Due to the release of a huge number of unrealistically demanding games, as well as the rapid development of technologies, in the market over the past few years there have been so many video cards of various price segments and levels that it becomes difficult to choose a specific model even for advanced gamers, not to mention about mere mortals. Today we’ll try to maximally discuss general issues on video cards, give detailed descriptions of specific models, answer popular questions, and also analyze in detail the question: “How to choose a video card for a computer?”
General information
A video card is an essential element of both a gaming and a regular home computer or laptop. In addition, no modern smartphone, tablet or ultrabook can do without a dedicated graphics chip. Video cards for each device differ from each other and are selected depending on the tasks assigned to the whole machine as a whole, as well as the user's personal needs. If you do not go deep into the intricacies of choosing a video card for a computer, then, anyway, really consciously giving preference to good products will be difficult.
Most manufacturers of video cards focus on standard inexperienced users, so products are optimized and overclocked directly at the factory. It will not work to reach the maximum power of such a graphics adapter, and, as a rule, these are budget video cards that are not capable of heroic deeds.
To correctly choose a product, you need to understand how it works. To begin, let's figure out what parameters to choose a graphics card for your computer and what each of them means. The main characteristics include:
- The amount of video memory. Large volume allows you to calculate large volumes. For game cards, it is usually chosen with a large margin so that the purchased card has been in operation for more than one year.
- GPU frequency. Determines the speed of the processor. The bigger, the better.
- Tire width Affects processing speed and depends on memory speed.
- The number of shader units is the part of the GPU that is responsible for processing shaders.
- Cooling system. A rather important parameter that affects the cooling efficiency of a video card, and the colder the processor during operation, the more stable the entire system.
- Overclocking potential. An important option for those who want to squeeze maximum performance out of their card. Many manufacturers of graphics cards overclock chips at the factory to maximum values.
- Power consumption. The compatibility of the video card and computer power supply depends on this parameter. Modern video cards consume 200-300 watts of energy, so be prepared for the need to purchase a new power supply after an upgrade.
- Additionally, for those who understand what they are talking about, you can pay attention to the number of texture units, heat dissipation, process technology, graphics processing clusters, and even sizes.
It is worth noting that most of the parameters are interconnected. Let's say there is no point in producing a card with a bus frequency of 128 bits and texture units of 160 units. Although AMD was the first to release video cards with an increased number of shader units and a low bus frequency, which had a positive effect on performance and found some popularity among fans of using a graphics processor for simple mathematical calculations, as an aid to the main CPU.
So, with the characteristics sorted out. Now let's look at how to choose the right video card for other components and how to deal with the compatibility of old computers and new adapters and vice versa.
Component Compatibility
Of course, during the assembly of the PC, the compatibility of all components must be ensured, otherwise the system simply will not start or even assemble due to the existence of billions of different standards. Is it worth paying attention to the compatibility of the GPU with other spare parts, how to choose a video card for a computer for the processor and is it necessary at all?
The concept of incompatibility of the video card and processor, in principle, no. You can build a machine on an Intel Pentium paired with the GTX 1xxx series. It will run and even work. The only problem is that the CPU itself is not able to serve multiple threads as fast as the GPU. Because of this, lags, FPS drawdowns, high CPU temperatures appear, which he may not be able to withstand.
The network is full of calculators that will help you choose the right video card, as well as the parts necessary for its normal functioning, but let's look at a few general principles if you are not at all versed in technology:
- The easiest and safest way is to use the help of your friend "programmer", who understands the hardware better than you. He will tell you exactly what meets your requirements, and what is not worth taking. However, consultants can do this, but remember: it is important for them to sell goods, including not very running ones.
- Reread tons of information on several popular solutions and choose the most optimal one.
- Buy a video adapter and processor for about one year of production, and with an equal ratio of power and price, i.e., a top card + top processor or, for example, a mid-range Radeon RX 480 + Core i3, i5 card of the latest generations.
In any case, study your future components well to avoid embarrassing situations during the first launch.
Choosing a video card for a computer for the motherboard, as well as for the processor, is very simple. Since only a PCI-Ex slot is required for a video adapter to function, almost all products released after 2005 are compatible with each other. And, of course, all modern maps.
