5 Things to Consider before Choosing a Graphics Card for PC (2023)

These days, there are several Graphics Cards in the market with different GPUs and different manufacturers. Especially, new gamers and non-techies are having difficulties in choosing a Graphics Card that serves their needs. Therefore, we thought to help our readers by proving a simple step-by-step guide to make it easy while Choosing a Graphics Card. Here are 5 things you need to consider before buying a Graphics Card for your PC.

Before you continue reading this article, we suggest you check out the difference between GPU Vs Graphics Card, if you are not aware. 

Introduction:

Whether you are a Gamer, Streamer, Video Editor, or Graphic Designer, you will require a Graphics Card. Graphics Card has become one of the essential components of a computer lately. GPU or Graphics Cards is especially used to render graphics on the screen, and reduce the load on the CPU. The more powerful a Graphics Card is, the faster it renders graphics and the better visuals you get.

Also, check out our CPU Buying Guide here.

First, you must know that a Computer works fine even without a Graphics Card. Regular computer users can use a graphics card to enhance desktop graphics. By installing a 1 GB or 2 GB graphics card, you get better visuals while watching movies. Also, the text looks crisper, the icons look better, and the desktop wallpaper looks awesome.

However, if you are a Gamer, Graphics Card is mandatory. Also, a 1 GB or 2 GB Graphics Card won’t be enough. You need at least a 4 GB Graphics Card if you are planning to play the latest AAA title games. It is also mandatory for editors and graphic designers to have a powerful Graphics Card. 

GPU Manufacturers:

If you read our article on GPU Vs Graphics Cards, you would know that there are only two GPU manufacturers. Established in 1969, AMD manufactures CPU, GPU, and APU. NVIDIA was organized in 1993 and specialized in manufacturing GPUs. NVIDIA was in the lead till the last couple of years. But, recently AMD introduced powerful GPUs at less prices, which is driving users towards AMD.

According to the survey report of Steam (Sept 2022), here are the 5 most popular Graphics Cards:

• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 2060
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
• NVIDIA GeForce GTX 3060

These are not the most powerful graphics cards. The most powerful graphics cards are expensive, and most gamers can’t afford them. The above-listed Graphics Cards provide better graphics and are affordable for all types of users. Hence, they are the most popular Graphics Cards.

If you don’t like NVIDIA, here are the top-selling AMD GPUs:

• AMD Radeon RX 580
• AMD Radeon RX 570
• AMD Radeon Vega 8 Graphics
• AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT
• AMD Radeon RX 550

(Note: NVIDIA and AMD may release better GPUs in the future. Therefore, we keep updating the list to keep you informed about the latest Graphics Cards.)

Here are the 5 things you need to consider before choosing a Graphics Card in the most practical way. Also, you don’t have to choose the most powerful graphics card. You have to choose a Graphics Card that meets your needs and budget. These tips are mostly for desktop users. But, we have also shared a few tips for Laptop users.

1. Motherboard & Cabinet Compatibility:

You need to make sure your motherboard has a PCI slot. Because you can place the graphics card on a PCI-Express slot only. Nowadays, almost all modern motherboards provide PCI-slot. Some even provide two. Therefore, you can remove the side panel of your Cabinet, and check whether your motherboard has a slot for placing the graphics card. 

Tip: If your motherboard has two slots, always place the graphics card on the one that is closest to the processor. 

Now, speaking about the desktop computer’s cabinet (case). It shouldn’t bother you if you bought a normal size cabinet. However, some users choose to buy a tower PC these days to save desk space. A Tower PC or Tower Desktop has a slim cabinet.

Nowadays, most graphics cards are huge in size, so they might not fit in the slim tower PC. Mostly, Graphics Cards with 1 GB or less memory are smaller in size. So, you need to check the cabin size & Graphics Card Size before Choosing a Graphics Card for your desktop.

2. Choose the right GPU:

Step Two is choosing a GPU, which is suitable for you. This is the most important part of a GPU. The only two brands that manufacture GPU chips are AMD and NVIDIA. Other brands like Gigabyte, Asus, Zotac, etc. use the GPU Chip and produce a complete Graphics Card. Therefore, you need to choose the GPU first. Choosing a GPU is the most important thing, so we divided this step into several smaller parts.

