SMART TIPS FOR BUYING A GRAPHICS CARD

W
e see new generation of
graphics processors at
least once every two years,
following which graphics
cards manufacturers introduce new
models every few months. With so many
models to choose from, buying a graphics
card can be very tricky.
You invest in an expensive graphics
card and after a month or so you
feel terrible to fi nd a drastic drop in
prices. Or it may be the other way
round. You wait for the prices to drop
and they never drop. So you fi nally
pick a graphics card and regret you
didn’t get to play your favorite game
meanwhile. Anytime is a good time
to pick a graphics card except at the
time when the latest GPUs are just
launched because introductory prices
drop very soon. It makes sense sticking
to your old graphics card for some time
until the prices normalize. Also don’t
splurge in a high-end graphic card that
uses a GPU launched more than 18
months ago. You’ll fi nd newer and more
powerful models for the same price in
the next few months—read news and
updates to fi nd out what’s coming up
next and when.
Some graphics cards are available
in a number of variants. You’ll fi nd
the same GPU with different type and
amount of video memory. Some boast
custom cooling system and others are
factory-overclocked. So what do you pick
now? First and foremost, fi nd out if the
GPU you’re looking out for is available
with different types of memory, for
example DDR3 and DDR5 variants. If
the difference in price is around Rs
1,000 or so I suggest going in for better
memory as you’ll get significantly better
frame rates. If it’s between a higher
amount of memory and better memory
type, I suggest opting for the latter
because I’ve seen graphics card with
double the amount of memory deliver a
meager performance boost. A card with
512 MB of DDR5 memory can easily
outperform its 1 GB DDR3 variant.
Factory-
overclocked core
and memory along
with custom cooling
system is always
welcome provided
the card doesn’t
command a premium
higher than Rs 500
to Rs 1,000. But if
you’re getting a factory-overclocked card
with the reference design, I suggest you
pick a stock card and overclock it using
the driver’s control panel. I prefer stock
cards over factory-overclocked ones
because I fi nd the latter gimmicky. They
run a tad faster and churn out a measly
three to five fps more which doesn’t
contribute to the quality of gameplay
in any way. Instead of overclocked core
and memory, look out for goodies such
as free bundled game or software and
extended warranty. Also pay attention
to the video outputs offered, especially
by entry-level and mainstream graphics
cards. It’s always better to have the
video output you require rather than
using adapters and dongles.
A GRAPHICS CARD WITH
512 MB OF DDR5 MEMORY
CAN EASILY OUTPERFORM
ITS 1 GB DDR3 VARIANT.
– anand.tuliani@chip.in