Of course, it would be nice to choose a video card for the model of your motherboard, for example, an ASUS video adapter + ASUS motherboard. One manufacturer can better optimize products, which will positively affect not only productivity and quality of work, but should also look an order of magnitude more beautiful. In this case, the question: “How to choose the right video card for a computer for the motherboard?” May not bother you.
It will be nice if your motherboard supports proprietary Crossfire (AMD) and SLI (NVidia) technologies for the possibility of using multiple video cards in one system. There are universal motherboards that combine two technologies at once, but they cost more, and there isn’t much point in buying, unless you are going to change the video cards several times a day.
There is probably no reason to even think about the compatibility of the GPU with hard drives, network, sound cards, since this actually does not affect the graphics.
What is a video card for?
It is worth considering not only the question of how to choose a video card for a PC, but also what you need this video card for. Also, you do not need to rely on the fact that by installing a new graphics processor in an ancient computer, you will get an absolutely powerful, updated PC.
Usually a video card becomes necessary in several cases:
- You started editing video, processing large-format photos and formats.
- We decided to master 3D modeling or are going to do digital drawing.
- You are tired of everything and want to relax by playing your favorite Counter Strike.
- Your child has grown up and asks for her birthday present.
Using a discrete adapter, performing such tasks is many times easier and faster, and by choosing the right video card for the computer as an addition to the integrated one, you can even get an enviable graphic rendering speed.
It is worth noting that the overall picture quality is affected not only by the presence of the video card itself, but also by the monitor class to which this card is directly connected. Modern GPUs work with multiple monitors and support different options for displaying images on them. This is very convenient for working in offices, shops, schools where it is necessary to output images to a large monitor from a control PC and in many other situations. NVidia and AMD even have their own picture synchronization technologies for high-frequency monitors - these are G-Sync and Free Sync, respectively.
Integrated Adapters
Often for the full functioning of the computer, on which simple tasks are performed, for example, simple Internet surfing, watching movies and short videos, even processing databases and working with documents at enterprises, it is not necessary to have an additional video card for the computer.
For such a technique, video cards integrated into a separate processor core have long been used. This technology significantly reduces the cost of production, but at the same time allows you to make the final product quite energy-efficient, compact and, to everyone’s surprise, productive. Yes, it’s difficult to play on such a stone in Fallout 4, but this is more than enough for everyday work. In addition, there are a number of undeniable advantages of the hybrid:
- Cheapness.
- Compactness.
- Low power consumption.
Frequently there are questions about how to choose a video card for games on a computer among the integrated models, and are there any at all? The answer is no, there are none. Unfortunately, the built-in adapters do not have high frequencies and do not have their own memory. In addition, they are very dependent on the CPU, which makes it impossible to use the full power of an already relatively weak pebble.
Integrated video cards for the computer are produced by the same companies as the processors - Intel and AMD. The advantages of AMD are that when you buy a processor with an integrated graphics core, you automatically get the Dual Graphics technology, which allows you to summarize the power of two video cards that simultaneously work in the system. Such a solution can be really useful in some cases, especially for work, because in some non-optimized games there may be jumps and tearing of the image, although the frame rate increases.
Of all the AMD models, inexpensive and high-quality hybrid processors can be noted:
- A-10 6800k.
- A-10 7890k, although a top-end seventh-generation processor, but costs quite reasonable money, given that a video card is also automatically acquired.
In principle, instead of the latter, you can take the 9xxx series, but, frankly, it is not entirely clear why this series exists at all. It is significantly more expensive than its predecessors, and for the money spent it will be a rational decision to purchase some kind of video card like the NVidia GTX 950 or even lower if you are lucky enough to find them, of course.
At Intel, all new processors of the Core series have an integrated graphics core, but significantly outperform AMD in price, which, of course, is not good.
In favor of the hybrid is the fact that, if the motherboard allows, you can upgrade only the CPU. This will significantly save time, money, and in the future, slowly learn and think about how to choose the main graphics card on your computer.
AMD or NVidia?
Fierce disputes have been going on for a long time between the owners of these graphic adapters, and each one protects its own technology. There really is a difference in quality and it’s stupid to deny it. But, each adapter will somehow find application.
