Buying Guide
The Best GPUs Under $1,500
Five graphics cards ranked on video memory and cooler thickness, where the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX has the largest video memory; the Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Between $1,000 and $1,500 you buy high-end RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5080 class cards for 4K gaming. Every pick cost more than $1,000 and up to $1,500, ordered from the highest price.
We ranked these graphics cards on GPU, VRAM and memory using manufacturer specifications; where a maker leaves out thickness, we say so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Largest Video Memory
Sapphire Nitro+ AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX Vapor-X
The largest video memory here (24GB).
Best for: Buyers who put video memory first.
Our take Check price for Sapphire Nitro+ AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX Vapor-X (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
PNY GeForce RTX 4080 Super XLR8 Verto Epic-X RGB OC
10,240 CUDA cores and 736GB/s of memory bandwidth.
Best for: Buyers who want 10,240 CUDA cores and 736GB/s of memory bandwidth.
Our take Check price for PNY GeForce RTX 4080 Super XLR8 Verto Epic-X RGB OC (opens in a new tab)
Slimmest Cooler Thickness
ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16GB
The slimmest cooler thickness here (3.125-slot).
Best for: Buyers who put cooler thickness first.
Our take Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16GB (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black Edition
A bundled GPU support stand.
Best for: Buyers who want bundled GPU support stand.
Our take Check price for ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black Edition (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 Ti AERO OC 12G
The lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing.
Best for: Spending as little as possible.
Our take Check price for Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 Ti AERO OC 12G (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Largest Video Memory1 of 5
Sapphire Nitro+ AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX Vapor-X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Sapphire's Nitro+ Vapor-X offers a 2680MHz boost, the highest of these 7900 XTX cards, on a 3.5-slot, 320mm vapor chamber cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who put video memory first.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: its 3.5-slot cooler covers the slots below.
Why we like it
It game-clocks up to 2510MHz with 24GB on a 384-bit bus at 20Gbps. At 3.5 slots and 320mm long, it needs a roomy case. On video memory it leads this guide at 24GB, ahead of the PNY 4080 Super XLR8 (16GB).
On cooler thickness it ties with the PNY 4080 Super XLR8 at 3.5-slot. No other pick in this guide offers an RX 7900 XTX gpu; compare the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black, which has an RTX 4070 Ti Super gpu. GDDR6 memory is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti uses GDDR7 memory.
You get a 2680MHz boost clock here, which sets it apart from the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti and its a 2610MHz (OC mode) boost clock. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the PNY 4080 Super XLR8 and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RX 7900 XTX
- VRAM: 24GB
- Memory: GDDR6
- Length: 320mm
- Thickness: 3.5-slot
- Boost clock: 2680MHz
- Outputs: 2 x DisplayPort, 2 x HDMI
Pros
- 24GB of VRAM, room for large local AI models as well as games
- Vapor-X vapor chamber cooler
- Two HDMI and two DisplayPort outputs
- RX 7900 XTX gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Its 3.5-slot cooler covers the slots below
- Costs more than the Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
PNY GeForce RTX 4080 Super XLR8 Verto Epic-X RGB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
PNY's XLR8 Verto Epic-X offers 10,240 CUDA cores, 736GB/s of bandwidth and a 2595MHz boost on a 3.5-slot cooler.
Best for
- Buyers who want 10,240 CUDA cores and 736GB/s of memory bandwidth.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: its 3.5-slot cooler covers the slots below.
Why we like it
It was the least expensive RTX 4080 Super here at the time of writing. On video memory it ties with the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti and the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black at 16GB. It matches the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX on cooler thickness (3.5-slot).
An RTX 4080 Super gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti uses an RTX 5070 Ti gpu. Like the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black and Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO, it has GDDR6X memory, while the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX uses GDDR6 memory. No other pick in this guide offers a 2595MHz boost clock; compare the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX, which has a 2680MHz boost clock.
