GPU Benchmarks and Hierarchy to Rank Graphics Cards 2021

If you are an avid gaming enthusiast or have a passion for creative work, you will surely need to equip the PC with the best graphic card. The GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is also referred to as a graphic or video card. The graphics card probably plays the most crucial role in optimizing the performance of the computer and allowing a user to seamlessly enjoy playing a game or do creative work such as editing a 4K video. 

Nvidia and AMD are two giants in the GPU market, and both companies offer several options in graphic cards that a user can buy according to his needs and budget. 

The GPU’s is a standard test that compares a series of factors such as performance, speed, and efficiency of numerous GPU chipset. A GPU benchmark software is used to analyze the performance of the graphics cards based on the specifications such as RAM, GPU, Processing output, GPU cycle, and Power consumption. The Frames per Second also helps to rank the various graphic cards depending on their specification and price. In the benchmark test, a graphics card is evaluated on preferred user gaming resolution and game quality settings. However, the performance of graphics cards differs from one game to another. Some of the best GPU benchmark software are Geekbench, PassMark, GFXBench, 3D Mark, and User Benchmark.

The GPU Hierarchy and benchmark comparison help rank the graphic card according to the performance and make it easy for users to narrow down their choices. The graphics cards are categorized in a list more commonly known as a ‘Tier List.’

S-Tier

The ‘S-Tier’ is the first tier and includes the most efficient and best GPU available in the market. The list of graphic card that make in to the S-Tier list a are

  – Nvidia GeForce Series

  – Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080

  – Nvidia Titan RTX

  – AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT

  – AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT

The S-Tier graphic cards can easily maintain 60 Fps (Frame per second) while running high-performance AAA games in 4K resolution. The cards can also support high frame rates in 1440p. The Nvidia RTX 3090 is even capable of 8K resolution. 

Nvidia dominated the S-Tier for more than a decade, but AMD has stepped up with its innovative RDNA architecture and given a run for the money this time by releasing the RX 6900 XT. The Nvidia RTX 3090 gets first place due to DLSS enhancing the frame rate and maximizing the output resolution. 

A-Tier

The second tier is the ‘A-Tier’ that also consists of graphics cards capable of delivering amazing 4K gameplay but a better fit for supporting 1440p. The A-Tier graphics cards include

  – Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti

  – Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070

  – Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Ti

  – Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super

  – Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Super

  – Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Super

  – AMD Radeon RX 6800

  – AMD Radeon VII

  – AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT 

The A-Tier graphics cards provide amazing performance and at an affordable price. The AMD RX 6800 gets the top spot as it outperforms the Nvidia RTX 2080 Ti. The RX 6800 also easily allows the user to play at 60 Fps at 4K resolution using ultra settings. The second spot goes to Nvidia RTX 3070. 

B-Tier

The third tier in the hierarchy is the ‘B-Tier,’ where the graphic cards are better suited to support games at 1440p and 1080p. The graphic cards may not ideally respond to high-demanding games, but 120 Fps is easily achieved in 1080p. The list of B-Tier graphics cards are 

  – Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060

  – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti

  – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super

  – AMD Radeon RX 5700

  – AMD Radeon RX 5600 XT

The ‘B-Tier’ is also known as ‘Budget Tier’ as it includes mid-range and budget-friendly graphics cards. If you are looking for real-time raytracing, the B-Tier is the last category where you can find GPUs that support real-time raytracing. 

The top performer in this tier is the AMD RX 5700, with an affordable price tag and amazing performance. The B-Tier is also the final tier where you can enjoy playing games at 144 Fps without sacrificing the graphics quality. 

C-Tier

The fourth tier is the ‘C-Tier’ that comprises graphic cards that support 1440p but best for the game resolution of 1080p. The C-Tier is known for entry-level to lower mid-range graphics cards and best for 1080p resolution and 60 Fps. The graphic cards in C-Tier are

  – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti

  – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Super

  – AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT

  – AMD Radeon RX 590

The top spot in C-Tier goes to Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti and GTX 1660 Super. AMD does offer RX 5500 XT, but its performance is below par compared to Nvidia’s GPU. 

D-Tier

The last tier in the hierarchy is the ‘D-Tier’ that includes the weakest GPUs that only support 60 Fps in 1080p. These graphic cards are not ideal if you like to play games in 1440p. The D-Tier represents entry-level graphics at a low price and suited for low-demanding games. D-Tier graphic cards list includes 

  – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650

  – Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 3GB

  – AMD Radeon RX 580

  – AMD Radeon RX 570 

Final Word

The tier-based hierarchy only lets you see each graphic card’s performance, but it is better to analyze GPU benchmark scores before choosing to buy the right graphics card. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the GPU market remains tight, and production is constrained. Nvidia said that the RTX 30 series supply would be affected until May 2021. Every graphics card is analyzed and ranked from slowest to fastest, and the performance of the games at default, medium, and advanced settings and at resolutions of 1080p, 1440p, and 4K. 

The top spot in the GPU benchmark hierarchy goes to Nvidia’s stellar GeForce RTX 3090, 3080, 3070, and 3060 Ti, all based on modern Ampere architecture. The premium AMD graphics cards featuring in the top ten GPU benchmark test are Radeon RX 6900 XT, RX 6800 XT, and RX 6800, all based on the RDNA2 architecture. 

The games are the prime criteria to measure the performance of the graphic cards; however, other applications are also analyzed. A good graphics card must not only perform optimally in the games but also handle heavy computational workloads. Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3090 is ranked the best graphics card with a rating of 246.5 Fps at average 1080p, 187.7 Fps at average 1440p, and 117.9 Fps at 4K. 

AMD’s Radeon RX 6900 XT is in second with a rating of 250.1 Fps at average 1080p, 186.9 Fps at average 1440p, and 105.9 Fps at 4K. You can easily browse our online store and search for the best graphics card at an affordable price. We offer a wide range of new, used, and refurbished graphics cards at exclusive prices. 

Call Us Today to get more information on memoryclearance  

 

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *