Four Classic GPUs Thrive in 2025: Surprising Performance Revealed

URGENT UPDATE: New benchmarks confirm that four older graphics cards are still delivering impressive performance in 2025, surprising gamers and tech enthusiasts alike. As the latest GPUs boast cutting-edge features like RDNA 4 and DLSS 4.0, many casual gamers may find that older models can still meet their needs efficiently.

The GTX 1080 Ti, released in March 2017, continues to impress with its 11 GB of GDDR5X VRAM and 3,584 CUDA cores. Recent tests show it achieving a stable 90–100 FPS on Forza Horizon 5 at 1080p on extreme settings, and an average of 55 FPS on Cyberpunk 2077 at high settings. While it struggles at 1440p, the 1080 Ti remains highly relevant for the majority of gamers still using 1080p displays.

In the mid-range segment, the Radeon RX 5700 XT, launched in mid-2019, is still a formidable player. With 8 GB of GDDR6 and excellent raw rasterization capabilities, it effectively supports AMD’s FSR 3, boosting frame rates by 10–20% in games such as Ghost of Tsushima and God of War Ragnarök. Although it lacks ray-tracing support, it remains a strong contender for 1440p gaming, providing great value for money.

The GTX 1660 Ti, NVIDIA’s mid-range hero from February 2019, continues to defy expectations. In a benchmark for the newly released Arc Raiders, it achieved 60–65 FPS at low settings and an impressive 85–90 FPS on medium with FSR 3 enabled. This card proves that it can still deliver a remarkable experience at 1080p, making it a favorite among budget-conscious gamers.

Finally, the RTX 2080 Ti, unveiled in September 2018, remains a powerful option in the used market, priced between $200 and $250. With 4,352 CUDA cores and 11 GB of GDDR6 VRAM, it excels in 1440p gaming and creative tasks. However, it does lack support for newer technologies like Resizable BAR and DLSS 3, which limits its performance in the latest titles.

These findings challenge assumptions about technological obsolescence. As the gaming community continues to embrace the latest hardware, many may overlook the capabilities of these older GPUs. With solid performance in rasterization for 1080p and decent results in 1440p workflows, these classic cards highlight the idea that not every gamer needs to upgrade their hardware to enjoy an excellent gaming experience.

Keep an eye on the evolving landscape of GPU performance as more benchmarks emerge. For casual gamers and those on a budget, these older models might just prove to be the perfect fit for their gaming needs.