Which Graphics Card is right for you? -

If you read our last blog on How to Build Your Own Gaming PC, this blog will instruct you on how to find the best GPU for it. Today, most CPU’s (central processing units) have a graphics card (GPU) integrated into their system. These GPU’s are wonderful for displaying text, 2D graphics, and windows, but not ideal for gaming or other visually intensive operations.

For this reason, even if you’re a gamer, videographer, or graphic design enthusiast, you’ll need a dedicated GPU for your needs. Since GPU’s are one of the most expensive components of a computer, you’ll need to take extra steps to ensure you purchase the right one. Here are some things to considering before deciding on the right graphics card:

Price (2021)
Space & Cooling
Power
Memory
Bandwidth
Clock speed
Bus Width
Shader Cores

What about the brand, you ask? There are subtle differences between GPU brands. No need to worry about discussing the differences for now. Focus on the attributes of each product.

PRICE

Do keep in mind that there is a world shortage of RAM and graphics cards at this point in time. So great pricing on graphics cards are extremely hard to come by. You must do what you can at this time, and we will provide you with better prices when the inventory comes.

SPACE & COOLING

GPU’s produce a lot of heat. This heat output is displayed in the TDP value, which plays a large role in deciding on a suitable GPU. If your TDP value is high, your computer will require more fans to properly distribute heat. Since fans require additional space and power, TDP value makes a difference.

Smaller computer towers need GPU’s with low TDP values, while large computer towers provide more flexibility.

POWER

Aside from considering the TDP value for space reasons, you’ll also need to think about whether or not your power supply has enough 8-pin or 6-pin connectors for your graphics card. You can easily ensure this happens by purchasing a decent power supply of at least 80 Plus Bronze.

MEMORY

Most graphics cards come with between 2 and 12 gigabytes of video RAM. However, there is a lot debate about how much is needed for optimum computer performance. Some forums say the amount of memory doesn’t matter, while others note it as a very important consideration in purchasing a graphics card.

Since video card memory holds anti-aliasing operations (which removes jagged edges on objects), textures, and other elements used to make your images come alive, we say its important. Video memory plays a very important role in image quality because it allows you to play games at higher resolutions.

Therefore, you should divide your system memory by two and use this number as the guide for deciding on how much memory is needed for your graphics card. For example, if you have 8GB system memory, you’ll need at least a 4GB graphics card for optimum performance.

BANDWIDTH

The importance of GPU memory is debatable for some, but bandwidth is of utmost importance to all. Bandwidth is the amount of memory the GPU is able to access at any given time.

When a GPU has more bandwidth, data gets fed to the shader cores at a faster rate. The result is games and video graphics that run with seamless clarity.

In order to understand bandwidth, you must first understand how it works. Bandwidth is determined when memory speed and bus width are combined.

CLOCK SPEED

Clock speed is measured in Mhz and affects input lag, frame rate, and latency. As a standard, GPU’s can read 64 bits of information at a time. To speed things up a bit, however, many GPU’s read more than one chip at a time.

BUS WIDTH

The amount of data that can be transmitted at one time. For example, if a GPU can read two 64 bit chips at a time, it is reading 128 bits instead of just 64. This makes the bus width 64 x 2.

SHADER CORES

Bandwidth is heavily influenced by shader cores. (Nvidia and AMD call shader cores different things. They are called CUDA cores by Nvidia and stream processors by AMD).

Shader cores bring graphics to life by adding variations of light and dark to 3D objects. When a graphics card has more shader cores, it provides faster, better image rendering. However, there are times when GPU’s with less shader cores perform better on certain video games. Shader cores, bandwidth, memory, power, price, space, and cooling are all things you’ll want to consider before purchasing a graphics card. Likewise, it is always wise to look at online reviews and forms as well.

Below we’ve listed a few graphics cards our customers always rave about.