What to look for in a graphics card

[RockSolid]

I am going to build a new system next month and need some help here

What to look for in a graphics card and that is important before you buy one!
Shader Units?.....192,384,448,512
ROPs?..........32,40,48
Memory Size?......1024,1280,1536,2048
Memory Bus Width?..... 256bit,320bit,384bit
Core Clock?.........810,822,732,750,772,900
Memory Clock?........950,975,1000,1002,1050,

I am lost with all the numbers above and what is important for a video card in speed because there is so many new graphics cards on the market today with or without with OC and SOC on them i just want to make the right choice.

What i don't understand is a GeForce GTX 560 Ti [Core Clock] is 900mhz with OC but a GeForce GTX 570 [Core Clock] is only 780 with OC So is the 560 ti better?

The use of this graphics card is for games and CS5 work. my budget is 300.00

Thank you.

 

[Razgriz]

Its mostly marketing. The 570 still outperforms the 560 ti. I look for vram more then anything. Like the 3gb 580 over the 1.5gb 580

 

[RockSolid]

Its mostly marketing. The 570 still outperforms the 560 ti. I look for vram more then anything. Like the 3gb 580 over the 1.5gb 580

Is the [Shader Units] important for a video card?

I read somewhere there is only two - three feature to look for in a graphics card, but i can't remember where i read it so i came on here for the help. i do like the
Gigabyte GeForce GTX 570 OC 1280MB GDDR5. and MSI GeForce GTX 570 Twin Frozr III Power Edition/OC. what is better in name!

 

[Katalysis]

You look at a relative GPU performance chart (or how it will perform in games you currently play), potential unlockability/overclocking, and then pick what works best in your budget.

All of those numbers (other than the amount of RAM, depending on your resolution) are basically ignorable if you just look at how they perform.

 

[Dangman]

Simplest and fastest way to find the right video card for you: Go read video card reviews. Those will actually tell you just how fast a card really is compared to another. As you have already found out, reading through specs can be maddening.

For example, while Razgriz is correct that the GTX 570 outperforms the GTX 560 Ti, there is another version called the GTX 560 TI 448 Cores which provides 97% of the performance of the GTX 570 while being at least 10 to 15% cheaper. So from a price to performance perspective, the GTX 560 TI 448 Cores is the better option.

 

[jreinlie4]

I always shoot for the top tier cards, regardless of what the specs are. More VRAM is always better.

What I look for in a card:

- Highest performance possible per dollar
- Lowest operating temps
- Very low noise
- High overclock
- 2 or 3 slot design does not matter

Right now, CFX Asus 7970 Direct CU II's are looking like prime candidates for my next setup.
In order to give yourself the most flexibility when purchasing a video card, you much choose a motherboard
with a flexible PCI express layout.

 

[jober1]

At the end of the day the only thing that really matters is how hot the CG girl on the box is, disregard all else.

 

[evilsofa]

What to look for in a video card? The price.

How much are you going to spend on the video card? The video cards with the most bang for the buck are usually found in the $200 to $300 range.

The reference core clock for the 560 Ti and the 570 are the same, 732MHz; when you see cards with higher core clocks than that, they are factory overclocks by the manufacturers. The original 560 Ti has fewer stream processors, fewer ROPs, and less memory bus width than the 570. The 560 Ti 448 is essentially a 570 with an SM unit disabled, making it the best bang-for-buck card under $300 on the Nvidia side.

 

[RockSolid]

You look at a relative GPU performance chart (or how it will perform in games you currently play), potential unlockability/overclocking, and then pick what works best in your budget.

All of those numbers (other than the amount of RAM, depending on your resolution) are basically ignorable if you just look at how they perform.

My Monitor is only 24" 1920x1080 i only play games at this resolution do you mean this?

Simplest and fastest way to find the right video card for you: Go read video card reviews. Those will actually tell you just how fast a card really is compared to another. As you have already found out, reading through specs can be maddening.