2.1 Choose the Games you want to Play:

First, make a list of what games you want to play after buying the Graphics Card. Now, check the system requirements of the game. You can see which graphics card is in the recommended system requirements. You should buy the same, equivalent, or better graphics card.

2.2 Identify the Generation & Model:

We will take two graphics cards as examples here. One is our favorite GTX 1050 Ti from NVIDIA, and another is AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT. In NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti, GTX means Giga Texel Shader Xtreme, 10 indicates its Generation, and the last two digits (50) indicate the model number. In AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT, 5 is the Graphics Card Generation, and 700 indicates the model number.

The Ti in NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti indicates that it is a new, improved, and better product than GTX 1050. Similarly, AMD indicates improved products with XT. So, the higher number on the Graphics Card, the better it is. In NVIDIA RTX, RTX stands for Ray-Tracking Texel Xtreme. Whereas, in AMD, RX means Radeon Xperience.

2.3 Choosing the resolution you want to play games:

Do you want to play games on 720p (HD), 900p, 1080p (Full HD), 1600p, 1920p (ultra HD), or 4200p (4K)? 

Check out the full article on Types of Screen Resolutions (4K, 1080, 720, etc.)

2.4 Graphics RAM speed:

Graphics Cards have their dedicated RAMs. Graphics Card Models have different RAMs like 512 MB, 1 GB, 2 GB, 4 GB, 6 GB, 8 GB, and more. You need to check the system requirements of the game to see the RAM requirements. Also, there are RAM generations like DDR2, DDR3, DDR4, DDR5. You need to buy the latest generation, as your motherboard will support all of them.

(Note: A motherboard supports all generations of Graphics Cards, but not dynamic RAMs. You need to buy the right generation of RAM compatible by checking the compatibility of the motherboard.)

2.5 Cross-Check PC configuration for Playable Games:

Now, you can cross-check whether your PC configuration is suitable for the games you want to play.

• Simply go to the pcgamebenchmark.com
• Enter details like the Operating System you use, your processor, graphics card, and memory (RAM).

• Next, click on the “What games can my PC run?” button.
• Now, you can see a list of all the games you can play with the provided configuration.
• Moreover, you can click on the game title to get further details. Here you need to make sure you get all PASS indicators for all the system requirements.
• If you get PASS for minimum requirements and FAIL for recommended requirements, means you can play the game with low settings. 

• However, if you get a PASS for both minimum and recommended requirements, means you can play the game with the best settings.

It is one of the best methods to try before choosing a Graphics Card.

2.6 Check the GPU performance on YouTube:

YouTube Gamers often upload their gameplays and mention the GPU used. For Example, you can search for GTX 1050 ti gameplays, and you will find several videos where the YouTubers have recorded multiple gameplay videos. If the videos contain the games you are willing to play, and the games are running on more than 30 FPS, then the graphics card is suitable for you. 

Check out What is FPS here.

Example:

3. Choosing a Graphics Card Manufacturer:

As we mentioned earlier, there are several Graphics Card Manufacturers that use the same GPU to design a Graphics Card. A Graphics card generally contains a Motherboard on which the GPU chip is integrated. It also has dedicated RAM and cooling fans. Overall, a Graphics Card is a complete component. 

For Example: Suppose, you choose to buy NVIDIA GTX 1050ti GPU. You will find several Graphics Cards brands with the same GPU such as Gigabyte, Zotac, Galax, Asus, EVGA, and more. 

There is also a huge price difference between them. Wondering Why? Because different Graphics Card manufacturers use different cooling systems and components, which affects the overall price. 

However, there is not much difference in performance. You will find around 5-10 FPS difference between the most expensive and affordable cards. Also, some manufacturers provide 3 fans, and some provide two.

(Tip: While Choosing a Graphics Card, prefer OC version. OC means the graphics card is overclocked by the manufacturer. Overclocked Graphics Cards perform better when compared to normal ones.) Read more on What is Overclocking.

