In order to have a powerful and versatile PC, it is important to have a good graphics card. Not many pre-assembled PCs have the right graphics solution for everyone's needs. How much Vram to choose or how wide a memory bus? To better guide you in your choice, follow this buying guide.
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Our selection
"Based on the Nvidia Turing architecture, the Asus ROG Strix Dual RTX 2060 Evo OC is a high-performance graphics card. It integrates 6GB of Vram…"
"The Asus GeForce GTX 1050 TI is a 768-core graphics card with 4GB GDDR5 and a turbo frequency of 1455 MHz. This configuration allows it…"
"Based on the Ampere architecture, the RTX 3070 Gaming OC offers phenomenal performance. Considered one of the best by gamers, it features 5888 CUDA cores,…"
"For a cost-effective Gamer upgrade, experience the MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Super Gaming X graphics card. With remarkable capabilities, it performs with 6GB GDDR6 and…"
Based on the Nvidia Turing architecture, the Asus ROG Strix Dual RTX 2060 Evo OC is a high-performance graphics card. It integrates 6GB of Vram with 192 bits and 1920 CUDA cores.
559 £ on AmazonTaking advantage of Nvidia Turing technology, the Asus ROG Strix dual RTX 2060 Evo OC has a base frequency of 1785 MHz for a video memory frequency of 14000 MHz. Capable of Raytracing, it has a RAM of 6 GB with a 192-bit bus to overcome the majority of games in 1080p. With a max display of 7680 x 4320p, it is a versatile GPU suitable for different uses. In your task, you will be well helped by GPU Tweak II which allows different settings.
Perfect for even the most demanding gamers, the graphics card includes connectivity consisting of a DisplayPort 1.4, two HDMI 2.0 ports, a DVI-D as well as HDCP 2.2 support. The graphics card also supports up to 4 displays simultaneously. Finally, it requires a power supply with an 8-pin connector with a minimum power of 500 watts.
The Asus GeForce GTX 1050 TI is a 768-core graphics card with 4GB GDDR5 and a turbo frequency of 1455 MHz. This configuration allows it to run most applications in HD and even FHD.
231 £ on AmazonWith a remarkable price-performance ratio, the Asus GeForce GTX 1050 TI is a graphics card for gamers who want excellent HD graphics without breaking the bank. With a memory capacity of 4GB GDDR5, the graphics card adopts the PCIe 3.0 bus standard with a 128-bit bus interface. It offers a maximum resolution of 7680 x 4320p at 60 HZ with 768 CUDA cores and an OC frequency of up to 1455 MHz.
With a length of 20.3 cm, this device works with a minimum power supply of 300 watts. The video output interfaces are complete with DVI-D, HDMI 2.0 and DisplayPort 1.4 as well as HDCP 2.2 support. To maintain its performance, it has a cooling system with two IP5X certified dust-resistant fans for reliability and longer life. On top of that, it has a better energy efficiency compared to competitors of the same range.
Based on the Ampere architecture, the RTX 3070 Gaming OC offers phenomenal performance. Considered one of the best by gamers, it features 5888 CUDA cores, 8GB GDDR6 and a 256-bit bus.
1 065 £ on AmazonVery fast with great energy efficiency, the Gigabyte RTX 3070 Gaming OC packs an Nvidia Ampere Streaming multiprocessor. The RTX 3070 was primarily designed for 1440p definition but is perfectly capable in 4K without compromising on your PC's graphics settings. To its performance, the graphics card embeds 8GB of GDDR6 memory with 5888 CUDA cores on a 256-bit memory bus. The advantage of the RTX: Raytracing for incredible images.
For the configuration, it has a base clock of 1815 MHz with a memory frequency of up to 14000 MHz. Installing on the PCIe 4.0 x 16 interface, the graphics card benefits from a bandwidth of up to 448 GB/s for a maximum digital resolution of 7680 x 4320p at 60Hz. The power supply has been well thought out with a recommended consumption of 650 Watts with two types of connectors, one with 6 pins and another with 8 pins.
