How to choose a gaming smartphone: tips

In 2025, gamers are not only focused on graphics. Stability of FPS, energy profile, support for modern APIs, and cooling technology come to the forefront. The best video cards for gaming in 2025 offer power not just in theory, but in practice—under the load of the latest AAA releases. The segment is divided into three directions: maximum power, price/performance balance, and an affordable level for Full HD.

Best Video Cards for Gaming in 2025: Top Picks for 4K and Ray Tracing

The high-end segment sets the bar that others can only approach. The best video cards for gaming in 2025 in this class handle 4K at 120 FPS and allow gaming with active ray tracing and DLSS/FSR simultaneously.

MSI GeForce RTX 4090 Gaming X Trio

24 GB of memory, bandwidth over 1 TB/s, a three-fan system with dynamic heat distribution. Maintains stable rendering under a 400W load. Frequency ranges from 2.3 to 2.7 GHz. Weighs almost 2 kg, requires secure mounting in the case.

ASUS Radeon RX 7900 XTX TUF OC 24G

AMD’s response—a massive accelerator with a focus on pure power. 96 compute units, high peak frequency, excellent FSR 3 support. Suitable for those gaming in the AMD ecosystem with Ryzen 7000+ CPUs.

Optimal Balance: Mid-Range Class

The golden mean—where powerful gaming video cards of 2025 with reasonable prices meet. Suitable for 1440p, stable 60–90 FPS, and flexibility for upgrades.

MSI GeForce RTX 4070 Ti Super Ventus 3X OC

16 GB of video memory, high efficiency combined with moderate heat dissipation. Performance approaches the level of the 4080 but at a 30% lower price. Supports DLSS 3.5, crucial for new games on Unreal Engine 5.

Gigabyte AMD Radeon RX 7800 XT Gaming OC

Fast memory, good cooling, reasonable default frequency. An ideal choice for 2K gaming with smooth graphics and stable frame times. Supports AV1, important for streamers and video editing.

Easy Entry: Best Budget Video Cards for Gaming in 2025

The entry-level segment doesn’t offer extreme power but ensures a comfortable session in 1080p with high settings. The best video cards for gaming in 2025 in this range focus on energy efficiency, compactness, and reasonable prices.

MSI GeForce RTX 4060 Ti Gaming X 16G

New architecture emphasizing DLSS and energy efficiency. Power consumption up to 180W, operates from a single power connector. The updated NVENC codec makes it an excellent choice for beginner streamers.

ASRock RX7600XT Challenger OC

A balanced video card based on the latest AMD generation. Handles most games at 1080p on high presets. Focus on FSR and low heat dissipation allows for use in compact cases.

Alternative and Niche Solutions: Outside the Rankings

The category of alternative video cards covers a segment where performance is not the main focus, but stability, compatibility, and functionality play a crucial role. In 2025, gamers with limited budgets, system builders for compact cases, or retro game enthusiasts gain access to solutions worth considering.

ASRock Intel Arc A770 Phantom Gaming 16GB

A video card based on Intel’s graphics architecture offering 16GB of GDDR6 video memory, a 256-bit bus, DirectX 12 Ultimate support, AV1 codec, and the ability to work with four displays simultaneously. Supports XeSS—an Intel DLSS equivalent, enhancing performance in compatible games without sacrificing image quality.

Use cases include:

• Full HD gaming with basic ray tracing;
• media centers and video editing thanks to hardware video processing;
• builds with Intel processors, ensuring maximum compatibility.

Downside—unstable drivers at launch. However, with regular patches, compatibility with old and new titles has improved. The card is especially suitable for users looking to try non-standard hardware with growth potential.

MSI GTX 1660 Super Ventus XS OC

A niche solution that remains relevant even years after its release. Based on Turing architecture without RT and Tensor cores. 6GB GDDR6, power consumption within 120W, dual-fan cooling with a compact fit for mini-ITX cases.

Supports DirectX 12, Vulkan, OpenGL 4.6, and handles games up to 2020 on high settings. Use case—budget PC, office machine with gaming capability, or build for esports titles (CS2, Dota 2, Fortnite).

The form factor and low TDP make this card a favorite for compact cases and power supplies up to 400W. Priced under $200, it delivers a stable 60 FPS in Full HD with shadows and filtering disabled.

Colorful RTX 4070 Ti Super iGame Ultra W OC

This video card targets enthusiasts and designers rather than the average user. The model offers a powerful RTX 4070 Ti Super platform with 16GB of memory but presents it in a premium case with a white PCB, customizable lighting, and reinforced components.

The performance confidently handles games in 2K and even 4K with DLSS enabled. Core frequency—up to 2.7 GHz in overclocking. Power consumption—around 290W. Fits perfectly in systems with transparent cases, ARGB lighting, and custom cooling systems.

Choosing the Best Video Card for Gaming in 2025: Selecting the Best Solution

A sensible choice always starts with setting goals. The best video cards for gaming in 2025 are not just about high frame rates but also about budget compliance, monitor resolution, case format, and even personal preferences for manufacturers.

