Top GPUs for Ultra HD Playback

Best Graphic Card for 4K Gaming

Max Wales

Mar 27, 2024• Proven solutions

The gaming world is fast evolving in line with every gamers crave for a better gaming experience. As a matter of fact, there is a new technology in town i.e the 4k resolution also called Ultra HD which has entered the gaming world. The 4k resolution is supported by graphic cards which are not just up to date but also designed for this technology.

Well, 4k resolution can be achieved by the use of good graphics card which we will look at later in depth. These graphic cards are expensive although there are surely others that are relatively cheap. Some gamers have even opted to use double graphic cards in a bid to try to achieve this resolution. This may work although in other instances it has failed to work as it is incompatible with machines that do not to support multiple cards. So if you are looking for the best graphic cards for 4K gaming then we have compiled a great list for you!

| | Product | Review Price | |
| ————————————————– | —————————————————- | ——- |
| Best Choices | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti FTW3 GAMING Graphics Card | $759.99 |
| | Nvidia GTX Titan X | $1,400 | |
| | AMD Vega | $999-$1499 | |
| | GeForce GTX 1080 Founders Edition Graphics Card | $699.99 | |
| | AMD Radeon R9 Fury X | 679.95 | |
| Budget Options | GeForce GTX 980 Ti | 500 |
| | NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1070 | 499 | |
| | AMD Radeon RX 480 | 489 | |
| | AMD RADEON RX 570 | 289.89 | |
| | AMD RADEON RX 580 | 399.89 | |

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Best Choices – Graphic Cards for 4k Gaming

1.NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080 Ti FTW3 GAMING Graphics Card

This GPU is designed and built by NVIDIA. It has a die cast aluminum cover and is designed on a Pascal architecture to handle demands of 4k resolution gaming. It supports triple AAA games.

Pros

• It is cooled by an advanced vapor chamber designed for consistent performance even in the most thermally challenging environments
• It has a high memory bandwidth which allows it to play a vast range of games that has multiple frames

Cons

• It is very expensive to purchase this GPU at $759
• It has a high case of incompatibility with many computers

2.Nvidia GTX Titan X

This GPU supports 4K resolution and is built by NVIDIA. It also runs on a versatile Pascal architecture and is one of the best in the market.

Its performance is good and is known not to overheat. This is supported by its technology of asynchronous fans control. This works by the left fan being controlled by the GPU while the right one is determined by the memory or power temperature.

Pros

• Great 4k resolution and supports a lot of games
• Its cooling technology is one of the best
• It can support multiple monitors due to the many outputs and strong processor

Cons

• Very expensive to purchase @ $ 1400
• Requires a computer with a big processor to support it.

3.AMD Vega

This is a very new technology that is set to be released at the end of July 2017, however, a prototype for this technology has been released to the public. This GPU is said to have the ability to process twice what the previous could in a specified cycle of time.

Pros

• This GPU has a very high bandwidth cache allowing less queuing time for processes ie no need to squeeze polygons, shaders, and texts to the VRAMS in the card. This also reduces the usage of the computer processor hence increasing performance.
• Concurrency of processes that are non-uniform in terms of graphics is allowed. This is possible as this GPU allows itself to do smaller processes while it isn’t busy. This also reduces idle time.

Cons

• This processor is said to be using alt of power during the processes
• It is very expensive retailing @ 999-1499

4.GeForce GTX 1080 Founders Edition Graphics Card

This GPU is owned by NVIDIA and is made on a Pascal architecture. This has enabled better performance through increased memory band width and power efficiency. It also has a good cooling technology thus reduces on overheating. Some of the features include;

Pros

• VR works graphics work to improve the 4k resolution. This allows the virtual world around the user to be as real as possible e.g explosion in a game looks as real as possible.
• Scalable link interface(SLI) can allow a user to combine two GPUs in the same machine and allow them to concurrently share processes. This makes processes more efficient
• The NVIDIA GPU Boost 3.0 is part of the feature that allows you to increase clock speed to improve performance as well as tilt during intense high-resolution gaming to reduce overheating

Cons

• Expensive to purchase retailing @ $699
• There are cases of overheating in heavy usage
• This GPU features 4gb high bandwidth memory. Its ability to support 4k resolution comfortably lies in its cooling technology which is a liquid that is looped over and over.

