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2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44
Monitor resolution, processor power and other criteria to look out for.
1. Purpose
One of the main questions that you need to answer before purchasing a video card is why you need it. If you are not going to play, edit video or work with 3D, then the power of the video chip built into the processor is probably enough for you.
If you want to consume content in 4K or play undemanding games, then take a look at video cards of the lower price segment - for example, NVIDIA GT 1030 Ti or AMD RX 550. Video cards more powerful - GTX 1060 and RX 570 - will allow you to play most of the new products without much problems. The upper segment starts with the GTX 1070 and RX Vega 56 graphics cards, which are enough to handle even the most demanding games at high settings in 4K.
Of particular note, the Titan Xp, RTX 2080 and RTX 2080 Ti are great choices for machine learning, video processing, and 3D modeling.
2. Budget
The cheapest of the current models of video cards are GT 1030 and RX 550. These are ultra-budget options - their performance leaves much to be desired, but for two-dimensional, old and simply undemanding games like Fortnite or Borderlands 2, these are enough. They cost in the range of 6-8 thousand rubles.
Slightly higher in rank - GTX 1050 Ti and RX 560. Their cost is about 10-12 thousand rubles, and they are powerful enough to pull new items at minimum and medium settings.
The GTX 1060, RX 570 and RX 580 are mid-range. They are enough for comfortable playing at medium and high settings. Prices for them vary from 15 to 25 thousand rubles. It is worth noting that the GTX 1060 has modifications with 3 GB and 6 GB of memory. Better to take the older version: some modern projects 3 GB is no longer enough.
The high-end graphics card segment includes the GTX 1070, GTX 1070 Ti, RX Vega 56, RX Vega 64 and GTX 1080. These devices will handle any game on ultra settings, and are also great for virtual reality, ultra-high definition and multi-monitor configurations. GTX 1070, GTX 1070 Ti and RX Vega 56 will cost about 35 thousand rubles, and RX Vega 64 and GTX 1080 - 40-45 thousand.
The RTX 2070, RTX 2080, RTX 2080 Ti and GTX 1080 Ti cost from 40 to 100 thousand rubles stand alone. These are the most powerful video cards available to the mass consumer. It would be rash to take them for games in Full HD - there are still no projects that need such power. These cards will be useful only for those who are engaged in the creation and processing of video and images (streamers, editors, 3D artists and animators), or those who want to enjoy the latest games on "ultra" in ultra-high resolution at 60 or more frames per second …
3. Resolution
The performance of video cards in games is greatly influenced by the resolution of the monitor. If your display is less than Full HD - 1,600 × 900, 1,280 × 720, or 1,366 × 768 - then even a budget option like the GTX 1050 Ti will be enough for you to play at high settings.
For Full HD, you need at least a GTX 1060 or RX 580, and better - a GTX 1070. For a resolution of 2,560 × 1,440, for example, a GTX 1070 Ti is perfect. For a comfortable game in 4K (3 840 × 2 160), you need a card no worse than a GTX 1070, but for the best performance you should take an RTX 2080 or RTX 2080 Ti - they give out 50-60 frames per second at "ultra".
4. Processor power
When choosing a video card for games, you need to keep in mind how powerful the processor you have installed. Modern projects are very demanding on this component of the computer. So, a top model like the RTX 2080 will not be able to fully open up with a mid-range processor - for example, the i5-7500. That is, even having spent fabulous money on a video card, you will not be able to play new items on the "ultra" because of this circumstance.
It is best to take a video card from the same segment as the processor. For the budget i3 or Ryzen 3 - the budget GTX 1050 Ti. For i5 or Ryzen 5, a GTX 1060, RX 580 or GTX 1070 are better suited. For the most powerful i7 or Ryzen 7, you should take at least a GTX 1070, and better - an RTX 2070 or GTX 1080 Ti.
The exception is Intel processors of the eighth and ninth generations: you can safely select video cards from the segment above, because they are faster and more powerful than their predecessors. The generation number is the first digit in the processor number. For example, the i3-8100 belongs to the eighth generation.
5. Modifications
Video cards differ not only in models, but also in manufacturers - for example, MSI, Gigabyte, Palit and ASUS - and modifications. If you have decided on a model, but cannot choose which version to take, then pay attention to the cooling system, the power of the chip and the line to which the card belongs.
For example, turbine cooling is usually louder than analogs. Two or three coolers are a relatively quiet and efficient solution. For a small card (about 170 mm) one cooler is usually sufficient. Passively cooled video cards (that is, without coolers and turbines) do not emit any sounds at all, but it is better to put them in well-ventilated cases.
The letters OC can be found in the name of some modifications. They mean overclocked. That is, the power of the chips of these cards has been increased, which means that they are obviously more productive than their analogs.
Some companies create whole series of video card modifications. So, the AORUS line from Gigabyte, ROG Strix from ASUS, GAMING X from MSI and GamingPro from Palit include the most powerful versions.
When looking for the right card, keep in mind that even the best manufacturers have bad models. Before buying, be sure to read the product reviews (for example, on Yandex. Market) and look at a couple of reviews (on YouTube or sites like overclockers.ua).
A video card is often not a cheap purchase, so it is best to get it from a store that provides a guarantee. But if you do not mind sending the device to the seller by mail in the event of a malfunction, then take a closer look at foreign stores - they usually come out cheaper through them.
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