Comparing the number of cores across two cards in the same architecture will give a more straightforward comparison. However, comparing cores across manufacturers may not give you an accurate idea of the difference in graphical power, as more variables can affect GPU performance, such as clock speed and architecture.Įven within the same gpu brand, architecture (the design or process upon which a GPU was built) can vastly alter the performance of cores. Having more cores will deliver more performance. These cores can be thought of as the many individual computing units in the GPU that do the graphics computations and calculations. Stream Processor is the nomenclature for AMD hardware and CUDA Cores for Nvidia. In general more expensive GPUs are more powerful in terms of performance and deliver more graphics processing capabilities and functions. On desktop pcs you can change the graphics card to upgrade to a newer one, whereas this might not be possible on laptops. Similarly nvidia uses the term SLI for multi gpu setup whereas AMD uses the name Crossfire for its multi gpu solution.ĭedicated graphics cards are available as discrete pci cards for desktops pcs and complete pre-installed inside laptops. For example Nvidia uses the term CUDA Cores where as AMD calls them Stream processors. The gpus have many similar technologies implemented under a different code name. There is a graphics card for every use case from basic gaming to high fps gaming and 3d modelling. The GPU is often referred to as the graphics co-processor or the graphics chipset, both of which mean the same thing. Both the brands offer a really large collection of GPUs in various prices points and feature set. Their GPUs are then used by 3rd party manufacturers to make graphics cards. There are only 2 brands that make GPUs, namely Nvidia and AMD. In this article we shall talk about the key features and specs of graphics cards that you need to know when buying one. So even if you have a big budget, its important to make sure that the graphics processing power of the graphics card is actually worth the price. If you are planning to buy a graphics card then its imperative to evaluate key specs like gpu, memory and power requirements.Įven though its true that more expensive graphics cards are more powerful than cheaper ones, they may not always have the best price to performance ratio. Graphics Cards have a lot of technical specifications that determine its performance.

Other applications based on 3D graphics like modelling, animation etc also require a graphics card.īesides specific applications even standard applications and OSes like windows and linux require some level of graphics capabilities for optimum performance. These graphics cards can be changed and upgraded in future.įor gaming pcs graphics cards are absolutely necessary as most modern 3d games require one.

On desktop PCs we have the option of installing a discrete graphics card into the pcie slots.

What graphics card do i have