It was priced above the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti and below the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX at the time of writing. It gives ground on cooler thickness, where the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti comes in at 3.125-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4080 Super
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6X
- Thickness: 3.5-slot
- Boost clock: 2595MHz
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- 10,240 CUDA cores and 736GB/s of memory bandwidth
- 2595MHz boost clock
- RTX 4080 Super gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Its 3.5-slot cooler covers the slots below
- Cooler thickness trails the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti (3.125-slot)
- Costs more than the Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO at the time of writing
Slimmest Cooler Thickness3 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5070 Ti 16GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The ASUS TUF 5070 Ti offers a 2610MHz boost in OC mode on a 3.125-slot cooler, with a phase-change thermal pad and a protective PCB coating.
Best for
- Buyers who put cooler thickness first.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: its 3.125-slot cooler covers the slots below.
Why we like it
On video memory it ties with the PNY 4080 Super XLR8 and the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black at 16GB. Nothing else here matches its 3.125-slot cooler thickness; the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX comes closest at 3.5-slot. You get an RTX 5070 Ti gpu here, which sets it apart from the Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO and its an RTX 4070 Ti gpu.
No other pick in this guide offers GDDR7 memory; compare the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black, which has GDDR6X memory. It is the only pick here with a 2610MHz (OC mode) boost clock; the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX has a 2680MHz boost clock instead. The ASUS TUF 5070 Ti occupies 3.125 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti with the maker.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 5070 Ti
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR7
- Thickness: 3.125-slot
- Boost clock: 2610MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Phase-change GPU thermal pad
- Protective PCB coating
Cons
- Its 3.125-slot cooler covers the slots below
- Costs more than the Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
ZOTAC Gaming GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black Edition on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Zotac's Trinity Black Edition pairs the RTX 4070 Ti Super with FREEZE fan stop and a bundled GPU support stand.
Best for
- Buyers who want bundled GPU support stand.
Skip if
- The maker gives no cooler thickness, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.
Why we like it
Its IceStorm 2.0 cooling, SPECTRA RGB and metal backplate round out a three-fan design. It matches the PNY 4080 Super XLR8 and the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti on video memory (16GB). It is the only pick here with an RTX 4070 Ti Super gpu; the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX has an RX 7900 XTX gpu instead.
It shares GDDR6X memory with the PNY 4080 Super XLR8 and Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO; the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti goes with GDDR7 memory. No dimensions are published for the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its price falls between the Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO and the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed cooler thickness should compare it with the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti, which comes in at 3.125-slot.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4070 Ti Super
- VRAM: 16GB
- Memory: GDDR6X
Pros
- 16GB of VRAM for high-resolution textures
- Bundled GPU support stand
- FREEZE fan stop at light load
- RTX 4070 Ti Super gpu, the only one here
Cons
- No published cooler thickness
- Costs more than the Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
Gigabyte GeForce RTX 4070 Ti AERO OC 12G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Gigabyte's AERO OC is a white RTX 4070 Ti with a dual BIOS switch and an anti-sag bracket in the box.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible.
Skip if
- Skip it if video memory matters most to you; the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX offers 24GB.
Why we like it
Its Ada Lovelace multiprocessors give up to twice the efficiency of the previous generation. On video memory it trails the group at 12GB, while the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX offers 24GB. You get an RTX 4070 Ti gpu here, which sets it apart from the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black and its an RTX 4070 Ti Super gpu.
Like the PNY 4080 Super XLR8 and Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black, it has GDDR6X memory, while the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX uses GDDR6 memory. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO with the maker. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black was closest.
Key dimensions & specs
- GPU: RTX 4070 Ti
- VRAM: 12GB
- Memory: GDDR6X
Pros
- 12GB of VRAM, more than 8GB cards
- Dual BIOS switch
- Anti-sag bracket in the box
- RTX 4070 Ti gpu, the only one here
Cons
- Video memory trails the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX (24GB)
- No published cooler thickness
How We Chose
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We lined up five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and cooler thickness, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX to the Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO, state GPU, video memory and memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black and the Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO give no cooler thickness; the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black and the Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO give no boost clock.
