graphic cards how-to

Hello mates,
I can somewhat understand the working of all the computer components but the graphic cards!
I don’t know what to look for in a gfx card. How can I compare the ones in the market? I’d like to be a better judge of the components
What should I see? It is the memory (like 512mb, 1gb..)? or is it something else? I’ve even noticed that different cards with the same memory cost different.
I was hoping someone could suggest a website or book that better explains the intricacies or explain it here.
Currently my problem is solved thanks to But what if I have to upgrade again(coz I’m building it myself) or have to help a friend out! So, I’d like to be equipped with some knowledge
Answer #1
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/graphics-beginners,1288.html
That might be a bit old…
There are new cards out every month, so when you need to upgrade see whats new out and fits your budget.
Basics to look at:
Memory ether: 512mb, 896mb, 1GB…
Direct X version: 11.0 < 10.1 < 10.0
PCI-Express version: 2.1 < 2.0 < 1.0 (Also depends on what your motherboard supports)
And then each card will have its own, Memory Clock, Core Clock speeds…
ATI (AMD) and Nvidia have there own littel addons like Physx for Nvidia see:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_B3_upOvmc
Answer #2
http://www.tomshardware.com/charts/gaming-graphics-cards-charts-2009-high-quality/benchmarks,68.htmlSelect a benchmark then select the card[s] you want to compare.
Answer #3
u don’t need to understand, u just need to know what to buy
right now, if you are willing to pay a bit more, it’s the ATI 5850
but for almost half the price, you can get the 5770, which can do everything the 5850 can unless you are extremely demanding on graphics.
and if you get the 5770 now, which is what i did, you can wait for the 5850 price to drop to a reasonable level, then you can get it and use it together with the 5770, and you will have one hell of a graphics system.
Answer #4
a good feature Comparison Guide is here
Currently covering 409 desktop graphics cards, this comprehensive comparison will allow you to easily compare 20 different specifications for each and every card.

ATI cards
http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=88&pgno=8
nVidia cards
http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=88&pgno=4
from here
http://www.techarp.com/showarticle.aspx?artno=88&pgno=0

Answer #5
What facts I use (From most important to least important):
1. Price 2. Benchmarks (usually http://www.videocardbenchmark.net/)
3. Connectors (Not really a big deal if you have a decent computer)
PCI-E connector can supply up to 75W if I remember correctly. 4. Power requirement (rated in Amps)
5. Amount of Shaders. (Or on very old cards, the amount of Pixel Pipelines)
6. Manufacturing size (Usually in Nanometers, you want 40nm or below these days)
7. Type of memory used (GDDR5 is the gem of today)
8. Amount of transistors
9. Cooling setup
10. Memory size.
Remember most people consider memory size is important, however in benchmarks, it shows minor differences as you need very high resolutions to use it to its true potential, ie resolutions beyond 1920×1080. At that state, you probably need 3-Way SLI or even Crossfire X. To make your hardware reliable, you are suggested to clean the coolers a few times per year. Do not dissemble the cooler though, it will void your warranty.