Considering how the prices of GPUs have significantly gone down and this trend is only going forward, the good news is that there are a lot of GPUs that you can now buy. This is a great time to be a PC gamer since if you are in the mood to upgrade, you can go ahead and do that with ease and that too, without any complications that might come in the way, either.
I recently helped a friend build his new system and we used the Intel Core i9 12900K. I do understand that this is a bit of an overkill but hey, the CPU is built for top-tier performance and buying a good GPU with it is absolutely necessary. Whether you are looking to get on with the latest gaming trend or you are in the mood for some creative work, having a good GPU is always the right way to go.
That is why we have decided to make a list of the best GPU for i9 12900K, which means that if you have been trying to find something good and something that works, this is your time.
Reviewing the Best GPU For i9 12900K
| Awards | Model | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Editor’s Pick | Buy on Amazon |
|
| Runner Up GPU for i9 12900k | Buy on Amazon |
|
| Best GPU for 4K Gaming | Buy on Amazon |
|
| Best 1440p GPU for i9 12900k | Buy on Amazon |
We are all aware of the fact that the i9 12900K is not something that is considered a slouch, this is one serious CPU with some serious horsepower. This means that we cannot just use a random GPU, to begin with, this also means that the GPUs that we are going to pick will all cater to enthusiasts and will deliver performance that is class-leading. Let’s not waste more time and have a look, shall we?
Asus ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3090 OC
Specifications:
- Clock Speed: 1890 MHz.
- VRAM: 24GB GDDR6X.
- CUDA Cores: 10496.
- PSU Requirement: 750W+
- Dimensions: 12.53 ” x 5.51 ” x 2.27 ” Inch
I do understand that the recently released RTX 3090 Ti is something that many people would be expecting to be on the list but honestly, after spending some time with that GPU, the performance increase is not something that convinced me. Especially when you are comparing it with the price increase over the standard 3090 as this GPU makes a strong case for itself and manages to deliver solid performance.
My favorite 3090 is of course, the Asus ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3090 OC as it manages to deliver some of the best looks and even better performance. If you have been looking for something that does not stop and crushes it in every single game that you might imagine, then this is the way to go. For those who are looking for excellent 4K performance, you can check just how good this GPU really is.
- Metro Exodus: 120 frames per second.
- Red Dead Redemption 2: 80.2 frames per second.
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider: 111.8 frames per second.
- Control: 60.5 frames per second.
You can just look at the scores above and tell that in terms of performance, the Asus ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3090 OC does not want to hold back and that certainly is a good thing because you are getting the chance to use something that is truly exceptional in terms of the performance overall. Thankfully, the GPU does not really slow down in the process and remains exceptional, to say the least. Of course, all games were tested at 4K, so if you have been wondering what settings I used, this is what you need to look into.
Of course, the GPU delivers great performance but what else is there? Well, with the Asus ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3090 OC, you are getting one of the finest designs that you can find in a higher-end GPU. If you have been looking at good looks, this is it. Asus has done a great job at ensuring that you are getting better build quality and thermal performance, too. The GPU does not really disappoint when you are talking about these factors.
Thankfully, the performance remains excellent as you can see above, and if you are a fan of RGB as I am, you would be happy to know that even the lighting looks excellent.
As far as my grievances are concerned, there is not much to dislike about the GPU as it is excellent. However, right away, I have to tell you that this is one power-hungry GPU and it is also massive in dimensions. So, be sure that you are fully aware of that.
Overall, the Asus ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3090 OC is perhaps the best GPU that you can pick up right now and if you have been on the lookout for absolute best performance this is a great GPU that you should be investing in.
- Excellent, top-tier performance.
- The RGB lighting and the design is excellent.
- The GPU remains cool.
- Legendary build quality.
- One massive GPU.
- Power hungry.
EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti FTW3 Ultra
Specifications:
- Clock Speed: 1800 MHz.
- VRAM: 12GB GDDR6X.
- CUDA Cores:10240.
- PSU Requirement: 750W+
- Dimensions: 11.81 ” x 5.38 ” x 2.75 ” Inch
We are all aware of the blessing EVGA has been in the PC industry. Over the past couple of years, EVGA has managed to have a cult following and quickly evolved into one of the finest companies in the market that offer great value for money, excellent warranty programs, and well, the performance is of course there, too. So, if you have any considerations for a good GPU, getting something from EVGA is going to be more than enough.
