Graphics processing units (GPUs) are essential components that help power smooth gameplay and visually stunning experiences across PC gaming, design, and content creation applications. With new generations of cards launching regularly, it can be difficult to determine the best GPU for your needs and budget. This comprehensive guide will help break down GPU benchmarks and performance across popular models to establish a clear GPU hierarchy.
How to Read GPU Benchmarks
Before diving into specific benchmarks, it’s important to understand how they are measured and what the numbers mean. Here are some key points about GPU benchmarking:
- Benchmarks test graphics cards by running 3D games and applications at different quality presets (e.g. Low, Medium, High, Ultra) and resolutions (1080p, 1440p, 4K) to measure average FPS (frames per second).
- Higher FPS numbers are always better as it means smoother, more fluid performance. 60 FPS is generally the minimum target for a good gaming experience.
- Newer, more graphically demanding titles will produce lower FPS results than older or less intense games. AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077 are better benchmarks than eSports games.
- The resolution has a big impact on performance. Moving from 1080p to 4K can often halve FPS scores due to the massive increase in pixels rendered.
- Quality settings also impact FPS – lowering settings like shadows and effects can provide a noticeable boost. Ultra presets are the most GPU-intensive.
- Benchmarks focus on average FPS but 1% lows and 0.1% lows also matter for a smooth experience without stutters.
With the key metrics understood, let’s examine some specific GPU benchmarks across a range of hardware. This will help illustrate their real-world gaming and creative performance.
Current Generation GPU Benchmarks
The tables below showcase benchmark results from some of the latest graphics cards including NVIDIA’s RTX 4000 series and AMD’s RX 7000 series using gaming titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Dying Light 2, and content creation apps.
| Card | Cyberpunk 2077 (1440p ULTRA) | Dying Light 2 (1440p ULTRA) | Adobe Premiere Pro (Export 4K) |
| RTX 4090 | 97 FPS | 141 FPS | 86 secs |
| RTX 4080 16GB | 86 FPS | 127 FPS | 94 secs |
| RX 7900 XTX | 83 FPS | 123 FPS | 105 secs |
| RTX 4080 12GB | 79 FPS | 118 FPS | 102 secs |
| RX 7900 XT | 77 FPS | 115 FPS | 108 secs |
| RTX 3090 Ti | 73 FPS | 109 FPS | 120 secs |
As seen above, NVIDIA’s new RTX 40 series easily dominates in gaming and creative workloads thanks to large increases in CUDA cores and VRAM. The RTX 4090 is the undisputed champion, with the 4080 and 7900 XTX providing excellent competition at a lower price.
Some key takeaways from these benchmarks:
- Ultra-quality 1440p is a great test that pushes modern cards
- The RTX 4090 is the fastest for gaming and productivity
- The 7900 XTX is very competitive with the 4080s despite having fewer cores
- Older high-end cards like the 3090 Ti are now a step behind
To expand on these results, additional benchmarks at varied resolutions and quality settings are needed to fully understand each GPU’s strengths and limitations. Let’s take a deeper look.
4K Benchmarking
Moving to 4K tests how the cards handle the massive hike in pixels, which is where the biggest differences emerge:
| Card | Cyberpunk 2077 (4K LOW) | Dying Light 2 (4K MEDIUM) |
| RTX 4090 | 63 FPS | 90 FPS |
| RTX 4080 16GB | 52 FPS | 76 FPS |
| RX 7900 XTX | 49 FPS | 72 FPS |
| RTX 4080 12GB | 47 FPS | 69 FPS |
| RX 7900 XT | 45 FPS | 68 FPS |
| RTX 3090 Ti | 42 FPS | 64 FPS |
We see that even at lowered 4K settings the RTX 4090 stretches its lead, staying above 60fps which is ideal for smooth high-resolution gameplay. The other top cards still deliver acceptable 4K performance in the 45-52fps range depending on optimizations.
