GPU Hierarchy 2020 - Tier List For Graphics Cards [Updated List]

Variety is both a blessing and a curse in the world of PC gaming. The number of options to choose from when it comes to hardware can be mind-boggling, especially when all of those options need to be explored so that you might find the ideal one for your needs.

Here at GamingScan, we have done all the research for you. Below, you will find all current-gen GPUs presented in tables, along with their important specifications and target performance. On top of that, we will also be updating the list with new GPUs as they are released, so be sure to check back soon!

Tier Level	The Card	VRAM	Memory Bus Width	CUDA cores/Stream processors
Tier 1 – Enthusiast	Nvidia Titan RTX	24 GB GDDR6	384-bit	4608
	Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti	11 GB GDDR6	352-bit	4352
	Nvidia GeForce Titan V	12 GB HBM2	3072-bit	5120
	Nvidia GeForce Titan Xp	12 GB GDDR5X	384-bit	3840
Tier 2 – High-end	Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super	8 GB GDDR6	256-bit	3072
	Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080	8 GB GDDR6	256-bit	2944
	Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti	11 GB GDDR5X	352-bit	3584
	AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary	8 GB GDDR6	256-bit	2560
	AMD Radeon VII	16 GB HBM2	4096-bit	3840
	AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT	8 GB GDDR6	256-bit	2560
	Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super	8 GB GDDR6	256-bit	2560
	Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Super	8 GB GDDR6	256-bit	2176
	Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070	8 GB GDDR6	256-bit	2304
	Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080	8 GB GDDR5X	256-bit	2560
	AMD Radeon RX 5700	8 GB GDDR6	256-bit	2304
	AMD Radeon RX Vega 64	8 GB HBM2	2048-bit	4096
	Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 Ti	8 GB GDDR5	256-bit	2432
	AMD Radeon RX Vega 56	8 GB HBM2	2048-bit	3584
	Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060	6 GB GDDR6	192-bit	1920
	Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070	8 GB GDDR5	256-bit	1920
Tier 3 – Mid-range	Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti	6 GB GDDR6	192-bit	1536
	AMD Radeon RX 590	8 GB GDDR5	256-bit	2304
	Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660	6 GB GDDR5	192-bit	1408
	AMD Radeon RX 580	4 GB/8 GB GDDR5	256 bit	2304
	Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060	6 GB/3 GB GDDR5	192-bit	1280
	AMD Radeon RX 480	4 GB/8 GB GDDR5	256-bit	2304
	AMD Radeon RX 570	4 GB/8 GB GDDR5	256 bit	2048
	AMD Radeon RX 470	4 GB/8 GB GDDR5	256-bit	2048
Tier 4 – Budget	Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti	4 GB GDDR5	128-bit	768
	Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050	2 GB GDDR5	128-bit	640
	AMD Radeon RX 560	2 GB/4 GB GDDR5	128-bit	1024
	AMD Radeon RX 460	2 GB/4 GB GDDR5	128-bit	896
	AMD Radeon RX 550	2 GB/4 GB GDDR5	128-bit	512
	Nvidia GeForce GT 1030	2 GB GDDR5	64-bit	384

Note that CUDA cores are NVIDIA technology and Stream processors are AMD technology, so the numbers cannot be compared directly as an indicator of potential performance. Also, make sure to check out our buying guide for graphics cards if you’re interested in buying a new one in the near future.

Table of ContentsHide

Tier 1 – The Absolute Best GPUs

The first tier is what is often referred to as the “enthusiast” tier, and it is comprised of the most powerful GPUs in the world. Nvidia has had indisputable dominance in this tier for a very long time, as they are the only ones currently offering GPUs of this caliber.

Tier 1 GPUs are very expensive, capable of offering a flawless 60 FPS 4K gaming experience, though they tend to be so powerful and expensive that they really blur the lines between gaming cards and professional cards.

In any case, these GPUs push the envelope when it comes to both performance and pricing, pushing the technological boundaries and paving the way for more advanced technologies to be implemented in mainstream GPUs, though they themselves are hardly mainstream products.

GPUs
Nvidia Titan RTX
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti
Nvidia GeForce Titan V
Nvidia GeForce Titan Xp

Tier 2 – Superb Performance

The second tier is comprised of what we commonly refer to as “high-end” graphics cards. And much like the first tier, Nvidia is the dominant force here, too, though AMD is finally offering some resistance here with their new Navi GPUs.

Performance-wise, high-end GPUs are now ideal solutions for 1440p gaming, though the more powerful ones can take on 4K as well. Of course, the performance in such a high resolution will vary from GPU to GPU and from game to game.

Nvidia GPUs	AMD GPUs
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080S	AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 50th Anniversary
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080	AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070S	AMD Radeon VII
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070	AMD Radeon RX 5700
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080	AMD Radeon RX Vega 64
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060S	AMD Radeon RX Vega 56
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 Ti
Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070

Tier 3 – Good Performance at Reasonable Prices

The third tier consists of some of the most popular GPUs among PC gamers in general, which is mainly due to the fact that they offer good performance without being too expensive.

For years, AMD had been offering GPUs that are more powerful yet cheaper than competing Nvidia models, so their Radeon cards were the definite go-to solution for gamers who wanted to get the most out of their investment. However, both AMD and Nvidia have highly attractive products in this price range now.

When it comes to general performance, you can expect a mid-range GPU to achieve high framerates in 1080p, but they can be solid 1440p gaming solutions, too. As a matter of fact, many of the GPUs in this tier can actually be used even for 4K gaming, too, just don’t expect any stellar framerates or high settings.

Nvidia GPUs	AMD GPUs
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti	AMD Radeon RX 590
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660	AMD Radeon RX 580
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060	AMD Radeon RX 480
	AMD Radeon RX 570
	AMD Radeon RX 470

Tier 4 – Great Value for Those on a Budget

For those who don’t have a lot of money to blow on a beastly gaming PC, there are a number of affordable yet reliable low-end budget solutions to choose from. Again, both Nvidia and AMD have some good models to offer in this price range.

Budget GPUs are intended mainly for 1080p gaming, though the performance will, naturally, vary from game to game and model to model.