4 Best Graphics Card for 1080p Gaming

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A quality on-screen display plays a major role in computer game enjoyment. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a seasoned pro, taking the step up from 720p resolution to full HD 1080p can make a huge difference to gameplay and image quality. However, choosing the best graphics card for 1080p gaming can be tough with so many options out there.

To help you make the right choice, this article highlights some key features you need to look for in a 1080p graphics card, along with reviewing some of the top options available on the market today.

Key features of graphics cards for 1080p gaming

There are some key features to check out before you set your heart on buying a new 1080p GPU for your gaming setup.

VRAM

Graphics cards need their own VRAM (video memory) to perform at their best. Check how much VRAM the card has before making a purchase. Ideally, you’ll be looking for at least 8GB of memory.

Clock speed

The clock speed on a graphics card is the number of processing cycles per second the card can handle. The higher the clock speed, the faster and smoother the performance will be. Clock speed is measured in MHz.

Card dimensions

Your new GPU needs to be able to physically fit inside your PC case, so it’s important to note the dimensions of the graphics card as well as the amount of space you have inside your computer.

Cooling system

Graphics cards work hard when you’re playing a computer game and they can get very hot. An in-built cooling system is vital to keep the card cool. Definitely a feature you’ll want.

Price

Price will play a role in your purchase. Prices vary for different graphics cards and will also vary from store to store. These days, you can pick up a good 1080p GPU from around $300-$650 on average.

Top graphics card recommendations

We’ll now briefly review some of the top 1080p graphics cards on the market right now, highlighting key features, performance, value for money and more.

1. Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060

This GPU is rated as one of the top performers for 1080p gaming. The downside is it’s more expensive than other cards of comparable quality on the market. However, it outshines the competition with superior ray tracing capabilities though. Ray tracing is a feature that enables the graphics card to render light that simulates the behaviour of real lighting.

The card comes with a dual fan cooling system for temperature control and higher clock speed capabilities, guaranteeing a smooth performance for all types of games.

The card width is double that of a standard graphics card and measures 22.86cm in length.

The recommended power supply to run this card is 500-550 watts, although it’s capable of running on a 450w PSU.

The average price for this card is around $650. If you have the budget for a top performing GPU like the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, this could be a good choice.

2. AMD Radeon RX 7600

Gamers have been salivating at the release of the AMD Radeon RX 7600 GPU and at an average price of around $450, it’s cheaper than the Nvidia graphics card above.

The card performs beautifully at 1080p resolution, utilising its 60fps (frames per second) for a free-flowing and high-speed gaming experience. If you enjoy fast-paced games such as first person shooters, this might be the card for you.

2 in-built cooling fans regulate temperature control and you can boost clock speeds to 2625MHz for ultra-smooth performance.

As far as dimensions go, it’s a double-width card that measures 20.32cm in length.

While capable of performing using a 450w power supply, it’s recommended to use a 500-550w PSU.

If you’re looking for a card that can handle modern games for less, the AMD Radeon RX 7600 is a top choice.

3. Intel Arc A770

The Intel Arc A770 has an average price tag of around $550 and comes with an impressive 16GB of VRAM, which ensures your gaming will never lag as a result of insufficient memory.

While many serious gamers favour either a Nvidia or AMD GPU, this Intel model is certainly worth considering if the price is within your budget.

Image quality is superb when operating at 1080p resolution and if you’re thinking of upgrading to a 2k or 4k monitor in the future, this card can handle these resolutions as well.

Twin fans keep the card at a cool operating temperature, even when playing the most intense games.

A 600w power supply is recommended for operating the Intel Arc A770 GPU. It’s a double-width card that measures 27.94cm in length.

If you’re looking for a graphics card that can handle 1080p with ease and higher resolutions in the future, this Intel model is a good choice.

4. ASUS Radeon RX 6600

You can pick up this graphics card for under $300, which makes the Radeon RX 6600 a good option for 1080p gamers who are on a budget. While the card doesn’t quite have the oomph of the other cards highlighted in this list, it’s still an adequate gaming card at full HD.

It’s cooled by twin fans and its key dimensions are 243 x 134 x 49 mm.

This card is not quite as power hungry and functions well on a 450w power supply.

Although it’s an older card and not as flashy as some others, if your budget is lower for a quality GPU that can easily handle 1080p resolution, then this graphics card is a good choice.