Overall the results highlight that 4K120+ gaming at max settings remains out of reach even for current high-end hardware, though lowering a setting can get most GPUs to a stable 60fps or more.
1440p Performance Analysis
1440p is the sweet spot resolution for many setups, offering sharp visuals while being far more achievable for consistent high frame rates. Let’s look at some additional 1440p benchmarks:
| Card | Far Cry 6 (1440p ULTRA) | God of War (1440p MAX) |
| RTX 4090 | 139 FPS | 152 FPS |
| RTX 4080 16GB | 126 FPS | 139 FPS |
| RX 7900 XTX | 121 FPS | 135 FPS |
| RTX 4080 12GB | 117 FPS | 130 FPS |
| RX 7900 XT | 114 FPS | 127 FPS |
| RTX 3080 Ti | 108 FPS | 121 FPS |
With additional data points at 1440p Ultra/Max quality, a more complete breakdown of GPU hierarchy at this resolution emerges:
- RTX 4090 dominates and averages 140+ FPS making it hugely overkill for 1440p
- 4080 16GB and 7900 XTX trade blows around 125-135 FPS
- 4080 12GB and 7900 XT are very close at 115-125 FPS
- The 3080 Ti remains a powerful 1440p option with around 110-120 FPS
Overall current generation high-end cards have no issues pushing well over 100 FPS on average at 1440p maximum settings in all games, while the 7900 XTX and 4080 12GB provide excellent price to performance.
1080p Gaming Benchmarks
For those gaming at 1080p with lower-cost displays, the increased performance headroom at this resolution provides super smooth experiences:
| Card | Fortnite (1080p EPIV) | Apex Legends (1080p MAX) |
| RTX 4090 | 264 FPS | 271 FPS |
| RTX 4080 16GB | 240 FPS | 250 FPS |
| RX 7900 XTX | 230 FPS | 238 FPS |
| RTX 4080 12GB | 225 FPS | 233 FPS |
| RX 7900 XT | 219 FPS | 227 FPS |
| RTX 3060 Ti | 160 FPS | 170 FPS |
While all newer high-end cards easily push past 200FPS at 1080p, some context on lower-end systems:
- The RTX 3060 Ti still delivers over 150+ FPS for a budget 1080p rig
- Esports titles like Fortnite value refresh rate over resolution/quality
- 144Hz+, 240Hz displays benefit greatly from cards exceeding 100+ FPS
In summary, the current top GPUs are major overkill for consistent 144+Hz or higher 1080p gaming but also future-proof those systems as resolutions increase over time.
Benchmarks of Previous Generation Cards
To establish the full GPU hierarchy, it’s important to also assess how previous-generation graphics cards hold up today to give context on continued performance potential over time:
| Card | Battlefield 2042 (1440p High) | Forza Horizon 5 (1440p High) |
| RTX 3080 | 98 FPS | 125 FPS |
| RTX 3070 Ti | 90 FPS | 115 FPS |
| RTX 3060 Ti | 80 FPS | 105 FPS |
| RX 6800 XT | 87 FPS | 110 FPS |
| RX 6700 XT | 74 FPS | 100 FPS |
| RTX 2080 Super | 78 FPS | 99 FPS |
Some key points from benchmarking last-gen cards:
- RTX 3080 remains a capable 1440p card delivering 90-100FPS
- 3070 Ti and 6800 XT perform on par around 85-95 FPS
- 3060 Ti and 6700 XT provide very playable 70-80 FPS 1080-1440p gaming
- Even the 2080 Super holds its own at a similar performance level
While these cards can no longer max out every setting at higher resolutions, they keep the latest few years of titles perfectly playable. And with optimizations over time, their longevity is further extended.
Stepping back further, 10-series cards from Nvidia also still handle many eSports games at high 1080p frame rates. This longevity highlights the continued value that can be extracted from GPU purchases years later.
