Graphics Card

What to Consider Before Buying a Graphics Card

• Only Pay For What You Need

  The cards that provide the highest level of performance aren’t cheap. You can easily pay over £500 for a card that has all the latest features and is designed to work perfectly on a large monitor. However, you might not even notice the extra functionality so unless your setup specifically demands a higher version, you will find that a mid-range card works totally fine.

• Decide What You Want Beforehand

  When you start looking for a graphics card you’ll find a wide array of cards with different strengths, features and statistics. Unless you already know exactly what you need, it can be difficult to figure out which card fits your scenario. Find out which specs are important by looking at the requirements of the game or other software you intend to use, then use those as a guide.

• RAM Matters

  Of all the specs on a graphics card, one of the most important aspect is RAM. This determines the amount of memory a card has to work with, although it runs separately from the built-in RAM of your computer. A card with sufficient RAM can deliver clearer and faster graphics.

• Reference vs. Non-Reference

  Major graphics card producers like Nvidia and Asus, develop and manufacture the cards before selling them in two different ways. Customers can buy directly from them or from other suppliers to which the manufacturers provide their products. However, note that these suppliers make some modifications to the cards before selling them to consumers and thus their versions are usually known as non-reference cards, or aftermarket cards. They may have higher-spec components and better cooling systems than reference cards sold by the original suppliers but can also be more costly as a result.

• The Cooling System

  One of the most commonly modified components of a graphics card is the cooling system. It is what keeps the card below a certain temperature threshold when it’s in use and safeguard it from overheating. If you are not planning to use run the card for a prolonged period of time, a single fan version that propels hot air out and away from your PC should be sufficient. For users of high-powered applications for a longer period of time, a card with two cooling fans, or even a water-based cooling system, could be worth it.

• Any Compatibility Issues?

  As with any tech items, graphics cards can present compatibility issues. Check if your computer has the required input port and if can handle the power the card consumes. Otherwise, a separate power supply may be required in addition to an adapter. You might also want to think about where the card will be housed and whether it will fit inside your tower.

• Look at Benchmark Results

  After you decide on what type of graphics card you are purchasing, there are many websites where you can read about how it performs, particularly in comparison to other similar items. These comparison results will give important tips like how much stress the card can take before it begins to show signs of lag or other weakness. This information is extremely helpful as a last step for deciding if the card that you chose is the right decision.