
On the bright side, you’re only a quick Google search away from discovering what sort of performance you can expect from a particular GPU in a specific game. However, performance can vary wildly from game to game depending on how demanding and how optimized it is. Generally speaking, the latest mid-range GPUs can now handle QHD at 60+ FPS and even 4K at 30-60 FPS. As such, the higher the resolution, the lower the framerate will be. In 2021, 1080p (FHD), 1440p (QHD), and 2160p (4K) are all popular resolutions for gaming, but playing games at a higher resolution requires more processing power. The resolution indicates the number of pixels displayed on-screen, and the more pixels there are, the more realistic and detailed the game will appear. When trying to find the right GPU for your needs, there are two key questions that you need to answer: what resolution do you want to play games in and what framerate are you hoping to achieve? That said, while a graphics card manufacturer can alter virtually any aspect of a graphics card, they cannot modify the GPU itself, meaning that an RTX 3070 is an RTX 3070, no matter what PCB the manufacturer installs it on or what sort of cooling solution they set it up with.Īnd now that we have made this distinction, it’s time to get to the main subject, and that is finding the ideal graphics card. However, most graphics cards are made by partner companies such as Asus, Gigabyte, MSI, EVGA, Sapphire, and others. Now, when buying a graphics card, there is always the option of buying them from Nvidia and AMD directly. Rather, it also includes the PCB, the memory, the cooler, exterior design elements, and connectors. The graphics card, however, doesn’t refer only to the chip. At the moment, Nvidia and AMD are the two leading suppliers of GPUs. Well, GPU stands for “graphics processing unit”, and it refers specifically to the graphics chip itself. So, in this guide, we’ll be addressing the common questions that those who are new to PC building might have in this department, and if you believe you count among that crowd, read on! GPU vs Graphics Card – What’s The Difference?įirst and foremost, you might have noticed that the terms “GPU” and “graphics card” are often used seemingly interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. After all, it does most of the heavy lifting when it comes to in-game graphics, so it’s clear why it should be at the top of your priority list.īut as is always the case with computer hardware, there are quite a few factors to keep in mind if you want to find the best graphics card for your needs, from performance to compatibility. If you’re building a new gaming PC, then the graphics card is definitely the most important component to focus on. How do you pick the right graphics card? Should you pick one from NVIDIA or AMD? Does it fit in your case and what can you expect? Here's how to find out.
