1,825 MHz
- Turbo frequency: 2,250 MHz
- Power consumption: 300W
A really good premium graphics card from AMD’s top segment and which offers a big boost from their previous generation of cards. It is a strong challenger and competitor to the GeForce RTX 3080 and performs equally well in many respects.
Some of the differences are that the GeForce RTX 3080 is slightly better in 4K and that the ray tracing technology is also sharper on the 3080, but then you have to remember that NVIDIA’s cards are slightly more expensive in the basic version.
If you are a fan of AMD’s products and want a graphics card that provides a great gaming experience in 4K and 1440p, this is an excellent graphics card.
3. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
Best graphics card for creators
- Cores : 10,496
- Memory size: 24 GB
- Memory speed: 936GB / s
- Bass frequency: 1 395 MHz
- Turbo frequency: 1 695 MHz
- Power consumption: 360W
GeForce RTX 3090 and 3090 Ti are NVIDIA’s flagships and are among the fastest graphics cards on the market. With a huge memory and a large number of cores, there will never be problems with capacity, even if it is a heavy work like 3D and video editing.
With the 3090 you can enjoy 4K gaming at the highest graphics settings and with FPS over 150, in addition, it is possible to play in a senseless 8K resolution.
But if it tastes good, it costs as it is usually called. GeForce RTX is an expensive graphics card that also takes up a lot of space in the computer. Something for the discerning gamer who wants the best!
4. AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT
Fastest graphics card from AMD
- Cores : 5,120
- Memory size: 16 GB
- Memory speed: 512GB / s
- Bass frequency: 1,825 MHz
- Turbo frequency: 2,250 MHz
- Power consumption: 300W
The Radeon RX 6900 XT is AMD’s flagship and a really sharp graphics card for gaming. The RX 6900 XT utilizes AMD’s RDNA 2 architecture, which delivers superb performance to the card.
With this graphics card, it is possible to play in 4K at ultra settings and get FPS over 60 in many games. If you think the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090 is too expensive, this is a good alternative and more focused on gaming.
5. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
Affordable middle class model
- Cores : 5,888
- Memory size: 8 GB
- Memory speed: 448GB / s
- Bass frequency: 1,500 MHz
- Turbo frequency: 1,725 MHz
- Power consumption: 220W
GeForce RTX 3070 is the perfect graphics card for those who do not really care about 4K and who want to play in QHD (1440p) with Ultra settings and high FPS.
This is among the best you can find in the middle segment and it is a graphics card that we think is suitable for many gamers today, as 4K has not yet really taken off.
6. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
Rapid graphics card with good ray tracing
- Cores : 4,864
- Memory size: 8 GB
- Memory speed: 448GB / s
- Bass frequency: 1,410 MHz
- Turbo frequency: 1 665 MHz
- Power consumption: 200W
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti is a perfect graphics card for gaming in FHD (1080p) and QHD (1440p). It’s slightly cheaper than the 3070 in price, but it does not differ much in performance between them. The 3060 Ti can actually be compared to the 2080 Super, which was one of NVIDIA’s top models from the previous generation.
This card is loaded with several NVIDIA’s lavish technologies, such as DLSS, Reflex and Nvidia Broadcast. Furthermore, it manages to provide a realistic ray tracing in both 1080p and 1440p. We think a lot of graphics cards for the money!
7. AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
Excellent performance for the price tag
- Cores : 2,560
- Memory size: 12 GB
- Memory speed: 384GB / s
- Bass frequency: 2,320 MHz
- Turbo frequency: 2,581 MHz
- Power consumption: 230W
A strong competitor to the 3060 Ti and also an excellent choice for gaming in QHD (1440p) with ray tracing. Add to that a full 12 GB in VRAM which gives plenty of space for the graphics card to work on image rendering.
Compared to the previous generation 5700 XT card, the speed 6700 XT has been tuned up properly and AMD delivers a really strong graphics card in the middle segment. In terms of performance, it is roughly placed between the GeForce RTX 3060 Ti and the GeForce RTX 3070.
8. NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
Expensive performance card
- Kernels : 10 240
- Memory size: 12 GB
- Memory speed: 912GB / s
- Bass frequency: 1 365 MHz
- Turbo frequency: 1 665 MHz
- Power consumption: 350W
GeForce RTX 3080 Ti is an impressive graphics card and one of NVIDIA’s top models. In terms of performance, it is almost in the same class as the 3090, but at a couple of thousand dollars cheaper price.
Just like the 3090, the 3080 Ti also manages 4K gaming with ultra-resolution around 60 fps in basically all of today’s games. So for those of you who think the 3090 card has a slightly juicy price tag but still want to be able to enjoy ultra 4K gaming with excellent FPS, this is an optimal graphics card.
9. AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT
Great for 1080p gaming
- Cores : 2,048
- Memory size: 8 GB
- Memory speed: 256GB / s
- Bass frequency: 1,968 MHz
- Turbo frequency: 2,589 MHz
- Power consumption: 160W
Radeon RX 6600 XT is an excellent graphics card for FHD gaming and is a good entry-level model for those who do not plan to play in QHD or 4K resolution.
This graphics card is energy efficient and can therefore be powered by a smaller power supply. In addition, it has low temperatures and in terms of performance it is sharper than, for example, GeForce RTX 3060, but a little more expensive in the basic version.
10. NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
Affordable and cheap model
- Cores : 1,536
- Memory size: 6 GB
- Memory speed: 288GB / s
- Bass frequency: 1,500 MHz
- Turbo frequency: 1,770 MHz
- Power consumption: 120W
With the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti you can play many of today’s games in FHD resolution, ultra settings and an FPS of 60. This is a perfect choice for you who may not have had a gaming computer before and want to build one or buy a finished build .
Just like the Radeon RX 6600 XT, the GeForce GTX 1660 Ti is an energy-efficient graphics card that can be powered by smaller power supplies. One weakness is the memory of 6 GB, which can limit the use somewhat.
Summary of best graphics card 2022
The graphics cards are developing at a fast pace and today there are several cards that can handle 4K gaming with good FPS and can be purchased for relatively affordable prices. Some of today’s top models even manage to deliver 8K resolution with high graphics settings and FPS around 60.
But a specific graphics card does not suit all gamers, but we have different requirements, budget and needs of what the gaming computer should achieve. Therefore, we have developed a top list and the best in tests with 10 different graphics cards that are suitable for different types of gamers. It looks like this:
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
- AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3090
- AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
- AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
- AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