For example, while Razgriz is correct that the GTX 570 outperforms the GTX 560 Ti, there is another version called the GTX 560 TI 448 Cores which provides 97% of the performance of the GTX 570 while being at least 10 to 15% cheaper. So from a price to performance perspective, the GTX 560 TI 448 Cores is the better option.

Yes i could read and read all the information about the card but sometimes it's a nightmare, i have seen the GTX 560 Ti 448 Cores but it is still a 560 Ti yes? i am not into [over clocking] but i am looking at SLI in the future.

What to look for in a video card? The price.

How much are you going to spend on the video card? The video cards with the most bang for the buck are usually found in the $200 to $300 range.

The reference core clock for the 560 Ti and the 570 are the same, 732MHz; when you see cards with higher core clocks than that, they are factory overclocks by the manufacturers. The original 560 Ti has fewer stream processors, fewer ROPs, and less memory bus width than the 570. The 560 Ti 448 is essentially a 570 with an SM unit disabled, making it the best bang-for-buck card under $300 on the Nvidia side.

Sorry i should have put the £ sign not the $ sign like i said my budget is £300.00

 

[Dangman]

Yes i could read and read all the information about the card but sometimes it's a nightmare,

A lot better than looking at specs alone. Reviews helps you look past the marketing fluff.

i have seen the GTX 560 Ti 448 Cores but it is still a 560 Ti yes? i am not into [over clocking] but i am looking at SLI in the future.

Only in name actually. Read evilsofa's post right above yous.

 

[Nauseous]

i figure out how much i wanna spend do my research based upon what games i play then buy the best card.

 

[SBSuperfly]

If you really don't know diddly poo, look for performance at your native resolution by looking up multiple benchmarks from reputable reviewers. I kinda like the gpu charts that tomshardware puts together, but I don't solely rely on them. That will make it simple for you.

 

[Forceman]

More VRAM is always better. .

Not if you are paying extra for it and the card doesn't have the GPU horsepower to use it. A single GTX 570 is fine with 1.25GB of RAM, there is no point in paying extra for the 2.5GB version because the card can't run settings that would require that extra VRAM.

The only people who really need to worry about VRAM are people with multi-card or multi-monitor setups.

OP, if you are looking at a card for games and CS5 for around $300, then your best bet is probably the GTX 560 Ti 448 Core (not the regular GTX 560 Ti). It is almost identical in performance to the GTX 570, while still being cheaper.

 

[eggrock]

The only people who really need to worry about VRAM are people with multi-card or multi-monitor setups.

What about games with hi-res texture mods? Is there a formula for picking a card for something like Skyrim's 2048x2048 (or are they 4096) textures at, for example, 1080p?

Or is it a case of trying texture pack A, monitor memory usage in GPU-z and move up/down in texture size as allowed by the card, or simply downsizing if stuttering occurs?

 

[serpretetsky]

you can start here for some general performance numbers of different cards
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/GPU11/188
also notice at the top that they have a separate bench for 2012 video cards if you want to look at those.

Once you have a couple cards selected that you are interested in, google them up and find more reviews.

 

[RockSolid]

A lot better than looking at specs alone. Reviews helps you look past the marketing fluff. .

I have read many reviews on different cards and 31 pages of the reviews on [techpowerup.com] but it still get a thumb up on every card so thats a problem i am having.

OP, if you are looking at a card for games and CS5 for around $300, then your best bet is probably the GTX 560 Ti 448 Core (not the regular GTX 560 Ti). It is almost identical in performance to the GTX 570, while still being cheaper.

Yes GTX 560 Ti 448 Core but the GTX 570 is 480 Core do this mean it better to have higher Shader Units for a card? what do the [Memory Bus Width] do i am using an old XFX GTX275 card and it's Memory Bus Width is 384bit.i play games Skyrim, BF3, MW3, but i am not into fps or over clocking just need a good video card.

