Gaming at 1440p 144Hz is a glorious experience but it requires some pretty strong GPU power.
When looking for a GPU that can unlock the power of 144Hz you want to really push framerates past 70 fps.
The human eyes starts to be unable to distinguish the difference at that point and your hardware will do the job even if you are hitting 75fps or 90fps.
Yet you need a great GPU for frames like that, so I’ve selected our three favorite GPUs to hit that 144Hz sweet spot.
Best Graphics Card For 1440 144Hz Gaming
In this hardware roundup you’ll see the latest and greatest in GPU tech and be able to make a good decision whether or not hitting 1440p at 144Hz is in your future.
Nvidia vs AMD
Both companies offer great cards but they also have unique features.
For instance, if you cannot wait to sink your teeth into the latest build on Minecraft with RTX. Nvidia will be your go to GPU producer.
AMD cards tend to be better at odd tasks like cryptocurrency mining as well as compatibility with multiple card systems.
They’re a great pick for those who want more than one GPU in a system.
AMD has increased the variety and support while Nvidia has seemingly shrunk it’s enthusiasm for SLI over the last few years.
Why is it so confusing?!?
The naming convention for the latest round of GPU’s has been out of control.
For instance Nvidia has regularly been refreshing cards with newer and more powerful versions and flooding the market.
There are three versions of the RTX 2060 and The RTX 2080 also has an RTX Super Model and an RTX 2080 Ti model.
Rather than get overwhelmed by all the different titles and versions, we’ve selected the best grouping of value and power for those interested in 1440p gaming.
All these cards are great!
The cards we selected are going to make gaming at 1440p feel buttery smooth and glorious.
We selected these cards because they can push your fps to the point that you get true value out of that fancy 144Hz display.
I have to add that the monitor you use really matters, G-Sync and Freesync may seem novel as a concept but it’s pretty common to hear someone in the PC Gaming community exclaim that the increased smoothness was more important to them than a resolution bump.
The increased framerates in new monitors has started to reveal how important those milliseconds are in keeping you the lead of your match.
You see the target quicker and can just respond faster!
1. XFX RX 5700 Xt Thicc III: Best AMD GPU For 1440 144Hz Gaming
AMD, how far you’ve come. It wasn’t long ago that people threw in the towel with AMD and assumed they’d never be in the same league as Nvidia.
After a few failed generations, they’ve come around to produce some GPUs that I love. T
raditionally I have always gone with Nvidia but the price and design quality of the recent offerings from AMD has been turning me toward them for CPU’s and potentially a GPU.
The performance of the RX 5700 XT is basically similar to that of the 2070 Super with them going back and forth on games.
Some games just run better on AMD hardware while others run better on Nvidia.
The tradeoff is usually a handful of fps and not enough to push you to one or the other. Where the RX 5700 XT Thicc III absolutely annihilated the 2070 Super is price.
It’s about $100 cheaper. Bam! That’s so much money that can be poured back into your desktop giving you a better CPU, more RAM, a multitude of options.
That means you really have a competitive offering from AMD that plays games at 1440p often kicking the framerate up to 80 or 90.
It’s a very competitive little GPU. I like the XFX Thicc III version, strange name not-withstanding, for the design and cooling.
Three fans help keep this card from heating up uncomfortable and the sharp black and white looks almost like an interpretation of piano keys.
It’s a neat looking card and very powerful while saving you loads of cash.
Pros
- Basically equivalent to the 2070 Super but way cheaper
- Perfect for those using a Freesync monitor
- Runs 1440p games around 80 fps or higher on average in a good build
Cons
- No dedicated Ray-Tracing hardware
2. Asus GeForce RTX 2070: Best Nvidia GPU For 1440 144Hz Gaming
The big question is whether or not Ray-Tracing is the future or just a novel tech option of the present. If it’s not really much, then go with the RX 5700 XT.
It’s just the same quality but much cheaper. If Ray-Tracing is the future though, if you want to play Minecraft in the amazing fidelity that real time lighting solutions offer, than you’ll need to consider the cost attached.
For those of us with G-Sync monitors in the Nvidia eco-system, the price isn’t a huge pain point.
