A graphics-processing unit, or GPU, is an electronic circuit that assists a computer in the rendering of images. A GPU can be integrated in the motherboard or in the central processing unit (CPU), but when buying a gaming PC, it’s best to choose one with a dedicated video card separate from its motherboard. A dedicated graphics card does its own image processing without consuming much of the processing power of the CPU.
Kotaku and IGN, both gaming websites, say that $500 is the minimum amount recommended to spend when building a gaming computer. However, some of the latest graphics cards cost higher than that amount. In other words, a video card will take a huge percentage of the amount spent on a gaming computer.
So here are some of the latest graphics cards available in the market.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 Ti
First on the list is Nvidia, which is the first company to market GPUs. Many custom-built gaming PCs with Intel and non-AMD cores use Nvidia GPUs.
Nvidia’s latest GPU is the GeForce GTX 1080 Ti. With its next-generation 11 Gbps GDDR5X memory and a massive 11 GB frame buffer, you can set the specs of all the latest games to their highest capacity. The video card has an aluminum body, and its radial fan has an advanced vapor chamber that will make sure to keep it cool even in the hottest environments. The graphics card is priced at $699 on their website, but the retail price can go more than twice the original price.
AMD Radeon RX Vega 64
Competing on the top spot is AMD’s Radeon RX Vega 64, which boasts of its geometry and pixel engine. The RX Vega 64 has 8 GB of memory, which provides the above-decent performance to most graphics-hungry games. It also has FreeSync technology, which resolves the communication issues between processor and monitor, removing image tears and choppiness for a smoother-than-usual gameplay.
Radeon RX Vega 64’s list price is $599 and is around $750 in the market. It is cheaper than GeForce GTX 1080 Ti, but GTX 1080 Ti outperforms RX Vega 64’s speed by 33 percent.
Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
Now if you are looking for something that’s worth the bang without spending many bucks, the GeForce GTX 1060 is the cheaper alternative from Nvidia. It is from the same line as the GTX 1080 Ti but an older release, with only 8 Gbps memory speed. It is priced at $299, relatively cheaper than the latest GPUs. The GeForce GTX 1060 provides the best compromise between performance and price.
AMD Radeon RX 570
The Radeon RX 570 is part of AMD’s 500 series, a lineup they released prior to the Vega series. The line is targeted to the midpriced market and is very similar in specs to those of Nvidia’s GeForce GTX 1060, but cheaper. It has 8 GB DDR5 memory and runs games around 100 frames per second. Radeon RX 570 has slightly better texture detail than GeForce GTX 1060 has, but the latter provides faster rendering and calculation.
Performance versus Price
Generally, the higher-performing graphics card will always have a higher cost than a lower-performing one. If you want a gaming computer that can run the latest games launched in the recent years, you will have to spend more on your video card so the games will run smoothly. do not forget to spend some money on glass pc case for protection.
There are also websites, like UserBenchmark, that help users compare GPUs side by side so they can see the difference in each specification and price. Lastly, here’s a tip when choosing a graphics card: once a new version of a graphics card is released for the same product line, consider buying the second-to-the-latest version because its market cost will be at its lowest price.