I was going for a GTX 560 Ti OC 384 Cores then latter add another one for SLI mode, but after reading so many websites reviews they said a single 580 card was better then a 2x 560 Ti SLI mode and not all games can be played in SLI so now i don't know. is a single card better in your opinion. is it worth spend out more money on a single card like a 570 or 580 on a 1920x1080 monitor.

 

[extide]

DONT WORRY ABOUT THE SPECS.

Just worry about the COST and the PERFORMANCE.

That will make it simpler

 

[RockSolid]

you can start here for some general performance numbers of different cards
http://www.anandtech.com/bench/GPU11/188
also notice at the top that they have a separate bench for 2012 video cards if you want to look at those.

Once you have a couple cards selected that you are interested in, google them up and find more reviews.

Thanks for the link but it don't have my size monitor only 1920x1200 or 1650x1050 to test.

 

[Dangman]

Yes GTX 560 Ti 448 Core but the GTX 570 is 480 Core do this mean it better to have higher Shader Units for a card?

A bit simplistic but yes in the case of the current Nvidia card lineup. However as noted earlier, those extra shaders don't translate into a big performance increase. Despite the GTX 560 TI 448 core having 32 less shaders than the GTX 570, it still has 97% performance of the the GTX 570.

what do the [Memory Bus Width] do i am using an old XFX GTX275 card and it's Memory Bus Width is 384bit..

Note that you cannot compare cards of different generations and designs on specs alone. You have to read reviews to see the performance difference. So despite the GTX 275 having a larger memory bus width than the GTX 560 TI, the GTX 560 Ti still outperforms the GTX 275 as there are a lot of other factors involved.

is it worth spend out more money on a single card like a 570 or 580 on a 1920x1080 monitor.

From a price to performance perspective, no. The GTX 570 is roughly 3% to 5% faster than the GTX 560 Ti yet costs 10% to 15% at a minimum. As for the GTX 580, if you have to ask about price, you shouldn't buy it. The GTX 580 is squarely aimed at those who want the fastest Nvidia performance card possible regardless of its price to performance ratio. So unless you're a gamer that needs every bit of FPS possible, don't bother with the GTX 580. Also if you want to stick with Nvidia and don't want to waste money on small performance increase, stick with the GTX 560 TI 448 Core. It's the highest-end best bang for the buck Nvidia card out now.

Now for the SLI question: If you want max settings, then go for SLI. If you don't need max settings, a single GPU should be enough.

Thanks for the link but it don't have my size monitor only 1920x1200 or 1650x1050 to test.

And? 1920x1200 is a higher resolution that 1920x1080. Therefore it requires a little more GPU. So 1920x1200 is still a good metric for you to use even if you have 1920x1080.

 

[Emission]

My Monitor is only 24" 1920x1080 i only play games at this resolution do you mean this?

For 1920x1080 resolutions you shouldn't need more than 1GB of VRAM, unless you plan to play with the AA and AF settings jacked all the way up.

 

[Forceman]

Another good resource is TechPowerUp. If you check their review for a card (say a GTX 560 Ti 448 core) at the end they show some normalized comparison charts with other cards - that can really help you determine relative performance nad value. For example, here's the page for the 560 Ti 448 where you can see it performs very near to a GTX 570 at 1920x1200.

http://www.techpowerup.com/reviews/Zotac/GeForce_GTX_560_Ti_448_Cores/27.html

As has been said before, don't get hung up on the specs, particuarly across generations or between Nvidia and AMD - there are different ways to achieve the same performance.

 

[MavericK]

Not if you are paying extra for it and the card doesn't have the GPU horsepower to use it. A single GTX 570 is fine with 1.25GB of RAM, there is no point in paying extra for the 2.5GB version because the card can't run settings that would require that extra VRAM.

If you were running SLI you probably could, but yeah I agree that that particular card is not worth the extra $100 or whatever it is.

