When renewing a PC, the graphics card is one of the most important elements if your aspiration is to use the PC to play. If you are in that position and want to know which card to buy and how to choose it properly, we have prepared our graphics card buying guide with tips and the 11 best models that you can currently buy according to your budget and needs.

Buying a graphics card: what you should know

Before diving in between prices or specifications of graphics cards to renew your PC, it is essential that you take a first step consisting of checking the compatibility of your current equipment. And it's not just about connectors.

*(The power supply, the motherboard and the PCI slots are the first elements to check for compatibility with the future graphics card of our dreams.)*

The first thing that you should observe in your current equipment is the issue of size, connections and configuration. The question of size is so basic that we could forget about it inadvertently: current graphics cards have a considerable size and could not fit within the tangle of current components that we have connected to our motherboard. The most complete models, for example, usually require the space of two PCIe slots and also due to their dimensions we must ensure that they are compatible with the current PC case.

Another direct check would be that of the power supply. Depending on the model we choose, the most powerful cards of today are avid consumers of energy and need a source that provides it since they are not powered by the connection port but rather have dedicated power connectors. And pay attention to the number of 6/8 pin connections that we have available for the most powerful graphics.

In the event that the graphics card of our dreams is not compatible with the previous components, the renewal of the PC must include more elements.

The graphics card is not alone on the PC

The desire to have the best graphics performance confronts the reality of the budget that we have and the fact that the graphics card is not the only component of our gaming system or work with video / photo or mining. Finding the right balance will depend on many factors.

*(In many cases, renewing the graphics card usually means investing a significant amount in adapting other components to the future reality of our PC.)*

It will be useless to acquire a high-end card if neither memory nor processor are balanced and will complement the new beast of the team. Even the monitor can be a bottleneck that requires a facelift.

We will have to assess whether investing in a graphics to play at 4K without having a monitor with which to take advantage of that extra is something we want to do thinking about the future (where we will buy a new monitor) or on the contrary, without planning to renew the monitor, it will be an expense of money that we will not take advantage of and that it will be convenient to reserve for a future purchase.

Finally, and perhaps the most important thing when buying a graphics card to renew our PC, we must be as clear as possible the purpose and use that we will give our PC with the new graphics card. The decision on the resolution at which we aspire to play or mine at what frequency per second we want in a sustained way will be the starting point to choose the best graphics card.

Models of previous generations that have dropped in price or not high ranges are good options if they fit our real needs a few years from now.

What to look at in the specifications of a graphics card

Once you have clear the compatibility of your current equipment and the needs that you are going to want to cover, it is time to start comparing graphics cards. But what should I look at when choosing the best option according to my interests?

If your aspiration is to have the best graphics to play or the best long-term mining power, you should go to the latest generation and the most advanced model that you can afford within the requirements you are looking for and your budget. The jumps between generations are usually substantial both at the level of performance and consumption so the generation we are talking about is key.

But it should be noted that the difference in performance between the best model of a generation and the previous range card may not correspond proportionally to the price jump. There are also differences between rival models of equivalent ranges from AMD or Nvidia.

Power and speed of a graphics card

In each model of graphics card there are innumerable characteristics that mark its power and performance. The most straightforward are gross power TFLOPS, CUDA cores, or running speed / frequency.

If you compare this data within the same generation you will be able to have a basic overview of the performance level of each model. In all three cases a higher number of frequencies, TFLOPS or CUDA cores indicate a more powerful model.

With the new generations of graphics cards like the Nvidia RTX, there are new indicators for specific sections of performance. This is the case of the Nvidia RTX with Turing architecture, in which we now have measurements of giga-rays per second (ray tracing power) and RTX-OPS, a kind of summary of the main operations of the graphics card. It is therefore necessary to review and compare more sections, in these cases the Tensor Cores and the RT Cores.

The amount and type of memory on graphics cards

Although the gross power will mark a good part of the decision when choosing a new graphics card for our PC, another value that we must pay attention to is the type of memory that the card includes and its bandwidth (measured in GB / s).

*(In addition to the amount of memory of a graph, you have to look at the bandwidth of the same)*

And be careful because a graphics card with the same graphics processor can vary in performance and price depending on the amount of associated memory in the specific version that we are going to buy.

The memory section is one of the most different between manufacturers and ranges, and the current fight between Nvidia and AMD is partly in the use of the HBM / HBM2 type by the second, and Nvidia's preference for GDDR5 / GDDR5X / GDDR6. Typically, the HBM type is present in the highest range and the GDDR in the lower ones.