5.AMD Radeon R9 Fury X

This GPU card features 4Gb high band width memory. Its ability to support 4K resolution lies in its cooling technology which is liquid cooled that is looped over and over.

Pros

• This radiator like cooling system allows it to be smaller, less noisy and has the ability to handle high-resolution processes comfortably.
• It features the free sync technology that allows the graph card and monitor to communicate hence adjusting the monitors refresh rate to the frame rate being displayed by the graph. This increases efficiency
• It allows the desktop to have multiple screen display improving the gaming experience
• It also has a frame rate target control that allows you select the frames the game is going to need making the gaming smoother
• This GPU is compatible with the mother boards that allows multiple GPUS Installed allowing them to share processes hence increasing resolution
• It has zero core power technology that shuts down the GPU during idle time

Cons

• Expensive to purchase retailing at @ $679
• Uses a lot of power

Budget Options– Graphic Cards for 4k Gaming

1.GeForce GTX 980 Ti

This GPU is pocket-friendly and can still give you a 4k resolution for your gaming experience. It is known for its cooling ability during processes. this is made possible by the cold plate and pump design allowing lower temperatures.

Pros

• Relatively Cheaper to buy @ 500
• Good cooling system
• Supported by many computers

Cons

• Overheats quickly
• Doesn’t support a lot of 4k games

2.NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1070

This Pascal architecture GPU is known for its improved performance, memory band width, and power efficiency. This GPU supports 4k resolution.

Pros

• It’s cooling technology allows less use of power with the use of double fans that is curved to use air flow and less power
• VRworks is included in the graphics to allow both audio and video clarity
• The scalable link interface(SLI) allows processes to be taken concurrently in this GPU

Cons

• Overheats under very intense cases
• Doesn’t support a lot of 4K resolution games

3.AMD Radeon RX 480

This GPU is a pocket-friendly one that runs 4k resolution but with no fancy technology

Pros

• It is cheap @ $489
• Good performance within the budget range

Cons

• Noisy during usage
• Doesn’t support a lot of 4k resolution games

4.AMD RADEON RX 570

This GPU is quite good for a budget client being the cheapest in the range. It is based on Polaris architecture with overclocking core.

Pros

• It is known to be a high dynamic range content meaning the contrast in colors always come out with a high resolution
• It has a double fan that ensures cooling is well taken care of
• It has a free sync technology that allows it to adjust the refresh rate to that of the frame rate being outputted by the graphic card this reduces screen tearing and stuttering.
• The cross fire allows the same GPU be installed and the processes be split hence increasing efficiency and resolution
• It is the cheapest retailing @ $ 289

Cons

• It can overheat quickly
• Doesn’t support a lot of 4k games in the market

5.AMD RADEON RX 580

This GPU is budget friendly as well as effective in its working.

Pros

• It has a stream processor that allows parallel computing tasks hence taking some processes load off the CPU
• It has many outputs allowing up to 4 monitors to use this GPU at a time
• It has a good cooling system reducing on overheating
• It is compatible with high dynamic range(HDR) hence good color contrast is achieved in resolution
• It is cheap retailing @$399

Cons

• It doesn’t support a lot of 4k gaming

Conclusion

The gaming industry has been moving with the times allowing better resolution, faster games and achieving a virtual reality in HD as well as in 3D. With the graphics we have looked at we have been able to establish that this technology is driven by price, performance and the ability of the computer being used.

From more expensive GPU to the budget ones we have to establish that users are interested in a better resolution that can achieve virtual reality with speed. Users are also interested in GPU devices that don’t overheat as well as well as those that are compatible with the computer they plan to use. This technology will always be changing with the times so it is important to always buy one that gives value for money, versatile and bound to work for long.

Max Wales

Max Wales is a writer and a lover of all things video.

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