NVIDIA Graphics Card Buyers Guide

Though many modern CPUs are equipped with integrated graphics, these are only really suitable for gaming at low quality settings at 1080p. Therefore, you should seriously consider buying a separate graphics card if you want to play GAMES or edit videos.

The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and is the main ingredient of a graphics card, the most important component in a gaming PC. The frontrunner in graphics cards is NVIDIA, and its range of GeForce GPUs offer something at every imaginable price point. The key specs to look out for when choosing a GeForce graphics card are the number of CUDA cores, RT cores, Tensor cores and amount of memory, with more powerful cards having more of all four.

RTX-Logo

A more powerful graphics card will enable your PC to run games at higher quality settings at a smooth frame rate for a superior gaming experience. The first question you should therefore ask yourself is what monitor do you have or intend to buy so you can choose a graphics card suitable for it. To make this process easier this buyers guide recommends the optimum monitor resolution for each graphics card.

NVIDIA GeForce RTX Special Features

DLSS

DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) is an advanced AI-powered rendering technique unique to NVIDIA graphics cards that uses the Tensor cores to increase frame rates. DLSS enables you ramp up the resolution to enjoy higher quality graphics, without sacrificing performance.

DLSS 1 & 2

DLSS 1 uses a technique called Super Resolution to upscale frames from a low resolution to a high resolution. DLSS 2 employs temporal anti-aliasing upsampling (TAUU) to improve image quality and performance and is supported in hundreds of games.

DLSS 3

DLSS 3 builds on these upscaling techniques but is even faster as it can create entirely new frames, interspersed between Super Resolution frames. This new Frame Generation technology uses the Tensor cores unique to NVIDIA RTX GPUs and can even boost the performance in CPU limited games such as flight simulators.

DLSS 4

DLSS 4 builds on these upscaling techniques and frame generation techniques but uses AI transformers rather than neural networks to produce three frames interspersed between Super Resolution frames. This new Multi Frame Generation technology uses the Tensor cores unique to NVIDIA RTX GPUs and can even boost the performance in CPU limited games such as flight simulators.

Ray Tracing

The RT cores enables real time ray traced graphics in games. Unlike traditional rasterised graphics, ray tracing simulates how light beams and shadows actually work, providing far more rich and realistic graphics.

NVIDIA Reflex

Reflex delivers the ultimate competitive advantage, enabling you to acquire targets faster, react quicker and increase aim precision through a revolutionary suite of technologies that measure and optimise system latency. The latest Reflex 2 uses Frame Warp to update the rendered frame based on later mouse movements than would normally be done, driving down latency as low as 1ms.

NVIDIA App

The NVIDIA App is the essential companion for PC gamers and creators. Keep your PC up to date with the latest NVIDIA drivers and technology. Optimize games and applications with a new unified GPU control center, capture your favorite moments with powerful recording tools through the in-game overlay, and discover the latest NVIDIA tools and software.​

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NVIDIA Broadcast

Broadcast is a software suite that helps streamers take their channel to the next level with tools such as background noise removal, virtual backgrounds and an auto frame function that zooms in on you and uses AI to track your head movements, keeping you at the centre of the action even as you shift from side to side. With these great features, NVIDIA Broadcast is like having your own professional studio and cameraperson.

The NVIDIA GeForce Hierarchy

RTX 5090

Ultra High End

RTX 5080 RTX 5070 Ti

High End

RTX 5070 RTX 5060 Ti RTX 5060 RTX 4060 Ti RTX 4060 RTX 3060

Mid Range

RTX 3050

Entry Level

RTX 5090

RTX 5090 Graphics Card
8K/4K/UW-QHD

Optimum Resolution

106

Shader Performance (TFLOPS)

318

Ray Tracing Performance (TFLOPS)

3,352

AI Performance (TOPS)

✔

VR Ready

The GeForce RTX 5090 is the flagship GeForce 50-series gaming graphics card. This ultra-fast graphics card packs in 21,760 CUDA cores, 170 4th gen RT cores, 680 5th gen Tensor cores and 32GB of GDDR7 memory, providing stunning gaming experiences at the most demanding resolutions, 8K, 4K and UW-QHD.