For a cost-effective Gamer upgrade, experience the MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Super Gaming X graphics card. With remarkable capabilities, it performs with 6GB GDDR6 and 1408 cores to deliver the most comfortable FHD visuals.
567 £ on AmazonAny specific needs?
The best entry-level graphics card
Thebest high-end graphics card
Your guide :
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| TOP OF THE LINE | CHEAP | TOP OF THE LINE | ALTERNATIVE | |
In accordance with our commitment, this buying guide does not contain any sponsored products. |
8/10 |
7/10 |
9/10 |
8/10 |
| OUR SELECTION |
ASUS ROG Strix NVIDIA GeForce Dual RTX 2060 EVO
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Asus CERBERUS-GTX1050TI-A4G
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GIGABYTE RTX 3070 GAMING OC
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MSI GEFORCE GTX 1660 SUPER GAMING X
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Based on the Nvidia Turing architecture, the Asus ROG Strix Dual RTX 2060 Evo OC is a high-performance graphics card. It integrates 6GB of Vram with 192 bits and 1920 CUDA cores.
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The Asus GeForce GTX 1050 TI is a 768-core graphics card with 4GB GDDR5 and a turbo frequency of 1455 MHz. This configuration allows it to run most applications in HD and even FHD.
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Based on the Ampere architecture, the RTX 3070 Gaming OC offers phenomenal performance. Considered one of the best by gamers, it features 5888 CUDA cores, 8GB GDDR6 and a 256-bit bus.
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For a cost-effective Gamer upgrade, experience the MSI GeForce GTX 1660 Super Gaming X graphics card. With remarkable capabilities, it performs with 6GB GDDR6 and 1408 cores to deliver the most comfortable FHD visuals.
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Memory
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GDDR6 - 6 GB
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GDDR5 - 4 GB
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GDDR6 - 8 GB
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GDDR6 - 6 GB
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Memory interface
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192 bits
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128 bits
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256 bits
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192 bits
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Processors
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1920 CUDA cores
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768 CUDA cores
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5888 CUDA cores
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1408 CUDA cores
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GPU frequencies
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1785 MHz
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1328 MHz
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1815 MHz
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1830 MHz
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Dimensions (L x W x D)
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24.2 x 13 x 5.3 cm
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20.5 x 11.5 x 3.8 cm
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28.6 x 11.5 x 5.1 cm
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24.7 x 12.7 x 4.6 cm
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There are a few criteria that must be met in order to choose a good graphics card. However, it all depends mainly on the tasks you will perform with the card.
The performance of a graphics card is determined by the Graphic Processing Unit (GPU). Several computing units are taken into account when talking about GPUs. The most important are the stream processors that calculate pixels and vertices. The greater the frequency and number of pixel and vertex processing units, the better the graphics card performs.
If you are planning to buy a graphics card, you are going to assemble your own PC. In this context, you probably already have your monitor and processor. If not, you are advised to build your PC tower first.
Before you buy your GPU, look at the definition of your computer monitor. It will be useless to have a high-end model for a display limited to 720p or less.
Then, if you still have an i3, a 2-core CPU, go for entry-level graphics cards such as the GTX 750. A processor with 4 or 6 cores will require newer GPUs.
Very important, the RAM of a graphics card or VRAM will influence the ability of the latter to display image details well according to the chosen resolution.
A G-DDR6 will perform better than a G-DDR5 or G-DDR4. Then, the larger the VRAM size, the better the card will perform.
If you're looking for a GPU just to replace your motherboard's broken graphics chip, look into the 2GB range. The minimum for 1080p is 4 or 6GB. For 4K, go for 8 or 12 GB; or more depending on your budget.
You should know that graphics cards require some electrical power in order to function properly. If the electrical power is not present, it will damage your device. So it's vital to find out the minimum power requirement and buy the corresponding PSU, or power supply unit.
Secondly, each GPU has a specific number of power pins, 6+2 or 4. Remember to get a power supply with the corresponding number of pins.
The choice of memory bus is also important. It provides the link between the GPU and the memory. For the same GPU and memory, a 384-bit memory bus is better than a 256-bit memory bus. The wider the memory bus, the faster the data exchanges will be, the better and more precise the card will be.
