When it comes to gaming, one of the most important pieces of equipment is the graphics card. A good graphics card can mean the difference between an average gaming experience and an amazing one.
With so many options on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. Here is a list of the best graphics cards for gaming in 2022, so you can make the right choice for your needs.
The Forgeary Graphics Card Guide 2022
AMD or NVIDIA?
Nvidia has been dominant for a long time and therefore has better optimization support and compatibility overall.
There is currently more data to process for Nvidia cards and that is why we recommend this for now.
Nvidia has better and more advanced Input lag and Frame timing technologies for smooth and responsive gameplay.
AMD unfortunately has problems with its drivers now, which can cause problems in games.
How much video memory is needed?
The amount of memory is primarily linked to the resolution you run.
Higher resolution with more textures requires more memory.
Modern AAA games with a lot of focus on graphics require more from GPU
What about SLI, Crossfire?
Several graphics cards are not recommended at this time.
Multiple GPUs bring a lot of problems with drivers and stutters in games due to the sync between the cards.
What games rely on the GPU?
Modern AAA games with a lot of focus on graphics require more from GPU
Esports titles and older games running in higher FPS are less dependent on GPU and rely even more on the CPU.
What are the best GPU drivers?
Custom drivers are available for NVIDIA graphics card that remove unnecessary data.
Check our guide on how to professionally install NVIDIA drivers for optimal performance.
What graphics card is best for streaming?
GeForce Experience is a powerful tool for optimizing games and provides a console-like experience with a focus on gameplay and streaming.
Nvidia RTX and GTX 16XX have new hardware for streaming video with the highest possible quality.
The technology with the best support for accelerated streaming hardware is called NVENC.
End results
Graphics drivers support important since it usually directly impacts game performance.
AMD has been having stability and performance issues with its GPU drivers in recent years.
Nvidia has (thanks to marketing) been able to achieve the best adoption of specific performance-enhancing features such as Reflex and another input-lag tech.
However, AMD had a strong 2022 and there are reports of AMD having better "raw" performance in (older) competitive games, meaning they should not be counted out just yet.