BLACKWELL

50-series GPUs are based on the Blackwell architecture which runs games up to twice as fast than previous 40-series Ada Lovelace GPUs.

RTX RAY TRACING

Fourth generation RT cores deliver up to double the real-time ray-tracing performance of the previous generation GPUs.

DLSS 4

Fifth generation Tensor cores use AI transformers to produce three frames interspersed between Super Resolution frames.

STREAMING

50-series GPUs ninth generation video encoders support the 4:2:2 pro-grade colour format - enabling new possibilities for content creators.

VIEW RTX 5090 GPUs

RTX 5080

RTX 5080 Graphics Card
4K/UW-QHD

Optimum Resolution

56

Shader Performance (TFLOPS)

171

Ray Tracing Performance (TFLOPS)

1,808

AI Performance (TOPS)

✔

VR Ready

The GeForce RTX 5080 is a high-end GeForce 50-series gaming graphics card. This ultra-fast graphics card packs in 10,752 CUDA cores, 336 4th gen RT cores, 84 5th gen Tensor cores and 16GB of GDDR7 memory, providing stunning gaming experiences at the most demanding resolutions, 4K and UW-QHD.

BLACKWELL

50-series GPUs are based on the Blackwell architecture which runs games up to twice as fast than previous 40-series Ada Lovelace GPUs.

RTX RAY TRACING

Fourth generation RT cores deliver up to double the real-time ray-tracing performance of the previous generation GPUs.

DLSS 4

Fifth generation Tensor cores use AI transformers to produce three frames interspersed between Super Resolution frames.

STREAMING

50-series GPUs ninth generation video encoders support the 4:2:2 pro-grade colour format - enabling new possibilities for content creators.

VIEW RTX 5080 GPUs

RTX 5070 Ti

RTX 5070 Ti Graphics Card
1440p

Optimum Resolution

44

Shader Performance (TFLOPS)

133

Ray Tracing Performance (TFLOPS)

1,406

AI Performance (TOPS)

✔

VR Ready

The GeForce RTX 5070 Ti is a high-end GeForce 50-series gaming graphics card. This fast graphics card packs in 8,960 CUDA cores, 70 4th gen RT cores, 280 5th gen Tensor cores and 16GB of GDDR7 memory, providing stunning gaming experiences at 1440p.

BLACKWELL

50-series GPUs are based on the Blackwell architecture which runs games up to twice as fast than previous 40-series Ada Lovelace GPUs.

RTX RAY TRACING

Fourth generation RT cores deliver up to double the real-time ray-tracing performance of the previous generation GPUs.

DLSS 4

Fifth generation Tensor cores use AI transformers to produce three frames interspersed between Super Resolution frames.

STREAMING

50-series GPUs ninth generation video encoders support the 4:2:2 pro-grade colour format - enabling new possibilities for content creators.

VIEW RTX 5070 Ti GPUs

RTX 5070

RTX 5070 Graphics Card
1440p

Optimum Resolution

29

Shader Performance (TFLOPS)

94

Ray Tracing Performance (TFLOPS)

988

AI Performance (TOPS)

✔

VR Ready

The GeForce RTX 5070 is a mid-range GeForce 50-series gaming graphics card. This fast graphics card packs in 6,144 CUDA cores, 48 4th gen RT cores, 192 5th gen Tensor cores and 12GB of GDDR7 memory, providing stunning gaming experiences at 1440p.

BLACKWELL

50-series GPUs are based on the Blackwell architecture which runs games up to twice as fast than previous 40-series Ada Lovelace GPUs.

RTX RAY TRACING

Fourth generation RT cores deliver up to double the real-time ray-tracing performance of the previous generation GPUs.

DLSS 4

Fifth generation Tensor cores use AI transformers to produce three frames interspersed between Super Resolution frames.

STREAMING

50-series GPUs ninth generation video encoders support the 4:2:2 pro-grade colour format - enabling new possibilities for content creators.

