GPU walkthrough

[Soap Mactavish]

i am a man of numbers. i find it extrememly easy to rate a computer component based on a certain spec on it. For example, 2.5 Ghz or amount of RAM. However, i can find a comparable spec for any given GPU. Is there a way to find out how good a graphics card is without googling it and getting an opinion?

[aeria.]

Framerate statistics are NOT opinions. All video card reviews are statistically based off the framerate. If the card can produce a decent framerate on newer games, it's good. If it can't, it's bad.

Example:

Almost all video card reviews have graphed their benchmark results and compare them to other cards side by side. It should prove useful.

You can look up statistics of video cards through google, however most people go straight to the benchmark results.

[Soap Mactavish]

ok, so benchmark stats should be what i look at?

[aeria.]

ok, so benchmark stats should be what i look at?

Precisely.

[Jedikiller]

For mobile graphics cards, Notebookcheck is a pretty good resource. They have benchmarks, reviews, and a handy list of them from best to worst.

http://www.notebookcheck.net/

[Soap Mactavish]

should i be looking for a certain number and above for these scores?

[Xfire Keenmike aka cull]

That is nice. Thank you all. I will add if have a hand full of cards to decide on go with the one that looks the coolest.

[vf501]

Selecting a GPU

Determine your Power Supply Wattage rating (650w-800w is good).
Determine its purpose (gaming, work, 3D production, Digital Art).
Determine your budget (100$-300$ USD is normal range for consumer grade).
Select a Chipset Company (nVidia, ATI).
Select your DirectX (DX9, DX10, DX11)
Select a Manufacturer (EVGA, BFG Tech, ASUS, MSI, etc).
Select your Final Choice.


Note
x600, and x800 are the top of the line versions of nVidia cards in their series (6800GT, 8800GT, 9800GT).  A 6800GT out does a 8400GS in performance.
For nVidia any 200 series card is better than a G92 chipset card (GT/GTS:220/230/240/250 is G92 and is exempt)
For nVidia the GTX460, GTX465, GTX470, GTX480 are all the nerw DX11 Fermi chipset.

For ATI the HD5xx0 series is the DX11 series.
The 5770, 5830, 5850, 5870 and 5890 are the best of the lot.  Pricing goes up respectively.
The 4850, 4870 and 4890 are still good choices for now.
A HD5770 out performs a nVidia GTX260 at a lower price point.


If you have 230$-300$ to spend the top two choices are the HD5870 if you want ATI or a GTX460 if you prefer nVidia.  Roughly equivalent benchmarks.  The GTX460 design solved the heat and power draw problems in the 470/480, it still runs a bit hotter than the 5xx0 series by ATI though.

[Soap Mactavish]

thanks alot guys this will help alot for future use