Aleksandar Petkovski
At a time when 4K gaming monitors are getting affordable, you might hope that the time of 1080p gaming has come to an end. While it’s true that 4K gaming can give you the best immersive gaming experience, in the foreseeable future, the dominance of 1080p gaming will still prevail among the majority of users.
Disclosure: ItemLevel’s posts may contain affiliate links from which ItemLevel may earn a commission.
No doubt, anyone would love to play games at 4K but it’s also true that such a system that can handle 4K gaming at 60+FPS would cost you a lot more than a 1080p gaming system. If you can afford it, you should pick that one. However, if this is not the case, the 1080p will always be the sweet spot that won’t cost you a fortune.
That said, if you are looking for the best graphics card for 1080p gaming in 2023, I have listed the 5 best graphics cards for 1080p gaming that can handle any games you throw at them without breaking a sweat.
Best Graphics Card for 1080p Gaming in 2023
There are plenty of graphics card available in the market and it can be a daunting task to pick one. Especially when people are not looking for the best product but also the most affordable one. But you don’t have to worry about that stuff as I have considered both the options and thereby you will find both the extreme option and a cheaper option.
But before we move on to a more detailed review, the below table will give you a quick overview of all the graphics list present on this article.
| Best Graphics Card for 1080p Gaming in 2023 | CUDA Cores | Memory Size | Memory Type | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS TUF GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | 4864 | 8GB | GDDR6 | |
| MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3050 | 2560 | 8GB | GDDR6 | |
| MSI Gaming Radeon RX 6600 XT | 2048 | 8GB | GDDR6 | |
| GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1660 Super | 1408 | 6GB | GDDR6 | |
| Zotac Gaming GeForce GTX 1650 | 896 | 4GB | GDDR6 |
| Best Graphics Card for 1080p Gaming in 2023 | CUDA Cores | Memory Size | Memory Type | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS TUF GeForce RTX 3060 Ti | 4864 | 8GB | GDDR6 | |
| MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3050 | 2560 | 8GB | GDDR6 | |
| MSI Gaming Radeon RX 6600 XT | 2048 | 8GB | GDDR6 | |
| GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1660 Super | 1408 | 6GB | GDDR6 | |
| Zotac Gaming GeForce GTX 1650 | 896 | 4GB | GDDR6 |
1. ASUS TUF NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
The ASUS TUF RTX 3060 Ti is a pure beast when it comes to playing games at 1080p. Think of any game you want to play and this graphics card can handle that very easily, delivering 60+ FPS in every game. So if budget is not an issue for you, you can consider this graphics card which is available at a price of $479 (at the time of writing) on Amazon.
On paper, the ASUS TUF RTX 3060 Ti comes with 8GB GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit interface and a 1785MHz boost clock. It supports PCIe 4.0 with a total CUDA core of 4864 and includes two HDMI 2.1 ports and three DisplayPort 1.4a for display. The max digital resolution it can support is 8K (7680 x 4320). Since this GPU is also capable of running games at 1440p, you can expect exceptional performance in 1080p resolution at ultra settings.
When tested with i5-13600K at ultra settings, the ASUS TUF RTX 3060 Ti was able to deliver around 379 FPS in Valorant, 178 FPS in GTA V, 216 FPS in Apex Legends, 195 FPS in Fortnite, and 144 FPS in Warzone 2.0.
What We Like
The ASUS TUF RTX 3060 Ti is extremely silent and delivers spectacular performance in gaming. The overall design of the card is attractive and has superior ray tracing capabilities compared to the AMD graphics cards. It can also run most of the games at 1440p if you want. The 8GB of video memory is enough to run any game in 1080p or 1440p and an extra HDMI 2.1 port is an added advantage.
What We Don’t Like
The triple fan setup of this graphics card increases the overall size which might cause an issue if your PC case is not big enough to hold it. Another disadvantage is that 8GB of memory might not be enough for 4K gaming if you want to try that in the future.
Summary
The ASUS TUF RTX 3060 Ti is a solid option for those looking to play AAA titles at 1080p in ultra settings. It is completely silent, looks attractive, delivers exceptional performance, and offers an extra HDMI 2.1 port for display. Hence, if you can spend $500 on a graphics card, then this one can be the best choice for you.
