Graphics Card Determination?

[ShadowWolf5144]

Sorry if this has asked before, or if this a very newb question.

I've been muddling around all forums about this but only can find fanboy-dom on what specifically to use. My interest and question is what about a game set the determination of graphics card needed. I understand that the game and various sites will sell you on the minimum and recommended hardware however I'm wanting to know what specifically is required from the card to make the game run smoothly. Memory Size, Clock Core, is chipset really that detrimental: GTX vs GT vs Quadro vs R7 vs R9 ect? I understand some graphics cards are more molded for gaming while others are better for designing ... but what sets them apart?

Forgive me for the rantish question and again sorry if this has been asked before, I have yet to find something the breaks down answers for this question. All I'm really looking for is to be pointed in the right direction.

Thank you in advance to anyone that helps.

 

[fabiodrm]

There are 2 kinds of GPUs and various levels.

1- Common GPUs
2- Rendering/Processes GPUs

1- Common GPUs
Commons GPUs are for customers like us, we use it on our dektops at home, office, lanhouses and etc.

They have basically 3 levels:
1.1 Low range (entry level) - they are used most for office job, excel, playing videos and nothing else. they are not made by games.
Ex: GTX 210, GTX 610, GTX 620, GTX 710, GTX 720, GTX 730, GTX 740, any AMD Redeon R5 series.

1.2 - Mid range - they have more power then the previous one some can be used for gaming but dont expect great performance.
Ex: GTX 750, GTX 750Ti, GTX 760, GTX 950, GTX 960, Any Radeon R7 series and some Radeon R9 models (270, 280, 370, 380)

1.3- High End GPUs - They are strong gpus and can be used for heavy gaming, with higher resolutions and the best quality settings.
Ex: GTX 780, GTX 780Ti, GTX 970, GTX 980, GTX 980ti, Radeon R9 390, R9 390X.

2- Rendering/Processes GPUs
They are used for design, render, modeling and calculus programs. They dont have great perfomance in games but they are really good doing what they are designed for.
Ex: Nvidia Quadro, AMD FirePRO



What determine the best GPU:
Memory Clock speed, memory bandwidth, memory size, GPU clock speed, Chipset model, energy power efficiency, cooling efficiency... and some others parameters.

 

[Guest]

What determine the best GPU:
Memory Clock speed, memory bandwidth, memory size, GPU clock speed, Chipset model, energy power efficiency, cooling efficiency... and some others parameters.

To add on, specs does not always equate to fps, so if you want to buy a gpu for gaming, its also important to check for benchmarks from reviewers

 

[ShadowWolf5144]

Thank you both. I do tend to check the benchmarks but I've found those to be the "4K" and high FPS enthusiast worries, not mine. Don't get me wrong I like high graphics as much as the next gamer, but my goal is to just play, I'm not one to be like " Awe man... I see PIXELS, this is junk." As long as I can play games at bearable setting that don't remind me of Commodore 64, then all is well.

All of which is why I was wondering we exactly determines the game's functionality in collation with the hardware. So for instance as long as I'm able to match the video ram needed along with whatever other recommended hardware specs to be able to run, process, and store the game... in theory I should be fine in the aspect of being able to actually play... and if I want crisp graphics I should go for the recommended or higher.

 

[fabiodrm]

Thank you both. I do tend to check the benchmarks but I've found those to be the "4K" and high FPS enthusiast worries, not mine. Don't get me wrong I like high graphics as much as the next gamer, but my goal is to just play, I'm not one to be like " Awe man... I see PIXELS, this is junk." As long as I can play games at bearable setting that don't remind me of Commodore 64, then all is well.

All of which is why I was wondering we exactly determines the game's functionality in collation with the hardware. So for instance as long as I'm able to match the video ram needed along with whatever other recommended hardware specs to be able to run, process, and store the game... in theory I should be fine in the aspect of being able to actually play... and if I want crisp graphics I should go for the recommended or higher.

if you need, you can tell us your current spec, what you want to play and how much you want to pay for it, we can help you chose the best GPU for your needs.

 

[ShadowWolf5144]

I am currently running:
MoBo: Z97N-WIFI -Mini-ITX
GPU: GeForce GTX 950 2GB
CPU i5-4690K 3.5GHz
RAM: 8 GB
HDD1: 2TB
HDD2: 1TB
Case: Cooler Master Elite 130 Mini ITX Tower Case

A for now that's great for what I game regularly : The Division, Watch_Dogs, ESO, GTA, ect.

The purpose of the inquiry is I'm looking to go more compact. I understand going compact you your may have to sacrifice some high end specs. 3 things I'm looking to do for my next build: Affordable (which everyone eventually sacrifices for the better hardware either for preference or requirements ), low power usage (which unfortunately the cheaper hardware does not allow for in most cases), and small size (which most feel has no room in the world of PC gaming due to the "go big or go home" mindset, but that's not me). I've been following integrated graphics and APUs. I'm not entirely sold on the reliability for moderate gaming and its hard to get a straight answer on those from forums and reviews or I get mostly negative bias views because again... most want the very greatest and best.

Eventually I'll do I no holds barred rig with power house hardware, but they usually take up room and are expensive.

Please stop me if I've confused or begin to make no sense, or if I should take my hair brain ideas and GTFO.

 

[fabiodrm]

if your configuration are satisfying your needs, you dont need to upgrade. But at the moment you want to play at higher fps or higher resolution or higher quality settings and your configuration cant handle this new exigency, its when you need to upgrade.

You are good, this is your exigency, there's nothing wrong.

take a look at ITX GPU, they are the same GPU but with small factor, for smaller cases.

this is the normal GPU:
https://www.amazon.com/EVGA-GDDR5-256bit-Graphics-04G-P4-1970-KR/dp/B00NI45AMS

and this is the same GPU but with small factor for ITX Cases:
https://www.amazon.com/Gigabyte-GeForce-Overclocked-GDDR5-GV-N970IXOC-4GD/dp/B00OQUMGM0/ref=sr_1_1?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1469033875&sr=1-1&keywords=GTX+970+ITX