CPUs are terrible at graphics processing, while GPUs are great at it. ..
Graphics cards are a critical part of any desktop PC, and choosing the right one can be difficult. Here we’ll explain how to choose the right graphics card for your desktop PC and give you some tips on upgrading if necessary. First, decide what type of computer you want to build. Desktop PCs are built for Windows 7 or 8, so most graphics cards will work with those operating systems. Laptops, on the other hand, are built for Windows 10 or 11, so most graphics cards won’t work with those operating systems. If you want to use a laptop with an older version of Windows (10 or 11), you may need to find a different graphics card that will work with that OS. Next, decide what type of hardware you need to build your PC. This includes an Intel Core i3-6100U or AMD Ryzen 5 2400G processor, 4GB of RAM, and a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 or AMD Radeon RX 560 graphics card. You can also buy a separate graphics card for each monitor if you want to use multiple displays in your PC room. Finally, decide which games you want to play on your desktopPC system and which ones you’d like to play on your laptop computer. Games like Battlefield 1 or Witcher 3 should run just fine on a desktopPC system but may not be as smooth on a laptop computer because the hardware differences between the two platforms are greater. Games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 or Assassin’s Creed III should run just fine on a desktopPC system but may not be as smooth on a laptop computer because the hardware differences between the two platforms are greater still.
Graphics cards vs Embedded GPU vs Discrete GPUs
GPUs are a type of graphics card. Graphics cards are separate pieces of hardware that can be upgraded, and they’re typically used in gaming laptops. ..
Embedded GPUs are built into CPUs or form part of a single “system-on-a-chip”, as you’d find in a smartphone or tablet. discrete GPUs in laptops are basically the equivalent of a graphics cards, but are built into the system in a way that more often than not precludes upgrading the part.
We’ll go over some exceptions a little further down. But for the most part, we’ll stick to the general rule.
What You Need To Know About Specifications
Graphics cards are specialized computers that connect to the rest of your computer using a high-speed physical connection, usually using the PCIe protocol. At the time of writing, PCIe 3.0 is the latest version of this protocol. ..
PCIe x16 slots are common on desktop PCs, and indicate that the card has 16 lanes available for data transmission. Many motherboards may have multiple slots, some with fewer lanes, to enable multiple graphics cards in one system.
-Graphics processing unit (GPU) -Memory size -Memory type -Clock speed To choose the best graphics card for your needs, you’ll want to consider all of these factors. The most important factor is the graphics processing unit (GPU). A powerful GPU will allow you to run high-resolution graphics and faster game speeds. The memory size is also important. Make sure to get a card with enough memory to hold your games, photos, and other files. Cards with more memory can also help speed up your computer overall. The type of memory is also important. Some cards use DDR3 memory, while others use DDR4. Make sure to get a card that supports the type of memory your computer uses. Finally, the clock speed is important too. A higher clock speed means your graphics card will work faster and smoother than a lower clock speed card. ..
- How many cores/processors does the device have?
- How many memory cores does the device have?
- What type of GPU is used in this device?
- What power requirements are needed to run this device?
That’s because the graphics card is only one part of a system that includes the CPU, motherboard, and other hardware. The real performance of a graphics card is determined by how well it works with other parts of your system.
Looking up benchmarks for a specific card online can be more efficient, as you can see what games are available at which resolution and framerate. Additionally, you can contextualize the results by looking at which titles you want to play. For example, if you’re a gamer, decide what games to play based on their resolution and framerate.
Can the card run titles at the speed, detail and resolution settings you want?
- The tarot card of the future
- The seer card
- The trump card
- The ace of spades
The minimum power supply requirements for some graphics cards are higher than others. Make sure you factor this into your total cost when purchasing a graphics card. ..
The final big-ticket specification is the amount of video memory. This is where data is stored for fast access by the GPU. If you don’t have enough memory, information has to be swapped to other forms of storage, which absolutely destroys frame rate. In 2019, 8GB of memory is a good number to aim for, with 6GB being the absolute minimum, but with limited longevity.
The Big Brands
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 AMD Radeon RX 580
Intel is releasing a new line of competitive GPUs that are designed for gaming and other professional uses. This new line of GPUs is made with the latest in technology and will be more powerful than any other on the market.
There is no one “best” graphics card brand. Instead, it’s important to find a card that offers the best mix of performance, noise, power consumption and price for your needs. Sometimes that means choosing a card from AMD and other times it means choosing a card from Nvidia. ..
How To Change The Graphics Card In Your Desktop PC
If you’re replacing the card with one of the same brand, chances are the software you already have installed will work automatically. Just make sure your software is updated. ..
If you’ve changed brands, uninstall the old software before changing the graphics cards and install the new software after the change is complete. ..
Now we can get down to the business of physically installing the graphics card. ..
If you have a desktop computer with a graphics card or an open slot on your motherboard, you can upgrade your computer’s graphics performance.
-Is of good quality -Is of a size that is comfortable to hold -Is not too bulky or heavy
We can work with your current power supply to help you get the best possible performance. We can also fit into your case to make it easier for you to use your computer.
When working on a computer, always make sure the computer is switched off. However, if possible, leave the computer connected to the mains to act as an earth. Alternatively, buy a grounding strap or ground yourself on something before handling any components. ..
Now remove the screws that hold the motherboard to the case. Be careful not to damage the motherboard or card slots. Now remove all of the cards from the computer. Make sure to label each card so you can easily find them later. Now put everything back together and reattach all of the screws.
If you don’t have a graphics card, you’ll need to purchase one before proceeding. ..
Remove the retention screw holding the graphics card to the backplate and remove the card.
If you can fit, try to retention clip the graphics card to the back of the case.
If you can’t figure out how to release the clip, gently remove the graphics card from the slot and refer to the manual for help. If you can’t do that, try wiggling it slightly front-to-back to release it. Don’t touch any exposed copper connectors with your bare skin - just use your fingers to hold onto the board’s edges. Now you should have an open slot.
To install a new graphics card, reverse these steps or read our in-depth guide to installing a new graphics card.
Now close your computer up again and switch it on. If all went as planned, you’ll boot back into Windows, albeit with potentially low-resolution graphics. Now’s the time to install the new software if you need to. If not, the new card should be detected and automatically set up. You’re done! ..
Upgrading Laptop Graphics
If you own a laptop with a Thunderbolt 3 port that’s enabled for external graphics, you can buy an “eGPU” enclosure and connect a graphics card this way. Some are more portable than others, but it’s cheaper than buying and entirely new laptop. ..
Some laptops have upgradeable graphics, which is often referred to as “MXM” modules. If you have an upgradeable graphics laptop, it is likely that you can only buy these special upgrade modules from the manufacturer.