The noise caused by some graphics cards can be annoying in the long run. Indeed, when it works at full speed, the graphics card can be noisy.
There are, for example, types of cards that have deafening fans and heat sinks. If you are sensitive to noise, choose quiet cards. The liquid cooling system is recommended. But it is usually only present in high-end models.
Interface and connectivity
The most recent interface is the PCI-Express (or PCI-E). This is the communication port between the motherboard and the graphics card. As for the connectors, they are used when you want to connect the graphics card to a monitor or a TV. There are several types of connectors: VGA, DVI, DisPlay Port and HDMI.
For beginners this may seem like a difficult task. However, it is quite simple if you don't use brute force. First, take your GPU out of its case and remove one of the rear HDMI port covers if you plan to use a cable of this type. Next, dislodge the rear cover corresponding to the slot in front of your PCie Bus. This is when you remove the bus cover from your graphics card and push it in firmly, without forcing.
Before securing everything with the case cover, connect the pins of your power supply to the GPU. Once everything is back in place, you can turn on your PC.
Unless you buy a graphics card that has just been released, which is rarely the case, it is advisable to update the driver or download the official version from the manufacturer's website. For AMD, this is the "AMD Radeon Adrenalin Edition" and "GeForce xxx WHQL" for NVIDIA. By doing this, your hardware will work optimally.
This is an important concept that comes into play when choosing a new processor or GPU. Simply put, if the processor, for example, is underpowered it will slow down the performance, like a bottleneck, of your graphics card. And, this is applicable in both directions.
To observe this, you can use monitoring software, like MSI Afterburner, and see if your GPU and CPU are running at 100% at the same time. Or, use an online analysis program.
The issue is that you are wasting the capabilities of a component and your money.
A high temperature will force your GPU to idle and may even damage it in the long run. To avoid this, add fans inside your case. If your case doesn't have a free slot, it's highly recommended to change it. The overall health of your PC depends on it.
There are different types of graphics card depending on its location. We can distinguish between integrated graphics cards and dedicated graphics cards.
The integrated graphics card is an option that has existed for a very long time. In the early days of computer components, it was a chip that was attached to the motherboard. Nowadays, we find them directly integrated into the processor. Less powerful than the dedicated GPU, they allowed to play games that were not very demanding and to run 2D graphics software.
The only concern is that the graphics chip uses the entire RAM of your PC to run. This can quickly lead to overall slowdowns in computer performance.
The main difference with an integrated graphics chip is that the dedicated graphics card has its own RAM or VRAM. It is therefore more powerful since the PC draws on its own resources to run programs and the graphics part is handled by the GPU.
This allows more performance with graphics rendering at 1080p resolution and higher.
On the other hand, this has a cost unlike the integrated one and the top of the range is negotiated at over 1000 euros. This type of device is for gamers or those who want to play more modern games.
AMD is one of the largest manufacturers of graphics cards in competition with NVIDIA. What makes it special is that it offers better value for money in all its products. There are several features including:
NVIDIA is the best graphics card brand. It offers powerful quality ranges to meet the expectations of the greatest gamers and graphic designers. We can also find several technologies including :
On the market, NVIDIA graphics cards dominate if you are looking for powerful models. On the other hand, we tend to turn to AMD if we are looking for powerful and efficient cards at a cheaper price. However, this is not an absolute truth because it all depends on the use you want to make of it. There are small details you can look for that will tip the balance in favor of one or the other.
Better texture resolution
The main role of a graphics card is to calculate the image. Your machine may already be equipped with a built-in graphics card. But for better texture resolution, it is advisable to buy a dedicated graphics card. A powerful graphics card will be able to compute faster and generate a better image resolution.
More complex image displays
When you need to display a complex image, several parameters come into play. It is much easier to display an image of a simple geometric figure than a landscape that includes many details. With a powerful graphics card, the details of the images you display will be more visible. But be careful, you also need to have the corresponding screen resolution.
