A graphics processing unit or GPU is meant to provide additional computing power for the display always check GPU Benchmark Comparison. These come in different forms. Most computers are equipped with a GPU that is embedded in a motherboard. Others are inside the same chip as the central processing unit or CPU. By far, the most powerful kind can be found on discrete cards which can be plugged into a motherboard in one of the expansion slot. Every single one of them have their own pros and cons. Below is a quick buying guide for beginners:
Purpose
Before you purchase anything, you must be clear about how you plan to use the GPU. Are you just trying to build a computer that is powerful enough to sustain a multi-monitor setup? This would be important if you need to check several stocks or security cameras at the same time. Do you want to start gaming with high quality graphics? Then you really need a discrete video card. If you have your eye on the latest titles, 4K video, and high frame rates, then only the latest and greatest will do. If you are fine with older titles, full HD video, and modest frame rates, then you could try cards from a few years ago.
Price
Check just how much you can spare for this purchase. If this is for your work such as 3D animation, then you probably don’t care much about the price. You just want the best that money can buy so that you can produce your best work in as little time as possible. The latest cards are able to render much faster than older ones, after all. If you are a competitive gamer, then the same is probably true. Your performance will be affected by your GPU so get the best one available. However, you do not have to be disheartened if your budget is small. Plenty of games run well with modest specs and card prices are beginning to fall.
Compatibility
Be sure to study your motherboard and what it is capable of. There should be a free slot for the video card that you are planning to install. This slot should be compatible with the GPU or else it will simply not fit. Think about power and cooling as well. The power supply should be able to provide enough juice to run this card for extended periods. It will generate a great deal of heat and performance may suffer if cooling is insufficient.
Benchmarks
Finally, check a GPU Benchmark Comparison Chart to learn how your candidates perform in relation to each other. Standard tests give you clues as to how they will perform, although nothing beats real-life usage to gauge their worth. Sometimes a big difference in benchmarks don’t really translate to much in actual usage scenerios.
