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Best GPUs for 1080p 144Hz – 60Hz, 120Hz, 240Hz

View your games and entertainment the right way on your PC with some of the best GPUs for 1080p 144Hz
Last Updated on January 18, 2024
A monitor with the words 1080p next to the RTX 4070 Ti OC graphics card, on a light green gradient background.

Are you looking for the best GPU for 1080p 144Hz to get you a truly smooth and immersive gaming experience? Don’t fret, as we’ve got you covered here. From our previous experiences reviewing PC components and building computers, we can assure you that narrowing down the type of visuals you want to get from your rig is one of the best approaches to start building a gaming or production computer.

Although almost any GPU can handle 60 hz at 1080p, for higher refresh rates like 120Hz or 240Hz, a more powerful GPU is required to maintain stable frame rates. So, this article will focus on identifying some of the best graphics cards that can handle 1080p gaming at different resolutions – let’s get started.

Products at a Glance

How we picked the best graphics card for 1080p – 60Hz, 120Hz, 240Hz

To identify the most suitable GPUs for 1080p gaming across various refresh rates (60Hz, 120Hz, and 240Hz), our methodology includes analyzing a wealth of publicly accessible data and consumer reviews. This comprehensive evaluation helps us determine which graphics cards provide the optimal mix of performance, affordability, and energy efficiency specific to each refresh rate category.

Our analysis extends beyond mere performance statistics. We consider the longevity of each graphics card, its support for the latest gaming functionalities, and the manufacturer’s reputation for delivering quality and reliable products. They offer a deeper understanding of how each GPU performs under typical usage conditions, including insights into driver stability and any prevalent compatibility challenges.

Our Recommended

Best GPUs for 1080p 144Hz – 60Hz, 120Hz, 240Hz

1
PROS
  • Excellent 1080p performance
  • Substantial 16GB GDDR6 memory
  • Quiet operation in Silent mode
CONS
  • Ray tracing performance lags behind competitors
  • Higher power consumption and heat output
  • Limited generational improvement

The PowerColor Red Devil AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT is a high-performance graphics card equipped with a robust 16GB GDDR6 memory and a powerful stream processor unit of 3840. It offers impressive games and boosts clocks, reaching up to 2255 MHz and 2565 MHz respectively in OC mode. This card is designed to deliver exceptional 1080p gaming performance, making it suitable for gamers who demand high frame rates and detailed graphics playing at 1080p on a 144Hz monitor.

The Radeon RX 7800 XT’s large memory and high bandwidth are perfect for modern games, providing ample power to handle complex textures and high-resolution assets. The card’s dual-mode operation, with OC and Silent options, allows users to choose between maximum performance and quieter operation. It’s particularly suited for gamers who prioritize graphical fidelity in their 1080p gaming experiences.

2
PROS
  • Improved efficiency with Ada Lovelace architecture
  • Excellent ray tracing performance
  • Comprehensive cooling and durability features
CONS
  • High cost compared to performance
  • Reliant on DLSS 3 for optimal performance
  • Not as high-performing as the RTX 4090

The GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4080 Gaming OC is a high-end graphics card equipped with NVIDIA’s Ada Lovelace Streaming Multiprocessors, ensuring up to twice the performance and power efficiency of previous generations. It features 16GB of GDDR6X memory and advanced cooling technology, including the WINDFORCE Cooling System.

This graphics card is perfect for gamers who demand exceptional performance at 240Hz in 1080p, offering excellent ray tracing and overall performance. The Ada Lovelace enhancements make it a future-proof choice for those seeking the latest in graphics technology. The additional features like RGB Fusion, Dual BIOS, and a protective metal backplate add to its appeal.

3
PROS
  • Significant generational performance
  • High efficiency
  • Effective ray tracing and DLSS 3
CONS
  • Noticeable price increase
  • DLSS 3 can add latency
  • Redundant 16-pin power connector

The ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti OC is a powerful graphics card featuring NVIDIA’s Ada Lovelace architecture, which brings significant improvements in both efficiency and performance. It comes set with 12GB of VRAM and an impressive GPU clock speed of 2760 MHz when in OC mode. This card is powered by NVIDIA DLSS3 and includes advanced ray-tracing capabilities.

This graphics card is ideal for gamers seeking top-tier performance at 120Hz in 1080p, and is well-suited for those looking to experience advanced gaming features like real-time ray tracing. The Axial-tech fans are designed for increased airflow, ensuring efficient cooling during intense gaming sessions.

