The Simply Smart GPU Tier List — Prices & Console Comparisons

Brand New Parts Where It Matters Most

When you order a custom PC from Simply Smart, you’re not getting leftover parts from old machines — you’re getting fresh, factory-new components where it counts. We use brand new hard drives, RAM, and power supplies almost every single time — especially the hard drive.

Why? Because storage loses performance over time. Every “power-on” hour and every write cycle chips away at speed and reliability. We don’t gamble with your data. Your PC deserves the same start-in-life as a brand-new system, not the second-hand leftovers you’ll find in most “refurbished” builds.

Our GPU Pricing Promise: At Cost. Always.
Most PC stores silently tack $100–$300 onto the real price of a graphics card before they even hand you a quote. We think that’s backwards.

At Simply Smart, you pay exactly what we pay for your graphics card — no markup, no mystery fees. Why? Because the GPU is the heart of your PC’s performance, and overcharging for it makes no sense if our goal is to get you the most power for your money.
Even when we source GPUs that aren’t brand new, every single one goes through our professional reconditioning process. We re-paste the GPU die, replace thermal pads, and run stress tests to make sure they’re hitting top benchmark performance before they go anywhere near your build. The result? Performance and reliability you can trust — whether it’s fresh from the factory or freshly optimized by our team.

Simply Smart GPU Tier List — 2025 Prices & Console Power Comparisons

We sort our GPUs into performance tiers so you can match your PC’s power to your budget — and we translate everything into console equivalents so you know exactly what to expect.

LOW TIER (Great for light gaming, eSports, older AAA titles)

• GTX 750 Ti (4GB) – PS4 / Xbox One (C$30)
• GTX 1050 (2GB) – Xbox One S (C$50)

MID TIER (Solid 1080p gaming with medium/high settings)

• GTX 1060 – Xbox One S to PS4 Pro (C$100)
• RX 580 – PS4 Pro (C$100)

HIGH TIER (1080p Ultra or entry 1440p gaming)

• GTX 1660 – PS4 Pro to Xbox One X (C$150)
• GTX 1660 SUPER – Xbox One X to Series S (6 TFLOPs, solid 1080p ultra) (C$200)
• RTX 2060 – Almost a PS5 (1440p gaming + basic ray tracing) (C$250)

ULTRA TIER (1440p Ultra or high-end 4K gaming)

• RTX 3060 – PS5 (1440p + better ray tracing + AI) (C$400)
• RTX 4060 – PS5-level performance, smooth 4K 60fps in most 2024 games, plus DLSS 3 / Frame Gen (+C$450)
• RX 7600 – PS5 / Series X equivalent (C$600)
• RX 7800 XT – PS5 Pro equivalent (C$900)
• RTX 5070 – Beyond PS5 Pro, high-end 1440p/4K PC gaming (C$1,200)
• RX 9070 XT – Ultra-tier 4K gaming beast (C$1,400)

Why This Matters

By selling GPUs at cost, we let you spend your budget where it actually counts — more VRAM, faster processors, larger SSDs. Instead of paying for someone else’s markup, you’re paying for performance.

Other stores can’t (or won’t) do this because their profits rely on hardware markups. Our business is built on trust, performance, and repeat customers — not on wringing every extra dollar out of a single sale.

💬 Ready for a Custom Build?
Whether you’re upgrading from a console or building your dream PC from scratch, we’ll recommend the perfect tier for your needs — and show you exactly what it will cost. No surprises.

📩 Get your free custom PC quote today — and see why Simply Smart is changing how Canadians buy gaming rigs.

Questions customers ask

Q: What if I forgot to select an upgrade or GPU option at checkout?
A: Contact us or leave a note with your order — we’ll update it. We can also advise on last-minute swaps or upgrades before build.

Q: Are these GPUs brand new?
A: We source new cards when possible. If a card isn’t new, it’s professionally reconditioned (re-paste, thermal pads, stress-tested) before use.

Q: How do the console comparisons help me choose?
A: They translate PC performance into familiar terms — so you know what settings/resolution to expect without hunting benchmark spreadsheets.

Q: Can I upgrade later if I buy a lower-tier card now?
A: Yes. We design upgrade-friendly builds and offer at-cost pricing for future GPU swaps — we’ll quote trade-in/upgrade options when you’re ready.

Q: Do you install drivers and test the GPU before delivery?
A: Yes. Every build gets the latest stable drivers, basic OS updates, and stress/benchmark testing to verify real-world performance.

Simply Smart: Making Tech Simple

• We translate hardware into plain language (console equivalents) so customers easily know what they’re buying.
• We sell GPUs at cost — transparent pricing, no hidden markup on the GPU itself.
• We ensure performance via reconditioning (when cards aren’t new), driver installs, and stress testing — so you don’t deal with guesswork.
• We provide tiered recommendations (Low / Mid / High / Ultra) mapped to real use-cases and budgets.
• Result: faster, clearer buying decisions and fewer surprises — that’s Simply Smart.

Practical Buying Guide — quick scenarios

• If you play competitive eSports titles at 1080p and want high FPS: MID or HIGH tiers (GTX 1060 / GTX 1660 SUPER).
• If you want beautiful AAA gaming at 1440p: HIGH to ULTRA tiers (RTX 3060 or RX 7600 and up).
• If you’re on a strict budget and play older titles or indie games: LOW tier (GTX 750 Ti / GTX 1050).
• If you want a future-proofed 1440p/4K setup: ULTRA tier (RTX 5070 / RX 9070 XT).

We can run a tailored FPS estimate for your exact game list and settings if you want specifics.

What we do, step-by-step (inspection & test process)

1. Visual inspection and check for physical damage.
2. Clean and dust-remove (if used).
3. Re-paste GPU die and replace thermal pads where needed.
4. Install into test bench and run stress/benchmark tests.
5. Confirm driver stability and measure temps under load.
6. Approve for customer build or rework if any issue is found.

This process ensures performance and reliability whether a GPU is new or reconditioned.
After the sale — support & upgrades

• We provide troubleshooting, warranty handling, and upgrade advice post-sale.
• If you want a future upgrade, we’ll quote GPU trade-in credit or provide a direct upgrade path using our at-cost GPU pricing.
• Our SmartSwap/upgrade programs and warranty policies are explained clearly at checkout so there are no surprises.

Final notes — transparency is how we build trust

We built Simply Smart on the idea that honesty and real value win long-term. Selling GPUs at cost lets us offer better builds, clearer choices, and more beneficial upgrade paths for customers. Pair that with our parts standard (new drives, RAM, PSUs when it matters) and our reconditioning checks, and you get rigs that perform and last.

Ready to pick your GPU tier?

Whether you want a plug-and-play machine for eSports or a high-end rig for AAA 4K titles, we’ll recommend the right tier and show you the exact cost — no surprises. Reach out with your game list, target resolution, and budget and we’ll design the build that makes sense.

Contact Simply Smart for a free custom PC quote and personalized tier recommendation.

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Extended Q&A — Everything Customers Ask About Our GPU Tiers & Pricing

Below is an expanded FAQ, practical guidance, and useful details that answer the real questions customers ask — written so anyone can understand it, from first-time builders to seasoned gamers.

Q: Are these GPUs brand new?

A: We aim to source new GPUs where possible, but availability varies. When a GPU isn’t brand new, every card goes through our professional reconditioning process — we re-paste the GPU die, replace thermal pads, and run stress tests to ensure top benchmark performance before it’s used in a build. The customer-facing guarantee is simple: the card performs like it should.

Q: What does “we sell GPUs at cost” mean?
A: It means the price you pay for the GPU is the same price we pay our supplier for that card — we do not add hidden hardware markups to the GPU line-item. You’re paying for performance, not our margin. We still charge for build labor and optional services, but the GPU itself is priced transparently.

Q: Is there any warranty on these GPUs?
A: Yes. All GPUs are supported by our standard warranty and the SmartSwap policy (refer to your purchase terms). If a GPU fails or doesn’t perform as expected, we’ll handle diagnostics, warranty claims, or swap options according to the purchase agreement.

Q: Does re-pasting and replacing thermal pads really help?
A: Yes. Thermal paste and thermal pads age or can be improperly applied. Fresh thermal interface material and correct pad placement reduce operating temperatures, which improves sustained performance (less thermal throttling), reduces fan noise, and extends component lifespan. We make sure each card is thermally optimized before it goes into a customer build.

Q: Do you install drivers and test the GPU after assembly?
A: Absolutely. For every build we install the latest stable drivers, run a basic driver/OS update pass, and perform stress or benchmark testing so you receive a system that’s verified to run at expected performance levels out of the box.

Q: How do I choose the right tier for my needs?
A: Ask yourself these three quick questions:

1. What games or programs will you use most? (Casual eSports vs modern AAA titles)
2. What resolution and framerate do you want? (1080p 60fps, 1440p 60–120fps, 4K 30–60fps)
3. What’s your budget for the GPU upgrade specifically?

Match your answers to tiers:

• LOW — light gaming, eSports, older titles, budget builds.
• MID — solid 1080p with medium/high settings.
• HIGH — consistent 1080p ultra or entry-level 1440p.
• ULTRA — high-refresh 1440p or solid 4K performance.

If you tell us the games and settings you want, we’ll recommend the optimal tier and explain expected FPS ranges on typical modern titles.

Q: Will the GPU I pick be compatible with my current system?
A: Usually yes, but we always check:

• Physical fit (card length vs case clearance)
• PSU capacity and connectors (wattage + required PCIe power cables)
• Motherboard PCIe slot/version (backwards compatible in most cases)
• CPU bottleneck risk (we’ll advise if your CPU will limit a top-tier GPU)

If anything looks off, we’ll recommend the right workaround (different GPU, PSU upgrade, or alternative configuration).

Q: Can I upgrade later if I buy a lower-tier GPU now?
A: Yes. We design builds with future upgrades in mind when possible. We can quote GPU upgrade paths and the cost difference using the same at-cost GPU pricing model — and we’ll keep your upgrade history on file for faster service.

Q: Why do console comparisons matter?
A: Many customers think in console terms — that’s useful shorthand. A console-equivalent comparison helps set realistic expectations for settings, resolution, and framerate, so you know the PC experience you’re buying relative to the current console generation.

Q: What about VRAM and future-proofing?
A: VRAM matters for higher resolutions and modern texture packs; we’ll recommend tiers and specific cards based on the resolution and visual settings you care about. If you want longevity at 1440p or beyond, consider ULTRA-tier choices.

Q: Do you offer price matching or price guarantees?
A: Our business model focuses on transparency and selling GPUs at cost; while we can’t always match every retail promotion, our pricing is already competitive because we don’t mark up GPUs. For special cases or large orders, contact us and we’ll work through options.

Q: How long does it take from order to build/shipment?
A: Build and delivery times vary by component availability and current queue. We’ll give an estimated lead time at checkout and keep you updated. For many standard builds with in-stock parts, turnaround is quick; rare or special-order GPUs may add time.

Q: What if a card becomes available new after I buy? Can I switch?
A: Contact us — we’ll do our best to accommodate changes while keeping you informed on any timing or pricing differences.

ANY MORE QUESTIONS? Leave in the Blog Comments Below!