This card is an amazing card. We couldn’t imagine cramming that many Cuda cores and transistors into a card a decade ago.
The 2070 Super is really that mid-range card that will keep you future proofed long enough to enjoy the next few years of 2K and 4K AAA gaming experiences.
Potentially as the Ray-Tracing library grows, it’ll also introduce you to amazing new gaming experiences.
While Minecraft was a unique one, the remake of Quake is really stunning, and Nvidia has even helped develop a team whose sole purpose is these stunning Ray-Tracing capable remakes.
Pros
- Ray-Tracing is pretty sweet
- Perfect for those using a G-Sync monitor
- Runs 1440p games around 80 fps or higher on average in a good build
Cons
- None
3. GeForce RTX 2080 Super Black Gaming
I love EVGA. They nail the aesthetic of old 80’s sci-fi like the movie alien, with all the jet black tunnels and curving pipes.
This industrial looking card is not only gorgeous and sturdy with double fan cooling,
The RTX 2080 Super from EVGA is an overclocked beast getting anywhere from 2-8 more FPS than a normal RTX 2080 Super while remaining safe in the temperature range due to the emphasis on cooling.
The RTX 2080 Super is probably the best option for future-proofing and entering the 4K world.
It’s not only an incredible card, it allows you to play the most demanding games of today at framerates that feel good and smooth.
The price is higher and ultimately if you are planning on sticking with 2K gaming for the next couple of years, this might be absolute overkill.
The truth is we never know when we’ll want to upgrade though and picking up this nifty card means you can pop a 4K monitor onto your desk and get going at any point you feel comfortable.
It also brings that gorgeous Ray-Tracing tech that is controversial but possibly the largest tech leap in years for graphical fidelity.
This card is the clear brute force winner and getting a better GPU than the RTX 2080 Super starts to show some pretty large diminishing returns.
If you are using a 144Hz monitor for 1440p, it’s likely that you will rarely max out the framerate with todays games.
Yet playing CS:GO at 1440p while hitting high frames is not only possible, it greatly enhances your ability to play.
A card like the 2080 Super is going to ensure high frames and give the best results.
Pros
- The king of the GPU family for the average person
- Incredible performance
- 4K capable gaming sessions
- Stunning design
Cons
- Expensive if you are just a 2K gamer
Why these specific versions?
The cards you get come from AMD and Nvidia and are sent to a manufacturer who uses the base model but puts an additional spin on it.
That’s why the Geforce RTX 2080 Super is also a Black Gaming model and not just a normal RTX 2080.
There is a large variety of options and I picked my current favorites but it’s important to take sometime and look at the pros and cons of a manufacturer.
Whether it’s great tech support or overclocking it for some insane power, the spin the manufacturer puts on your card will have some sort of effect.
Don’t get too caught up on details though as the difference between models like the 2070 and 2080 is far greater than the difference between an OC version with good cooling.
Conclusion:
The GPU is undoubtedly the most important piece of a gaming PC. It’s a quick one piece solution that takes a desktop to the next level. Moving to 2K and even 4K is just the next level of gaming.
Details like leaves and wires no longer consist of jagged triangles splayed across the screen and the signs and posters in-game just pop with absolute stunning clarity.
You’ll be pleased with any of the cards we selected, we are excited for you to take that next step and see gaming in 1440p.
As always, keep coming back for more content on today’s best PC hardware.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Graphics Card can run 1440p 144Hz?
The best GPUs for 1440p 144Hz right now are RTX 2070, RTX 3060 Ti, RTX 3070, and RX 6800.
Is RTX 3070 good for 1440p 144Hz?
Yes, but it also depends on the games you play. In less demanding titles, RTX 3070 can easily hold 144 mark at 1440p resolution. In graphics-heavy titles, however, you may have to play at medium/high preset instead of ultra.
Is RTX 3060 enough 1440p 144Hz?
No, the RTX 3060 is an 1080p graphics card. It means while it can give you 144 fps at 1080p, doing so at 1440p resolution will reduce the fps to around 60-70.
Is 240Hz worth it over 144Hz?
Yes, but only in fast-paced competitive games.