Connectors, power and video outputs

The following specifications or features to evaluate and compare between graphics cards are easier. They have to do with consumption, cooling, connectors or video outputs offered to the user.

If we refer to power and consumption, the way in which to connect it depends on the range. We can find cards that are fed directly from the connection slot, while current high-end cards usually have their own power connections (we must check that we have free connectors in the power supply)

The figure that marks the maximum consumption, overclocking possibilities and power requirements, as in the processors, is the TDP. And watch out for the standard cooling systems because the noise at full performance of the graphics card will depend on them.

Regarding the outputs and connectors, we must pay particular attention to whether there is the capacity to use more than one monitor, the maximum resolution supported, as well as the compatibility or the connectors available.

Manufacturers Editions and SLI

With each introduction of the graphics cards from the two giants AMD and Nvidia, hardware manufacturers complete the reference models with custom editions in different aspects, often including interesting improvements.

The most common ones that are not mere appearance (such as lighting and customization) have to do with cooling, connections / outputs, power and even speed thanks to standard overclocking values. Here you must assess whether the extra price is relevant for the use you are going to make of that improved graph.

In some specific cases, the user of a PC intended for video editing or 3D creation needs a graphic configuration made up of more than one dedicated card. They are the ones who should look for cards compatible with crossfire or SLI technologies, depending on whether we are referring to AMD or Nvidia models.

Finally, and if you are looking for something very specific, you should pay attention to proprietary technologies of each manufacturer. Freesync, Ansel, Game Stream and other similar ones are added that, although they are not at the level of what you should look at first of all in a graphics card, they can be of value.

Which graphics card to choose for a PC: 11 recommended models

Once we have reviewed the highlights that we must take into account before buying a graphics card to renew our PC, we have to focus on the best models currently available on the market and organized according to our budget and range.

For each price range we have selected models varied in features and prices to suit the majority of users as well as matching solutions from AMD and Nvidia in case, due to the technology of your monitor (AMD FreeSync or Nvidia G-Sync), you need a card of a specific brand to get the most out of it.

*(The recommendations for graphics cards in the different price ranges are indicative in some cases due to the large fluctuation in prices of the component market and the specific offers of some stores)*

Best graphics cards under 150 euros

If your budget to buy a new graphics card is very tight and the integrated graphics of the new Intel processors or the combined solutions of AMD are insufficient, there are some recommended models that, in general, will allow you to play with 1080p quality (even in Ultra mode) to many current games with an average frame rate of at least 30 fps and up to 60 fps in some cases.

MSI Radeon RX 570 Armor 4G OC

AMD has a very powerful entry and middle range of graphics in relation to performance / price. The queen of its catalog currently if you do not want to spend a lot of money is the Radeon RX 580, although there are many different versions and prices vary in a very short time. If you can find it for less than 150 euros, it is the best option for that price.

We can now be had for under € 150 an MSI Radeon RX 570 4G Armor OC combining good construction emphasizes cooling with 4GB GDDR5 and content consumption.

• PROCESSOR -------------------AMD Radeon GRAPHIC RX 570

• MEMORY ---------------------4 GB GDDR5

• MEMORY BUS ------------------256 bits

• VIDEO OUTPUTS ----------------DisplayPort 1.4 x 3, HDMI 2.0b x 1, DVI x 1

• RECOMMENDED POWER SUPPLY---- 450 watts

• DIMENSIONS -------------------246 x 130 x 39 mm

• PRICE-------------------------148 euros

If due to the usual price fluctuations of the graphics, this version of the RX 570 escaped your budget, a very interesting option, also with 4 GB of GDDR5 memory, would be the XFX RX 570 for 139 euros.

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 Ti

Nvidia also has in its catalog a graphics card capable of offering us good results at 1080p with most games on the market with a minimum of 30 fps and an affordable price. The Ti model of the veteran GeForce 1050, specifically the Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1050 Ti construction, comes with 4 GB of memory but is especially interesting because it does not require external power, since it takes it directly from the motherboard. It is also fairly quiet in operation and the manufacturer recommends a source of only 300W.

