10 Best Graphics Cards for Gaming in 2021

A budget model of a gaming video card based on an AMD chip. Yes, the card is not the cheapest, plus its release took place in 2017, but this does not prevent it from remaining relevant today. It's all about the optimal balance between the components - the chip itself is not mega-efficient, although its capabilities allow you to aim at medium graphics settings in most recent games, but this drawback is partly leveled by the very large bandwidth of the memory bus, which has a capacity of 256 bits. In addition, the amount of video memory here is 8 GB, so the GPU has time to "digest" large arrays of graphic data, keeping the FPS at an acceptable level. As a result, we get a cheap alternative for those who prefer to build a gaming computer from AMD components. Another important point is that the card supports CrossFire X, i.e. You can increase the power by installing a pair of GIGABYTE Radeon RX 580 GAMING.

Relatively cheap gaming graphics card for comfortable gaming at about medium graphics settings. It uses a fairly efficient chip and fast GDDR6 memory. True, the amount of video memory is only 4 GB, and it is connected via a 128-bit bus, which somewhat limits the final "power" of the card. On the other hand, an efficient cooling system is implemented here with the ability to adjust the speed of a pair of “turntables”, plus the maximum power consumption is limited to 100 W, i.e. it will be very difficult to overheat the graphics adapter. On the basis of this model, you can assemble a budget computer for games, which will allow you to run the top game hits of recent years and try out the latest innovations at minimum wages. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that the video card from Gigabyte appears in stores in small batches and flies like hot cakes on the Vladivostok-Moscow train.

One of the most requested options. The key reasons are the cheap cost of the video card and a decent level of performance squeezed out of the old generation chip. Palit's graphics adapter is based on the GTX 1050 Ti GPU with a maximum operating frequency of 1392 MHz in turbo boost mode. The card is equipped with 4 GB of GDDR5 video memory, is capable of working at 4K resolution and confidently launches any game at least at minimum levels. Another important point is the compact dimensions, which allows installation in custom cases of non-standard sizes. But still, you need to understand that this is a budget version of a gaming video card with an outdated component base that was relevant a couple of years ago, but not today. In order to reduce the price, the manufacturer did not even complete it with a software disk, so all drivers will have to be downloaded manually from the official website.

A good mid-budget option for games that hit the market in 2019. This video card uses a 12nm GTX 1660 Ti chip, which is complemented by 6 GB of GDDR6 video memory connected via a 192-bit bus. The nominal frequency is exactly 1500 MHz, but in boost the card accelerates to 1770 MHz, providing an acceptable level of performance even in top games. As you can see, the card is absolutely gaming, this is also emphasized by the design and the presence of two productive "turntables" of the cooling system, after all, at the maximum Palit GeForce GTX 1660 Ti DUAL "eats" 120 W, so it is recommended to use a power supply unit of at least 450 W. We add that with this video card, 8K resolution images are available on three monitors, but it does not have a gaming backlight and the ability to create multi-configurations via CrossFire X.

Mid-budget, but quite cheap gaming graphics card from MSI, which entered the market in 2019. The execution is simple - no body illumination, classic dimensions, no CrossFire X, two occupied slots. The GPU is the 12nm RTX 2060 version with a maximum operating frequency of 1770 MHz. The memory here is 6 GB - the optimal minimum by modern standards, and the memory is quite fast, which is important when playing at high settings. This model fits perfectly into the concept of a relatively budget gaming computer that can remain relevant in terms of performance for the next three years. We note the presence of 240 tensor and 30 RT cores, so there is ray tracing, which will add maximum impact to top PC games. But what this model lacks is an aluminum casing, which would significantly improve heat dissipation.

The MSI GeForce GTX 1050 Ti GAMING X is the best budget graphics card for gaming today. It is quite cheap by today's standards, plus it has an impressive balance of reliability and performance. We must pay tribute, MSI knows how to make gaming components even on outdated components. This model uses the GTX 1050 Ti chip, from which the developers squeezed the maximum out by raising the bus frequency to 1493 MHz. If we replaced the standard 4 GB of video memory with 6 GB, then the card would easily pull all the game news at medium settings, but in this form, most often you will have to be content with the minimum. However, many are satisfied with such a situation, so you can assemble an inexpensive PC based on this video card. Note that MSI did not stint on a nice bonus in the form of highlighting the elements of the case, so the card also looks like a gamer.

One of the most popular video cards in the high performance segment. It first entered the market in 2020 and managed to establish itself well in all top games. It has 8 GB of GDDR6 video memory that interacts with the GPU via a 256-bit bus, which significantly speeds up the data exchange process. The chip itself operates at a frequency of 1500 MHz in normal mode and at 1755 MHz with turbo boost. The card received 46 RT cores and 184 tensor cores, which together significantly increased performance compared to the previous generation cards. This is one of the first graphics adapters to receive a lower hash rate to make life harder for cryptocurrency miners. The move is believed to keep prices down by allowing gamers to get a powerful graphics card at an affordable price.

The best novelty of 2021 based on solutions from AMD. The RX 6700 XT chip was created using a 7nm process technology and is capable of delivering an operating frequency in the range of 2321-2622 MHz, interacting with GDDR6 memory via a 192-bit bus with a bandwidth of 16 Gb / s. This graphics card is equipped with 40 RT cores for hardware accelerated ray tracing, supports shaders version 6.5, DirectX 12 Ultimate and OpenGL 4.6. For cooling, three fans are used with the option of speed control up to a complete stop. There is a BIOS switch and powerful fine-tuning software. The card is not budget, it will cost more than 100,000 rubles, but it will give you the opportunity to enjoy your favorite games at maximum graphics settings. Among the minuses, however, logical and expected, we note the large dimensions, the need for two additional cables for power supply and a high TDP of 260 watts.

Mid-budget gaming graphics card with a good level of performance. The GTX 1660 chip is responsible for the calculations, which has a factory overclock, which raised the maximum frequency to 1845 MHz in turbo mode. 6 GB of GDDR6 memory is enough for medium settings in the latest releases, although some AAA games can stutter, so you will have to reduce your requests for graphics quality. The obvious drawback is the lack of support for ray tracing technology, plus there is no way to combine several cards at once via CrossFire X. In fact, we have a mid-range gaming video card on the basis of which you can assemble a solid gaming PC for moderate money, having the opportunity to launch top game projects in over the next few years. At the same time, the card is very demanding for its level: it needs almost 2.5 slots for installation, an 8-pin cable for additional power supply and a well-ventilated case with a PSU of at least 450 W.

Expensive, but incredibly fast graphics card for a gaming PC designed to run the best games at the highest graphics settings. The release of the model took place in 2021, it is based on the RTX 3080 Ti chip, created using an 8-nanometer process technology and capable of accelerating from 1365 to 1770 MHz. Of particular note is the use of advanced GDDR6X video memory with a 384-bit bus, which provides a theoretical bandwidth of 1 TB / s. The amount of memory is also impressive - 12 GB. There are also 80 RT cores, so with the now popular ray tracing, everything is in order, demanding gamers can be delighted. Of course, such a “giant” of performance will require the appropriate space inside the computer case, where it will occupy three slots at once. High demands on the quality of blowing the system unit, after all, the model has a TDP of 350 watts.