Choosing the Best Graphics Card for your
Custom PC
The graphics card is an extremely important element in the construction of any Custom PC. It can be an area where you may have minimalist needs (ie you primarily use the PC for e-mails, a few Word documents and the Internet) or demanding requirements (ie gaming, CAD, Animation etc) or you maybe somewhere between the two (ie home video-editing, home photographic manipulation, basic gaming).
If you get the wrong balance you may end up spending a fortune on something you don't need or fail to spend enough, causing a bottleneck in the system or worse still, a system that fails to deliver what you want.
Don't be misled into assuming that a lot of onboard RAM means a better card... some of the old cards have been superceded with much faster alternatives using smaller amounts of RAM
The following list provides a few pointers for those that need it, followed by some direct links to websites where comparision charts can be consulted or technical specifications reviewed in depth.
Choosing the best solution for your activity:-
| Computers Intended Use |
Suggested Solution |
| E-mails, Word and other Office Applications, Internet browsing, watching a DVD, looking at Photos or running other light applications including basic games such as those that come free with Windows XP or Vista. |
Integrated Graphics or the most basic card you can choose will, more than likely, be adequate. |
| The above plus, entry level gaming (ie older games and the later ones on low resolutions), Home video-editing and photographic manipulation. |
A graphics card with 128-256MB of RAM such as the GeForce 7XXX series will suffice although an entry level 8500 card will provide better support for Vista & DirectX 10 |
| Gaming machines capable of the above plus recent games on medium resolutions. |
The latest games are very demanding and in order to enjoy what they have to offer, decent frame rates are essential. The 8600GT is the minimum you should consider. |
| As above plus latest games on medium to high resolutions |
Consider the latest 8800GT series in conjunction with Windows Vista - this will ensure DirectX 10 support and better visuals. |
| Latest games on the highest resolutions plus all the above. |
Regrettably the latest games are capable of stretching even the most powerful gaming rig with Dual or Triple SLi. However the 8800GTS range are at the forefront when it comes to performance and you won't be disappointed. |
| Video Editing |
For basic home Video Editing, you don't need a powerful graphics card because most of the work is done by the processor and RAM and not the graphics card itself. However, a reasonable card such as the 256MB 8600GT won't let you down; for professional solutions, you may consider the FireGL or Quadro range to be more appropriate. |
| Animation/CAD |
Highly intensive graphics applications at a professional level demand powerful solutions - the solution is the FireGL and Quadr Range. The more you spend the better the performance, features and support for the latest technology. These are NOT gaming cards. they focus on a totally different set of values. If you want to play games then consider a second machine! |
| Sound Studios |
The sound industry tend to focus on the processor and ram with graphics taking a back seat. A half decent card is essential to take the strain off the processor, but anything with 128MB or 256MB of RAM will be more than adequate. |
| Multiple Monitor Set-up |
Most cards now days come with dual monitor capability. What you need to ensure is that the resolution of the monitors you use can be serviced by the graphics card - often running two monitors from one card can result in a reduction to the screen resolution unless you use specialist cards eg Financial Traders will use the Nvidia Quadro Range.
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Useful links:-
Graphics Card Comparison Charts : - Click here and choose an appropriate application. This will help you determine whats best and what's not!
SLi & X-Fire Comparison Charts ; - Specially for the extreme gamer! Click here
Workstation Graphics Cards - Click here
Latest News on all Graphics Cards: - Click here Don't forget that the latest cards are usually hard to get hold of and you pay a massive premium for owning one in the early days. If you see something thats not on the site, drop us a line, we may have it but simply don't advertise it due to limited numbers.
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Radeon Product Links: -
Workstation Graphics - GPUs for professional 3D and multi-view 2D applications. Click here
Desktop PC Graphics for Home and Office - GPUs for gaming, HD home entertainment and personal productivity. Click here
Latest Drivers - Click here
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Nvidia Product Links: -
Workstation Graphics - NVIDIA provides a full range of robust products designed for the professional workstation user. Whether you're a designer developing the latest automobile, a 3D artist working on the next blockbuster film, or a financial trader on Wall Street, NVIDIA Quadro® graphics solutions and NVIDIA nForce® Professional motherboards deliver unmatched power and performance Click here
Desktop PC Graphics for Home and Office - For work or play, gaming or digital media, NVIDIA hardware and software solutions deliver the power and performance PC users require. Click here
Latest Drivers - Click here
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