If you are looking for a graphics card that will run your games in 4K at 60 FPS or more, we have you covered right here.
Gaming at 4K resolution has increasingly become the pinnacle of visual fidelity, but every year, the barrier to entry seems to get a little bit lower. Whether you opt for Nvidia or AMD, there are now a number of budget-friendly graphics cards with enough horsepower and VRAM to play at 2160p without having to sacrifice frames per second (FPS) or visual fidelity.
While gaming at 4K 60FPS is still incredibly popular, more gaming monitors are now supporting high resolution with 120Hz refresh rates, with some now offering 144Hz too. Here, we’ll go through the very best of what’s available.
Products at a glance
- Best GPU for 4K gaming
ASUS ROG Strix RTX 4090 OC
- Best AMD GPU for 4K gaming
ASUS TUF Gaming Radeon RX 7900 XTX OC
- GPU: Navi 31
- Stream Processors: 6,144
- VRAM: 24GB GDDR6
- Memory bus width: 384-bit
- Bandwidth: 960 GB/s
- Base clock speed: 1,929 MHz
- Best mid-range GPU for 4K gaming
ASUS ROG Strix GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super OC Edition
- GPU: AD103
- CUDA Cores: 8,448
- VRAM: 16GB GDDR6X
- Bandwidth: 672.3 GB/s
- Memory bus width: 256-bit
- Base clock speed: 2340 MHz
- Best value GPU for 4K gaming
AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT
- GPU: Navi 32
- Stream Processors: 3,840
- VRAM: 16 GDDR6
- Memory bus width: 256-bit
- Bandwidth: 624.1 GB/sec
- Base clock speed: 1,295 MHz
How we selected the best GPU for 4K gaming
Selecting the best GPU for 4K gaming is not just about benchmark numbers; it’s a synthesis of real-world performance, thermal efficiency, and value for money. We begin by examining a multitude of gaming benchmarks across diverse titles, including our own in-house testing where appropriate. In our testing, we put each card through a number of AAA titles, including the graphically demanding Cyberpunk 2077. From these, combined with a number of synthetic benchmarks, we can gauge how each of these best graphics cards handles the intense load of 4K resolution at varying refresh rates.
In addition to raw performance, our selection process takes into account user reviews and feedback, ensuring that the GPUs on our list are not just technically proficient but also reliable in the hands of everyday gamers. Factors such as driver stability, software support, and long-term reliability come into play.
Remember, as is the case for the most powerful graphics card for 4K gaming, you’ll need an optimal monitor to experience it. We’ll turn your attention to our guide to the best monitors for gaming and working so you get the most out of your GPU. You can also follow our guide to find the best CPU for gaming, so you avoid any bottlenecks.
- GPU: AD102
- CUDA cores: 16,384
- VRAM: 24GB GDDR6X
- Memory bus: 384-bit
- Bandwidth: 1,008 GB/sec
- Base clock: 2235 MHz
- Boost clock: 2610 MHz
- Absolutely the best of the best when it comes to 4K
- Surprisingly efficient power consumption for a top-end card
- Our ASUS test unit looks stunning and makes a statement
- Far from just a gaming card – it’s perfect for video-editing and more
- Takes a hefty bite out of your wallet – and the 4080 Super could be a better option
- Will be too big for some smaller builds
- Overkill for those wanting 4K 60 FPS – especially if you’re using DLSS 3.0
Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 4090 is nothing short of a monster, representing the pinnacle of the “Ada Lovelace” architecture. We loved the card in our RTX 4090 review as it made light work of both our AAA game benchmarks and the more demanding synthetic benchmarks such as Fire Strike Ultra, which stress-test the card at 4K.
Under the hood, there’s a commendable 24 GB GDDR6X memory paired with a whopping 16,384 cores that are, in turn, home to 76,300 million transistors. In layman’s terms, this card is an absolute monster. When you add to the fact that our testing is done in native 4K, without DLSS 3.0 enabled, you begin to see just how much power the 4090 has.
So, if you’re a content creator by day and a gamer by night, the RTX 4090 has got your back.
PCWer
Beyond its gaming supremacy, the RTX 4090 demonstrates versatility. For creators, professionals, and multitaskers, this GPU shines, delivering impeccable performance in demanding tasks like 3D rendering, video editing, and more.
So, if you’re a content creator by day and a gamer by night, the RTX 4090 has got your back. The downside? All of that performance comes at a price – and with the 50 Series rumoured for later this year, it’s not long before the 4090 won’t be the top dog.
What users say
The Asus ROG Strix card has a rating of 4.6 stars on Amazon, and over 630 people have rated it. The positive reviews mention that the customers were pleased with the powerful performance of the card as well as the cooling system. “Looks great, sound levels are perfectly fine for the fan size, great performance, ease of installation, no issues with setup physically or driver wise. I run the latest Studio drivers and haven’t had any issues,” one of the customers wrote in a review. However, a few customers said that the card was big and heavy.
- GPU: Navi 31
- Stream Processors: 6,144
- VRAM: 24GB GDDR6
- Memory bus width: 384-bit
- Bandwidth: 960 GB/s
- Base clock speed: 1,929 MHz
- Boost clock (OC mode): 2,615 MHz
- Killer performance for the price and perfect for those wanting an uncompromising 4K experience
- Sturdy cooling mechanism helps the card maintain stable temps
- Major leap from the previous generation and a worthy challenger to the equivalent Nvidia card
- For those wanting ray tracing performance, opt for an Nvidia 4000 card
- Thirsty for power, so ensure you have an adequate power supply (PSU)
- Somewhat plain looks, so not ideal for builds wanting to make a statement
The AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX is the culmination of AMD’s efforts in the graphics card realm for late 2022. With a 4.5 out of five rating from us in our AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX review, this card sits firmly at the top for Team Red fans wanting the very best 4K gaming experience. Built on the revolutionary “chiplet” design, which breaks from the traditional monolithic approach, this GPU offers some fascinating advancements and graphics settings that set it apart from the rest.
