This buying guide will help you determine which graphics card to buy based on your budget and specific needs.
A dedicated graphics card can’t compensate for a poor monitor, slow SSD, or other hardware.
Like with many gaming PC components, the price of a graphics card can vary a lot.
Chiradech / Getty Images
The less you pay, the more compromises you’re gonna wanna make.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth buying a budget graphics card in some cases.
Some graphics cards sell above their manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRPs).
In some cases, buying a graphics card as part of a prebuilt system is cheaper than individually.
The chart below breaks down what to expect.
Most players and editors will be happy with a $300-$500 graphics card.
What Processor and Memory Does a Graphics Card Need?
Graphics cards come from two brands: AMD Radeon and Nvidia GeForce.
Currently, Nvidia provides the best graphics cards with the RTX 40 graphics cards.
The GeForce RTX 4090 is the best if money is no object.
However, the 4060 or 4070 is often far more affordable.
However, the AMD Radeon RX 7000 range is also worth considering if you have a slimmer budget.
These cards can play games at 1080p resolution with lower graphic detail levels and handle editing 1080p videos.
In both cases, the higher the number, the better the card.
In a similar vein, the more memory, the better.
Unlike regular RAM, it works solely with the graphics card to ensure better detail levels and quality.
Chiradech / Getty Images
Are You Using a Laptop or Desktop?
For example, ensure your PC’s power supply offers enough power and the correct connector punch in.
Powerful graphics cards often have large heatsinks and fans, which can take up a lot of room.
So you don’t see any gains in performance (just an emptier wallet).
It’s also helpful to check what displays the card supports, such as HDMI or DisplayPort.
Different cards offer different numbers of ports.
Laptop users can’t upgrade the graphics card internally, but buying an external one is possible.
What Features Are There With Graphics Cards?
Check the features a graphics card has before buying it.
For instance, you want it to match the rest of your PC’s specs and monitor.
It’s also helpful to think about the refresh rate of your monitor.
How Readily Available Are the Latest Graphics Cards?
Due to continuing supply chain issues, not all the latest graphics cards are always available.
When they are, they can often be priced well above retail prices due to demand.
Be flexible with your purchase.
When you see the one best for your needs, buy it as it’s likely to sell fast.
What Is a Graphics Card or GPU in a Computer?
A graphics card orGPUcreates the images you see on your monitor.
It’s vital for anyone looking to play games on their PC or edit videos.
Who Should Buy a Graphics Card?
Not everyone needs a dedicated graphics card.
Here’s who will benefit from one.
What Should I Do After I Buy a Graphics Card?
Tocheck your current graphics card in Windows 11, open Task Manager, then go toPerformance>GPU.
InWindows 10, right-clickStart>equipment Manager>Display Adapters>GPU.