The two companies themselves produce only graphic processors, but the assembly of video cards is done by subsidiaries or partner companies. Therefore, the difference in the performance of the Radeon RX 580 from MSI or Zotac will not be noticeable. Except, perhaps, for some specific situations that occur once a year.
AMD does not pursue bus capacity, but GPUs have a larger number of shader units, which makes drawing a little more responsive. In tests, most NVidia video cards give a slightly higher rating than the opponent’s products, but AMD cards are sometimes cheaper, and this can be a decisive factor when choosing.
Although both companies have very interesting new products, which of the video cards to choose for the computer, it's up to you to decide.
Office equipment
Office equipment should be understood not only as office computers that are located at the ticket office or in the offices of travel agencies. This includes home machines for inactive use. Office equipment for its purpose does not require the installation of expensive video equipment and may well do with integrated low-power graphics cards. So which video card to choose for an office computer - discrete or built-in?
There is no single answer to this question. It all depends on your personal needs, but if the choice still fell on discrete video, then inexpensive cards in the region of hundreds of dollars would be a great solution, no more. An excellent card for such homework is the Sapphire PCI-Ex Radeon Nitro R7 360. Why Sapphire? Because they don’t tear money for the brand, but at the same time they use all the same AMD chips. Perhaps not of perfect quality, as in Quadro cards, but for such a price you can throw aside this rather controversial moment.
The video card has 2 GB of memory (which is already good), a frequency of 1060 MHz, a bus width of 128 bit. All this is assembled in a neat MINI case with a simple design. The only frustration is that there is only one DVI from the outputs, so it is not always possible to assemble the system on several monitors. This video card is suitable for an office-type computer, as well as for home or work. Playing games of past years with such an adapter will also work with pleasure. In addition, for simple tasks, you can recommend the following cards:
- Palit PCI-Ex GeForce GT 730. It is suitable so that the video on your computer simply starts, thereby unloading the processor, and you can display the image on multiple monitors.
- Asus PCI-Ex Radeon R5230 is an even simpler and cheaper card that provides maximum stability with simple programs. For games, alas, a bit old.
- Gigabyte PCI-Ex GeForce GT 1030 (GV-N1030OC-2GI). The MINI video card is in the format of the NVidia 1030 series. It is somewhat more expensive than the previous models, but it is already capable of providing quite tolerable graphics in 2013-2014 games. True, you should not count on the maximum settings in applications.
Gaming Video Adapters
We figured out how to put together office equipment, but how to choose a gaming video card for a computer? In this matter, it is worth being more picky and carefully consider almost all the characteristics of the adapter.
The most important component of a video card is the graphics processor. Gigabyte and Palit are considered large companies collecting NVidia video cards. There are other famous brands in our region: Gainward, MSI, ASUS, Inno3D, Zotac, Sapphire. Everyone except Gigabyte and Palit produce cards on chips from both NVidia and Radeon.
With the advent of virtual reality and many new demanding games, the need to increase the power of the GPU has increased. This is how NVidia's Pascal architecture and GTX 1xxx series cards came into being. Among the entire family, there are both conditionally budget and flagship devices.
NVidia - graphics cards for all occasions
In 2017, cards built on the basis of Maxwell architecture faded into the background, although, probably, they will be found in stores for several more years and 10 years in computers.
Cards with Pascal architecture themselves were divided into low-cost, mid-range and high-end devices in the GTX 1xxx series, as well as individual versions of the Titan X and Titan Xp. Probably, for those who have not been following the computer equipment market for a long time, it’s a little uncomfortable that the choice of computer video cards now starts from 3 GB of memory, and at the same time they already belong to budget models, since 6 years ago such adapters were for many a dream.
In addition to gaming graphics cards, NVidia also has professional graphics cards, optimized not for fast computing, but for processing multiple streams. Such video adapters are used in large enterprises specializing in creating special effects, 3D models and games. Well, enough theories, let's still figure out which video card to choose for the 2017 computer and which models are of most interest.
As of the end of 2017, the rating of video cards is headed by NVidia Titan Xp. In appearance, it looks more like a spare part of a reactor than a composite home PC. On tests 3D Mark gives an estimate of about 13,000 points, which is the best indicator among any other cards. Its only negative is, of course, the price.