- Price range
- From the Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO to the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX, all sat in the $1000 to $1500 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a GPUs Under $1,500
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Video memory across these picks
Here video memory runs from 12GB on the Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO to 24GB on the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX. The PNY 4080 Super XLR8 comes second for less money.
How much cooler thickness you need
Here cooler thickness runs from 3.5-slot on the PNY 4080 Super XLR8 to 3.125-slot on the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti. The ASUS TUF 5070 Ti is the pick for cooler thickness. No figure for the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black and the Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO.
Memory
The Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX lists GDDR6; the PNY 4080 Super XLR8, the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black and the Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO list GDDR6X; the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti lists GDDR7. Rule out the mismatches before looking at price.
Boost clock
The Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX lists 2680MHz; the PNY 4080 Super XLR8 lists 2595MHz; the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti lists 2610MHz (OC mode).
Setup checks
Measure for 320mm and 3.5 slots before ordering the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX. The PNY 4080 Super XLR8 occupies 3.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. No dimensions are published for the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
How to Choose a GPUs Under $1,500
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put video memory first | Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX | The largest video memory here (24GB) |
| Buyers who want 10,240 CUDA cores and 736GB/s of memory bandwidth | PNY 4080 Super XLR8 | 10,240 CUDA cores and 736GB/s of memory bandwidth |
| Buyers who put cooler thickness first | ASUS TUF 5070 Ti | The slimmest cooler thickness here (3.125-slot) |
| Buyers who want bundled GPU support stand | Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black | A bundled GPU support stand |
| Spending as little as possible | Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO | The lowest price among these graphics cards at the time of writing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX leads on video memory at 24GB, ahead of the PNY 4080 Super XLR8 at 16GB. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX | RX 7900 XTX | 24GB | GDDR6 | 3.5-slot |
| PNY 4080 Super XLR8 | RTX 4080 Super | 16GB | GDDR6X | 3.5-slot |
| ASUS TUF 5070 Ti | RTX 5070 Ti | 16GB | GDDR7 | 3.125-slot |
| Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black | RTX 4070 Ti Super | 16GB | GDDR6X | Not listed |
| Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO | RTX 4070 Ti | 12GB | GDDR6X | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the PNY 4080 Super XLR8 compare with the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX on video memory?
The Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX leads at 24GB, with the PNY 4080 Super XLR8 at 16GB. The Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO is at the other end of this group with 12GB.
Which has the slimmest cooler thickness: the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti or the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX?
The ASUS TUF 5070 Ti comes out best at 3.125-slot, with the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX at 3.5-slot. The Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black and the Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO don't state a figure, so they sit outside this comparison.
What does the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX add over the Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO?
On paper it adds video memory (24GB against 12GB). The Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti our Slimmest Cooler Thickness pick?
It earns the label for the slimmest cooler thickness here (3.125-slot). It suits anyone who put cooler thickness first.
Do the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX and the PNY 4080 Super XLR8 differ on GPU?
The Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX uses RX 7900 XTX; the PNY 4080 Super XLR8 uses RTX 4080 Super; the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti uses RTX 5070 Ti; the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black uses RTX 4070 Ti Super; the Gigabyte 4070 Ti AERO uses RTX 4070 Ti.
Will the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black work with my setup?
No dimensions are published for the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black; get length and thickness from the maker's page first. Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black with the maker. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Sapphire Nitro+ 7900 XTX, chosen for the largest video memory here (24GB). Look at the PNY 4080 Super XLR8 for 10,240 CUDA cores and 736GB/s of memory bandwidth, the ASUS TUF 5070 Ti for the slimmest cooler thickness here (3.125-slot) and the Zotac 4070 Ti Super Trinity Black for a bundled GPU support stand if those matter more to you.
Plan for a 12V-2x6 connector and a power supply that meets the card's recommendation.