Performance ratings

Calculations are based on gaming, 3DMark and Unigine test results. The calculation method is described here.

You may have noticed our ratings have changed a bit. Now we only have two: capability and usability. The capability rating compares each graphics card with GeForce GT 430 which is considered a baseline, or 100%. The rating is based on both synthetic and gaming results and shows, as the name implies, what a product is capable of.

The usability rating is obtained by dividing each card's capability rating by its price. It basically shows whether a given product is over or underpriced, considering what it can do, and thus how reasonable it is to buy it.

Below are two tables sorted by different ratings.

Sorted by capability (high to low)

Sorted by usability (high to low)

Top solutions like Radeon HD 79xx, Radeon HD 69xx, and GeForce GTX 570/580/670/680/690 should only be considered in terms of their capability ratings, because they are made for enthusiasts willing to spend no matter how much to get the best performance.

For other graphics cards, price plays a more important role, and the lower the product category the more critical the price is. The first four places are still occupied by Radeon products, the HD 77xx series in particular. The HD 68xx series remains the leader in usability. However, NVIDIA graphics cards are climbing the ratings, too.

As of early August 2012, Radeon HD 7750/6850/6870 and GeForce GTX 550 Ti are the best buy, offering the highest usability.

We express gratitude to KFA2, XFX, Leadtek, TUL (PowerColor), Chaintech, Zotac, EVGA, MSI, Gainward, NVIDIA, HIS, AMD, Sapphire Technology, ASUS.

The PSU has been provided by TAGAN, the monitor has been provided by NVIDIA.

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