4 Power Supply:

Graphics Card with 4 GB RAM or less does not require a dedicated power supply. It takes power from the motherboard itself. However, if you buy Graphics Cards with 6 GB or more RAM, it may require a power supply. Moreover, you may even have to upgrade your SMPS if the power supply is not sufficient.

SMPS Buying Guide.

5. Connections:

Now that you have chosen the GPU, and Graphics card manufacturer, you need to check the product connectivity as well. If you own an old Monitor, you would find only a VGI port. On the other hand, Latest Graphics Cards have dumped the VGI port and now using other ports like HDMI, Display Port, and DVI. Moreover, there are further different types of DVI ports. 

Some Graphics Cards have 1 HDMI port and 3 Display Ports. Some have 2 HDMI ports and 2 Display Ports. If you use 2 monitors that have only HDMI ports, then you need to Choose a Graphics Card with 2 HDMI ports. Different Graphics Card Manufacturers offer different connectivity ports. So, you can choose accordingly.

However, you can buy an adapter in any computer store or online, which will solve the connectivity issue.

But, there might be issues like loose connectivity, and poor display. Therefore, it is better to check if both the monitor and Graphics card have the same connection type. Currently, HDMI is trending these days, as you will find an HDMI port in the latest monitors, graphics cards, TVs, and other electronic devices.

Best Graphics Cards (2023):

Here are Some of the Best Graphics Cards recommended by us:

• NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti (For Budget Gamers)
• NVIDIA RTX 3080
• AMD Radeon RX 6800 XT
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti
• NVIDIA RTX 3070
• AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT
• NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
• NVIDIA GTX 1660 Super
• AMD RTX 5700 XT
• NVIDIA RTX 2080 Ti (4K Gaming)

Additional Tips:

If you are assembling an entire PC, you need to consider the other components of the computer as well.

• If you buy a powerful Graphics Card, you shall use a decent CPU. It is the CPU that gives commands to the GPU. Therefore, if not the best, you need to choose a decent CPU to avoid bottleneck issues.
• Gamers shall have at least 8 GB of RAM, as 4 GB is not suitable for most games.
• The standard SMPS (Power Supply) is suitable for Graphics Card with 4 GB or less RAM. However, you might need a bigger power supply for powerful Graphics Cards.
• One of the most important things that most users forget is to install the Drivers. You need to install suitable drivers as soon as you boot the PC after inserting the graphics card. You will find a Drivers CD with most Graphics Cards, or you can download them from the manufacturer’s website. Moreover, you need to update the drivers regularly.

• Hard Disk does not matter a lot for gamers. But, having an SSD can reduce the loading time by a few seconds. Read More about Types of Storage Devices here.
• Wired input devices (Like Mouse, Keyboard, and Gamepad) give better results while gaming when compared to wireless. Unless you buy expensive ones.
• Instead of buying two low processing Graphics Card, buy one powerful card.
• Overclocking a Graphics Card will boost the performance, but might damage the GPU in the long run. Also, you shall have a powerful cooling system if you are willing to overclock your GPU.
• You shall also provide a better cooling system to increase the life of your graphics card and other components.

Laptop Users:

For Laptop users, it is not possible to insert a Graphics Card. Mostly, the GPU chip is embedded on the motherboard. Therefore, we recommend you to check the specs before buying a Laptop. Because it is not possible to buy a Graphics Card separately and insert it into the laptop. 

You can check out the 3rd step, where we talk about choosing a GPU. You can consider those points before buying a laptop. However, you can buy an external graphics card and connect through the USB port. External Graphics Card might be expensive, but they are a better solution for laptop users. We have discussed more on GPU, Graphics Cards, and External Graphics Cards in another article.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Conclusion on Choosing a Graphics Card:

The most important step is Choosing a GPU. Therefore, even if it takes time, you need to do proper research before buying it. Once you pick a GPU, it will be easy to Choose a Graphics Card. Different Graphics Cards manufacturers sell their products at different prices. There is only a slight difference in performance. Therefore, if you are on a budget, you can go for the cheapest, as the GPU is what matters the most.

We hope this article will come in handy while choosing a Graphics Card. Comment below which GPU do you prefer to buy. Also, tell us what do you consider the most while choosing a Graphics Card.