Pros
- Attractive design
- 8GB GDDR6 memory
- Exceptional 1080p gaming performance
- Plenty of display outputs
- Superior ray tracing capabilities
Cons
- Massive size
- 8GB of memory might not be enough for 4K gaming
2. MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3050
If $500 is a bit too much for you to spend on a graphics card, you can bet on this $300 MSI Gaming GeForce RTX 3050 which is capable of running games at 1080p resolution. Unlike ASUS TUF RTX 3060 Ti, this graphics card doesn’t perform well in 1440p but since this is not our preference in this article, you will be good to go.
The MSI Gaming RTX 3050 comes with 8GB GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit interface and a 1845MHz boost clock. It supports PCIe 4.0 with a total CUDA core of 2560 and includes one HDMI 2.1 port (supports 4K@120Hz) and three DisplayPort 1.4a for display. The max digital resolution it can support is 8K (7680 x 4320).
When tested with i5-13600K at ultra settings, the MSI Gaming RTX 3050 was able to deliver around 279 FPS in Valorant, 144 FPS in GTA V, 163 FPS in Apex Legends, 159 FPS in Fortnite, and 113 FPS in Warzone 2.0.
What We Like
The price-to-performance ratio is exceptionally good for the MSI Gaming RTX 3050 and delivers excellent performance while running games 1080p. Hence, if we consider only 1080p resolution, this graphics card is just perfect to handle this.
What We Don’t Like
The graphics card is not suitable for 1440p gaming so if you were thinking to try that, you will be disappointed. Also, the ray-tracing capabilities of this graphics card are average and not as great as the ASUS TUF RTX 3060 Ti.
Summary
Overall, the MSI Gaming RTX 3050 is a great option for those whose only focus is 1080p gaming. It has a great price-to-performance ratio though it falls flat in ray tracing performance. But again, it doesn’t even matter when your only focus on 1080p gaming. Having said that, you should consider this graphics card if your budget isn’t too high but still need a good graphics card.
Pros
- 8GB GDDR6 memory
- Great 1080p gaming performance
- Plenty of display outputs
- Best price-to-performance ratio
Cons
- Average ray tracing performance
- Doesn’t perform well in 1440p
3. MSI Gaming Radeon RX 6600 XT
While NVIDIA graphics cards are popular among most gaming enthusiasts, AMD graphics cards are also not behind. Some people prefer AMD graphics cards over NVIDIA as they are cheaper to buy and perform almost similarly to NVIDIA graphics cards (even better in some cases). One such graphics card is the MSI Radeon RX 6600XT.
The MSI Radeon RX 6600 XT comes with 8GB GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit interface and a 2607MHz boost clock. It supports PCIe 4.0 with total CUDA cores of 2048 and includes one HDMI 2.1 port (supports 4K@120Hz/8K@60Hz) and three DisplayPort 1.4 for display. The max digital resolution it can support is 8K (7680 x 4320).
When tested with i5-13600K at ultra settings, the MSI Radeon RX 6600 XT was able to deliver around 391 FPS in Valorant, 185 FPS in GTA V, 225 FPS in Apex Legends, 204 FPS in Fortnite, and 133 FPS in Warzone 2.0.
What We Like
The performance of MSI Radeon RX 6600 XT is on par with the ASUS TUF RTX 3060 Ti. After testing both the graphics card with i5-13600K, the 6600 XT performed better than the RTX 3060 Ti in most of the games. Hence, you can say that the 6600 XT can deliver exceptional performance while running games at 1080p resolution. And all of this is available at a cheap price of $299 on Amazon (at the time of writing).
What We Don’t Like
Even though it performs better in some games than the RTX 3050 Ti, it still lags behind when it comes to 1440p gaming.
Summary
The MSI Radeon 6600 XT is a good 1080p gaming option with the sturdy build quality and reasonable pricing. It performs in dead silence, has better cooling options, and has impressive overclocking capabilities. Though it might not be good for 1080p gaming, if you are still ready to play games 1080p in the near future, you are good to go with this graphics card.
Pros
- Solid build quality
- 8GB GDDR6 memory
- Good 1080p gaming performance
- Plenty of display outputs
Cons
- Not suitable for 1440p gaming
4. GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1660 Super
The best entry-level graphics card for 1080p gaming is the GIGABYTE GTX 1660 Super, which is much better than the original GTX 1660 and at par with the GTX 1660 Ti. This graphics card is affordable, delivers impressive performance, and competes well against the 1660 Ti variant.
The GIGABYTE GTX 1660 Super comes with 6GB GDDR6 memory on a 192-bit interface and a 1830MHz boost clock. It supports PCIe 3.0 with a total CUDA core of 1408 and includes one HDMI 2.0b port and three DisplayPort 1.4 for display. The max digital resolution it can support is 8K (7680 x 4320).