If the budget is a little more modest than a few thousand dollars, then you can pay attention to mid-range productive models based on GP104 chips, such as the NVidia GTX 1070, 1070 Ti and 1080. All cards are built on the same architecture, but different in power. The weakest is 1070, it should be considered for purchase only if 1070 Ti and 1080 are too expensive. But the last two compete well with each other. The ti version means the increased performance of the previous model, so why do you think the best graphics card for games to choose among these three models? Right, GTX 1070 Ti. It has the following characteristics:
- 8 GB GDDR5 video memory.
- The base frequency is 1607 MHz.
- Kernel 2432.
- 4 GPC, as in 1080.
- The width of the bus is 256 bit.
At a price it is also inferior to 1080, but significantly more expensive than 1070. In general, 1070 Ti cards are a rather practical solution for a powerful stationary PC that doesn’t care what kind of games you like. It will be enough for 1-2 years in advance, if VR will develop at the same pace. Therefore, the 1070ti is a fairly practical and relatively inexpensive solution.
The GeForce GTX 1070 Ti is produced by everyone. Models differ only a little in their general configuration and optimization for specific systems. Of the most popular (except Gigabyte), it can be noted:
- INNO3D PCI-Ex GeForce GTX 1070 Ti.
- Palit PCI-Ex GeForce GTX 1070 Ti JetStream ;.
- Of course, the MSI PCI-Ex GeForce GTX 1070 Ti with Gaming. Great for motherboards of the same name.
- Well, any ASUS motherboards, of course.
Now let's find out which video card to choose for a calmer technology. The budget class includes GTX 1070, 1060 3, 5 and 6 GB. The latter are available in the MINI package for small system units and are equipped with a single fan.
If you do not plan to load adapters to the eyeballs, then you can look towards more budget-friendly new products like the GTX 1050, 1050 Ti . Built on GP107 chips and have a frequency of 1700 MHz. These video cards can be called quite affordable, and they do a good job with most not-so-modern games. For example, at 1050 you are unlikely to enjoy the gameplay in The Witcher, the latest Battlefield, CoD and just virtual reality technology. In terms of specifications, they are inferior to all of the above NVidia chips, but, which is good, not only in performance, but also in cost.
It’s up to you to decide which video card to choose from a specific manufacturer, the gain in price will still turn out to be insignificant, but the performance of the installed software will remain almost at the same level.
AMD
AMD has a top-end gaming card series - Radeon RX Vega 64 and 56. The RX 5xx series can also be considered suitable for modern games, although they do not grab stars from the sky, but they are attractive at the cost, and cards from MSI and ASUS also have an appearance.
Consider the Radeon RX Vega 64. An excellent graphics card if you have extra money. It has the following characteristics:
- 8 GB of internal video memory.
- The maximum operating frequency is about 1550 MHz.
- The number of shader units is 4096.
- Texture units - 256.
- The claimed theoretical performance is 12.7 TFlops with air cooling and 13.7 TFlops with a liquid system. The second system is much better not only for performance, but also for the life of the chip as a whole, since AMD is heated very well.
Graphics cards are enough for all games of 2017-2018, as well as with a margin of 3 years. Therefore, choosing Vega 64 is a good solution. In addition, the case, reminiscent of a piece of unpolished metal, minimalists will like it. Based on the characteristics, we can say that the flagship Vega 64 is able to compete with the tops of NVidia, but in practice, this is completely true. According to 3D Mark tests, NVidia is still superior to Vega chips, but here the issue is also quite controversial. If you look only at the performance of the video card, then clearly superiority of NVidia. But in reality, the indicators are very different.
The fact is that game manufacturers optimize them for the devices of those companies with which they cooperate. Now NVidia is closely connected with the developers, so in many games it is capable of delivering slightly more FPS. If in the near future Radeon will also begin to lure developers to its side, then we can expect a good performance increase in games "for AMD". In addition, even in connection with the release of so many powerful graphics cards, some popular games do not fully support multi-core processors. Take at least the infamous WOT. Still chasing on a single core CPU.
For games, the slightly outdated Radeon Pro Duo will do. Lovers of exoticism will especially like it, because it fits in two GPUs at once. It is not easy to buy a card now, but it is still possible.
