The model of the graphic chip, the amount of video memory, the bus bandwidth - it would seem, you just need to decide on the main criteria, and the question of choosing a video card is closed. However, even with a superficial acquaintance with the offers on the market, it becomes clear: a huge assortment is available to the buyer. So huge that the cost of two models similar in characteristics can differ significantly.
In fact, the difference between them is much more significant. Each product is designed for a specific level of needs and budget. Therefore, before a responsible purchase, you need to understand what exactly are offered by numerous manufacturers and which of them is trustworthy.
Reference sample
Graphics card market trends are set by two competitors: Nvidia and Advanced Micro Devices. First, their new products are shown to a wide audience. This happens at specialized presentations where representatives of each company demonstrate the capabilities and potential of a fresh graphic chip of their own production.
To do this, they use "reference video cards" - standard (initial) product samples. On their basis, the public is only introduced to the capabilities of the new chip. Therefore, there can be no talk of any excessive costs like advanced cooling, quietly working coolers or serious overclocking.
Of course, reference models of video cards are released in a limited edition. Especially for such events. Some of them still go on sale, but they are interested in either avid collectors or those who want to personally try out the novelty among the first on the planet.
Reference continuation
And only after some time, models from partner companies - “non-references” enter the market.
Initially, the developers of the video chip transmit to the vendors all the data regarding the video card manufacturing technology. Those, in turn, modify the standard product based on this information. After that, the finished version of the non-reference goes on sale. Often with significant differences from the reference samples.
What do vendors offer?
You need to understand that the capabilities of partner companies are not unlimited. The main thing remains unchanged in their products - the architecture of the video card. The design of the video chip or, for example, the number of CUDA cores in all non-reference samples is no different from standard analogues.
As a rule, partner companies work on several aspects:
The clock frequency of the GPU and memory, which directly affects the performance of the video card.
Food chains, the quantity and quality of which affect the overclocking potential of the product.
The cooling system that protects the video card from overheating. The quality of cooling is reflected both at the maximum acceptable level of acceleration, and at its working noise.
Exterior design.
Even these changes make a modified sample a much more interesting option for purchase. This distinguishes them from standard models manufactured by Nvidia Corporation and AMD.
Also, vendors often enter into contracts with companies for universal assembly of electronics, like Foxconn. After all, its own production line is not a cheap privilege.
Modifications to any whim
As a result, the user has a logical question: “If the vendors do not modify the basis of the technology, then why is there such a rich variety on the video card market?”
The bottom line is that the capabilities of standard samples will suit far for every user. References cannot offer such performance, overclocking potential and acoustic comfort as their modified "brothers". Moreover, many buyers are able to fork out only part of these advantages, since everyone has different financial capabilities.
Someone is able to afford the most productive solution with virtually silent cooling and a stylish design. Others are ready to make some compromises for the sake of making the purchase cheaper. Still others will be aimed at the most economical options.
Therefore, vendors use the same graphic chips for different branded lines of their video cards. The differences between them are both in the capabilities of the product, and in its cost. Due to this, non-references cover all price segments of the market, which is equally beneficial to both their producers and customers.
How to choose a reference
Don't let the variety of different vendors scare you away. After all, the principles that should be carefully adhered to every buyer have long been established in the video card market:
Independence from famous brands. Asus, MSI and Gigabyte have certainly earned a good reputation. Not only one marketing, but also the quality of their products. However, this does not mean at all that only they produce normal non-references. There are other vendors on the market that can offer a no less worthy product at a lower cost.
Impartiality towards lesser-known brands. The second follows from the first. Particular contempt went to Asian countries. A manufacturer of video cards from the Middle Kingdom is not yet a sentence for inadequate quality. If a user’s card burned out from some brand several years ago, it’s not at all a fact that their products are still being issued with such problems. There are rejected lots, sometimes imperfect production technology. However, over time, due to changes and investments, the quality of products of the same brand increases to a higher level. Like the dynamics of sales.
Cheap - to cheap, expensive - to expensive. There is no point in taking expensive references to budget GPUs, and vice versa. For example, the capabilities of the GT 1030 video chip are initially limited to the level of light undemanding games. Any overclocking, which is proposed in non-references more expensive, will not improve the situation much - this GPU will still remain at the initial level. And the extra 5-7 frames will cost a mark-up too expensive for them. Similarly with older GPU models. The cheaper the reference, the more limited it is in terms of overclocking. And this can be a significant loss from the productivity potential that you acquired for your money.
Do not neglect reviews of the model you liked and reviews about it on the Internet. Real buyers and experienced professionals will often tell you what marketers prefer to keep quiet.
Consider the dimensions and "gluttony" of the video card. References are often made with an elongated casing, accommodating 2-3 fans with a massive radiator. Therefore, you need to compare the length of the card with the maximum value for it in the characteristics of the case. This will prevent an unpleasant situation in advance when the selected model does not physically fit on a PC. In addition, the power of the power supply must at least correspond to that required in the specifications of the video card.
However, the recommendations above are still not enough to answer the question of which video card manufacturer to choose in a certain price segment. To do this, you need to familiarize yourself with the information about the vendors themselves. At least, about those who have not unreasonably achieved some recognition in the world market.
Three Kings of Rating: ASUS, MSI and Gigabyte
It's no secret that the ranking of video card manufacturers is headed by the well-known top three giants from Taiwan. They produce non-references with both chips from Nvidia and AMD.
Asus offers users two branded lines:
Dual - low-cost solutions equipped with a cooling system with two fans. A distinctive design feature is the design of the casing in white.
RoG Strix - more advanced and, accordingly, expensive models of video cards. This range includes both models with two fans, and elongated with three. Externally decorated in dark colors. Moreover, on top and pre-top GPUs (GTX 1070 and 1080, for example), an additional RGB-backlight is also installed. The user can independently configure it using a proprietary utility from Asus.