Scenarios based on:

1. 4K gaming on ultra settings. Choices—RTX 4090 Gaming X Trio or Radeon RX 7900 XTX TUF OC. Both options deliver stable 100+ FPS in 4K on ultra settings, suitable for 144Hz monitors, and pair perfectly with i9/Ryzen 9 processors. Power consumption from 350 to 450W requires an 850W+ power supply.
2. 2K with DLSS/FSR and ray tracing. Optimal—RTX 4070 Ti Super. The model achieves 120 FPS in 2K with ray tracing and DLSS 3.5. Suitable for any game in 2025 without compromises. RX 7800 XT—an alternative for AMD builds with slightly lower power consumption.
3. Full HD with upgrade potential. Choice—RTX 4060 Ti 16G. Supports DLSS 3, next-gen codecs, energy-efficient (up to 180W). RX 7600 XT—an AMD solution with a lower price tag and similar performance. Ideal for 1080p monitors with 60–120Hz refresh rates.
4. Budget/Office/Esports. Option—GTX 1660 Super. Without ray tracing but with high stability and support for popular esports titles. Works even with 300W power supplies. Alternative—Intel Arc A770, if an upgrade for video and modern format support is needed.

Investing in Gaming Comfort

Buying a video card in 2025 is not just an upgrade. It’s a strategic decision for the years ahead. The best video cards for gaming in 2025 are not just about performance but also about software, drivers, noise, heat dissipation. Don’t chase megabytes. It’s important to focus on stability, technology support, and alignment with your scenario.

If the winner is not the one who has paid more money, but the one who thinks a few steps ahead – it is a strategy game. The best strategy games on PC offer gameplay where calculation, adaptation and analysis are important. From classic turn-based tactics to intense RTS, this genre requires intelligence and patience.

Why do strategy games remain in demand despite the growing popularity of action games and shooters? The answer is simple: they pump logic, teach strategic thinking and give experience in managing resources, armies and entire civilisations. In this article selected top 10 strategies on PC. The most outstanding representatives of the genre – from cult series to modern hits.

Varieties of strategy games

The list of PC strategies includes two key areas: real-time strategy (RTS) and turn-based strategy (TBS).

In RTS games, you need to make quick decisions. Base building, resource extraction, attack and defence happen simultaneously. Every second counts towards victory, and success depends on army management and logistics.

In TBS, the gameplay is different. Players take turns making moves, calculating each move in detail. Strategies of heroes’ development, competent use of magic and a well-thought-out tactical approach to battles are important here. Unlike RTS, where dynamics is high, turn-based strategies allow you to analyse the situation more deeply and act sensibly.

Town-planning and economic simulators

Economic strategies – resource management, economics, territory development and construction. There are no epic battles here, but there are important challenges: balancing income and expenses, competent allocation of zones, fighting crises. Mistakes in planning can lead to the collapse of an entire city or state. Developing industry, trade routes and maintaining a stable economy are key aspects of gameplay. The games allow you to feel like a real architect and manager of a metropolis or an entire civilisation.

Tactical Strategy and Survival

Projects require attention to detail, careful consideration of every move and the use of well thought out tactical solutions. You can’t act impulsively – every mistake can cost you defeat. Unlike global strategies, tactical games focus on small but important operations.

In Survival Strategies, resource management and survival come to the forefront. These strategies have one thing in common – a high level of complexity and the need to calculate actions several steps ahead. They do not forgive mistakes, but bring incredible satisfaction with a successful passage.

Top 10 best strategy games on PC

Strategy games on PC always remain a sought-after genre, attracting players with the ability to control empires, cities and armies. These games require tactical thinking, intelligent planning and the ability to adapt to changing conditions:

1. Age of Empires series. Classic RTS, where the player goes from the Stone Age to the era of guns and gunpowder. The unique balance of economics and military strategy made the series iconic.
2. The Heroes of Might and Magic series. A legend of turn-based strategies in which the player controls heroes, armies and cities. He engages in epic battles and explores magical worlds.
3. Cities: Skylines. The best urban strategy game. Here the player manages a megalopolis, facing real urban problems: traffic jams, pollution, housing shortages.
4. Crusader Kings series. A global strategy that combines state management and dynastic politics. Here you can make marriages, weave intrigues and even eliminate rivals.
5. Frostpunk. A cold post-apocalypse where the player has to build the last city of humanity and make difficult decisions: save everyone or survive at all costs.
6. FTL: Faster Than Light. Space strategy roguelike, where every journey is unique, and the slightest mistake can cost the life of the crew.
7. Into the Breach. Minimalistic tactics where robots defend humanity from invasion. Deep gameplay with a minimum of elements.
8. Jagged Alliance series. A unique tactical operations simulator with deep gameplay, multiple characters and a variety of missions.
9. Dungeon Keeper series. An original strategy where the player has to be a villain, build a dungeon, develop traps and confront the heroes.
10. Anno series. A city-building strategy with elements of economic simulation. The player will have to develop settlements, establish trade and balance resources, economy and political decisions. Each game in the series takes players to a different era, from discovery to futuristic civilisations.

The best PC strategy games continue to evolve, offering players new mechanics and deep game worlds. Whether it’s tactical battles, city-building or empire management, there’s a game for every strategy fan on this list.

The Future of Strategy

Today’s key trends are more sophisticated AI, multiplayer campaigns and deep customisation. Upcoming hits such as Frostpunk 2 promise to set new standards in the genre.

Despite the popularity of fast-paced action games, PC strategy rankings continue to attract audiences by offering challenges that require out-of-the-box thinking. Tactical planning, diplomacy, resource management – these are the elements that make the genre unique.

Conclusion

The best strategies on PC are games that do not just entertain, but develop analytical thinking. They require a thoughtful approach and give you the opportunity to feel like a commander, architect or ruler. In them, every victory is the result of clever planning, not chance. Top games include time-tested classics and innovative projects that offer a fresh take on the genre. This list is a guide to games where strategy as well as action is important.