4
PROS
  • Solid 1080p gaming performance
  • Competitive pricing
  • Compact and efficient design
CONS
  • Limited performance above 1080p resolution
  • Underperforms in older titles
  • Lacks advanced features

The XFX Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 7600 is a mid-range graphics card with 8GB GDDR6 memory and a boost clock of up to 2655 MHz. It’s designed for gamers who need effective performance at 1080p resolution without breaking the bank. The RX 7600’s compact design and XFX SWFT dual fan cooling solution make it a suitable choice for smaller builds or systems where space is at a premium.

This graphics card excels in delivering smooth and detailed gameplay at 1080p, making it ideal for mainstream gamers and those with 60Hz monitors. Its competitive pricing and 8GB of VRAM ensure that it can handle most modern games at this resolution. The card’s efficiency and size make it a practical option for gamers looking to upgrade their systems without needing a complete overhaul.

That’s all of the best GPUs for 1080p 144Hz, with the PowerColor Red Devil AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT taking the limelight. Although it may be an impressive card, at least there are several alternatives for users to consider alongside the other contenders in this list. These choices can be tied together through a range of specific features that allow each card to excel in 1080p gaming. Here’s a brief look into what some of those features might be:

Things to consider

Frames per second

Buying a graphics card for a specific monitor isn’t quite as complex as it first seems. In this scenario, our monitor has a 144Hz refresh rate, which means it refreshes the images on the display 144 times a second. That means that we want a GPU to be able to push out as close to 144 frames per second as possible, without risking it ever going too far beyond.

To check up on a card’s frame rate performance in certain resolutions, you can find a number of benchmarks online. Better yet, choosing a GPU with syncing technology will keep it working in harmony with your monitor.

Cooling

The thermals of a graphics card should be an essential consideration. To consistently perform at the best of its abilities, it needs to be kept as cool as possible. If a graphics card overheats, it will begin throttling, and your fps will drop.

You can set up secondary cooling via your in-case fans, but in terms of integrated GPU cooling, you have two main options. Blower-type cards have a single fan and exhaust warm air straight out of your case. Axial (open-air) cards usually have two or more fans. They run cooler, but expel some warm air into your case.

Dimensions

Practically speaking, GPU dimensions are the most important thing to consider when shopping for a GPU. If it doesn’t fit in or sags a lot in your case, or perhaps blocks your motherboard expansion slots, it’s not a great match.

You’ll need accurate measurements of your case and its brackets before investing in a GPU. Most modern GPUs will fit in a mid-tower case, and perhaps even cases on the larger side of the micro case spectrum.

VRAM

VRAM is the video memory of a GPU. It supplies lightning-fast visual information and stewards the production of smooth and even graphics on your monitor’s display. The higher the resolution of a screen, the larger your GPU’s VRAM capacity needs to be in order to keep frame rates and graphics quality at a playable standard. The minimum for 1080p is 4GB, but the sweet spot 8GB.

These days VRAM is most commonly found in DDR4, DDR5, DDR5X, or DDR6 formats, each exhibiting slightly enhanced efficiency over the last. Even though we’re not looking for a hyper-powered GPU, it’s best to choose one with GDDR6 VRAM.

Is the RX 7800 XT overkill for 1080p?

While the PowerColor Red Devil AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT may seem overkill for standard 1080p gaming, it is a great GPU for monitors with a 240Hz refresh rate. It’s built to handle more demanding 1440p gaming, which means it can easily manage 1080p gaming at higher refresh rates, delivering smooth and detailed visuals without breaking a sweat.

Our Verdict

Final thoughts

To have fun gameplay at 1080p in a 144Hz panel, you need the perfect GPU to ensure your FPS won’t drop and neither will your bank statement. Of course, all of the GPUs here are great matches to perform at this resolution and refresh rate, but if you want the most efficient GPU, the PowerColor Red Devil AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT’s robust 16GB GDDR6 memory and impressive stream processor unit allow it to excel not just in 1080p but also in higher resolutions. It also provides future-proofing for gamers who might upgrade their displays.

Alternatively, the XFX Speedster SWFT210 Radeon RX 7600 offers solid performance at a competitive price, whereas those with 120Hz monitors might find the ASUS TUF Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Ti OC provides the necessary power for smooth, high-frame-rate gaming. Finally, the GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 4080 Gaming OC is a top pick for 240Hz gaming, packing all the latest technological advancements for an unrivaled gaming experience. Overall, you should find that most modern GPUs should provide you with a decent 1080p experience, but our list narrows down your choice to four impressive cards that go above decent to enable impressive 1080p gameplay at 240Hz, 120Hz, and 60Hz.