Understanding GPU benchmarks
One average FPS number rarely tells you about stutter, 1% lows, or how a title you play behaves — use suites as signals.
Synthetic vs in-game
Tools like 3DMark are useful for regression testing and rough tiering, but game engines differ. Prefer reviews that include a spread of real titles at your target resolution and settings.
1% lows and frametimes
Average FPS hides uneven frame delivery. Charts of frame times or 99th-percentile FPS reveal hitching that averages wash out — especially important for fast-paced games.
Drivers and patches
GPU performance moves with game patches and driver releases. A card that wins in one month’s suite can trade places after an update — favor methodology and repeatability over launch-day leaderboards.
Our catalog
RankedGPU lists GPUs with benchmark rows where we have them — always cross-check with recent independent reviews for the exact games you play. Start from the catalog.