VIEW RTX 5070 GPUs

RTX 5060 Ti

RTX 5070 Graphics Card
1080p

Optimum Resolution

24

Shader Performance (TFLOPS)

72

Ray Tracing Performance (TFLOPS)

759

AI Performance (TOPS)

✔

VR Ready

The GeForce RTX 5060 Ti is a mid-range GeForce 50-series gaming graphics card. This fast graphics card packs in 4,608 CUDA cores, 36 4th gen RT cores, 144 5th gen Tensor cores and either 8 or 16GB of GDDR7 memory, providing stunning gaming experiences at 1080p.

BLACKWELL

50-series GPUs are based on the Blackwell architecture which runs games up to twice as fast than previous 40-series Ada Lovelace GPUs.

RTX RAY TRACING

Fourth generation RT cores deliver up to double the real-time ray-tracing performance of the previous generation GPUs.

DLSS 4

Fifth generation Tensor cores use AI transformers to produce three frames interspersed between Super Resolution frames.

STREAMING

50-series GPUs ninth generation video encoders support the 4:2:2 pro-grade colour format - enabling new possibilities for content creators.

VIEW RTX 5060 Ti GPUs

RTX 5060

RTX 5060 Graphics Card
1080p

Optimum Resolution

19

Shader Performance (TFLOPS)

58

Ray Tracing Performance (TFLOPS)

614

AI Performance (TOPS)

✔

VR Ready

The RTX 5060 is a mid-range GeForce 50-series gaming graphics card. This fast graphics card packs in 3,840 CUDA cores, 30 4th gen RT cores, 120 5th gen Tensor cores and 8GB of GDDR7 memory, providing stunning gaming experiences at 1080.

BLACKWELL

50-series GPUs are based on the Blackwell architecture which runs games up to twice as fast than previous 40-series Ada Lovelace GPUs.

RTX RAY TRACING

Fourth generation RT cores deliver up to double the real-time ray-tracing performance of the previous generation GPUs.

DLSS 4

Fifth generation Tensor cores use AI transformers to produce three frames interspersed between Super Resolution frames.

STREAMING

50-series GPUs ninth generation video encoders support the 4:2:2 pro-grade colour format - enabling new possibilities for content creators.

VIEW RTX 5060 GPUS

RTX 4060 Ti

RTX 4060 Ti Graphics Card
1080p

Optimum Resolution

22

Shader Performance (TFLOPS)

51

Ray Tracing Performance (TFLOPS)

353

AI Performance (TOPS)

✔

VR Ready

The GeForce RTX 4060 Ti is a powerful mid-range GeForce 40-series gaming graphics card. This fast graphics card packs in 4,352 CUDA cores, 34 3rd gen RT cores, 136 4th gen Tensor cores and 16GB or 8GB of memory, providing a great gaming experience at 1080p.

ADA LOVELACE

40-series GPUs are based on the Ada Lovelace architecture which runs games up to 70% faster and render video and graphics up to 87% faster than previous 30-series Ampere GPUs.

RTX RAY TRACING

Third generation RT cores deliver up to double the real-time ray-tracing performance of the previous generation GPUs.

DLSS 4

Fourth generation Tensor cores combine with Optical Flow Accelerator in 40-series GPUs to deliver the latest generation of DLSS, using AI to create additional high-quality frames.

STREAMING

40-series GPUs feature eighth generation AV1 video encoders which are 40% faster more efficient than H.264 - enabling new possibilities for content creators.

VIEW RTX 4060 TI GPUs

RTX 4060

RTX 4060 Graphics Card
1080p

Optimum Resolution

15

Shader Performance (TFLOPS)

35

Ray Tracing Performance (TFLOPS)

242

AI Performance (TOPS)

✔

VR Ready

The GeForce RTX 4060 is a mid-range GeForce 40-series gaming graphics card. This fast graphics card packs in 3,072 CUDA cores, 24 3rd gen RT cores, 96 4th gen Tensor cores and 8GB of memory, providing a great gaming experience at 1080p.

ADA LOVELACE

40-series GPUs are based on the Ada Lovelace architecture which runs games up to 70% faster and render video and graphics up to 87% faster than previous 30-series Ampere GPUs.

