Major Graphics Card Brands Ranked Worst To Best

The graphics card, otherwise known as the GPU, is an essential part of a computer. While basic versions will normally be more than enough for general use, more powerful and advanced versions are necessary for anyone who wants to use their PC for gaming. That's because current-generation games require advanced graphics processing to display detailed textures and high resolutions. That makes the graphics part one of the most important aspects for anyone looking to buy or build a gaming PC.

However, getting the right GPU is not as easy as it might sound. There are dozens of brands available online and each of them has their own positive and negative aspects that differentiate them from everything else. Some are built with cheaper components but may not last as long or be able to reach the same performance levels, while others may focus on cooling to aid overclocking.

Whatever the case, it is important to thoroughly research the different brands before buying a new graphics card so you understand exactly what you are getting when you part with your money. After all, the GPU is one of the most expensive and influential elements of a computer and you wouldn't want to make a costly mistake.

The vast majority of customers will buy their graphics cards from third parties rather than the chip manufacturers themselves. Typically, the likes of NVIDIA and AMD will send a supply of GPU chips to other brands, such as MSI or ASUS, with these companies then designing the complete graphics card by adding extra components such as cooling systems and a board. However, the original manufacturers do produce their own graphics cards, with NVIDIA introducing the Founder's Edition line in 2016.

There are some advantages to going straight to NVIDIA for your graphics cards. Firstly, you can be sure that you are getting the very best quality chips with a Founder's Edition card as NVIDIA obviously has the first choice. Cards directly created by chip manufacturers also often incorporate a blower style of cooling rather than the open-air method used by most brands, which may better suit some setups.

Yet, third-party brands may offer better value in a number of areas. Founder's Edition graphics cards are expensive and it is often possible to find cheaper alternatives. Other brands can also offer more efficient cooling systems, which in turn allows the GPU to be overclocked more aggressively to eke out every bit of performance. Throw in NVIDIA's poor track record when it comes to customer support and gamers may find that looking elsewhere is the best course of action.

Unlike NVIDIA, which now focuses on its high-end expensive Founder's Edition graphics cards, AMD's first-party range is centered on cheaper reference cards. These offer a baseline level of performance and are really only useful for those who have a limited budget or want to get a new GPU the moment it releases. After all, custom graphics cards from third parties will always take some extra time to design and release.

Feedback from gamers suggests that the main issue with AMD reference graphics cards is that they are cooled by a blower system rather than open air. This means that the cards run at a hotter temperature, are louder, and struggle to reach their full potential. Third-party graphics cards often utilize more efficient cooling methods that allow the GPUs to perform at a higher level. There are some scenarios where blower cooling is useful, such as in more cramped conditions or when using multiple graphics cards, so it can be a positive in rare cases. AMD's own GPUs should also be more compatible with a wider range of computers as they are not as customized and have a standard form, another consideration for those lacking space inside their computer case.

Despite being a relative newcomer to the graphics card market, Zotac had already gained a reputation for producing cheaper GPUs that are often significantly cheaper than alternatives from other brands. That makes Zotac an attractive option for those on a tighter budget or who don't necessarily want to push their computers to the absolute maximum.

The brand is able to get to such low prices because it uses lower-quality parts for several areas of the graphics card, such as the cooling components. This means that the GPUs can reach slightly higher temperatures and fall below the best specs of rival cards, but this shouldn't be an issue for the vast majority of gamers — especially given the brand doesn't have a particularly high failure rate.

Meanwhile, the smaller size of Zotac's line makes them a good choice for those wanting a more compact computer setup. The company does focus on its NVIDIA partnership and may not have as big a range as some of the larger graphics card brands, although it still has a solid selection of products for every type of gamer.

Inno3D is one of the smaller major graphics card brands, but it has been around quite a long time despite that, with the company initially founded way back in 1998. This makes it one of the more experienced manufacturers on this list. While it isn't the brand to go for if you are interested in getting the very best performance, it does offer a good range of budget models that won't break the bank but still run smoothly and provide great value. This makes it an ideal choice for someone new to PC gaming or those who are trying to put together a computer on a tight budget.

According to Digitec Galaxus, Inno3D also has one of the lowest failure rates of any major GPU brand, with just 0.5% of its products failing within the first two years of its life. That it performs better than brands such as MSI and ASUS demonstrates just how reliable and well-built its graphics cards are. The main problem with Inno3D is that its small size may make some models harder to come by, making it difficult to get the exact graphics card you want.

Like its Taiwanese competitors ASUS and MSI, Gigabyte has become one of the biggest names in the world of graphics cards. That shouldn't be a huge surprise as the company offers great value with most of its GPUs priced very competitively while still high-quality performance. It doesn't matter what type of experience a gamer is looking for, Gigabyte should have an answer. Both the Aorus Master and Vision models offer high-end specs for the very best performance while the Gaming OC range is great value at a much cheaper price. The also boasts graphics cards from AMD and NVIDIA, meaning customers have plenty of choice when it comes to picking their next GPU.

Gigabyte stands out as a trusted brand thanks in large part to the reliable and long lasting cards it produces. Many also come with useful tools that allow even casual gamers to modify settings to overclock GPUs and unlock even more performance. However, it can't be ranked as highly as its main rivals due to more widespread reports of poor customer service and a slightly higher failure rate than ASUS and MSI.

To many people, ASUS is far more than just a GPU brand. The company has its own line of laptops, accessories, and desktop computers that have become some of the more popular products in the world. This means the company has a reputation of being trusted and reliable, something that it would undoubtedly want to uphold across its entire range. That means that those buying from ASUS should have confidence that they are getting a quality graphics card that should last without too many issues.

ASUS is also highly ranked because of its extensive offerings. The company offers both NVIDIA and AMD graphics cards and has various options for every type of gamer. Whether you want a powerful GPU you can safely overclock or a whisper-quiet RTX 3070, ASUS has it all.

The major issues with ASUS are that it is on the pricier end of the spectrum when it comes to graphics cards and has faced complaints about poor customer service. The expense of ASUS products, though, is largely a result of the quality you can expect from them. The company has also invested in a new call center and upgraded its tech support in an attempt to address these concerns.