GPU hierarchy and performance tier list for gaming. Compare NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel graphics cards at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. Updated for RTX 5000 and RX 9000 series.
RTX 5090
NVIDIARTX 4090
NVIDIARX 7900 XTX
AMDRTX 5080
NVIDIARTX 4080 Super
NVIDIARTX 4080
NVIDIARX 9070 XT
AMDRTX 4070 Ti Super
NVIDIARX 7900 XT
AMDRTX 5070 Ti
NVIDIARTX 4070 Super
NVIDIARX 9070
AMDRX 7800 XT
AMDRTX 4070
NVIDIARX 7700 XT
AMDRTX 5070
NVIDIARTX 4060 Ti 16GB
NVIDIARTX 4060 Ti 8GB
NVIDIARX 7600 XT
AMDArc B580
IntelRTX 4060
NVIDIARX 7600
AMDRX 6700
AMDArc B570
IntelRTX 3060 12GB
NVIDIAPerformance scores are relative to RTX 4090 = 100 at each resolution. Prices are approximate UK retail (July 2025). Lower scores at 4K are expected — GPU memory bandwidth and VRAM size matter more at higher resolutions.
This tier list ranks GPUs by real-world gaming performance at 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. S tier is flagship — the fastest money can buy. D tier is budget — adequate at 1080p but limited headroom. Most gamers sit happily in B or C tier, which covers the vast majority of 1080p and 1440p builds.
Modern titles are increasingly VRAM hungry. 8 GB VRAM is the minimum and can cause stuttering in demanding games at high settings. 12 GB is comfortable, 16 GB is future-proof. If you're torn between two GPUs, lean toward more VRAM — you can't upgrade it later.
NVIDIA leads in ray tracing quality, DLSS upscaling, and driver polish. AMD offers more VRAM per pound in the mid-range and FSR upscaling works across more titles. For pure rasterisation gaming, AMD's B-tier cards frequently outperform NVIDIA at the same price. For streaming, creative work, or ray tracing, NVIDIA has the edge.
A B-tier GPU at £400 delivering 70 FPS at 1440p is better value than an A-tier GPU at £800 delivering 80 FPS. Unless you are chasing 4K or ultra-high framerates, there is rarely a reason to buy the most expensive tier — the upper B and lower A tier sweet spot delivers the best real-world bang per pound.
This comparison is a buying shortlist, not a universal benchmark. Use the filters to narrow cards by brand, budget, and target resolution, then check current game benchmarks and prices before deciding.
How to read a tier
A card near the top of a 1080p filter may be poor value for a 4K build if its VRAM or memory bandwidth becomes the limit.
Tier labels are relative guidance. Driver updates, game engines, upscaling settings, and retail prices can change which card is the sensible choice.
A C-tier or upper D-tier GPU is sufficient for most titles at 1080p 144Hz — think RTX 4060, RX 7600, or Arc B580. For consistently high frames in demanding games (Cyberpunk 2077, Alan Wake 2), move up to C-tier. Esports titles like CS2 and Valorant will hit 144+ FPS on even a D-tier card.
You want at minimum a C-tier card, ideally B-tier. The RTX 4070 Super, RX 7800 XT, and RX 9070 are the sweet-spot picks for sustained 1440p high settings. Anything below RTX 4060 Ti will struggle at 1440p ultra in demanding titles.
Only if you have an A-tier or S-tier GPU. At 4K, even high-end GPUs can struggle in demanding titles. You either need a powerful GPU, or use upscaling (DLSS/FSR) to hit acceptable framerates. Many competitive players prefer 1440p high-refresh over 4K for the smoother motion.
Used GPUs from the previous generation (RTX 3000, RX 6000 series) can be great value — check that the card comes from a non-mining source and has a short warranty. A used RTX 3080 10GB or RX 6800 XT for under £200 can outperform a brand-new D-tier card at a similar or lower price.