Graphics Card - What Should I Pick - Gaming Edition
When it comes to building or upgrading your computer, choosing the right graphics card (GPU) is an important decision. Your GPU is responsible for rendering the images and videos you see on your screen, so a high-quality GPU is essential for a smooth and immersive gaming experience. But with so many options on the market, how do you pick the best GPU for your computer?
First and foremost, you need to consider your budget. GPUs can range in price from under $100 to over $1,000, so it's important to have a clear idea of how much you're willing to spend. Once you have a budget in mind, you can start looking at GPUs within your price range and compare their specifications and performance.
Next, you need to think about the type of games you want to play and the resolution of your monitor. If you're a casual gamer who mostly plays older or less demanding titles, you may be able to get away with a less powerful GPU like the Nvidia 3050,3060, or 3060ti On the other hand, if you want to play the latest AAA games at high settings and high resolution, you'll need a more powerful GPU like the Nvidia RTX 3080, 3080ti 3090 or new 40 series cards like the RTX 4080 or 4090.
Another factor to consider is the type of GPU you want. The two main types of GPUs are dedicated and integrated. A dedicated GPU is a separate piece of hardware that is dedicated solely to handling graphical processing. An integrated GPU, on the other hand, is built into the CPU and shares its resources with other tasks. Dedicated GPUs are generally more powerful, but they also tend to be more expensive. Integrated GPU or APU's or as they are commonly referred to, are built into some CPUs like intel's 13600K or AMDs Ryzen 7 5700G
Once you have a general idea of the type of GPU you're looking for, you can start comparing the specific models and brands available. Some of the top GPU manufacturers include NVIDIA, AMD, and Intel. Each of these companies offers a range of GPUs at different price points, so you'll have plenty of options to choose from.
When comparing GPUs, one of the key specifications to look at is the amount of video memory (VRAM) the GPU has. VRAM is used to store the images and data that the GPU is processing, so a higher amount of VRAM can improve performance and enable you to play games at higher settings and resolutions. Most GPUs have between 2GB and 8GB of VRAM, but some high-end models can have up to 16GB or more.
Another important specification to consider is the GPU's clock speed, which is measured in megahertz (MHz). The clock speed determines how quickly the GPU can process data and render images, so a higher clock speed can improve performance. Most GPUs have clock speeds between 1,000 MHz and 1,800 MHz, but some high-end models can have clock speeds of over 2,000 MHz.
In addition to the specific technical specifications of the GPU, you should also consider the brand's reputation and customer support. Some companies, such as NVIDIA and AMD, have a long history of producing high-quality GPUs and offer comprehensive support and driver updates. Other companies, such as Intel, are newer to the GPU market and may not have the same level of experience and support.
Once you've done your research and compared the different options, you should have a good idea of the best GPU for your computer. Keep in mind that the exact GPU you choose will depend on your specific needs and budget, so make sure to carefully consider all of the factors outlined above before making your decision.
In conclusion, picking the best GPU for your computer is an important decision that can greatly affect your gaming experience. By considering your budget, the type of games you want to play, and the specific specifications of the GPU, you can make an informed decision and choose a GPU that will meet your needs and provide the performance you're looking for.
Here is a list of GPUs ranked by average FPS across different resolutions. Please keep in mind this is a rough estimate as there are MANY factors that play into FPS including what game you are playing, the specific model of your GPU, the resolution of your monitor, the settings of the game you are playing, and the power of the rest of your computer's hardware. In general, a higher-end GPU will be able to achieve higher frame rates than a lower-end GPU, but there are many other factors that can affect performance.
It is VERY important to remember you can only see as many frames as your monitors refresh rate. You do not need to try and push and over buy and spend unnecessarily amounts of money to get the highest FPS. If your monitor is only 144hz you will not see any frames over that.
As always our techs are always on standby to help you pick the best GPU for your budget and uses!
Chart provided by www.gpucheck.com/
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