Best GPU for 1080p 144Hz (2026)
Short answer: get the RX 9070 XT (220 FPS average with DLSS/FSR Quality, 180 FPS native on High). On a tighter budget, the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB just reaches about 144 FPS at 1080p with upscaling (148 FPS). To hold 144 FPS without upscaling you need the RX 9070, and the RX 9070 XT for Ultra settings.
These numbers are averages from demanding new games such as Cyberpunk 2077, Black Myth: Wukong and Indiana Jones, so they are a worst case. Lighter games and esports titles run much faster, and lowering a few settings from Ultra to High is usually invisible while adding around 15% more FPS.
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Our picks
| Pick | Graphics card | Avg FPS: Ultra / High / Upscaled | Launch price | Why |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Recommended | RX 9070 XT | 157 / 180 / 220 | $600 | Reaches 144 FPS with upscaling and room to spare |
| Budget minimum | RTX 5060 Ti 16GB | 105 / 121 / 148 | $430 | Just reaches 144 FPS with upscaling |
| Native High | RX 9070 | 141 / 162 / 198 | $550 | 144 FPS on High without upscaling |
Buying used or keeping an older card? The slowest previous-generation cards that still reach 144 FPS at 1080p with upscaling (FPS in brackets): RX 7700 XT (144), RTX 4070 (156), RX 6800 XT (157), RTX 3080 (157), RX 6900 XT (164), RX 7800 XT (166), RTX 3080 Ti (168), RX 6950 XT (173). Anything faster works too.
Every current graphics card at 1080p
| Graphics card | Ultra FPS | High FPS | Upscaled FPS | VRAM | 144 Hz? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 5090 | 204 | 234 | 286 | 32 GB | ✓ Ultra |
| RTX 5080 | 167 | 192 | 234 | 16 GB | ✓ Ultra |
| RX 9070 XT | 157 | 180 | 220 | 16 GB | ✓ Ultra |
| RTX 5070 Ti | 155 | 179 | 218 | 16 GB | ✓ Ultra |
| RX 9070 | 141 | 162 | 198 | 16 GB | ✓ High |
| RTX 5070 | 133 | 152 | 186 | 12 GB | ✓ High |
| RX 9070 GRE | 121 | 139 | 169 | 12 GB | With upscaling |
| RTX 5060 Ti 16GB | 105 | 121 | 148 | 16 GB | With upscaling |
| RTX 5060 Ti 8GB | 100 | 115 | 141 | 8 GB | Below 144 FPS |
| RX 9060 XT 16GB | 98 | 113 | 138 | 16 GB | Below 144 FPS |
| RX 9060 XT 8GB | 93 | 107 | 131 | 8 GB | Below 144 FPS |
| RTX 5060 | 89 | 102 | 124 | 8 GB | Below 144 FPS |
| Arc B580 | 72 | 82 | 100 | 12 GB | Below 144 FPS |
| RTX 5050 | 69 | 80 | 97 | 8 GB | Below 144 FPS |
| Arc B570 | 64 | 73 | 89 | 10 GB | Below 144 FPS |
What else you need for 1080p 144Hz
- A fast processor. A modern 6-core such as a Ryzen 5 7600 or Core i5-13400F holds 144 FPS in most games; X3D chips give smoother 1% lows.
- Video memory: at least 8 GB at 1080p. Check our Can I Run It tool for specific games.
- Frame generation: DLSS 4 Multi Frame Generation (RTX 50) and FSR Frame Generation can push FPS to 144 Hz in single-player games, but they add input lag. Do not use them in competitive shooters.
- Esports games (Counter-Strike 2, Valorant, Fortnite on performance settings) run far above these averages: even a C tier card can reach 240+ FPS in them.
- Power supply: check with the PSU calculator before upgrading.
Frequently asked questions
What graphics card do I need for 1080p 144Hz?
We recommend the RX 9070 XT. The minimum is the RTX 5060 Ti 16GB with DLSS or FSR upscaling, and the RX 9070 reaches 144 FPS without upscaling.
Can a cheaper card run 1080p 144Hz?
Yes, in lighter and esports games, or with lower settings and upscaling. The averages here come from demanding new games tested at high and ultra settings.
Is 16 GB of VRAM enough for 1080p?
Yes for current games.
Where do these FPS numbers come from?
Ultra results are Tom’s Hardware’s measured averages (Ryzen 7 9800X3D, June 2026). High and upscaled numbers are our estimates: High adds about 15%, and DLSS or FSR Quality adds about 22% at 1080p, in line with our FPS calculator.
Other monitors
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Sources: Tom’s Hardware GPU benchmarks hierarchy (updated 24 June 2026); NVIDIA, AMD and Intel launch prices. Estimates from our FPS model.