If you are thinking about investing in a gaming PC, then the graphics card is one of the most important components to consider.
You may be confused about which graphics card you should get; the decision can certainly be overwhelming with so many different options available. Before you decide, there are several different aspects to consider including the power, clock speed, memory, bandwidth, and how the graphics card is going to work together with other components such as the CPU and your monitor. Like the CPU, your graphics card plays a key part when it comes to your gaming PC’s performance.
What Does a Graphics Card Do?
The graphics card is an important part of the gaming PC and may also be referred to as a graphics adapter, video card, video adapter and more. The graphics card is actually kind of a computer in its own right since it has its own dedicated memory and processing unit. There is no storage on the graphics card, but it will have ports for video output. Typically, it uses a PCIe slot to be interfaced with the motherboard. The graphics card is connected to and powered by the main power supply of the PC, or PSU, by power connectors. The graphics card is a microsystem that exists within a microprocessor system. It usually has its own cooling system that tends to consist of a dedicated fan and a heatsink.
NVIDIA vs AMD
AMD and NVIDIA are the current two leading manufacturers of graphics cards. The two giants licence other companies to sell their graphics cards, including EVGA, ASUS, MSI and many others. Both companies offer various types of clock rates, software, and cooling solutions for their cards. Ultimately, the most important question to ask is which make the best graphics cards. Both have their pros and cons, with several different graphic cards series on offer. NVIDIA might provide better value and performance for some budgets, while on the other hand, AMD is best-known for providing affordable mid- to upper-range graphics cards. For more information on what might be the best option for you, take a look at a graphics card comparison. This graphics card comparison from CCL is an ideal way to compare features, prices, brands and more. You can buy your graphics card directly from CCL with free next day delivery.
Games You Play
When choosing the right graphics card for your gaming PC, the type of games you play is important, since they are a key factor in determining what you will look for in the right graphics card for you. You’ll need a robust graphics card if you play a lot of games that are very GPU-intensive such as Project Cars 2, Far Cry 5, PUBG, Grand Theft Auto V and Battlefield 5. On the other hand, if the games that you play are not that GPU-intensive, then you can usually save money by going for a more budget graphics card that should work just fine.
Monitor Resolution
It’s crucial to be aware of the resolution that you will be playing your games at before you choose the right graphics card. The higher the resolution of your monitor, the more powerful your graphics card will need to be in order to get the best from it. At higher resolutions, PC video games become more demanding. If you have a 4K monitor for your gaming PC, for example, then you’ll need to invest in a higher-end graphics card in order to make the most of the 4K visuals.
Monitor Refresh Rate
Along with the resolution, another factor regarding your monitor that you’ll need to consider when choosing a graphics card is the refresh rate. This refers to the number of times that your monitor is able to update with a new image every second. For example, your monitor updates its picture sixty times per second if you have a 60Hz refresh rate. You’ll need a powerful GPU to make the most of a monitor that has a high refresh rate.
Power Supply
Another thing to check before you choose a gaming PC graphics card is the power supply. You’ll need to make sure that it is compatible since the graphics card consumes more power than all the other components in a gaming PC. You might need to upgrade your power supply with one that is strong enough to handle a powerful graphics card. Along with this, make sure that your graphics card is compatible with your computer’s RAM, motherboard, and other key components.
Whether you are buying a new graphics card to upgrade your current gaming PC or want to build a new gaming PC with some of the best parts, there are lots of factors to think about when choosing the right graphics card for your needs.