RTX RAY TRACING

Third generation RT cores deliver up to double the real-time ray-tracing performance of the previous generation GPUs.

DLSS 4

Fourth generation Tensor cores combine with Optical Flow Accelerator in 40-series GPUs to deliver the latest generation of DLSS, using AI to create additional high-quality frames.

STREAMING

40-series GPUs feature eighth generation AV1 video encoders which are 40% faster more efficient than H.264 - enabling new possibilities for content creators.

VIEW RTX 4060 GPUs

RTX 3060

RTX 3060 Graphics Card
1080p

Optimum Resolution

13

Shader Performance (TFLOPS)

N/A

Ray Tracing Performance (TFLOPS)

N/A

AI Performance (TOPS)

✔

VR Ready

The GeForce RTX 3060 is a mid-range GeForce 30-series gaming graphics card. This fast graphics card packs in 3,584 CUDA cores, 28 2nd gen RT cores, 112 3rd gen Tensor cores and 12GB of memory, providing a great gaming experience at 1080p.

AMPERE

30-series GPUs are based on the Ampere architecture which runs games up to 70% faster than previous 20-series Turing GPUs.

RTX RAY TRACING

Third generation RT cores deliver up to double the real-time ray-tracing performance of the previous generation GPUs.

DLSS 2

Third generation Tensor cores are used by DLSS to upscale frames to higher resolutions for higher framerates.

STREAMING

30-series GPUs feature seventh generation H.265 video encoders enable new possibilities for content creators.

VIEW RTX 3060 GPUs

RTX 3050

RTX 3050 Graphics Card
1080p

Optimum Resolution

9

Shader Performance (TFLOPS)

N/A

Ray Tracing Performance (TFLOPS)

N/A

AI Performance (TOPS)

✘

VR Ready

The RTX 3050 is the entry-level GeForce 30-series gaming graphics card. This fast graphics card packs in 2,560 CUDA cores, 20 2nd gen RT cores, 80 3rd gen Tensor cores and 8GB of memory, providing a great gaming experience at 1080p when you enable DLSS.

AMPERE

30-series GPUs are based on the Ampere architecture which runs games up to 70% faster than previous 20-series Turing GPUs

RTX RAY TRACING

Third generation RT cores deliver up to double the real-time ray-tracing performance of the previous generation GPUs.

DLSS 2

Third generation Tensor cores are used by DLSS to upscale frames to higher resolutions for higher framerates.

STREAMING

30-series GPUs feature seventh generation H.265 video encoders enable new possibilities for content creators.

VIEW RTX 3050 GPUs

Buying a GeForce RTX 50-series graphics card?

Read our blog to find out to find out if your PSU, case, CPU and motherboard are compatible.

READ MORE

NVIDIA GPU Summary

Still not sure which NVIDIA graphics card is right for you? This table shows the key characteristics of the main models.

GeForce RTX 50-Series, 40-Series, 30-Series, 20-Series, GTX 16-Series & 10-Series Card Specifications

