TOP 15 best Nvidia video cards: 2021 rating and which powerful performance model to choose

A video card is a graphics processor needed to process and display graphics on a monitor.
Without this component, it is impossible to assemble a computer for gaming, working with video, modeling and other tasks.

From the article you will learn how to choose a video card from Nvidia, one of the leaders in the production of these devices, and which models in terms of price/quality ratio are worthy of attention in the first place.

Rating of the TOP 15 best Nvidia video cards of 2021

The most powerful video cards 2021

For any gamer, a video card is of fundamental importance. We have come a long way from the simpler times when game system requirements were limited to megabytes, and the characters in games looked, if not 8-bit, then angular with vague, stretched textures. Do you remember? But in vain, because today we will talk about those video cards that are capable of providing almost full-fledged realism. If you've been impressed by the trailers of modern games like Cyberpunk 2077, then you'll be interested in taking a look at these graphics cards that expand the video capabilities of your PC.

First, let's take a look at the parameters. In numbers, you will come across several basic parameters: the number of stream processors, frequency and amount of memory. Each concept is responsible for specific processors, and together they form the performance of the video card and, as a result, its speed. Speed ​​affects the final experience when playing with high graphic settings. In order not to delve into the architecture and operating principles of video cards, we will limit ourselves to the condition that the higher all three indicators, the better. And don’t forget that completely different cards may be suitable for each genre of games and gaming style.

NVidia GeForce RTX 2060

This card definitely offers a lot of options to the user. Yes, and its price, to put it mildly, is not high compared to similar options, but there are very good reasons for this. GeForce RTX 2060 is worth the money. The card can handle almost all workloads at 1080p and even 1440p. By the way, its volume is 6 GB, with a frequency of 1.365 MHz. This card has 1920 stream processors, a very good indicator. In terms of ports, the card is equipped with two DisplayPorts, one HDMI 2.0, USB-C and DVI. So any modern monitor is perfect for working with the card.

Among similar cards, this is the most profitable option for a reason, because it allows you to experience the functions of the RTX Turing series for an affordable price, provided that you stick to Full HD resolution in your games. This is not bad at all, since 4K is not yet available to most “casual” gamers. And in multiplayer games 1080 is much more acceptable.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti

And yet, there are those among us who confidently look to the future in 4K resolution. And the more powerful the iron, the more confident the look. This is what the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti video card is responsible for in this case. If we describe its characteristics, then we are dealing with 4,352 stream processors, a frequency of 1,350 (with boost to 1,635 MHz) and 11 GB of memory. Of course, all these high numbers are simply necessary when it comes to the currently highest resolution in the world of computer games. If that's not enough, the map at least looks like a spaceship. It will look incredibly impressive in any setup. This card is definitely for those who do not agree to compromises and are looking for the best and most reliable. It can easily handle Battlefield V, Metro Exodus and Shadow Tomb Raider, which, by the way, support RTX functions. So this is also the best time for gamers to switch to this card. Plus, the ports on the card are 3 DisplayPort, HDMI 2.0 and USB-C.

The price, of course, is far from budget, but we have already noted that compromises are not an option here. The GeForce RTX 2080 Ti is the best among amateur video cards today, and this is not an exaggeration. If you want something cooler, you will have to seriously invest in professional equipment.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070

QHD resolution is gaining popularity quite quickly, and the day is not far off when it will completely replace 1080 and become the main one for gamers around the world. Maybe, of course, this day will not come today or tomorrow, but if you want to be a little ahead of your time, and at the same time get a very high-quality gaming experience, then you should definitely choose the appropriate video card. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 could well be such a card. This is a universal option for those who prefer to play in QHD, but are in no hurry to empty their wallet. With the card, you can play almost everything at 1440p resolution, and in some games you can even get an impressive result of 120fps. Well, as for the numbers, we have 2,304 stream processors, a frequency of 1,410 MHz, 8 GB of GDDR6 memory and 2 DisplayPort 1.4a, HDMI 2.0, DVI and USB-C. Great card for great results. The only point is that it has not gone as far from its predecessor as we would like. Therefore, it’s probably not worth upgrading the card from the previous version. It’s better to wait for the next versions of the model or even upgrade to a higher level with 4K.