In addition to Vega, as mentioned above, you can test the cheaper gaming analogues of the RX 5xx series with the Polaris chip:
- Asus PCI-Ex Radeon RX580 ROG Strix (ROG-STRIX-RX580-T8G-GAMING). A graphics card from ASUS with excellent features for gaming, video editing or 3D modeling. It has backlighting on the case cooling in the form of a huge 30 cm radiator and three fans, crammed with ASUS designs. 8 GB of memory and a base frequency of 1340 MHz, plus everything - the possibility of overclocking. On tests, it slightly circumvents the same version of the motherboard from MSI.
- MSI PCI-Ex Radeon RX 570 Gaming. Good and cheaper card. Differs from the previous lower frequencies and price. A good choice for not too demanding games.
If you still have not wondered which video card to choose from the above, then you can use special services to compare several specific models, they are usually presented immediately in the online store.
Should I buy top cards?
Of course, if you decide to get hold of a whole bunch of modern games and play them in VR-glasses or a system of several 4K monitors, you should choose a game video card for your computer. As mentioned earlier, it must be powerful enough to cope with such loads, as well as well-assembled to cool well and consume a minimum of energy.
At NVidia and AMD, the lineup of cards is constantly updated with new chips. As of the end of 2017, NVidia Titan Xp is considered the most productive graphics card. The adapter has pretty enviable characteristics in the form of 12 GB of memory, support for 8K resolution and a memory frequency of 1600 MHz. In the next few years, it will be very difficult for an ordinary user who does not deal with 3D modeling to load it to peak power. And why buy something that you will use somewhere at 60% maximum?
But the Titans are far from the limit! NVidia has an even more powerful line of cards, also built on the GP102 chip with Pascal architecture, which are called Quadro. The most powerful of them is the Quadro P6000, which has as much as 24 GB of its own memory. Video cards of this family are unreasonable to use at home, and their price is comparable to a good car. Such adapters are installed in serious enterprises to perform a huge number of complex operations such as mathematical modeling and rendering.
Stock is not the only indicator of the performance of video cards. Now the emphasis is on the number of shaders, bus capacity, increasing the GPU chip area and a set of routines that help process data.
In addition to everything, let's find out whether it is difficult to install on your own and how to change the video card on your computer. Although the question itself seems absurd, here, as elsewhere, has its own nuances, which we will consider below.
Installation process
Oddly enough, choosing a graphics card for a computer is relatively simple. It is enough to read a certain amount of material and use a special calculator. But despite this, few know how to install a video card on a computer.
To install a new video card in your old computer, several of the following conditions must be met:
- The case must be spacious enough so that the overall board is spaciously located in it. There are separate models of video adapters equipped with three or four coolers. It will be quite difficult for them to fit in a standard ATX-format case.
- The power supply must have several additional power connectors or at least several free "Molexes" for the introduction of the adapter.
- In addition, for very hot video cards, a large number of holes on the case are required - for the cooling system to function normally.
The process of connecting a card is simple. It is enough to unscrew the cover of the system unit, insert the board into a free PCI-E slot (depending on the model of the motherboard, the slot may not be the x16 version, but earlier, it is fearless) and connect additional power, if any. Do not forget to screw the video card to the case for special brackets, because a video adapter with a huge heavy heatsink can easily sag, staying in one slot only. As a result, contact deterioration and persistent graphics problems.
Most powerful video cards for your computer have several power connectors. It can be 8 + 6 pin, 6 + 6 pin or 8 + 8 pin. Sometimes it turns out that some kind of power connector is not enough, and a logical question arises: “How can I connect the video card to the computer?” Then adapters come to the rescue, both factory and home-made, in the form of sloppy jumpers from the “Molexes” or high-quality ATX cable cut almost full connectors.
Conclusion
Having considered most of the popular video cards and their characteristics, you can be not afraid to come to the store and poke your finger right into the product you need, without waiting for the consultant's questions. In addition, now you know which of the manufacturers leads the market, which of the adapters are recommended for purchase, and which are not, and against the background of all this you should be thoroughly aware of how to choose a video card for a computer that will please you with excellent graphics and buzzing for a long time a turbine.