Model RTX 5090 RTX 5080 RTX 5070 Ti RTX 5070 RTX 5060 Ti RTX 5060 RTX 4090 RTX 4080 Super RTX 4080 RTX 4070 Ti Super RTX 4070 Ti RTX 4070 Super RTX 4070 RTX 4060 Ti RTX 4060 RTX 3090 Ti RTX 3090 RTX 3080 Ti RTX 3080 RTX 3070 Ti RTX 3070 RTX 3060 Ti RTX 3060 RTX 3050 RTX 3050 TITAN RTX RTX 2080 Ti RTX 2080 Super RTX 2080 RTX 2070 Super RTX 2070 RTX 2060 Super RTX 2060 GTX 1080 Ti GTX 1080 GTX 1070 Ti GTX 1070 GTX 1660 Ti GTX 1660 Super GTX 1660 GTX 1650 Super GTX 1650 GTX 1060 6GB GTX 1060 3GB GTX 1050 Ti GTX 1050
Architecture Blackwell Blackwell Blackwell Blackwell Blackwell Blackwell Ada Lovelace Ada Lovelace Ada Lovelace Ada Lovelace Ada Lovelace Ada Lovelace Ada Lovelace Ada Lovelace Ada Lovelace Ampere Ampere Ampere Ampere Ampere Ampere Ampere Ampere Ampere Ampere Turing Turing Turing Turing Turing Turing Turing Turing Pascal Pascal Pascal Pascal Turing Turing Turing Turing Turing Pascal Pascal Pascal Pascal
GPU GB202 GB203 GB203 GB205 GB206 GB206 AD102 AD103 AD103 AD103 AD104 AD104 AD104 AD106 AD107 GA102 GA102 GA102 GA102 GA104 GA104 GA104 GA106 GA106 GA106 TU102 TU102 TU104 TU104 TU104 TU106 TU106 TU106 GP102 GP104 GP104 GP104 TU116 TU116 TU116 TU117 TU117 GP106 GP106 GP107 GP107
CUDA Cores 21,760 10,752 8,960 6,144 4,608 3,840 16,384 10,240 9,728 8,448 7,680 7,168 5,888 4,352 3,072 10,752 10,496 10,240 8,704 6,144 5,888 4,864 3,584 2,560 2,304 4,608 4,352 3,072 2,944 2,560 2,304 2,176 1,920 3,584 2,560 2,432 1,920 1,536 1,408 1,408 1,280 896 1,280 1,152 768 640
Tensor Cores 680 (5th Gen) 336 (5th Gen) 280 (5th Gen) 192 (5th Gen) 144 (5th Gen) 120 (5th Gen) 512 (4th Gen) 320 (4th Gen) 304 (4th Gen) 264 (4th Gen) 240 (4th Gen) 224 (4th Gen) 184 (4th Gen) 136 (4th Gen) 96 (4th Gen) 336 (3rd Gen) 328 (3rd Gen) 320 (3rd Gen) 272 (3rd Gen) 192 (3rd Gen) 184 (3rd Gen) 152 (3rd Gen) 112 (3rd Gen) 80 (3rd Gen) 72 (3rd Gen) 576 (2nd Gen) 544 (2nd Gen) 384 (2nd Gen) 368 (2nd Gen) 320 (2nd Gen) 288 (2nd Gen) 272 (2nd Gen) 240 (2nd Gen) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
RT Cores 170 (4th Gen) 84 (4th Gen) 70 (4th Gen) 48 (4th Gen) 36 (4th Gen) 30 (4th Gen) 128 (3rd Gen) 80 (3rd Gen) 76 (3rd Gen) 66 (3rd Gen) 60 (3rd Gen) 56 (3rd Gen) 46 (3rd Gen) 34 (3rd Gen) 24 (3rd Gen) 84 (2nd Gen) 82 (2nd Gen) 80 (2nd Gen) 68 (2nd Gen) 48 (2nd Gen) 46 (2nd Gen) 38 (2nd Gen) 28 (2nd Gen) 20 (2nd Gen) 18 (2nd Gen) 68 (1st Gen) 48 (1st Gen) 46 (1st Gen) 40 (1st Gen) 36 (1st Gen) 34 (1st Gen) 30 (1st Gen) 30 (1st Gen) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Reference Base Clock 2.01GHz 2.3GHz 2.3GHz 2.16GHz 2.4GHz 2.28GHz 2.01GHz 2.21GHz 2.21GHz 2.34GHz 2.31GHz 1.98GHz 1.92GHz 2.31GHz 1.83GHz 1,560MHz 1,400MHz 1,370MHz 1,440MHz 1,580MHz 1,500MHz 1,410MHz 1,320MHz 1,552MHz 1,042MHz 1,350 MHz 1,350 MHz 1,650 MHz 1,515 MHz 1,605 MHz 1,410 MHz 1,470 MHz 1,365 MHz 1,480 MHz 1,607 MHz 1,607 MHz 1,506 MHz 1,500 MHz 1,530 MHz 1,530 MHz 1,530 MHz 1,485 MHz 1,506 MHz 1,506 MHz 1,290 MHz 1,354 MHz
