This GPU generation brought some progress, but also some baffling decisions. In 2025, AMD and Nvidia were still pushing 8GB graphics cards, and gamers are finally pushing back.
The Worst GPUs of 2025: We Love Our GPUs, Just Not These Ones
The Worst GPUs of 2025: We Love Our GPUs, Just Not These Ones
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yRaz
Posts: 9,314 +16,404
I might be in the minority here, but as I've gotten older I see that my friends have chosen a few games that they play after work like Age of Empires 2 or DOTA and 8GB cards are fine for those people. I basically just play EVE and ESO and I'm in no rush to replace my 6700xt. For the games I play it does 4k120 just fine.
That said, 8GB at these prices is offensive. Even with products like the 5080 with 16GB, it feels like the 5080 exists to sell more 5090s. The 5080 isn't a $1000 graphics card. It has a luxury price tag but doesn't provide a luxury experience. I've actually been recommending the 5070 or 5070ti to people over the 5080. If you can't afford a 5090, get a 5070ti. I like AMD cards for Linux support, but for the average gamer nVidia has the better software and it's hard to recommend anything else.
But this is the state of things right now and with the memory shortage, I doubt we'll get better cards anytime soon. I have a bad feeling about the market in 2026
That said, 8GB at these prices is offensive. Even with products like the 5080 with 16GB, it feels like the 5080 exists to sell more 5090s. The 5080 isn't a $1000 graphics card. It has a luxury price tag but doesn't provide a luxury experience. I've actually been recommending the 5070 or 5070ti to people over the 5080. If you can't afford a 5090, get a 5070ti. I like AMD cards for Linux support, but for the average gamer nVidia has the better software and it's hard to recommend anything else.
But this is the state of things right now and with the memory shortage, I doubt we'll get better cards anytime soon. I have a bad feeling about the market in 2026
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Melkor Unlimited
Posts: 369 +343
Are are tons of games one can play on integrated GPU.
I.e. Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p, Lowest):
66 fps - Radeon 760M (Ryzen 8600G = Zen4 based APU)
131 fps - Radeon RX 5500XT
180 fps - Radeon RX 7900XT
293 fps - Radeon RX 9070XT
Crap, crap, more crap and more expensive crap.
Coming from a 7900XTX (a weaker also $1K card), my 4080S with 16GB feels very luxurious in its capabilities. I can enjoy path tracing and other goodies at high frame rates despite using a 3440x1440 monitor.
I have yet to tickle the limits of 16GB and feel like people online have been ranting about VRAM solely based on AMD offering gobs of cheap VRAM to compensate for other shortcomings. Based on Steam the number of PC gamers playing at 4K is miniscule, and Techspot has to force VRAM issues by running cheap cards at max settings instead of tweaking slightly.
Theinsanegamer
Posts: 8,747 +17,824
Settling on a handful of titles is natural as we get older and have real responsibilities. The few friends I have that are on disability or have their spouses pay for their existence have massive steam libraries and play new games every week. Everyone with a job plays 1-3 a year, usually carryovers.
That being said, 8GB is fine if your main games are a game from 1999 that ran on a 166 mhz CPU and 2MB video cards or a FTP game that was designed around a single core CPU in a netbook, its not so fine if your games of choice are battlefield 6.
nVidia's software sucks. The Geforce control panel is slow and laggy garbage from 2000, and the nvidia app still doesnt have all the options Adrenaline gives you. The 5070ti is a terrible buy when the 9070xt exists for $100-150 less.
There have been demonstrable cases dating back 4 years now of games not running right on 8GB GPUs, but 8GB is the limit people just get hung up on like it promised to marry them. Complaining about not tweaking for benchmarks shows you dont understand how benchmarks work either.
Mr Majestyk
Posts: 2,519 +2,344
The fact the 9060XT 8G only scored 4-6fps less on highs and 1% lows than the 16G model at 1080p across 18 games doesn't really do much for your argument. I was expecting a bloodbath. Yes it is disgraceful it was called XT and it should be even cheaper though.
Megalomaniac
Posts: 1,149 +1,219
I bought a 5090FE on launch day. Was fortunate enough to get it at MSRP - $1999.
My friend got one for $3000 cash and I initially thought he was crazy to pay so much.
But, shortly thereafter, the price of the 5090 skyrocketed online due to the scalpers. Suddenly, $3000 didn't look so bad.
During Black Friday, I lucked out again and ordered the Alienware AAT2250 with 5090/285k/64GB DDR5 and 4TB SSD for just $4799. The price has since shot back up to $6300.
I consider my new PC an investment for the next 10 years. I won't be looking to buy another for at least that long as that's how long I got out of my last Area 51 and it's still alive and kicking with a 3090/32GB DDR4/5960x and 8TB SSD.
My friend got one for $3000 cash and I initially thought he was crazy to pay so much.
But, shortly thereafter, the price of the 5090 skyrocketed online due to the scalpers. Suddenly, $3000 didn't look so bad.
During Black Friday, I lucked out again and ordered the Alienware AAT2250 with 5090/285k/64GB DDR5 and 4TB SSD for just $4799. The price has since shot back up to $6300.
