URGENT UPDATE: As of October 2025, four older graphics processing units (GPUs) continue to outperform expectations in gaming, proving that age does not always correlate with obsolescence. In a market flooded with cutting-edge releases featuring technologies like RDNA 4 and DLSS 4.0, these older GPUs remain highly capable for average gamers and casual users alike.
The GTX 1080 Ti, launched in March 2017, still impresses with its 11 GB of GDDR5X VRAM and 3,584 CUDA cores. It effortlessly runs demanding titles such as Forza Horizon 5 at 90–100 FPS on high settings at 1080p, delivering a smooth gaming experience. Even Cyberpunk 2077 is playable at an average of 55 FPS, showcasing the GPU’s enduring prowess. While it struggles at 1440p, it remains a solid choice for gamers sticking to 1080p setups.
The Radeon RX 5700 XT, released in mid-2019, continues to be a formidable competitor with its 8 GB of GDDR6 memory. This card excels in rasterization and fully supports AMD’s FSR 3 and 3.1, enhancing frame rates by 10–20% in games like Ghost of Tsushima and God of War Ragnarök. While it lacks ray-tracing capabilities, the RX 5700 XT serves as a reliable mid-range option for 1440p gaming.
The GTX 1660 Ti, NVIDIA’s mid-range hero from February 2019, is still surprising gamers with its performance. Recent benchmarks for the October 2025 release of Arc Raiders show it achieving 60–65 FPS on low settings and up to 85–90 FPS on medium settings when paired with current technology. Its ability to maintain a strong experience at 1080p highlights its continued relevance, despite being several generations old.
Lastly, the RTX 2080 Ti, unveiled in September 2018, still holds its ground with 11 GB of GDDR6 VRAM and 4,352 CUDA cores. Despite its age, it delivers robust performance in 1440p gaming and creative workloads, often found on the used market for around $200–$250. However, it lacks modern features like Resizable BAR and DLSS 3, raising questions about its viability in upcoming titles.
These GPUs remind us that while the newest technology boasts impressive specs, many gamers do not require the latest innovations to enjoy their favorite titles. As the gaming landscape evolves, these older models continue to shine in rasterization performance, particularly for 1080p gaming. For those on a budget or simply looking to maximize their current setups, investing in these older GPUs may provide exceptional value.
The continuing relevance of these legacy graphics cards underlines a critical point for gamers: technological obsolescence can often be overstated. With strong performance metrics and competitive pricing, these older GPUs remain essential options for casual gamers and those with lighter workloads, emphasizing that not every generation demands an upgrade.
As the demand for gaming hardware continues to grow, these four GPUs highlight the enduring capabilities of older technology, allowing gamers to enjoy high-quality experiences without breaking the bank.