PNY GeForce GTX 1660 Ti XLR8 Gaming OC

Still, Full HD is still more popular than other formats, so we will return to discussing another video card suitable for this resolution. And this is the PNY GeForce GTX 1660 Ti XLR8. This card is equipped with 1,536 stream processors and a frequency of 1,500 MHz. It should be noted that the video card memory is not so large by modern standards, 6 GB. In simple terms, this is more than enough for high graphics settings, but not always enough for ultra settings. And if we switch to more “scientific” terms, you won’t be able to get 60fps at 4K, but for everyone who uses 1080p this is an absolutely ideal option. By the way, the price of the video card is quite reasonable for its functionality. And of course, according to tradition, we can note the presence of one DisplayPort 1.4, one HDMI and DVI. The video card does not have USB-C, nor does it have RTX functions; they are reserved for a separate series. Otherwise, the card provides everything you need and is suitable for non-professional gamers.

AMD Radeon VII

About two years have passed since the release of AMD's last flagship, and during this time the market has undergone very serious changes. To a greater extent, they can be attributed to the emergence of Nvidia Turing, which captured the minds and hearts of fans. And now the Radeon VII card is designed to return the company to its rightful place in the market. Apparently, the attempt was quite successful. If we look at the numbers, we see 3,840 stream processors, a frequency of 1,400 MHz, 16 GB of HBM2 memory. Now let's see what this means for the user. If you want to game in 4K resolution, then AMD Radeon VII will not create any problems for you. On the contrary, it copes no worse than its famous competitors. But still, the main orientation of this card is the creation of creative content. That is, all video or graphic specialists, just like artists or designers, can fully count on successful and fruitful work if AMD Radeon VII is running inside the computer. And of course, we should note the ports: three DisplayPorts and HDMI 2.0 - quite a good deal.

Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080

It is impossible to discuss modern video cards without mentioning the actual future of the gaming industry, namely virtual reality. And, it should be noted that the same video cards are not always suitable for VR as for simple games on a flat (or even curved) display. VR will require almost the best graphic resources from your computer. That's why we recommend the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080. It has 2,944 stream processors, 1,515 MHz and 8 GB of memory. Of course, this card is based on the latest Turing architecture and features a VirtualLink connector. So don’t worry about choppy images, which in VR not only cause irritation, but can seriously spoil the experience of any game. And of course, in other games, that is, not only in VR, you can achieve excellent results from the card. Both QHD and 4K lend themselves to it without any problems. The card is equipped with three DisplayPort ports, HDMI and USB-C. The price is also quite reasonable considering the capabilities of the card.

Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Mini

There is also such an interesting concept as a mini gaming PC. You've probably encountered the fact that gaming PCs can take up a fair amount of space and weigh a lot. But mini PCs are an exception. These are compact devices with enough power for gaming, although they do not reach the power of large machines, they do quite well. And it is worth noting that choosing such a PC does not mean that you will have to limit yourself to a weak video card. On the contrary, with a good choice, you can get almost everything that a large PC will provide. Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Mini is specifically designed for micro-ATX or mini-ITX computers. It will provide 3,584 stream processors, a frequency of 1,504 MHz and 11 GB of memory. Very, very good, right? The card, unsurprisingly, is designed for gaming at 1080p and, although not the newest, it is perhaps the most suitable for gaming tasks in its weight category. 3 Display Port, HDMI and DL-DVI-D only add to the attractiveness.

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 OC 6G

We are accustomed to the fact that a budget video card will always be a compromise. But this is not always the case, and the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 can serve as proof. This card offers 1,408 stream processors, 1,530 MHz and 6 GB of GDDR5. What you can definitely get from this video card is the ability to play at 1080p without problems or overload. And the price of the card, at the same time, remains very, very affordable. Plus, all games can be played on one or multiple monitors, which is taken care of by the ports: 3 DisplayPort and HDMI 2.0. Naturally, for higher requirements, such as gaming at QHD or 4K, the video card will no longer be suitable. But it’s worth noting here that we are looking for the most profitable graphics card that won’t force you to compromise or sacrifice any features. It's fair to say that Full HD resolution is quite good for gaming.

Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti

The last video card in our selection will serve those who are passionate about e-sports. And here it is imperative to note the principles for choosing cards for such events. Players can safely sacrifice anything, including rendering and image smoothness, in favor of one fundamentally important parameter - fps. 768 stream processors, 1,290 MHz and 4 GB does not seem like a lot, but it is in fps that the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti shows real class. It handles e-sports games without difficulty, providing much higher performance than the classic 60fps. So you will be the fastest and most elusive. The card costs a little more than the Nvidia GTX 1050, but compared to other cards, even on this list, it is very affordable. In addition, it will allow you not to be limited to e-sports, but sometimes to play regular games. So, if e-sports is life for you, then be sure to pay attention to this video card.

How to choose an Nvidia video card?

The main parameters when purchasing a video card from this manufacturer are:

1. Productivity . Determined by the processor frequency. Mid-range devices have a frequency of 1300 MHz, top-end devices have a frequency of 1500 MHz.
2. Amount of RAM . The principle is simple - the more, the better. If a game requires 4 GB, but the video card only has 2 GB, then the rest of the load will fall on the entire system, and therefore the speed of the device will greatly decrease. Monitors with Full HD resolution require at least three GB, and top games will require up to 8 GB.
3. Memory type . The initial category is GDDR5, fast cards have GDDR5X.
4. Frequency . This figure must be at least 5000 MHz.
5. Cooling . For powerful computers that run games regularly, you should select a card with an optimized cooling system, with two or three fans, two heat pipes and a powerful radiator.

Before purchasing, decide on the screen resolution and the games you will run on your computer . This will immediately determine the basic requirements for graphics and the price range.

RTX 2080 SUPER

This model, like the previous one, is equipped with 8 gigabytes of GDDR6 video memory on a 256-bit bus. All models have HDMI ports and three DisplayPorts.

Compared to the previous graphics card, the RTX 2080 SUPER performs better in games - about 10% more FPS at ultra-high settings and 4K resolution. You can choose from four models from different manufacturers:

— Gigabyte nVidia GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER GV-N208SWF3OC-8GD with a base frequency of 1815 MHz and the ability to accelerate up to 1830 MHz;

— MSI nVidia GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER VENTUS XS OC with the ability to accelerate up to 1830 MHz;

— Asus nVidia GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER DUAL-RTX2080S-8G-EVO-V2 with a base frequency of 1650 MHz and the ability to accelerate up to 1845 MHz;

— INNO3D nVidia GeForce RTX 2080 SUPER N208S2-08D6X-11801167 with the ability to accelerate up to 1830 MHz.

Which video card is better AMD or Nvidia?

An eternal dispute among fans of these two companies. Let's put aside the personal preferences of users and compare these cards by price, performance, drivers and unique technologies.

AMD is cheaper than its competitor only in the budget segment; more powerful Nvidia models explain their price with significant advantages.

For example, supported by DLSS technology or ray tracing.

According to the test results, comparing the power of cards of the same price from these brands, you can see that both manufacturers have the same budget; in the mid-range and pre-top range, Radeon cards win, but the flagships remain with Nvidia, since the red team cannot yet offer an analogue.

Regarding the software, we note that with AMD it is more understandable to the average user and provides more opportunities for overclocking . Nvidia is good at automatically adjusting graphics to the system.

Well, in terms of unique developments, the green team is still significantly ahead of the red team, even if not all of them may be needed by an ordinary buyer.

RTX 2080Ti

As of August 2021, the most powerful video card on the market. Compared to the previous card, this model shows 28% more FPS at ultra-high settings and 4K resolution. All RTX 2080Ti models are equipped with 11 gigabytes of GDDR6 video memory on a 352-bit bus; you can choose from four models:

— MSI nVidia GeForce RTX 2080Ti VENTUS GP OC with the ability to accelerate up to 1635 MHz, one HDMI and three DisplayPorts;

— Gigabyte nVidia GeForce RTX 2080Ti GV-N208TGAMING OC-11GC with a base frequency of 1650 MHz and the ability to accelerate up to 1665 MHz, as well as one HDMI, two DisplayPorts and one USB-C;

— Asus nVidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti ROG-STRIX-RTX2080TI-11G-GAMING with a base frequency of 1350 MHz and the ability to accelerate up to 1560 MHz, as well as two HDMI, two DisplayPort and one USB-C;

— Asus nVidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti ROG-STRIX-RTX2080TI-O11G-GAMING — a factory overclocked version of the previous model.