Also, OP, budget is important to know when choosing a card. What is your budget?

 

[RockSolid]

A bit simplistic but yes in the case of the current Nvidia card lineup. However as noted earlier, those extra shaders don't translate into a big performance increase. Despite the GTX 560 TI 448 core having 32 less shaders than the GTX 570, it still has 97% performance of the the GTX 570.

From a price to performance perspective, no. The GTX 570 is roughly 3% to 5% faster than the GTX 560 Ti yet costs 10% to 15% at a minimum. As for the GTX 580, if you have to ask about price, you shouldn't buy it. The GTX 580 is squarely aimed at those who want the fastest Nvidia performance card possible regardless of its price to performance ratio. So unless you're a gamer that needs every bit of FPS possible, don't bother with the GTX 580. Also if you want to stick with Nvidia and don't want to waste money on small performance increase, stick with the GTX 560 TI 448 Core. It's the highest-end best bang for the buck Nvidia card out now. .

So the GTX 560 TI 448 Core is the higher end of the 560 Ti range is that right, and yes only 3 - 5% is the GTX 570 i don't think i will even see a different in such a small number unless i am into fps but i am not, so it don't matter.

You are right the 5% to 15% of the speed vs price is not worth the extra money on these two cards the price for a GTX 570 480 core is £279.98 and GTX 560 Ti 448 core is £232.99

I also read the 570 and 560 have the same specs only one differents the [Core] So yes it's a good price vs performance or [best bang for the bucks] as you put it.

Thanks for everyone for the good advice and help on my problem.

 

[Dangman]

Thanks for everyone for the good advice and help on my problem.

Good you made the right decision for a Nvidia card.

 

[teletran8]

Metro 2033 easily uses more than 1 GB of GPU memory. I use a 1280x720p 120Hz projector.

I ran it with Normal/High settings can't remember which one, plus DX11, 4xMS, Physx everything else on enhanced DepthOfField etc. (Looks Beautiful, locked in FPS to 45 constant with MSI afterburner for awesome smoothness)

I believe the memory usage was 1200-1400MB on average.

Emulators like the PS2 can easily use 2GB or even beyond that.

Oblivion/Skyrim modded uses over 1GB depending on the mod packs.

I would say any moder DX11 game will be using over 1GB so get the 2GB or 3GB if you intend on playing modern FPS. Even Crysis 2 with DX11 uses around a steady 1.5GB.

Some of you people shouldn't even give advice IMHO. Prob playing DX9 games or just discovered MMOs like it's still 2003 or sumthing.

I also believe BF3 uses around 1.5GBs, so yeah.

If you play Crysis 2, BF3, Metro 2033 (These are all DX11 FPShooters you need a 2GB card, any fool who thinks otherwise is just that. Peace out don't be dumb.

 

[RockSolid]

I read on the pcper.com

GTX 560 Ti 448 if you want to run these in SLI of any form, buy two or three of them NOW - you won't be able to find them for very long and you will not be able to pair them with currently available GTX 560 Ti cards. You MIGHT be able to team them with the GTX 570, but even wasting those 32 CUDA cores seems like an awful use of money to me

So do this mean the GTX 560 Ti 448 will be gone soon? if this true i go for the 570

 

[ClearM4]

DONT WORRY ABOUT THE SPECS.

Just worry about the COST and the PERFORMANCE.

That will make it simpler

This; check reviews. I like HardOCP's reviews.

 

[DahlKen]

Lots of great info here, thnx.

 

[Dangman]

So do this mean the GTX 560 Ti 448 will be gone soon? if this true i go for the 570

There's a possibility yes as there's some concerns about the stock of the GTX 560 TI 448 Core. However, still not enough reason to go with the GTX 570's high price IMO. I doubt you'll actually go with SLI judging from your exact words: "i am not into fps or over clocking just need a good video card." and "i am into fps but i am not, so it don't matter."