The key here is to not just look at how high the core speed is and assume it is a good card. Larger numbers in the clock speed can mean faster performance, but how well the architecture is optimized may have more impact. It represents the speed the GPU cores operate at. GDDR5 is what is needed for any modern gaming and is the standard on any GPU in the past 3 years.Ĭore Speed/Clock Speed - This is defined in Mhz or Ghz. The common ones are GDDR3, which is old, and GDDR5. Memory Type - This is the part that says GDDR#. Many other factors determine the capability of the GPU as well. This is also not the end all, be all either. Anything less than 2GB should not be used for gaming. Usually 2GB will get you by, 3GB is good, 4GB is great, and anything more will be 4k resolution ready.
It is essentially the amount of dedicated gaming RAM the GPU has to use. Do note that a 4k monitor is needed for this resolution. This is the premium resolution that only the best graphics cards can handle.
When running benchmarks be sure to be looking at the 1080p results.Ĥk - This means 3840 pixels × 2160 lines. This resolution is needed to provide crisp visuals for video or games. Most people today run FHD for games and movies. More expensive monitors are needed to show more than 60fps.ġ080p - This is the resolution setting for Full HD or 1920x1080. A general rule of thumb is 30fps is minimum for playing and 60fps is optimal. The more frames per second means the smoother the game or video will look. Here are some common words and their definitions in the graphics world:įPS - Frames per second.
We are going to take it from the top on this guide and start by defining some of the common terms used in GPUs and then we will dive into how benchmarking cards work, and then wrap up with the five best benchmarks for you to run and test a GPU with. Otherwise you may pay way too much for more than you need or end up without enough power to do what you intended to do. Graphics cards are a long-term investment, so it is important to pick the right one.
In this article we are going to help you understand a little more about how benchmarks work, what they show you, and how to interpret the results so that you can choose the graphics card best suited for your needs.