I consider my new PC an investment for the next 10 years. I won't be looking to buy another for at least that long as that's how long I got out of my last Area 51 and it's still alive and kicking with a 3090/32GB DDR4/5960x and 8TB SSD.
OortCloud
Posts: 2,242 +3,254
I still disagree about the 5080. It's not amazing value - as the article says, 13% quicker than 5070 Ti for 25% more price. But if you can get one for RRP it is 13% quicker so, you pays your money... As for the 16GB not being enough, that I disagree with completely. Given that there are almost no cards with more than 16GB it is going to be a high watermark for devs for a very long time yet . By the time it starts to be an issue the card will be basically obsolete.
Antias
Posts: 144 +128
I was fortunate enough to get the 5070Ti on special just below RRP (although, in Australia thats still stupidly and unfairly high - I paid $1299 AU inclusive for the ASUS Prime) and I couldn't be happier... I run a 5120 x 1440 HDR SuperUltrawide and its just beautiful.
To be fair, I dont run the latest AAA bling titles. I think the most graphically intensive game I run is BG3... (ironically, a HEAVILY modded Skyrim at that resolution can bring the card to a sweat though...)
To be fair, I dont run the latest AAA bling titles. I think the most graphically intensive game I run is BG3... (ironically, a HEAVILY modded Skyrim at that resolution can bring the card to a sweat though...)
themastergoose
Posts: 266 +857
Ominously left out the RX 9070 XT when comparing the RTX 5070 Ti and RTX 5080, and while I agree the RTX 5080 is a terrible value against the RTX 5070 Ti...
...you guys didn't want to mention the RX 9070 XT is down to £569 Vs. £749 for the RTX 5070 Ti? The Radon must be the better bang for the buck given the competing GeForce is an extra £180 for around <=5% extra performance at best - but often tied in most titles?
(Prices from Scan UK this morning, I appreciate some regions may have inverse pricing to ours on these cards, but you get the idea!)
...you guys didn't want to mention the RX 9070 XT is down to £569 Vs. £749 for the RTX 5070 Ti? The Radon must be the better bang for the buck given the competing GeForce is an extra £180 for around <=5% extra performance at best - but often tied in most titles?
(Prices from Scan UK this morning, I appreciate some regions may have inverse pricing to ours on these cards, but you get the idea!)
I'm not disagreeing with the author or many of the comments on here. However, market demand dictates supply (performance and quantity). Most consumers lack self-control. The cards may not meet enthusiast expectations...but they still sell enough of them to keep making them. OEMs put them in pre-built systems, and non-enthusiasts don't care. Most people are clueless about cores, clock speed, or RAM (desktop, laptop, or graphics).
There is also no such thing as a perfect electronic device...no company or product will ever please everyone (performance, cost, availability, etc.). Flagship phones, CPUs, TVs, etc. However, the same people that complain...still go out and buy them...even when they don't need them! Phones and computers seem to be the biggest contributors. If your phone or computer is working fine, and you aren't a fan of the latest and greatest...vote with your wallet. Companies will get the hint with low sales...because they will be pressured by investors and the media. If you keep buying crap...then they will keep making crap...and...selling it high prices!
There is also no such thing as a perfect electronic device...no company or product will ever please everyone (performance, cost, availability, etc.). Flagship phones, CPUs, TVs, etc. However, the same people that complain...still go out and buy them...even when they don't need them! Phones and computers seem to be the biggest contributors. If your phone or computer is working fine, and you aren't a fan of the latest and greatest...vote with your wallet. Companies will get the hint with low sales...because they will be pressured by investors and the media. If you keep buying crap...then they will keep making crap...and...selling it high prices!
AdamNovagen
Posts: 74 +80
A good point, but keep in mind that's exactly why these new 8GB cards are bad. It isn't that they're useless for any and all gaming, it's that you can get basically the same performance with a card from several years ago without shelling out a bunch of money for a new card.
Well yeah, this article is about the cards that were the absolute worst, like in the "this never should have happened" category. Just because there's a cheaper (I would argue better) option available over the 5070Ti right now doesn't mean that card is an embarrassment, it just means it isn't the best choice on the market. The cards that are actually addressed in this article are in a whole separate category of bad.
As long as people keep buy overrated products, manufacturers will keep making overrated products.
A minimum of three competitors are required in a market to make things work for the consumer. With only two, one just follows the other in price/performance. It doesn't require any "formal" price fixing. Prices keep rising lowering value. Had high hopes sometime ago for Intel to be that third video card competitor, but that certainly hasn't happened.
A minimum of three competitors are required in a market to make things work for the consumer. With only two, one just follows the other in price/performance. It doesn't require any "formal" price fixing. Prices keep rising lowering value. Had high hopes sometime ago for Intel to be that third video card competitor, but that certainly hasn't happened.
DubiousFishHook
Posts: 89 +50
Putting gravy on the salmon, overkill, nothing new, some people must have the latest & most expensive, they think even calculator or ms paint absolutely won't work without it & is unthinkable.
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