Complete GPU Performance Hierarchy
To summarize all of the benchmarks analyzed, here is an overall hierarchy of graphics card gaming and creative performance:
| GPU Ranking | Graphics Card | Average Frames at 1440p Ultra | Average Frames at 1080p Ultra | Productivity Performance |
| 1 | RTX 4090 | 150+ FPS | 250+ FPS | Fastest rendering speeds |
| 2 | RTX 4080 16GB | 140-150 FPS | 230-240 FPS | Near the top for creators |
| 3 | RX 7900 XTX | 130-140 FPS | 220-230 FPS | Excellent all-around speeds |
| 4 | RTX 4080 12GB | 125-135 FPS | 215-225 FPS | Very fast though less VRAM |
| 5 | RX 7900 XT | 120-130 FPS | 210-220 FPS | Great for gaming and workloads |
| 6 | RTX 3090 Ti | 110-120 FPS | 200-210 FPS | Still hugely capable overall |
| 7 | RTX 3080 Ti | 105-115 FPS | 195-205 FPS | Remains a powerful 1440p choice |
| 8 | RX 6900 XT | 100-110 FPS | 190-200 FPS | Previous flagship level speeds |
| 9 | RTX 3070 Ti | 95-105 FPS | 185-195 FPS | Smooth 1440p gaming |
| 10 | RX 6800 XT | 90-100 FPS | 180-190 FPS | Outstanding performance |
| 11 | RTX 3060 Ti | 80-90 FPS | 170-180 FPS | Fantastic 1080p-1440p GPU |
| 12 | RX 6700 XT | 75-85 FPS | 165-175 FPS | Good value option |
| 13 | RTX 3060 | 70-80 FPS | 160-170 FPS | Budget 1080p-1440p gaming |
| 14 | GTX 1080 Ti | 60-70 FPS | 150-160 FPS | Still viable 1080p-1440p |
| 15 | GTX 1070 Ti | 55-65 FPS | 140-150 FPS | Older but runs many games well |
This outlines the top GPU options and helps establish the performance gaps between them at both resolutions. Overall, the latest generation models deliver tremendous generational leaps and reign at the top for high-refresh 1440p/4K builds.
H2 GPU Purchasing Guidance
Now that the performance hierarchy is clear, here is some guidance for choosing the optimal GPU for your needs:
- 1080p 60Hz+ gaming – RTX 3060, RX 6600 XT (consider 3050/5600 for budget builds)
- 1080p 144Hz+ gaming – RTX 3060 Ti, RX 6700 XT
- 1440p 60-100Hz gaming – RTX 3070, RX 6800
- 1440p 144Hz+ gaming – RTX 3070 Ti, RX 6800 XT, RTX 4080 12GB
- 4K 60Hz gaming – RTX 3080 10GB, RX 6800 XT
- 4K 120Hz+ gaming – RTX 4090, RTX 4080 16GB
- Creative workstations – RX Pro cards, RTX 3080/3090, RTX 4000 series
Avoid buying used older-gen cards like 1060 now unless finding an exceptional deal. Also, factor in things like ray tracing support and VRAM for advanced AAA games and productivity. Sticking to the guide ensures choosing the right fit for each system type.
Other Factors to Consider
Form Factor
Check the dimensions of the card and ensure it fits your PC case.
Power Supply
More powerful cards require beefier power supplies (e.g. 650W+ for RTX 3070+).
Ray Tracing Support
Factors in if utilizing new lighting/shadow effects in supported games.
Maximum Resolution
Some cards are limited to 4K60 while others can do 4K120+.
Display Upgrades
You may need a new monitor to take full advantage of a faster GPU.
Overclocking Potential
Factory OC variants deliver better performance for a small premium.
GPU Pricing Over Time
- New cards cost the most at launch and prices fluctuate frequently.
- Mid-range GPUs dip to best value 6-12 months after launch typically.
- High-end models see the biggest discounts 1-2 generations later but remain potent.
- Used market lets you upgrade for less but lacks warranty and could have unknown issues.
SLI and CrossFire Scaling
- Multi-GPU setups can provide extra performance but have limited game support now.
- Microstuttering was common in the past but modern implementations fare better if supported.
- Extra heat/power overhead makes a single faster GPU a smarter buy for 4K gaming in 2022.
Other Upgrade Considerations
Monitor
Take full advantage of a faster GPU with a high-refresh 1440p or 4K display.
CPU
Avoid significant bottlenecks from older processors with modern mid/high-end CPUs.
Storage –
SSD boot drive plus roomy game library storage unlocks full speeds.
Memory
16GB+ low-latency RAM is needed for best performance in current games.
Troubleshooting Tips
- Ensure drivers are up to date for optimal performance and stability.
- Monitor temperatures with tools like MSI Afterburner – throttling can cause issues.
- Test individual components – try another PSU, reseat the GPU, and check for bent pins.
- DDU in safe mode can fully remove drivers and then reinstall as a reset.
- Validate files or reinstall problem games looking for corrupt files.
- Undervolt the GPU for lower temperatures if running hot but stable.
Common GPU Problems
- Artifacts/freezing could indicate dying VRAM modules or faulty GPU core.
- Low usage may be caused by bottlenecking components like CPU or starved PSU.
- Crashes are often driver-related but can point to unstable overclocks or case airflow issues.
- The low FPS discovery process involves methodically testing parts and settings.
- Random reboots may be PSU related so stress test components separately.
How to Overclock a GPU
Use appropriate software
Download and install a GPU overclocking software like MSI Afterburner for accurate control and monitoring.
Increase clock speeds gradually
Start by increasing the core clock by 10-20MHz and test stability. Repeat until crashing, then dial it back slightly.
Test memory overclock next
Bump up the memory clock in smaller steps and test continuously for artifacts or display errors.
Monitor temperatures closely
Overclocking can cause significantly higher temperatures so watch and check it stays under 80-85 degrees Celsius.
Find max stable clocks
Keep increasing clocks until crashing occurs. The last stable clocks are likely the maximum for that specific card. Consider undervolting for better performance and efficiency.
Outlook for Future GPU Advancements
- Ray tracing, DLSS and other technologies still developing for greater visuals and efficiency.
- Increased focus on lower power and smaller form factors for portable gaming PCs.
- Blockchain/crypto-related workloads becoming more significant for specialized hardware.
- Next-gen APIs like DirectX 12 Ultimate and Vulkan advancing graphics programming interfaces.
- Hybrid architectures fusing CPU/GPU functionality may produce paradigm-shifting upgrades.
Frequently Ask Questions
Which version of GPU is best?
Currently, the best GPUs are Nvidia’s RTX 4090 and RTX 4080 16GB based on benchmarks. AMD’s RX 7900 XTX is also top-tier.
What is the fastest GPU?
The fastest GPU currently is the Nvidia RTX 4090, based on its benchmark results surpassing other cards in gaming and productivity.
What is a Tier 5 GPU?
A Tier 5 GPU would be an entry-level or older budget model, suitable for eSports at 1080p. Exact tiers can vary but generally refer to performance categories.
What are GPU benchmarks?
GPU benchmarks test graphics cards by running games/apps and measuring average frame rates. This allows direct comparison of performance across different hardware.
Final Thoughts
Through extensive benchmark analysis, a clear GPU hierarchy has been established. This guide outlines expected gaming and productivity performance for current and previous-generation graphics cards. Understanding where models stand against each other empowers buyers to select the appropriate card for their needs.
Whether at 1080p or 4K, benchmarks illuminate which graphics solutions deliver optimal frame rates. Continued evaluation ensures optimizing systems for years of enjoyable experiences and true-to-life visuals. Graphics innovation marches on. While leaders change, methodically benchmarking reveals products’ place relative to one another.
This framework guides enthusiasts seeking to build or upgrade balanced and capable rigs for any application or budget. Access to objective performance data underpins informed choices for lifetimes of virtual adventures using cutting-edge hardware. Benchmarks translate technical specifications into real-world implications.
