How does the specs of a GPU effect performance?

[adampcpower]

Being a newbie computer builder, I thought for GPUs, core clock speed was #1 in determining the performance. What are the effects of other specs on performance such as memory clock, RAM, and boost clock?

 

[Norlag]

ram is necessary for high resolutions and multiple monitors. boost clock is the clock speed that the card goes to as an automatic overclock

 

[bigshootr8]

There are quite a few ways of looking at a graphic cards specs. I would firstly though look towards benchmarks to gather a better idea of things. Look at the games you play and how each card performs. Clock speed as it may be important; performance can also be impacted by other things architecture, memory clock speed, memory bit, and feature sets that each chip maker has within there gpu's.