When tested with i5-13600K at ultra settings, the GIGABYTE GTX 1660 Super was able to deliver around 319 FPS in Valorant, 152 FPS in GTA V, 184 FPS in Apex Legends, 167 FPS in Fortnite, and 112 FPS in Warzone 2.0.
What We Like
The first thing that I liked about this graphics card is its affordability and is currently available at a price of $229 on Amazon (at the time of writing). Secondly, the graphics card works just great and is the best entry-level graphics card for 1080p. It delivers great performance at ultra settings in most of the AAA titles.
What We Don’t Like
The graphics card, as usual, is not a suitable fit for 1440p gaming. So there’s no point in playing games at 1440p. Secondly, the PCle version supported by GTX 1660 Super is 3.0, which is a bit older.
Summary
The GIGABYTE GTX 1660 Super is a solid entry-level graphics card for 1080p gaming. It is affordable and delivers impressive performance, making it a good option for those on a budget.
Pros
- 192-bit interface
- 6GB GDDR6 memory
- Impressive 1080p gaming performance
- Affordable
Cons
- Not for 1440p gaming
- Support for PCIe 3.0 only
5. ZOTAC Gaming GeForce GTX 1650
If your budget range lies somewhere between $150-$170, there is still a possibility to find a decent graphics card that can run most of the AAA titles at 1080p either on ultra settings or with some little adjustments. One such graphics card is the ZOTAC GTX 1650, which is a low-budget graphics card but performs fairly well.
The ZOTAC GTX 1650 comes with 4GB GDDR6 memory on a 128-bit interface and a 1620MHz boost clock. It supports PCIe 3.0 with a total CUDA core of 896 and one HDMI 2.0b port, one DisplayPort 1.4, and one Dual Link DVI-D for display.
When tested with i5-13600K at ultra settings, the ZOTAC GTX 1650 was able to deliver around 263 FPS in Valorant, 130 FPS in GTA V, 156 FPS in Apex Legends, 142 FPS in Fortnite, and 98 FPS in Warzone 2.0.
What We Like
Being a low-budget graphics card, the graphic card performs fairly well and doesn’t compromise anywhere in the performance. But again, in order to get the best out of it, you might have to adjust your graphics settings in order to achieve more FPS.
What We Don’t Like
Again, the PCIe version supported here is only 3.0. Another disappointment is that it has only three display outputs with only one HDMI and DisplayPort at its disposal.
Summary
The ZOTAC GTX 1650 is a low-budget graphics card that performs fairly well for its price. For budget-constrained gamers, who can’t afford more than $250 on a graphics card, they can build a compact PC with this graphics card and get a new low-power alternative.
Pros
- Compact in size
- 4GB GDDR6 memory
- Decent 1080p gaming performance
- Cheap price
Cons
- Not suitable for 1440p gaming
- Support for PCIe 3.0 only
- Only three display outputs
Conclusion
Best Graphics Card for 1080p Gaming in 2023: ASUS TUF RTX 3060 Ti
No doubt, the ASUS TUF RTX 3060 Ti is the best graphics card for 1080p gaming in 2023. It provides exceptional performance in 1080p gaming, delivering 60+ FPS in every game. Compared to the other graphics cards on the list, the ASUS TUF RTX 3060 Ti outperforms them in terms of overall performance and ray tracing capabilities. This graphics card is also capable of running games at 1440p, which makes it a great option if you decide to upgrade your monitor in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is a 1080p graphics card still good?
Yes, even with the increasing popularity of 4K gaming among gaming enthusiasts, the 1080p graphics card would still be a sweet spot for most gamers.
2. When was 1080p gaming prevalent and is it still viable today?
Absolutely, 1080p gaming is still available today. Compared to 1440p and 4K gaming, it is quite easier to build a 1080p gaming computer and achieve higher frame rates.
3. Do you need a GPU for 1080p in 2023 or does integrated graphics do the job?
An integrated graphics card cannot replace a GPU for 1080p gaming at any cost unless you are looking to play some ’90s games on your PC.
4. Will 1440p become the new standard for gaming soon?
While it’s true that 1440p gaming will soon become a new standard for gaming soon, it doesn’t mean the end of 1080p gaming. It would still be prevalent in the future.
ALSO READ: Best Motherboards For Intel i5-13600KF
Comments