In a century when information technology has penetrated almost all spheres of life, computer games are gaining immense popularity. The average user does not really think about the details of their PC, but gamers are always in search of the most powerful components. One of the main parts is the video card, and fans of computer games are constantly looking for ways to increase the amount of video memory.
The main parameters of video cards
What, in fact, is the video card so important in modern PCs? Firstly, it determines the speed of movement of the image on the screen. The power of the GPU is responsible for this function. Secondly, the detail is able to support the most modern games. The version of shaders, or, more simply, the firmware speaks of the novelty and modernity of the card.
Also quite important parameters are performance and read speed. These factors are affected by the amount of video memory used. There is a nuance: very often unscrupulous manufacturers indicate quite a large amount of memory in the card parameters, thereby attracting customers. But in fact, these numbers indicate the amount of local memory that is responsible for the amount of data processed simultaneously. However, at a low frame rate, this value is absolutely irrelevant.
The ability to transmit information in the shortest amount of time characterizes the data bus. Its parameters range from 32 to 512 bits.
In order to increase the number of inputs for the monitor and increase productivity, they use the technology of installing two video cards at the same time. This system is called SLI and CrossFire. Connectors (VGA, DVI or HDMI) in no way affect the performance of games.
The more powerful the graphics card, the more heat and energy it emits. Therefore, you should pay attention to the quality of the cooling system of the part. If the card is systematically overheated, the image on the screen will be deformed, and the part itself will quickly fail.
What is the minimum amount of video memory needed and what to do with other parameters? In general, experts recommend choosing a video card that matches the computer in terms of power.
The amount of video memory "for dummies"
Careful selection of a video card is necessary for gamers or specialists of a certain type. But how to increase the amount of video memory for the average user so as not to delve too deeply into this topic? After all, there is absolutely no need to purchase flagship solutions for everyday tasks - fairly inexpensive, but quite good models.
How much video memory is needed to store the image? It is easy to calculate this parameter even for an ordinary user who is far from mathematics or IT. First, determine the required amount of video memory for the graphics mode. The minimum volume can be calculated by multiplying the image width by its length (meaning the resolution of the diagonal) and the bitmap.
For example, if the monitor settings are 1920 x 1080, and the most common color rendering quality is 32 bits, then to output one frame you will need: 1920 x 1080 x 32 = 8.3 Mb. In general, the required amount of video memory depends on the type of user activity.
To play on multiple screens at the same time, you need high-quality graphics, and you should understand the parameters of video cards in more detail. It is recommended to give preference to those products that have a video memory capacity of more than 4 GB. And if the computer is used for "household" purposes - office work, study, watching movies, simple games - then the optimal amount is 1-2 GB.
Brain Cards
Video memory converts signals into a picture and helps the processor process the data associated with the formation of the image. It is an analogue of RAM and consists of a graphics processor and microcircuits. It is the graphics processor or chip that largely determines the capabilities, performance and durability of the video card.
The leaders in the chip manufacturing market are AMD Radeon and nVidia Geforce. Computer giants are almost inferior to each other. They make high-quality processors, which occupy 80% of the entire video card, and sell to well-known brands: Asus, GigaByte, Zotac, Sapphire, MSI.
Only 20% of this number of companies remains for the completion of the component part, therefore they cannot stand out much. Basically, Asus, GigaByte, Zotac, Sapphire and MSI provide additional interfaces and a cooling system. Due to constant competition, prices for less productive cards are constantly decreasing. That is why ordinary users who perform ordinary operations (work with documents, web surfing, undemanding games) are available models of good quality at an adequate cost.
nVidia
The brand makes not only the well-known GeForce. nVidia also launches Quadro chips, which are characterized by high performance. Such chips are suitable for both user and professional systems.
The company also holds a good position in the market of portable devices. Separately, you can highlight nVidia Tegra. It provides a good graphic representation of many smartphones and other devices.