Hardware acceleration
Still talking about details, having a graphics card could greatly improve the quality of your images. Depending on the performance of the card, filters and effects will be applied to the images. Shadows, lighting effects, reflections or blurs can be added to the image. A good card can also avoid vertical and horizontal shifts. It can smooth out the colors to prevent the image from pixelating.
Gamer PC configuration
If you are a gamer, a graphics card is a must. Of course, a purely office use of your computer does not make the purchase of a card useful. Some video games require a powerful graphics card to run properly. This is why some game scenes slow down, the graphics card is not powerful enough. For the best gaming experience or for games on virtual reality headsets, you need a good dedicated card.
3D and high-definition video
To enjoy the best possible graphics on your screen, you need a dedicated graphics card. If you want to enjoy your videos in 4K or make your computer a great multimedia device, this is the hardware you need. It is also necessary for professions that need to work with 3D images like architects, building engineers, designers, etc.
In our opinion, the best brands of graphic cards in 2022 are :
It is an American company which was founded in 1993 and is based in California. Its fame is not to be done anymore since it produces the best graphics card every 5 years like the Titan series. The best performances still belong to NVIDIA.
AMD is the acronym for Advanced Micro Devices. The reliability of AMD's products has been spotless for the past few years with the release of its Ryzen processor line and its new generation GPUs. The company grabs a few percent of its competitor's market share every month.
MSI or Micro Star International is a Taiwanese company founded in 1986. Specialized in the manufacturing of computer components, MSI customizes Stock graphics cards manufactured by AMD and NVIDIA. The custom GPUs are known for their robustness and ventilation.
Gigabyte is a Taiwanese company created in 1986 and its reliability is always there. The GPUs it customizes are in the top 5 of the best performances every year.
Zotac is an international brand created in 2006 and is based in Hong Kong. It is the company that customizes high-performance GPUs at very competitive prices. It even makes mini graphics cards for Gamers who have a small case. Its thousands of fans around the world can't be wrong.
The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).
However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.
We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.
Upgrade your drivers for an immediate FSP boost.
Your graphics card is the key to enhancing your gaming experience. But to keep it performing at its best, consider installing the right software on your computer. Switch from the driver that came with the computer or graphics card to the latest version available to boost your graphics card's performance.
Boost your graphics card with a slight overlock.
Your gaming performance is going to depend a lot on your graphics chip, the amount of memory you have, or the speed of your processor. To improve performance, consider overlocking your graphics chip by 10 to 15% of its factory setting. This slight overlocking shouldn't pose much of a threat to your computer, especially since most systems nowadays automatically shut down before they suffer damage.
Boost your FSP with AVG PC TuneUp's "Uninstall" and "Disable a program" options.
Windows gets slower and slower with every program you install on your PC or laptop. This is because many programs run some sort of activity in the background, even if they are not being used. AVG makes it easy to uninstall programs you don't use and even reduces the impact of those you do use.
Upgrade to an SSD.
SSDs are much faster than mechanical hard drives. And while it won't really improve your game's frame rate, it will certainly reduce in-game loading time.
Disable SuperFetch and Prefetch.
These are features that are supposed to increase Windows and application startup time. For games, however, they have the opposite effect. So consider disabling them if you are an avid gamer.
The graphics processor, also known as a graphics card or video card, is a component of the central processing unit of a PC. Its main function is to speed up the creation and rendering of 2D or 3D images on the computer monitor. It also performs fast mathematical calculations while freeing the CPU for processing other tasks.
The video card is usually placed near the bottom of the computer case. Other models are located in the extension closest to the CPU. Placing an extra video card in your pc case increases the performance of your computer and gives better driver support.
Follow these steps to easily change your desktop PC's graphics card.
1. First turn off your PC while detaching the cables
2. Gently open the case
3. Locate the graphics card and unscrew it from your case
4. Remove the power supply from the graphics card
5. Completely remove the graphics card and integrate another new one.
For a laptop, you should always open it to access the machine's motherboard. Once all its components are well accessible. Its cooling system must be completely disassembled. Then, simply unscrew the graphics card and change it with another one.
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