What to look for in a good GPU

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JRSMITH

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Jul 15, 2013
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Hi guys, Newbie to TomsHardware here.

I want to get a <$200 graphics/video card for my dual monitor setup (1920x1080 + 1600x900)

What specs should I look for when browsing through hundreds of cards.

The memory? The clock speed?

Also, will the (for example) gtx XXX 1gb 800mhz made by asus run equally to one made by evga?

Thanks in advance!
 
Solution
Neospiral
Really, budget should be your deciding factor in purchasing a new video card. At many price points, there are roughly equal AMD and nVidia solutions out there.

The memoryis important with how many displays you run, what resolutions you'll be running, etc.

The clock speed should only matter when comparing different boards with the same GPU. I.e., the GTX 650 from Asus compared to the GTX 650 made by eVGA. Otherwise, look at GPU models, rather than specs.

For the ~$200 price point, you're kind of in the middle of two options. You can get a higher end GTX 650 Ti Boost, or an HD 7850 which is a smidgen better but is closer to the $200. If you can swing a bit more, you can do a 7870XT or a GTX 760.

For brands, I swear by eVGA...
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Novuake

Novuake

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Aug 27, 2011
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Hmmm the best way, look at benchmarks for specific GPUs, for example a GTX680 2 GB of 1000MHz from 2 different manufacturer will pretty much perform the same. But quality is something to consider.

What is your full system specs? Power supply especially?
 
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Neospiral

Neospiral

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Jun 28, 2013
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Really, budget should be your deciding factor in purchasing a new video card. At many price points, there are roughly equal AMD and nVidia solutions out there.

The memoryis important with how many displays you run, what resolutions you'll be running, etc.

The clock speed should only matter when comparing different boards with the same GPU. I.e., the GTX 650 from Asus compared to the GTX 650 made by eVGA. Otherwise, look at GPU models, rather than specs.

For the ~$200 price point, you're kind of in the middle of two options. You can get a higher end GTX 650 Ti Boost, or an HD 7850 which is a smidgen better but is closer to the $200. If you can swing a bit more, you can do a 7870XT or a GTX 760.

For brands, I swear by eVGA, Gigabyte, Asus, and MSI for nVidia, Gigabyte, Sapphire, Asus, and MSI for AMD.

Typically the Gigabyte, or occasionally MSI or Asus cards will have the highest factory OC (meaning the highest clock speed within the realm of safe operation for the GPU, usually above the stock speed). This is going to be most important stat between boards with the same GPU that determines performance.
 
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Solution
J

JRSMITH

Honorable
Jul 15, 2013
24
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10,510


I'm slowly building my pc as my laptop is not cutting it
Intel Core i5 4670K 3.4GHz or FX 8320 Black Edition 3.5GHz
430w psu
8gb ram
120gb kingston SSD
 
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J

JRSMITH

Honorable
Jul 15, 2013
24
0
10,510


Corsair
CX430 V2
 
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Novuake

Novuake

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Aug 27, 2011
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OK this is the biggest card you can put on that PSU in my opinion. Otherwise you need to upgrade it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130910

It is a pretty good card and can run any game at 1080p, may not be extremely high settings, but its pretty good none the less.
 
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