How to pick a graphics card for your budget

Updated 5 October 2026

Pick the card for the screen you play on. A card that is right for a 1080p monitor is different from one for 1440p or 4K, and paying for more than your monitor can show is the most common way to overspend.

Which card suits which monitor?

For 1080p at 60 to 144 Hz, the entry cards in the current and previous generation are enough for most games. For 1440p, look one or two steps up the range. 4K needs the top of the range, and it is the only place the most expensive cards make sense.

Our listings let you filter graphics cards by series, so you can compare every model of one chip side by side.

How much graphics memory do you need?

8 GB is enough for most games at 1080p today. If you play at 1440p or want the card to last several years, 12 GB or 16 GB gives more room, because newer games use more memory at high texture settings.

Will it fit and will your power supply run it?

Check two things on the store page before you buy: the card length against your case, and the recommended power supply wattage against yours. Larger cards can be over 30 cm long and need one or more dedicated power cables.

Our PC Builder adds up the power draw of the parts you pick and tells you if the power supply is too small.

Is last generation a better deal?

Often, yes. When a new series launches, the previous one usually drops in price while still running current games well. Sort a series by price and look at the 90-day history on the product page to see whether today is a good price.