Reference Boost Clock 2.41GHz 2.62GHz 2.45GHz 2.51GHz 2.6GHz 2.49GHz 2.52GHz 2.55GHz 2.51GHz 2.61GHz 2.61GHz 2.48GHz 2.48GHz 2.54GHz 2.46GHz 1,860MHz 1,700 MHz 1,670MHz 1,710 MHz 1,770MHz 1,730 MHz 1,665MHz 1,780MHz 1,777MHz 1,470MHz 1,770 MHz 1,545 MHz 1,815 MHz 1,710 MHz 1,770 MHz 1,710 MHz 1,650 MHz 1,680 MHz 1,582 MHz 1,733 MHz 1,683 MHz 1,683 MHz 1,770 MHz 1,785 MHz 1,785 MHz 1,725 MHz 1,665 MHz 1,708 MHz 1,708 MHz 1,392 MHz 1,455 MHz
Memory 32GB GDDR7 16GB GDDR7 16GB GDDR7 12GB GDDR7 8/16GB GDDR7 8GB GDDR7 24GB GDDR6X 16GB GDDR6X 16GB GDDR6X 16GB GDDR6X 12GB GDDR6X 12GB GDDR6X 12GB GDDR6X 8/16GB GDDR6 8GB GDDR6 24GB GDDR6X 24GB GDDR6X 12GB GDDR6X 10GB GDDR6X 8GB GDDR6X 8GB GDDR6 8GB GDDR6 12GB GDDR6 8GB GDDR6 6GB GDDR6 24GB GDDR6 11GB GDDR6 8GB GDDR6 8GB GDDR6 8GB GDDR6 8GB GDDR6 8GB GDDR6 6GB GDDR6 11GB GDDR5X 8GB GDDR5X 8GB GDDR5 8GB GDDR5 6GB GDDR6 6GB GDDR6 6GB GDDR5 4GB GDDR6 4GB GDDR5 6GB GDDR5 3GB GDDR5 4GB GDDR5 2GB GDDR5
Memory Controller 512-bit 256-bit 256-bit 192-bit 128-bit 128-bit 384-bit 256-bit 256-bit 256-bit 192-bit 192-bit 192-bit 128-bit 128-bit 384-bit 384-bit 384-bit 320-bit 256-bit 256-bit 256-bit 192-bit 128-bit 96-bit 384-bit 352-bit 352-bit 256-bit 256-bit 256-bit 256-bit 192-bit 352-bit 256-bit 256-bit 256-bit 192-bit 192-bit 192-bit 128-bit 128-bit 192-bit 192-bit 128-bit 128-bit
TDP 575W 360W 300W 250W 180W 145W 450W 320W 320W 285W 285W 220W 200W 160W 115W 350W 350W 350W 320W 290W 220W 200W 170W 130W 70W 280W 260W 250W 225W 215W 175W 175W 160W 250W 180W 180W 150W 120W 125W 120W 110W 75W 120W 120W 75W 75W
Minimum PSU 1000W 850W 750W 650W 600W 550W 850W 750W 750W 700W 700W 650W 650W 550W 550W 850W 750W 750W 750W 750W 650W 600W 550W 550W 550W 650W 650W 650W 650W 650W 550W 550W 550W 600W 450W 450W 450W 450W 450W 450W 350W 300W 300W 300W 250W 250W
Release Date Jan 2025 Jan 2025 Feb 2025 Mar 2025 Apr 2025 May 2025 Sep 2022 Jan 2024 Sep 2022 Jan 2024 Jan 2023 Jan 2024 Apr 2023 May 2023 May 2023 Jan 2022 Sep 2020 May 2021 Sep 2020 May 2021 Sep 2020 Dec 2020 Oct 2022 Jan 2022 Jan 2022 Dec 2018 Sep 2018 Jul 2019 Sep 2018 Jul 2019 Oct 2018 Jul 2019 Jan 2019 Mar 2017 May 2016 Nov 2017 Jun 2016 Feb 2019 Oct 2018 Mar 2019 Nov 2019 Apr 2019 Jul 2016 Aug 2016 Oct 2016 Oct 2016

Ready to buy?

NVIDIA GeForce graphics cards can be purchased as a standalone product or integrated into a gaming PC from our award-winning 3XS Systems team.

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