Not all graphics cards are created equal - each has a specific configuration that makes it suitable for a particular task like high frames per second (fps) gaming, 3D modeling, or video editing.
GPU: The terms “graphics card” and “GPU” are often interchangeably used, but they’re not quite the same. Graphics card refers to the entire expansion chip as a whole of which the GPU is a part. The GPU is, in essence, the brain of the graphics card, which handles complex mathematical calculations to create the stunning visuals we all love. NVIDIA and AMD are the two most popular GPU makers.
VRAM: The Video RAM (VRAM) is the amount of memory available on your graphics card, measured in GB. The most common VRAM sizes include 4GB, 6GB, and 8GB. Consider getting the largest video memory you can for a superior graphics performance.
Core count: Modern GPUs are made of multiple processors called cores. While NVIDIA calls them CUDA Cores, AMD refers to them as Stream Processors. If you handle a lot of graphics-intensive tasks (think 4K video editing or gaming), prefer graphics cards with more cores over those with fewer ones.
Clock speed: Each GPU core performs a certain number of computations every second, which is determined by the clock speed (measured in MHz). For two graphics from the same architectural family, the one with a higher clock speed will outperform the other.
Resolution: Graphics cards send a stream of data to your display device via standard ports like HDMI, DVI, and USB Type-C. Each graphics card supports a set of resolutions like 4K (3840x2160 pixels) and Full High Definition (FHD, 1920x1080 pixels). If you’re into Ultra High Definition (UHD) gaming, pick a graphics card that supports 4K resolution.
Refresh rate: If you’re a gamer, this is one really important specification to watch out for when purchasing a system. The refresh rate is the number of times your display draws an image (measured in Hz). If you enjoy high fps games, choose a graphics card with a high enough refresh rate.
Driver version: Your graphics card needs special software called the display driver to communicate with Windows. GPU makers will typically release driver updates from time to time, so it’s important to ensure you have the latest driver version.
FAQs
Press Windows+R it opens up the run window. now type devmgmt. msc Expand Display adapters section and you should see your graphic card model. Alternatively since he mentioned that the drivers are installed, you can right click on the desktop and select the Graphic Properties option and check out for yourself.
How do I know the graphics card capacity of my laptop? ›
Open Task Manager by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting "Task Manager" or pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Click the "Performance" tab and click "GPU 0." Your graphic card's memory is listed below the graphs in usage/capacity format. If you have more than one GPU installed, there will be more than one GPU listed.
How do I test my laptop graphics card? ›
Open the Start menu or the desktop search bar, start typing task manager, and select it when the option appears. You can also press Ctrl + Alt + Del on your keyboard and click Task Manager on the list that appears. On the Task Manager window, click Performance and select GPU.
How do I make sure my laptop is using the correct graphics card? ›
When a graphics-intensive application is running, open Task Manager > Right-click the top line (CPU, Memory, RAM) > Check "GPU Engine" > Look which GPU shows on the graphics-intensive process (GPU 0, GPU 1). To know which GPU is GPU 0 or GPU 1, check the Performance tab (second icon on the left).
How do I check my graphics card level? ›
Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. Enter dxdiag, press Enter, and if prompted, click Yes to continue. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool opens and lists your graphics card under the Display tab.
How much GPU should a laptop have? ›
A modern gaming laptop should have a minimum of 16GB of RAM and an 8GB VRAM GPU to play smoothly. Those laptops with higher specs should target 32GB of RAM and 12GB VRAM GPUs such as the RTX 4080 to play the latest titles with all the eye candy turned on.
How do I find the best graphics card for my laptop? ›
Content Creation: For video editing,
- Choosing the right graphics card (GPU) for your laptop depends on several factors, including your specific needs, budget, and the laptop's compatibility. ...
- Understand Your Needs.
- Check Compatibility.
- Performance vs. ...
- Brand and Drivers.
- Future-Proofing.
- Check Benchmarks and Reviews.
Before installing a new graphics card, you must first check the specifications of your motherboard and graphics card. These can be found on the manufacturer's website, the product manual, or the packaging.
How do I know if my laptop graphics card is bad? ›
However, a video card that's slowly dying starts to show it in a slight graphic defect over time. You may notice off-color pixelation, screen flickering, strange screen glitches, or random artifacts in different areas of your screen.
How do I check if my laptop has dedicated graphics? ›
You can determine whether your computer has an integrated or dedicated graphics card by checking the system information panel. In Windows, open the "Device Manager" and expand the "Display adapters" section. If your computer has a dedicated graphics card, it will be listed separately from the integrated graphics.
Diagnosing your GPU using the Run dialog
- Use the shortcut Win + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type dxdiag into the command prompt and press Enter. Close.
- The DirectX Diagnostic Tool will open. Click on the Display tab. ...
- In the Notes section, it should say No problems found. Close.
In your PC's Start menu, type "Device Manager," and press Enter to launch the Control Panel. Click the drop-down arrow next to Display adapters, and it should list your GPU right there.
Which graphics is better in laptops? ›
Look for GPUs from the NVIDIA GeForce GTX or AMD Radeon RX series. These GPUs offer a great balance between performance and affordability, making them suitable for moderate graphical tasks. They can handle applications like Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and gaming at medium to high settings for most modern titles.
How do I know my graphics card capability? ›
How to check if your Graphics Card is compatible on Windows
- Press the Windows Key.
- Type “dxdiag” and press enter (wait for the window to open)
- Click on the “Display” tab (or “Display 1” if you have multiple monitors)
- Look at the “Feature Levels” on the right side under Drivers.
You can find out what graphics card you have from the Windows Device Manager. In your PC's Start menu, type "Device Manager," and press Enter to launch the Control Panel. Click the drop-down arrow next to Display adapters, and it should list your GPU right there.
How do I check my GPU limit? ›
Limiting GPU Usage by Process
- In the “Settings” window, click on the “Monitoring” tab.
- Select “GPU usage” from the list of items to monitor.
