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A graphics card or GPU (graphics processing unit) is a key piece of hardware for PC gamers and some professionals – and is responsible for display images on a monitor. If the CPU is the “brains” of a computer, a GPU is the “muscle”.
Whilst some CPUs have integrated graphics, these are general for basic machines using a single monitor, a GPU can support multiple monitors at higher resolutions and refresh rates. Intel’s HD Graphics technology are designed as a means for displaying basic video output, meaning those use their PCs for casual activities are provided with everything they need. AMD’s APU technology – also known as the Advanced Processing Units, functions as bridge between the integrated technology and discrete graphics cards. By implementing the exact same Radeon cores of the discrete GPUs in to the same component as the CPU, the APU allows for a level of quality in gaming that’s extremely close to that of a gaming console.
First off, you need to consider your budget. But after that, look at the types of games you enjoy playing, the resolution you play at, and the quality you want to set – this will help to narrow down your choices.
For someone looking to play older titles at 1080p that aren’t demanding can go with an entry level graphics card, but someone chasing down 4K resolutions with ultra-quality on the latest AAA titles will require top tier.
If you’re upgrading from an existing graphics card, it’s worth remembering a few things to check:
Is your new graphics card going to require more power? Does your PSU have the right connectors?
Will your new graphics card fit inside your case? Does your case offer adequate airflow?
Is this graphics card going to meet my requirements for quality and my display? Am I aiming too high or low?
Most entry level GPUs either require no additional power, drawing only through the PCIe slot, or very little power via the PSU. They tend to have less features, less VRAM, and more modest performance.
These entry level GPUs vary from basic cards, ideal for a home theatre set-up or home office that requires multiple monitors, to graphics cards that would be ideal for an entry level gaming PC – such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 or the AMD Radeon RX 6700 XT.
Mid-level graphics cards are more suited for gamers, offering more performance and power – driving games to hit higher quality all round. These are ideal for running multiple monitors, and can often be tuned for extra performance.
These tend to feature more advanced technologies, better coolers, and more visual outputs. Some mid-level GPUs are suitable for VR gaming too – such as the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti & RTX 3070 and AMD Radeon RX 6800 and RX 6800 XT.
For fully fledged enthusiasts, a high-end GPU unlocks the top-quality gaming experience you can. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 &RTX 3090, and AMD Radeon RX 6900 XT are the top-of-the-line cards, enabling gaming at 4K resolutions, and ultra-smooth 144Hz &above FPS.
These cards are also favourited by creators and professionals alike, offering exceptional power and performance for multitasking and programs such as Photoshop or Illustrator from the Adobe Creative Cloud suite.
NVIDIA Quadro & AMD Radeon Pro are designed for professional use, helping to accelerate your workflow and come with larger memory, enterprise features, and optimised drivers.
There’s plenty of graphics cards out there, both AMD and NVIDIA utilise third-party vendors, such as ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte, known as AIB/AIC (add in board/card). These vendors style their graphics card in various ways, with different cooler shrouds and backplates – meaning there’s a wide choice to match your system’s looks.
Over the lifespan of your graphics card, you’ll regularly need to update your drivers – this is done by installing either NVIDIA GeForce Experience or AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin and using their driver update service. Both softwares have other various features to enhance your experience.
The reason for regular updates is for fixing bugs, and more importantly, for support in existing and new games. Having an internet connection will be required for the initial installation & for future updates. Both the GPU manufacturers, AMD and NVIDIA, work on their own drivers for games – but will often work with developers to bring out the best performance possible.
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