This method of using multiple smaller chips packaged together not only scales well but also provides cost-saving benefits. Packing a punch with a base clock of 2300 MHz and boosting up to 2500 MHz, it’s armed with 24 GB of GDDR6X memory, making it a formidable player in the graphics market.
But beyond the raw numbers, what does the RX 7900 XTX mean for gamers? In short, a lot. In our testing, with all settings maxed at native 4K, the card achieved well over 100 FPS across nearly all titles, with Cyberpunk 2077 and Fortnite being the outliers. The full benchmarking data is available in the XTX review. In Synthetic benchmarks such as Fire Strike Ultra, the card didn’t quite match up to Nvidia’s RTX 4090, but given the difference in price, you can’t really complain.
What users say
On Amazon, the Asus TUF 7900 XTX model has a rating of 4.4 stars, and the product has been rated by more than 350 people. Most positive reviews mentioned that card delivered great performance and the build quality was good. “Is simply a Beast, great build Quality, amazing performance and stays Cool unde 60C on a 26/28C ambient temp,” one of the customers wrote in a review.
- GPU: AD103
- CUDA Cores: 8,448
- VRAM: 16GB GDDR6X
- Bandwidth: 672.3 GB/s
- Memory bus width: 256-bit
- Base clock speed: 2340 MHz
- Boost clock speed: 2670 MHz
- Asus ROG model offers best overclocking
- DLSS 3.0 support boosts performance and is highly recommended
- Great cooling performance
- Asus ROG Strix model is expensive
- Some inconsistent performance on AAA games we tested at native 4K
The RTX 4070 Ti Super, along with a few other ‘Ti’ and ‘Super’ cards, was released early in 2024. This is a more recent addition to the RTX 4070 family, which are all considered ‘mid-range’ and ‘upper mid-range’ GPUs.
In our RTX 4070 Ti Super review, we found out that the card handled most games well at 1440p and delivered excellent framerates. As far as 4K is concerned, the GPU gave us 151 fps for CS2 and 84 fps for Assasin’s Creed Mirage.
If you compare it to other cards in the RTX 4070 range, the Ti Super offers better value and 4K performance.
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However, while playing Cyberpunk 2077 at ultra settings (with ray tracing and DLSS turned off), the GPU hit 44 fps. However, if you enable DLSS, you will be able to get better framerates at high resolutions.
Overall, if you compare it to other cards in the RTX 4070 range, the Ti Super offers better value and 4K performance. Plus, you will be spending less than the RTX 4090 or RTX 4080 Super.
What users say
On Amazon, the Asus ROG Strix RTX 4070 Ti Super has a rating of 4.7 stars, and more than 1,000 people have rated the product. The positive reviews mentioned that the card performed well and had good build quality with all the Strix features. “I highly recommend this for a 2k and most 4k output setups,” one of the customers wrote in a review. However, the reviews also mentioned that the GPU was a pricey and big in size.
- GPU: Navi 32
- Stream Processors: 3,840
- VRAM: 16 GDDR6
- Memory bus width: 256-bit
- Bandwidth: 624.1 GB/sec
- Base clock speed: 1,295 MHz
- Boost clock speed: 2,430 MHz
- Great for 1440p and 1080p gaming
- Decent entry-level 4K performance
- FSR to boost framerates at high resolutions
- For those wanting ray tracing performance, opt for an Nvidia 4000 card
- Opt for 7900 XTX if you want better 4K experience
The 7800 XT GPU has been advertised as the “ultimate 1440p upgrade” by AMD – and there are no qualms about its performance at that resolution. However, the GPU is powerful enough to
In our 7800 XT review, we discovered that the GPU is the best 1440p card – especially for gamers at this price. We tested the GPU on several AAA games, and it delivers strong framerates.
The framerates at 4K can be pushed up if you enable FSR.
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What might surprise you is its 4K performance. At 4K, the GPU delivered 114 fps for CS2, 133 fps in Rainbow Six Seige, and 68 fps in Assassin’s Creed Mirage – all with ultra high settings.
However, when it came to extreme 4K, like Cyberpunk 2077, the framerates faltered a bit. We saw 39 fps on Cyberpunk 2077 in ultra high settings. The framerates at 4K can be pushed up if you enable FSR, which will also enhance resolution.
What users say
On Amazon, the XFX Speedster QICK319 RX 7800 XT (the GPU that we have reviewed) has a rating of 4.6 stars. Most positive reviews praised the card’s performance and quality. “Getting right to it, this XFX 7800XT has been doing a great job,” one of the customers wrote in a review.
Considerations for the best GPU for 4K gaming at 60 FPS
Gaming at 4K resolution is a taxing endeavor for any graphics card. To deliver consistent and smooth frame rates, a GPU must possess not only a large amount of video memory but also sufficient bandwidth and processing cores. Moreover, as we target different refresh rates, the requirements shift.
Furthermore, the advent of ray tracing and AI-enhanced graphics has introduced another layer of consideration for PC gamers. While these features significantly improve graphical fidelity, they also put additional stress on the GPU and gaming PC on the whole. Hence, gamers who want the absolute best visuals, complete with ray-traced shadows and reflections, should ensure their chosen GPU can handle such tasks at 4K without compromising on performance.
Is 4K 120fps gaming possible?
Yes, 4K gaming at 120fps is possible, especially with the high-end GPUs discussed in this article. GPUs like the Nvidia RTX 4090 and the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX have the horsepower to deliver these frame rates in many titles, provided you have the appropriate supporting hardware and display. However, performance can vary based on the game and its optimization.
