Beginner’s Guide: How to Choose a Graphics Card for Gaming PCs

[ Explosive R ] What is a Graphics Card?
A graphics card is an essential component of your computer, responsible for processing and rendering images. It plays a crucial role in gaming, image editing, video production, and more. Whether you’re diving into high-end games or simply handling office tasks, the right graphics card can make all the difference.

Graphics cards come in two main types: integrated and dedicated. Integrated GPUs are built directly into the CPU, with AMD offering particularly strong performance in this area. They’re perfect for everyday office work and light gaming. Dedicated GPUs, on the other hand, are divided into two major camps—NVIDIA (N-cards) and AMD (A-cards).

NVIDIA dominates the market with its advanced technology, while AMD offers excellent value for money. Intel has also entered the competition, and domestic brands are gaining traction, though they still have some way to go before catching up.

[ Explosive R ] Graphics Card Naming Conventions
NVIDIA (N-Cards):
Take the ASUS ROG ASTRAL Night Spirit RTX 5090D O32G as an example:
– “Night Spirit” refers to the product’s positioning.
– “RTX” indicates the series.
– “50” represents the generation.
– “90” and “D” denote the tier suffixes.
– “O” signifies that the card supports overclocking.
– The memory capacity is 32GB.

AMD (A-Cards):
For the Sapphire RX 9070XT 16G Nitro+:
– “RX” stands for the series.
– “90” shows the generation.
– “70” specifies the tier within that generation.
– “XT” is the suffix.
– The memory capacity is 16GB.
– “Nitro+” highlights the brand’s positioning.

[ Explosive R ] Popular Graphics Card Brands and Their Positions – P4
On the N-card side, the “Big Three” (ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte) and Colorful dominate the market. NVIDIA partners with several brands in mainland China, including ASUS, Colorful, Gainward, Galaxy, Gigabyte, Inno3D, MSI, Zotac, Leadtek, Palit, Jetway, and Yeston.

For A-cards, ASUS and Sapphire take the lead. AMD works closely with partners like ASUS, Sapphire, Gigabyte, Acer, ASRock, PowerColor, HanKang, XFX, and Yeston.

[ Explosive R ] How to Choose a Graphics Card
1. N-card or A-card?
– **N-card**: Ideal for gamers who love ray tracing and professionals focused on productivity.
– **A-card**: Offers better value for money for budget-conscious gamers.

2. Selecting the Right Chipset Based on Your Needs
When buying a graphics card, it’s important to remember that the chipset matters more than the brand or series. Here’s a quick guide based on different quality requirements:

3. Purchasing Platforms and After-Sales Service
– **Where to Buy**: Prioritize official stores and flagship shops. Third-party stores authorized by the brand, such as certain online platforms, are also reliable options.
– **Warranty Options**: Opt for brands that support individual warranty claims, like ASUS and Colorful. These allow direct communication with manufacturers. For brands that don’t offer individual warranties, it’s best to purchase from official stores.

[ Surfboard R ] Attached: Latest Graphics Card Tier List as of April 2025