The GPU that we are looking at is the EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti FTW3 Ultra, which happens to be one of my favorites that you can get your hands on. For anyone who is looking for top-tier performance, this is the way to go and you will not be disappointed, either. The best part is that for those who want to know how the experience is going to be, it is good to know that this GPU does perform on almost every level. If you are into 4K gaming but do not want to spend all the money on the 3090, then this is a great GPU that you can go for.
- Metro Exodus: 79 frames per second.
- Red Dead Redemption 2: 76.8 frames per second.
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider: 99 frames per second.
- Control: 57.2 frames per second.
It is safe to say that you can just tell by looking at the overall performance of the EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti FTW3 Ultra that this card is one heck of a beast and while the frame rate dips below 60 in some games like Control, you can always go for DLSS so you can have a much better experience and a higher frame rate without much issues that will plague you otherwise. I am happy to report that for 4K gaming, the GPU is more than enough.
Thankfully, performance is just one of the good things about the EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti FTW3 Ultra as the GPU itself is excellent on almost every level and we are going to tell you just why this is the case. For starters, you are getting a significant overclock right out of the factory, which allows you for a much better overall experience and no complications, either.
As you can see in the frame rates posted above, the GPU is almost as fast as the much more expensive 3090, and you need to know that you can achieve the same frame rate by making small adjustments and you are good to go.
Going further, I am also happy to report that the GPU itself is actually really easy to overclock all thanks to EVGA Precision X that works like a charm. However, I would suggest that you study the software a bit before you try to overclock because we do not want things to go wrong.
What else is there? Well, you would be happy to know that the EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti FTW3 Ultra does bring some really good features such as RGB and fan headers on the board, which allows for a much better and easier experience. Speaking of RGB and fans, the RGB implementation is one of my favorites, and the overall thermal performance remains excellent across the board.
As far as the downsides are concerned, I cannot really think of anything that would make me go “hey, this is not the GPU I want” but I would mention that you are looking at a massive power draw and a pretty heavy size, but if you are okay with that, you are good to go.
Overall, the EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti FTW3 Ultra is an excellent GPU that you can look into as it delivers top-tier performance and that too, without any complications. After all, the GPU is meant for great performance.
- Nails every game in 4K.
- Great aesthetics from design to RGB.
- RGB and fan headers on board.
- Overclocks with ease.
- A power-hungry beast.
- One thick GPU.
Asus ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3080 OC
Specifications:
- Clock Speed: 1935 MHz.
- VRAM: 10GB GDDR6X.
- CUDA Cores: 8704.
- PSU Requirement: 750W+
- Dimensions: 12.53 ” x 5.51 ” x 2.27 “ Inch
Next, we’ll take a look at a fan favorite, which is also my personal favorite. Asus has done an excellent job with their Strix lineup and honestly, I rarely see a GPU series that is going through generations without drastic changes but only improvements. Asus truly understands the meaning of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
With that out of the way, the Asus ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3080 OC is what I am handling today and the reason why I love this GPU is that I also own an RTX 3080, albeit a different model but I am fully aware of just how good this GPU actually is. If you want to game at 4K without any issues, this is it and this does not even cost a lot of money, especially in today’s time because the stock’s been coming back to normal.
- Metro Exodus: 64.1 frames per second.
- Red Dead Redemption 2: 56 frames per second.
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider: 84 frames per second.
- Control: 56.2 frames per second
You can easily go ahead and see how the Asus ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3080 OC actually delivers stellar performance in 4K and if you have been wanting to get some excellent results, this is it. Even after almost 2 years, the GPU still manages to deliver top tier performance. However, I would suggest that you turn on DLSS in games where you might need some extra headroom but that is not something that you would be encountering all the time.
With that said, there is a lot to love about the Asus ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3080 OC, and performance happens to be just one feather in the hat. If you love the Strix design, you would be glad to know that Asus has not skimped on it since all of the GPU looks impressive and premium, to say the least. The build quality is excellent, the design is classic Asus, and the RGB lighting is beautifully done, I cannot really complain as far as the design is concerned.
Asus has also done an excellent job with the temperatures because you are looking at one of the best cards in terms of thermal performance. It easily managed to surprise me even though I was not expecting it, to be honest. I would say that the Asus ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3080 OC is easily one of the fastest RTX 3080s available in the market and for all the right reasons.
