Best GPU for Gaming 2026: NVIDIA vs AMD Complete Buying Guide

The best GPU for gaming in 2026 at each price tier: under $300 the AMD RX 9060 XT ($279) wins with 16GB VRAM at 1080p/1440p; under $500 the NVIDIA RTX 5070 ($549) leads with DLSS 4 and ray tracing performance; at the flagship tier the NVIDIA RTX 5090 ($1,999) is unmatched but rarely necessary unless you have a 4K 144Hz monitor. AMD leads on VRAM per dollar (the RX 9070 XT offers 16GB at $599 vs NVIDIA's 12GB in the same price range). NVIDIA leads on ray tracing, DLSS 4 frame generation, and driver reliability. For most gamers at 1440p, the RTX 5070 or RX 9070 XT at $500-600 is the optimal price-performance point in 2026.