The MSI assortment has three gaming lines of non-references:
Armor is the initial series of video cards offering quieter and more efficient cooling compared to similar reference samples. Plus, there will be increased frequencies of the GPU and video memory. The design is made in black and white.
Gaming is a well-recognized series thanks to competent marketing, featuring a catchy black and red design of the casing and the signature dragon depicted on it. The frequencies from the box are higher than that of the analogues from the Armor series. For cooling, two slow-moving 10-centimeter fans are responsible.
Sea Hawk is an advanced series of liquid-cooled graphics cards. A huge potential for overclocking is attached.
Finally, Gigabyte graphics cards come in four series:
Mini ITX are compact models that, due to their small size, have minimal cooling from just one fan.
WindForce is a more advanced series with higher frequencies and improved cooling with two fans.
Gaming G1 - all the same two fans in cooling, but with a higher GPU frequency.
Extreme Gaming is the maximum three-slot solution with the largest overclocking from the factory of all Gigabyte series.
Moreover, all non-references from these companies conceal a pleasant addition. After all, Asus, MSI and Gigabyte produce not only video cards, but also motherboards. If a user purchases both devices from the same brand, then he receives two bonuses at once:
Comfortable management of these components through a single proprietary utility.
The overall design, which significantly improves the appearance of the assembly.
However, do not have unnecessary illusions. Buying the motherboard and graphics card of the same brand will not improve the performance or stability of the latter. This approach only affects the convenience of setting up and using this hardware. Well, also on the external style of components. But, in truth, the latter only matters if there is a transparent window on the side of the case.
Ardent palit
A popular brand does not mean the largest. In this regard, the leadership does not belong to the well-known Asus, MSI or Gigabyte, but to Palit.
Indeed, in addition to its own lines of video cards, this brand also includes two divisions: Gainward and Galax (also known as KFA2).
Previously, they were also independent vendors. After their acquisition by Palit, the latter in fact became the largest producer of non-references.
Since about the middle of 2000, this company, together with its sub-brands, has specialized exclusively in solutions from Nvidia Corporation. There are four branded product lines for Palit:
StormX - models of the budget segment with the simplest cooling design. One fan, but compact in size.
StormX Dual - also applies to the budget segment. However, the cooling of these video cards consists of two fans.
JetStream - refers to the older (more expensive) series, the models of which are thickened to the state of three-slot and are made in a strict silver color.
GameRock - similar to the previous one, refers to the older series with the same dimensions. However, the design of this line is made in a catchy blue color.
The network knows many cases where cardholders from Palit faced with overheating and their sad consequences. However, both modern GPU models (whose operating temperatures are already initially low) and the improved Palit proprietary technology played a role. Thanks to which there are an order of magnitude fewer problems with this brand.
Greetings from Hong Kong: Inno3D and Zotac
Hong Kong PC Partner, like Palit, owns three brands. These include Inno3D, Zotac, and Manil. The latter, by the way, is not represented on the domestic market.
Fans of overall models that even look like spaceships will appreciate the Inno3D iChill series. These video cards reach a length of more than 30 centimeters and have several fans on board:
Subseries X3 - three.
Subseries X4 - four.
For lovers of a more rigorous design, video cards from Zotac are suitable. In addition, under their restrained appearance hides a very effective cooling system - this is the difference between the AMP Edition models.
A user who is primarily interested in the highest possible efficiency will certainly pay attention to these Chinese video card manufacturers. Products from PC Partner are often dispersed to higher frequencies than similar models from other competitors.
Red Banner: HIS, Sapphire and PowerColor
These three companies operate independently of each other and are independent brands. They are related only by specialization exclusively in Radeon graphics solutions from Advanced Micro Devices.
HIS iCooler line - budget options for red cards at an affordable price.
Sapphire's Nitro line is the mid-range price range. They are a middle ground between the budget and premium both in quality and in value.
PowerColor's Red Devil line is an expensive model with maximum cooling equipment and, therefore, high overclocking potential.
How to identify a video card manufacturer worthy of my money?
As a result, the user must decide on the importance of priorities in his future video card. Is he ready to put up with noisy cooling and high temperatures for the maximum possible overclocking? Perhaps silence and comfort at work are more important than high frequencies? Or does he need everything at once, and preferably without compromise? Cheap options that are minimal in all respects are not excluded.
The current generation of video cards switched to 14 and 16-nm process technology (Nvidia and AMD, respectively). Thanks to which the energy efficiency of the new GPUs has increased significantly. It is logical that their operating temperatures have decreased and the need for expensive references with an advanced cooling system has fallen into the background even more.
If you are willing to pay for a name that has become an indicator of quality and reliability, choose Gigabyte, Asus or MSI video cards. These vendors offer customers both decent decent models and advanced flagships without compromise at the right price. If you are already aimed at this three, then it is advisable to choose a card of the same brand whose motherboard is installed in your PC. This gives very nice bonuses in the form of convenient configuration of components through a single utility, as well as a stylish appearance of the assembly.
If financial opportunities make you look towards the cheapest solutions, then the younger line from Palit and Inno3D will come to the rescue. For Radeon graphics cards, similar offers can be found in the assortment from Sapphire and HIS. True, in one thing, in the second case, the user will have to put up not only with limited overclocking capabilities, but also with fairly noisy cooling. This is the "price" of the budget segment.
And if for you the maximum acceleration from the factory is an absolute priority over other parameters, then the solutions from Inno3D iChill and Zotac series are at your service. As a comparison of video cards from different manufacturers shows, these Hong Kong brands will offer the most “frisky” product for such requests.