• PROCESSOR ----------------------------GeForce GTX 1050 Ti

• MEMORY ------------------------------4 GB GDDR5

• MEMORY BUS ---------------------------128 bits

• VIDEO OUTPUTS -------------------------DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0b x 1, DVI x 1

• RECOMMENDED POWER SUPPLY-------------300 watts

• DIMENSIONS ----------------------------246 x 130 x 39 mm

• PRICE ----------------------------------143 euros

Better graphics cards up to 350 euros

Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER

If you can stretch the budget a bit more, Nvidia's previous graphics card has a very well balanced evolution for just a little more outlay. The Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER Windforce OC with 4 GB of GDDR6 memory is a well-cooled graphics and with which to take advantage of the improvements of the Turing architecture without going over the price. You need a source of at least 350W and uses 6-pin power.

• GRAPHIC PROCESSOR---------GeForce GTX 1650 SUPER

• MEMORY ------------------4 GB GDDR6

• MEMORY BUS--------------- 128 bits

• VIDEO OUTPUTS -------------DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0b x 1, DVI x 1

• RECOMMENDED POWER SUPPLY-------------350 watts

• DIMENSIONS ----------------330 x 235 x 6 mm

• PRICE ----------------------187 euros

Asus Dual Radeon RX 5500 XT EVO OC

Under the AMD umbrella there is also a next-gen graphics solution for those seeking the latest from the company's hardware. This Radeon RX 5500 XT, although with a somewhat higher consumption, offers performance on par with the previous solution from Nvidia. It is the most powerful solution for this graphics, with 8 GB of GDDR6 memory, perfect for those who aspire to play at 1080p with rates of 60 fps.

• GRAPHIC PROCESSOR ------------------Radeon RX 5500 XT

• MEMORY ----------------------------8 GB GDDR6

• MEMORY BUS-------------------------128 bits

• VIDEO OUTPUTS -----------------------DisplayPort 1.4 x 3, HDMI 2.0b

• RECOMMENDED POWER SUPPLY ----------450 watts

• DIMENSIONS -------------------------242 x 130 x 49 mm

• PRICE -------------------------------239 euros

MSI GeForce RTX 2060 Ventus XS OC

For a little more than the GTX 1660 XC, which now has a price of around 300 euros, we can get an RTX card from Nvidia and the advantages, among others, of Ray Tracing. The model we recommend is the version with 6 GB of GDDR6 memory of the MSI GeForce RTX 2060 Ventus XS OC graphics card, a model with overclocking and reinforced cooling that will allow us to play current titles with rates above 60 fps at 1440p and around 30 fps in 4K games. In addition to these benefits, the official consumption of 160 W is quite accomplished.

• GRAPHIC PROCESSOR ---------------------GeForce RTX 2060

• MEMORY -------------------------------6 GB GDDR6

• MEMORY BUS ----------------------------192 bits

• VIDEO OUTPUTS --------------------------DisplayPort 1.4 x 3, HDMI 2.0b

• RECOMMENDED POWER SUPPLY --------------500 watts

• DIMENSIONS -----------------------------216 x 132 x 42 mm

• PRICE -----------------------------------349 euros

Better graphics cards up to 600 euros

Sapphire Nitro + Radeon RX 5700 XT

En el margen de precios por debajo de los 600 euros, la Radeon RX 5700 XT ha demostrado en los benchmarks que, si no aspiramos a sacar todo el partido ahora mismo al Ray Tracing, su rendimiento está a la par en general que las RTX 2060 y 2070 SUPER, pero con un precio sensiblemente inferior, como es el caso de esta versión Sapphire Nitro+ Radeon RX 5700 XT con la que podremos llegar a juegar en 4K superando los 40-50 fps en muchos títulos actuales y exigentes.

• GRAPHIC PROCESSOR ----------------------------AMD Radeon RX 5700

• MEMORY --------------------------------------8 GB GDDR6

• MEMORY BUS----------------------------------- 256 bits

• VIDEO OUTPUTS ---------------------------------DisplayPort 1.4 x 2, HDMI 2.0b x 2

• RECOMMENDED POWER SUPPLY ---------------------650 watts

• DIMENSIONS ------------------------------------306 x 135 x 49 mm

• PRICE ------------------------------------------469 euros
  

EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 FTW GAMING

If in addition to gross performance what we are looking for in a graphics card is good construction, extras everywhere and an exclusive touch, some versions of manufacturers provide it at a cost of even double the price of the reference model. This is the case of this EVGA GeForce GTX 1070 FTW GAMING with exclusive details on the fans, RGB lights, dual BIOS system or extensive overclocking capacity.

