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Compare two graphics cards

Pick any two cards to see which is faster and by how much.

How to compare graphics cards

Start with the performance index. We rate every card against the GeForce RTX 4090, which is 100, so a card at 50 is about half as fast for gaming at 1440p. Differences under 10 percent are rarely noticeable. Differences over 30 percent usually are.

Then look at video memory. Eight gigabytes is the practical minimum for new games at 1440p, and 12 or 16 GB gives you room for higher texture settings and for the next few years of releases. A slightly slower card with more memory often ages better than a slightly faster card with less.

Power draw comes next. A card rated at 300 W or more needs a good power supply and a case with real airflow. A card at 150 W or less can run in most small builds with a modest supply. Finally, check the launch price and release year. We list launch prices because street prices change weekly, but the ratio tells you which card was the better deal when it arrived.

What the comparison tells you and what it does not

Our scores are estimates of gaming speed, not benchmarks of every game. Two cards with the same index can behave differently in a particular title, especially when one brand has driver or feature advantages such as DLSS or ray tracing performance. Treat the numbers as a strong guide to which card is faster in general, and check reviews for the specific games you play before you pay.

Each comparison also shows estimated fps in popular games. Those rows use the same model as the Can I run it tool, with a processor that does not limit the card.

Popular comparisons

The pairs below are the ones people look up most: cards from the same generation that sit next to each other in price, cards from rival brands at the same price, and last generation against this generation. If your pair is not listed, choose any two cards in the boxes above.

Questions

Is a higher performance index always better?

For gaming speed, yes: a higher index means more frames. But index is not the whole story. A card with more video memory can age better than a faster card with less, and a card that draws much less power may be the better choice for a small or quiet PC.

How much faster does a graphics card need to be to notice?

About 15 to 20 percent. Below that, most people cannot tell the difference without a frame counter. A 30 to 40 percent gap is clear, and equals roughly one quality preset or the difference between 60 and 80 fps.

Should I compare AMD and NVIDIA cards by index alone?

Use the index to find cards of similar speed, then look at the features that differ. NVIDIA cards usually do better with ray tracing and have DLSS. AMD cards often offer more video memory at the same price. Which matters depends on the games you play.

Why do you show launch prices?

Street prices change every week, and used prices change the picture again. Launch prices are fixed, so they let you compare cards from different generations on the same footing. Check current prices before you buy.