Buying Guide
The Best Graphics Cards for 1080p Gaming
Five graphics cards for 1080p gaming, from the RTX 5050 to the RTX 5060 Ti, compared on memory, cooler size and outputs.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated

1080p is still the most common gaming resolution, and it asks the least of a graphics card. An 8GB card can handle it well at tuned settings, so the choice comes down to refresh rate, budget and cooler size.
We built this list by researching maker specifications and listings, not by running our own benchmarks. For frame rates, check independent reviews of your games.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.

Best for 1080p
ASUS Prime GeForce RTX 5060 8GBAn RTX 5060 with GDDR7 in a 2.5-slot, SFF-Ready card.
Best for: 1080p high-refresh gaming.
Check price for ASUS Prime GeForce RTX 5060 8GB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best AMD for 1080p
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Steel Legend 8GB OCAn RX 9060 XT with a triple-fan cooler and 3320MHz listed boost.
Best for: 1080p on AMD with quiet cooling.
Check price for ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Steel Legend 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Fastest 1080p Pick
ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB OCThe RTX 5060 Ti, the highest GPU tier here.
Best for: 240Hz 1080p monitors.
Check price for ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB OC on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Previous-Generation Value
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 Gaming OC 8GAn RX 7600 with three WINDFORCE fans.
Best for: 1080p on a lower budget.
Check price for Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 Gaming OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest-Priced 1080p Card
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5050 WINDFORCE OC 8GAn RTX 5050 at the lowest price here at the time of writing.
Best for: Entry 1080p builds.
Check price for GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5050 WINDFORCE OC 8G on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best for 1080p1 of 5
ASUS Prime GeForce RTX 5060 8GB
The ASUS Prime RTX 5060 is a well-rounded 1080p card: GDDR7 memory, a quiet/performance BIOS switch and 0dB fan stop in a 2.5-slot, SFF-Ready design.
Best for
- 1080p high-refresh gaming.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
You get an RTX 5060 gpu here, which sets it apart from the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce and its an RTX 5050 gpu. Like the ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, it has GDDR7 memory, while the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend uses GDDR6 memory. It is the only pick here with a 2527MHz (OC mode) boost clock; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend has a 3320MHz boost clock instead.
It also offers dual-ball fan bearings. The ASUS Prime RTX 5060 occupies 2.5 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 Prime RTX 5060 with the maker. When we checked, only the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC and cheaper picks cost less, and the ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB cost more.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 5060
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Memory
- GDDR7
- Thickness
- 2.5-slot
- Boost clock
- 2527MHz (OC mode)
- SFF-Ready
- Yes
Pros
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Carries NVIDIA's SFF-Ready label
- Quiet/performance dual BIOS switch
- 0dB fan stop
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend at the time of writing
Best AMD for 1080p2 of 5
ASRock Radeon RX 9060 XT Steel Legend 8GB OC
ASRock's RX 9060 XT Steel Legend 8GB uses a triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop and a reinforced metal backplate.
Best for
- 1080p on AMD with quiet cooling.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
Why we like it
Its 3320MHz boost is the highest among these cards. You get an RX 9060 XT gpu here, which sets it apart from the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce and its an RTX 5050 gpu. Like the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC and Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce, it has GDDR6 memory, while the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 uses GDDR7 memory.
It is the only pick here with a 3320MHz boost clock; the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 has a 2527MHz (OC mode) boost clock instead. It also offers 20Gbps memory on a 128-bit bus. No dimensions are published for the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Its power connector and recommended PSU are not published, so confirm both for the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend with the maker. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce was closest.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 9060 XT
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Boost clock
- 3320MHz
- Outputs
- DisplayPort 2.1a, HDMI 2.1b
Pros
- Triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop
- Reinforced metal backplate
- 20Gbps memory on a 128-bit bus
- RX 9060 XT gpu, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
The catch
If you want a confirmed cooler thickness, look to the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 instead: it comes in at 2.5-slot, while this one gives no figure.
Fastest 1080p Pick3 of 5
ASUS TUF Gaming GeForce RTX 5060 Ti 8GB OC
The ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB is the fastest chip here and suits high-refresh 1080p.
Best for
- 240Hz 1080p monitors.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games.
Why we like it
Its 3.1-slot cooler is large for this class, so check the slot below. It shares GDDR7 memory with the ASUS Prime RTX 5060; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend goes with GDDR6 memory. A 2692MHz (OC mode) boost clock is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend uses a 3320MHz boost clock.
You also get military-grade components and a protective PCB coating. The ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB occupies 3.1 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 RTX 5060 Ti 8GB with the maker. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the ASUS Prime RTX 5060.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 5060 Ti
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Memory
- GDDR7
- Thickness
- 3.1-slot
- Boost clock
- 2692MHz (OC mode)
Pros
- Faster GDDR7 memory
- Military-grade components
- Protective PCB coating
- The ASUS GPU Guard
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Its 3.1-slot cooler covers the slots below
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend at the time of writing
Best Previous-Generation Value4 of 5
Gigabyte Radeon RX 7600 Gaming OC 8G
Gigabyte's RX 7600 Gaming OC is a previous-generation card with three WINDFORCE fans and a metal backplate.
Best for
- 1080p on a lower budget.
Skip if
- Pass on it if 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It has two DisplayPort 2.1 outputs and one HDMI 2.1. No other pick in this guide offers an RX 7600 gpu; compare the ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, which has an RTX 5060 Ti gpu. It shares GDDR6 memory with the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend and Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce; the ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB goes with GDDR7 memory.
It also offers RGB Fusion lighting. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC; 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 RX 7600 Gaming OC with the maker. On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce and the pricier ASUS Prime RTX 5060, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- GPU
- RX 7600
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
- Outputs
- 1 x HDMI 2.1, 2 x DisplayPort 2.1
Pros
- Three WINDFORCE fans
- RGB Fusion lighting
- Metal backplate
- RX 7600 gpu, the only one here
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend at the time of writing
The catch
The maker doesn't give its cooler thickness; if that figure matters, the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 comes in at 2.5-slot.
Lowest-Priced 1080p Card5 of 5
GIGABYTE GeForce RTX 5050 WINDFORCE OC 8G
Gigabyte's RTX 5050 Windforce is the cheapest way into DLSS 4 here.
Best for
- Entry 1080p builds.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games is a problem.
Why we like it
The maker publishes few details, so confirm size and power needs on Gigabyte's page. An RTX 5050 gpu is unique to it among these picks, while the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend uses an RX 9060 XT gpu. Like the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend and Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC, it has GDDR6 memory, while the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 uses GDDR7 memory.
It also comes with a dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler and a PCIe 5.0 interface. No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce; 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 RTX 5050 Windforce with the maker. It was priced above the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend and below the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC at the time of writing.
Key specs
- GPU
- RTX 5050
- VRAM
- 8GB
- Memory
- GDDR6
Pros
- Dual-fan WINDFORCE cooler
- PCIe 5.0 interface
- RTX 5050 gpu, the only one here
- An RTX 5050 at the lowest price here at the time of writing
Cons
- 8GB of VRAM may force lower texture settings in some recent games
- Costs more than the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend at the time of writing
The catch
It gives ground on video memory, where the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 offers 8GB.
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.

- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side five cards on GPU, video memory, memory and cooler thickness, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and cooler thickness and boost clock are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 to the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce, state GPU, video memory and memory.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend, the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce give no cooler thickness; the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce give no boost clock.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend ($250 to $500) to the ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB ($500 to $1000).
What to Look for in a GPUs for 1080p
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Cooler thickness
The ASUS Prime RTX 5060 tops cooler thickness at 2.5-slot and the ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB sits lowest at 3.1-slot. If cooler thickness is your first filter, the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 sets the ceiling at 2.5-slot. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend, the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce give no cooler thickness figure, so 2 of 5 picks are compared here.
Memory
The ASUS Prime RTX 5060 and the ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB list GDDR7; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend, the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce list GDDR6.

A graphics card's bare circuit board around the GPU die Boost clock
The ASUS Prime RTX 5060 lists 2527MHz (OC mode); the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend lists 3320MHz; the ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB lists 2692MHz (OC mode). Settling boost clock first narrows 3 picks to 1 or 1 or 1.
Fit and compatibility
The ASUS Prime RTX 5060 occupies 2.5 slots, but no length is published, so check the maker's spec page against your case. No dimensions are published for the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend; get length and thickness from the maker's page first.
Extras that separate them
The ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB: a protective PCB coating. The Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC: RGB Fusion lighting. The Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce: a PCIe 5.0 interface.
How to Choose a GPUs for 1080p
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1080p high-refresh gaming | ASUS Prime RTX 5060 | An RTX 5060 with GDDR7 in a 2.5-slot, SFF-Ready card |
| 1080p on AMD with quiet cooling | ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend | An RX 9060 XT with a triple-fan cooler and 3320MHz listed boost |
| 240Hz 1080p monitors | ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB | The RTX 5060 Ti, the highest GPU tier here |
| 1080p on a lower budget | Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC | An RX 7600 with three WINDFORCE fans |
| Entry 1080p builds | Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce | An RTX 5050 at the lowest price here at the time of writing |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The ASUS Prime RTX 5060 leads on cooler thickness at 2.5-slot, ahead of the ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB at 3.1-slot. "Not listed" marks cooler thickness where the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend, the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce leave the figure out.
| Card | GPU | VRAM | Memory | Thickness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS Prime RTX 5060 | RTX 5060 | 8GB | GDDR7 | 2.5-slot |
| ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend | RX 9060 XT | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB | RTX 5060 Ti | 8GB | GDDR7 | 3.1-slot |
| Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC | RX 7600 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
| Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce | RTX 5050 | 8GB | GDDR6 | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend was the lowest-priced pick ($250 to $500) and the ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB the highest ($500 to $1000) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cards |
|---|---|
| About $250 to $500 | ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend, Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce, Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC, ASUS Prime RTX 5060 |
| About $500 to $1000 | ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the slimmest cooler thickness: the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 or the ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB?
Between the top two, it is 2.5-slot on the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 against 3.1-slot on the ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB, a 19% difference. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend, the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC and the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce don't state a cooler thickness figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Why is the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC our Best Previous-Generation Value pick?
The label rests on an RX 7600 with three WINDFORCE fans. It makes sense for 1080p on a lower budget.
Do the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend differ on GPU?
The ASUS Prime RTX 5060 uses RTX 5060; the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend uses RX 9060 XT; the ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB uses RTX 5060 Ti; the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC uses RX 7600; the Gigabyte RTX 5050 Windforce uses RTX 5050.
Will the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC work with my setup?
No dimensions are published for the Gigabyte RX 7600 Gaming OC; 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 RX 7600 Gaming OC with the maker. In this guide it ranks fourth of 5, as our Best Previous-Generation Value pick.
What extras do the ASUS Prime RTX 5060 and the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend include?
The ASUS Prime RTX 5060: a quiet/performance dual BIOS switch. The ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend: a triple-fan cooler with 0dB fan stop. The ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti 8GB: military-grade components.
Bottom Line
The ASUS Prime RTX 5060 is the 1080p card for most people, the ASRock RX 9060 XT Steel Legend is the AMD alternative, and the ASUS TUF RTX 5060 Ti suits 240Hz monitors.
The Gigabyte RX 7600 and RTX 5050 Windforce keep costs down for entry builds.
Related Guides
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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