• GRAPHIC PROCESSOR -----------------------------------GeForce GTX 1070

• MEMORY ---------------------------------------------------8 GB GDDR5

• MEMORY BUS ---------------------------------------------256 bits

• VIDEO OUTPUTS ------------------------------------------ DisplayPort 1.4 x 1, HDMI 2.0b x 1, DVI x 1

• RECOMMENDED POWER SUPPLY ---------------------500 watts

• DIMENSIONS ------------------------------------------------266 x 128 mm

• PRICE ---------------------------------------------------------483 euros

Nvidia RTX 2070 Super OC

If the Ray Tracing and all the news that the Turing architecture brings are an essential part of your purchase decision, without going over 600 euros and looking for 4K game at more than 30 fps, as well as 1440p above 80 fps, the most complete Nvidia we find it in the RTX 2070, specifically the MSI version with overclocking and advanced ventilation system.

• GRAPHIC PROCESSOR -------------------------------------GeForce RTX 2070 SUPER

• MEMORY ------------------------------------------------------8 GB GDDR6

• MEMORY BUS -------------------------------------------------256 bits

• VIDEO OUTPUTS ----------------------------------------------DisplayPort 1.4 x 3, HDMI 2.0b x1

• RECOMMENDED POWER SUPPLY -------------------------650 watts

• DIMENSIONS ---------------------------------------------------257 x 127 x 41 mm

• PRICE -------------------------------------------------------------544 euros

Sapphire NITRO+ Radeon RX Vega 64

The most powerful graphics of the previous generation from AMD, with its impressive 8 GB of HBM2 memory, is an interesting graphic if you plan to take advantage of a monitor with FreeSync and that allows you to enjoy rates above 80 fps in almost all current games (1440p) and exceed 30-40 at 4K and maximum quality in many others. Attentive yes to consumption and that it is well refrigerated.

• GRAPHIC PROCESSOR -----------------------------------Radeon RX VEGA 64

• MEMORY ----------------------------------------------------8 GB HBM2

• MEMORY BUS ----------------------------------------------2048 bits

• VIDEO OUTPUTS --------------------------------------------DisplayPort 1.4 x 2, HDMI 2.0b x 2

• RECOMMENDED POWER SUPPLY -----------------------750 watts

• DIMENSIONS --------------------------------------------------310 x 133 x 54 mm

• PRICE -----------------------------------------------------------479 euros

Best graphics cards over 600 euros

Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti

Nvidia's most powerful graphics card for the consumer market is an aspiration for anyone who wants the best gaming equipment at home. You have to pay it and it is not exactly the example of quality / price ratio, but in return we ensure a 4K game at more than 60 fps.

• GRAPHIC PROCESSOR ----------------------------------------------------GeForce RTX 2080 Ti

• MEMORY --------------------------------------------------------------------11 GB GDDR6

• MEMORY BUS --------------------------------------------------------------352 bits

• VIDEO OUTPUTS -----------------------------------DisplayPort 1.4 x 3, HDMI 2.0b x 1, USB-C x 1

• RECOMMENDED POWER SUPPLY -------------------------------------650 watts

• DIMENSIONS ---------------------------------------------------------------327 x 140 x 55.6 mm

• PRICE ------------------------------------------------------------------------1309 euros

GIGABYTE Radeon VII

If in the true high-end graphics cards of the consumer market, AMD has always had it almost impossible, the Radeon VII has landed to give a real alternative to the best Nvidia cards. The GIGABYTE Radeon VII HBM2 is a graphics card beast, second generation of the Vega architecture, now at 7nm and with a bandwidth of 1TB / s. It is your card if you always want to play at 1440p / 4K and with DX12, as it is the combination where it stands out

• GRAPHIC PROCESSOR ------------------------------------------------Radeon VII

• MEMORY --------------------------------------------------------------16 GB HBM2

• MEMORY BUS ---------------------------------------------------------4096 bits

• VIDEO OUTPUTS ---------------------------------DisplayPort 1.4 x 3, HDMI 2.0b x 1

• RECOMMENDED POWER SUPPLY ---------------------------------750 watts

• DIMENSIONS ----------------------------------------------------280 x 125 x 40 mm

• PRICE --------------------------------------------------------------------956 euros

Well here comes my article on the 11 best video cards and tips on the market, due to the high demand for hardware due to mining, simply the prices of these products are very fruitful so the prices mentioned here are not entirely correct, they are amounts that cost from launch entry and does not add to the new range of Nvidia RTX 3080 because Nvidia implemented a new measure to prevent its video cards from being used in mining in order to mitigate the high demand for this specific product, due to the lack of stock finally, I hope this long semi-detailed article has helped you as the first post created on this platform ....