Best GPU for 1440p 144Hz (2026)
Short answer: get the RX 9070 XT (177 FPS average with DLSS/FSR Quality, 134 FPS native on High). On a tighter budget, the RX 9070 just reaches about 144 FPS at 1440p with upscaling (158 FPS). To hold 144 FPS without upscaling you need the RTX 5080, and the RTX 5090 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 | 117 / 134 / 177 | $600 | Reaches 144 FPS with upscaling and room to spare |
| Budget minimum | RX 9070 | 104 / 120 / 158 | $550 | Just reaches 144 FPS with upscaling |
| Native High | RTX 5080 | 128 / 148 / 195 | $1,000 | 144 FPS on High without upscaling |
| Native Ultra | RTX 5090 | 167 / 192 / 254 | $2,000 | 144 FPS on Ultra without upscaling |
Buying used or keeping an older card? The slowest previous-generation cards that still reach 144 FPS at 1440p with upscaling (FPS in brackets): RTX 4070 Ti (149), RTX 3090 Ti (152), RTX 4070 Ti Super (158), RX 7900 XT (164), RTX 4080 (178), RTX 4080 Super (180), RX 7900 XTX (186), RTX 4090 (218). Anything faster works too.
Every current graphics card at 1440p
| Graphics card | Ultra FPS | High FPS | Upscaled FPS | VRAM | 144 Hz? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 5090 | 167 | 192 | 254 | 32 GB | ✓ Ultra |
| RTX 5080 | 128 | 148 | 195 | 16 GB | ✓ High |
| RTX 5070 Ti | 117 | 134 | 177 | 16 GB | With upscaling |
| RX 9070 XT | 117 | 134 | 177 | 16 GB | With upscaling |
| RX 9070 | 104 | 120 | 158 | 16 GB | With upscaling |
| RTX 5070 | 96 | 111 | 146 | 12 GB | With upscaling |
| RX 9070 GRE | 87 | 100 | 131 | 12 GB | Below 144 FPS |
| RTX 5060 Ti 16GB | 73 | 84 | 111 | 16 GB | Below 144 FPS |
| RTX 5060 Ti 8GB | 69 | 79 | 104 | 8 GB ⚠ | Below 144 FPS |
| RX 9060 XT 16GB | 67 | 77 | 102 | 16 GB | Below 144 FPS |
| RX 9060 XT 8GB | 63 | 72 | 95 | 8 GB ⚠ | Below 144 FPS |
| RTX 5060 | 60 | 69 | 91 | 8 GB ⚠ | Below 144 FPS |
| Arc B580 | 51 | 58 | 77 | 12 GB | Below 144 FPS |
| RTX 5050 | 45 | 52 | 69 | 8 GB ⚠ | Below 144 FPS |
| Arc B570 | 44 | 51 | 67 | 10 GB ⚠ | Below 144 FPS |
What else you need for 1440p 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 12 GB at 1440p. 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 144+ FPS in them.
- Power supply: check with the PSU calculator before upgrading.
Frequently asked questions
What graphics card do I need for 1440p 144Hz?
We recommend the RX 9070 XT. The minimum is the RX 9070 with DLSS or FSR upscaling, and the RTX 5080 reaches 144 FPS without upscaling.
Can a cheaper card run 1440p 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 1440p?
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 32% at 1440p, in line with our FPS calculator.
Other monitors
1080p 60Hz · 1080p 144Hz · 1080p 240Hz · 1440p 60Hz · 1440p 165Hz · 1440p 240Hz · Ultrawide 3440×1440 144Hz · 4K 60Hz · 4K 144Hz · GPU tier list
Sources: Tom’s Hardware GPU benchmarks hierarchy (updated 24 June 2026); NVIDIA, AMD and Intel launch prices. Estimates from our FPS model.