For the downsides, I would not really find any faults here but unlike some of the other RTX 3080s in the market, this one wants a lot of power, and although the power does translate into performance, it simply is demanding.
Overall, it is safe to say that the Asus ROG Strix GeForce RTX 3080 OC is definitely the crown jewel of all the RTX 3080s available in the market; a perfectly balanced GPU that delivers top of the line performance and great looks at the same time. You cannot really go wrong.
- Manages to deliver excellent 4K performance.
- Remains cool and quiet.
- Signature Asus looks and features.
- Lots of features.
- Three 8-pin power connectors are needed.
AORUS GeForce RTX 3070 Ti MASTER
Specifications:
- Clock Speed: 1875 MHz.
- VRAM: 8GB GDDR6X.
- CUDA Cores: 6144.
- PSU Requirement: 750W+
- Dimensions: 12.75 ” x 5.59 ” x 2.75 “ Inch
The last GPU that I am going to shed light on is something that is coming from Gigabyte and we all know about Gigabyte and how far they have come as a company. Honestly, I was never really sure if Gigabyte would be able to maintain the legacy that it built many, many years ago but with the Aorus lineup, the company has only gotten better and better and I am happy to report that you are looking at something that is not going to let you down in any case.
The GPU in concern is the AORUS GeForce RTX 3070 Ti MASTER. I will be honest, I was a bit skeptical when Nvidia introduced the RTX 3070 Ti. Why? Well, the GPU was touted as something that was gearing towards the 1440p gamers but once the reviews came out, a lot of people started realizing that in terms of the performance, the GPU was actually capable of delivering good performance at 4K. Albeit with some settings turned down and that was not really convenient for everyone.
- Metro Exodus: 105 frames per second.
- Red Dead Redemption 2: 82 frames per second.
- Shadow of the Tomb Raider: 147 frames per second.
- Control: 96.2 frames per second
For those wondering, I tested all the games on 1440p and got some really nice frame rates. The one thing that surprised me the most was the fact that even when I cranked the resolution up to 4K, the performance drop was there, but it never really made the game unplayable. However, if you go ahead and turn on DLSS in all the games that support it, you would get a better overall experience to a point that you would be able to enjoy the game a lot more than you would normally.
Needless to say, if you are looking for something that performs well, the AORUS GeForce RTX 3070 Ti MASTER is something that will not be letting you down. Thankfully, Gigabyte has put in some great efforts with the GPU and it shows how well the GPU is polished, too. So, if you have been in the market looking for some good experience, this is the way to go.
Furthermore, another great thing is that the AORUS GeForce RTX 3070 Ti MASTER is one of the best designed GPUs that I have had the chance to look at. It is not something that is going to look like it is made for a mid-range consumer. The GPU has all the chops of a flagship GPU ranging from lots of I/O on the back and not just that, you are getting class-leading build quality, features such as RGB, and more. So, if you have been worried that your money might not be spent on something that is good, that will not be the case, at least not here.
Speaking of the experience, the AORUS GeForce RTX 3070 Ti MASTER remains thermally and acoustically impressive; the GPU not only manages to run quietly, but also remains cool under heavy load, which is a sign of a good GPU and you can even appreciate the overclocking out of the box.
With that said, the only issues that I did run into with the AORUS GeForce RTX 3070 Ti MASTER is that the GPU does demand more power than some of the other RTX 3070 Tis in the market. But if you have a good enough power supply, this should not be an issue.
Overall, the AORUS GeForce RTX 3070 Ti MASTER is one of the best GPUs that you can pick up in the market, and it definitely deserves the attention that it is getting from around the world.
- One of the best performing RTX 3070 Tis in the market.
- Top of the line build quality.
- Excellent looks and great RGB lighting.
- Great thermal and acoustic performance.
- The GPU can sip a lot of power.
Conclusion
I do understand that getting the right GPU for i9 12900K can be an overwhelming experience simply because the CPU itself is one of the best and most demanding CPUs in the market. So, it is only fair that you are picking up the right GPU and this is where most people end up with confusion because buying the right GPU is always difficult and not the easiest task, either.
That is why we have this round up in place that helps everyone get their hands on the best GPU for i9 12900K. I have explored all the great options so you do not have to worry about picking something that simply is not good enough for the money you are spending on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have been gaming for almost 24 years with extensive knowledge of all platforms and the gaming industry, in general. With interests in literature, art, gaming, and PC hardware.