The nVidia brand owns a number of interesting technologies:
- nVidia SLI allows you to install multiple video cards in one system;
- nVidia CUDA is a program structure that supports the processor computing system;
- nVidia 3D Vision Surround simultaneously supports 3 screens and makes it possible to work with 3D-image;
- The nVidia PhysX SDK can handle physical phenomena - the conversion of tissues, liquids and solids.
AMD Radeon
AMD Radeon chips with equal performance have a lower price. Some users emphasize picture quality. The image due to the softness of the color is more realistic. The power consumption of these cards is lower, AMD Radeon chips have less heat.
Among the interesting features of AMD can be distinguished Eyefinity technology, which allows you to connect up to 6 monitors on one video card. To date, even such systems have appeared that, with the support of this technology, combine up to 24 monitors. The disadvantage of this company’s cards is working with shadows.
Top best graphics cards
Now everyone, even an inexperienced user, understands how to increase the amount of video memory - just install a more advanced video card. But how do you decide? After all, the market is simply replete with an abundance of graphics processors. In addition, each manufacturer has both advantages and disadvantages. The leaders in this segment of the business include ASUS, Sapphire, Gigabyte, MSI. Less popular, but producing products of fairly good quality - Zotac, Leadtek, PowerColor. Previously, these companies themselves were engaged in the development and production of video cards, but due to some errors, most of them decided to release their products based on high-quality models of well-known manufacturers.
GPU Performance Rating
The NVIDIA TITAN X model leads the rating of video cards in terms of performance; the corresponding part cost is more than $ 1000. The top ten, which is indicative, includes the latest models of the nVidia brand, only one place (10th) is occupied by a model from AMD Radeon (Radeon Pro Duo). The rating of video cards by performance is based on PassMark - G3D Mark.
GPU Noise Rating Winner
The noise level depends on the amount of heat that the video card emits during active operation. Manufacturers are trying to reduce this figure by installing various cooling systems. The Zotac GeForce GTX 1060 AMP model topped the ranking of low-noise graphics cards! 6GB GDDR5 (cost from 20 to 24 thousand rubles). And other versions of Zotac are notable for low noise.
GPU Power Consumption
In order not to be quickly disappointed with the purchase, you need to pay attention to the amount of energy that the video card consumes. Especially this parameter should be considered if the computer power supply is not powerful enough. Often manufacturers indicate the minimum power at which it is recommended to work.
Some models also have an energy saving function. Do not blindly follow marketing tricks and purchase a graphics card with energy efficiency. This parameter may not even be required, because it all depends on how the user is going to operate the part.
Among the models of the same brand, both successful copies and high-power graphics cards can come across. Preference, of course, is for parts with low energy consumption.
Leaders and Outcomes
When choosing a video card, the decisive parameter for many users is precisely the performance, but it is important to pay attention to other points. For really powerful gaming computers, the best option in terms of price-quality ratio is the STRIX-GTX 1080-8G-Gaming: its capabilities are not only enough to run all modern games, but also enough for the near future. No worse is the DUAL GTX 1070-8G, which allows you to run the latest games at ultra maximum settings.
The absolute leader and the most powerful graphics card that can be found on sale at the moment is the GIGABYTE GV-N1080XTREME W-8GD (pictured below). However, this model, along with high parameters, has a relatively low life expectancy.
For medium and budget gaming computers, DUAL-GTX 1060-3G, STRIX-RX470-4G-Gaming, GTX750TI-PH-2GD5 (pictured) or MINI-R7360-2G are quite suitable. These are relatively inexpensive high performance options.
However, flagship solutions are really necessary only for real gamers or those whose professional activities require high-performance equipment. Ordinary users who spend most of their time editing documents, surfing the web, watching feeds on social networks or movies, quite good, but inexpensive models. They are 710-1-SL, 710-1-SL-BRK, R7250-2GD5, GT730-2GD5-BRK. Such video cards will even allow you to play modern games with minimal settings.