Chipset

The main graphics processing chip of the card. It is the most basic feature and indicative of its performance. The two main manufacturers are NVIDIA with the RTX series and AMD with Radeon. 

Let's take a look at them!

NVIDIA GeForce RTX Series

The most recent series are the RTX 4000 and RTX 5000 and they stand out for

• DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling): Uses AI to increase its FPS, with the most recent being DLSS 3 & 3.5
• Ray Tracing: Offers the most realistic depiction of light and its reflection in games.

AMD Radeon RX Series

The most recent series are the RX 7000 and RX 9000 and they stand out for

• FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution): Similar to DLSS, it offers a boost in FPS with minimal reduction in image quality
• Smart Access Memory (SAM): If you also have an AMD processor, it unlocks extra performance

Skroutz Tip: If you're looking for value for money and pure performance power, AMD is a good choice as it is cheaper than the competition at performance levels with lower power consumption. On the other hand, if you're looking for the richest features like DLSS and the top Ray Tracing on the market, NVIDIA is the solution.

Beyond the generation of the card, the model (performance) also matters as each generation offers different solutions for every budget.

This is indicated by the number following the generation, such as 4070 or 7900.

NVIDIA

• 50 = Entry level
• 60/70 = Mid range 
• 80/90 = High end / Flagship

AMD

• 500/600 = Entry level
• 700 = Mid range 
• 800/900 = High end / Flagship

Skroutz Tip: If in an NVIDIA chipset you see the term Ti at the end of the code, it means it performs even better compared to the simple model of the same series. For AMD, the equivalent term is XT & XTX (flagship)

So now that we've burned you out and you don't want to search much more, let's take a look at the recommended models for each use in the tables below!

Card Manufacturers 

Above, we saw the two main companies that manufacture chipsets but not complete graphics cards. This is done by partner manufacturers such as MSI, ASUS, and Gigabyte. Therefore, when searching for an RTX 4070 card, you may find versions from 3–4 different manufacturers, each offering additional features such as RGB lighting, heatsinks, and size.

VRAM (Memory Capacity)

Temporarily stores all the graphics displayed on your screen. The larger it is, the smoother the image. If you are interested in casual gaming, 16GB will be sufficient, otherwise, to play fully modern titles, look for 24–32GB.

Memory Type

Affects the speed at which data can be accessed. The most common modern types are GDDR6 & GDDR6X for even greater gaming performance. The latest and most recent generation is GDDR67 (in the RTX 5000 series), offering huge data transfer speeds.

PCIe Interface

The way the card connects to your motherboard. The most common version is 4.0, while the latest generation cards use 5.0. Although there is backward compatibility, a PCIe 5.0 card performs better on a matching motherboard.

Overclocked

Overclocking is a way to unlock your card’s settings so it can run faster. Nowadays, many manufacturers sell cards ready for overclocking so you can adjust them as you wish for increased FPS, but with higher power consumption and temperature. Be careful, as you need to know quite well what you are doing. All cards that support this from the factory have the OC label at the end of their name.

Ports & Connectivity

The ways in which the card connects to your monitor. The most common ways are via HDMI (almost all monitors) or Display Port (ideal for gaming).

Compatibility with your computer

Before proceeding with the purchase of a card, you need to answer the following to avoid surprises

Does it fit in your PC case? Some cards, such as the 4090, take up a lot of space, so you need to pay attention to this.

Can your power supply handle it? Check the power consumption of the card you want to get and whether it is covered by your power supply’s wattage. Ideally, you want it to be significantly higher, so it doesn’t struggle.

Do you have a particularly old motherboard? All modern ones support PCIe x16 slot connection, but if yours is a decade old, it may cause performance issues or may not even be compatible.

Is the rest of your PC up to the same standards? Your system is only as strong as its weakest part. That is, combining a top-tier GPU with a budget monitor or RAM creates a bottleneck, meaning its performance won’t be high because the rest of the system doesn’t allow it.

I hope we helped you choose the right graphics card for your needs.