Today we're talking about components
that deliver visual greatness to our computer monitors.
I'm talking graphics cards, better known as GPUs.
And in this video we'll cover the must knows when shopping
for one, let's get to it.
Ever played a game on your computer
and the quality was well, rough, stuttering screen,
picture glitching, or maybe you're working
on graphics, 3D model, things are taking forever to load.
Well, if that's you, your GPU might be getting overworked
meaning it's time for an upgrade.
And here's why.
Imagine your computer is a business
with different departments.
Some have a single department doing many things.
Imagine trying to write an email, give a presentation,
calculate payroll, and interview someone at the same time.
This is called an integrated graphics card.
And since it's constantly multitasking
it's not ideal for heavy visual lifts
like those involved with video editing and gaming.
Separating the departments, allowing them to focus
on a specific task with their own resources
increases performance and that's what a graphics card is,
a dedicated component that's responsible
for handling just your graphics.
And there are quite a few makes and models.
So let's walk through a few things to consider
when you're shopping for one,
but before you get too excited, let me say this.
Most laptops and all in one computers have built in GPUs
that are difficult, sometimes impossible to replace.
However, that's usually not the case with desktops.
They typically open spots or ports thinking you might
need them down the road.
Check out this ASUS ROG Gaming desktop.
First, see these connections that are close together
including this HDMI port that's made for a monitor.
They're integrated, part
of the same department using the same resources.
So again, plenty of multitasking
but not so great for performance.
But moving down a bit, I see this more monitor connections.
This means the machine already has a dedicated GPU.
I just need to upgrade it.
Now your situation might be different.
You might only have blank slots like this
and even though you have an open slot on the outside
it doesn't necessarily mean you have an open connection
on the inside.
So let's check it out because it's a critical piece of info
When you're shopping for a GPU.
Of course you can check the manufacturer's specs
to get this info.
This is usually easy to find on their site
or if you're comfortable doing it
you can simply disconnect the power and remove the cover
which is what I'll do.
This big complex piece of electronicness
is called the motherboard and this is the GPU.
It's an NVIDIA GForce GTX 1660 Ti.
Again, if you don't already have a GPU
this component wouldn't be here.
And since I wanna upgrade mine, I'll remove it.
Here you go.
Now you can see the connection.
It's a PCI express slot, also known as a PCIe.
This is common in most newer computers
and it's the one I'll be using for my new GPU.
And speaking of spoiler alert,
I went with this NVIDIA GeForce, RTX 3060 from MSI.
It has some upgrades, like 12 gigabytes of memory,
better ray tracing and tensor cores
which are good fit for my needs.
But let me explain what I considered when shopping for one.
First, think about your budget.
What are you hoping to spend?
Again, these things can vary in price, so having an idea
of where you hope to land financially is a good place
to start.
Second, look at the software programs you use
whether that be video editing, 3D modeling
or gaming programs.
Some call out specific GPUs that work well.
They often provide two lists.
One with the minimum requirements
and one with the recommended requirements.
If your wallet allows for it, I'd focus
on the recommended list as that'll give you the best shot
of experiencing the software fully.
Next, think about space.
Will the GPU fit in your case?
GPUs can get big.
Some even occupy two slots.
So check the dimensions
on the box or website before you buy.
Then focus on the RAM.
The more memory or RAM the GPU has
the better it's gonna perform.
Instead of leaning on the computer's RAM
which is already being used heavily by the other components,
GPUs often come with their own dedicated RAM.
This is helpful with visually demanding applications
like games or video editing.
Then make sure it's compatible by checking the connection.
Again, if you have a PCIe slot
make sure you get a PCIe card that's compatible.
It never hurts to check the manufacturer's info
just to make sure.
Next, get to know your power supply.
This is another component inside the computer and like GPUs
they can be removed and upgraded.
GPUs consume a good amount
and often require a dedicated power connection
along with a minimum amount of wattage.
For example, a 3000 series GPU might require 170 watts
of power.
So taking that into consideration.
Along with the other internal components
the manufacturer might recommend a power supply capable
of outputting 550 watts.
If the manufacturer doesn't specifically call it out
there are some online calculators that can help you
do the math based on your specific components.
Then based on that info you might need to upgrade
your power supply.
Since my new GPU requires quite a bit more power
I'm gonna upgrade mine
to this Corsair CX750M power supply.
Just to be safe.
After you find the right GPU, it's time to install.
Of course, if you'd rather have Best Buy's Geek Squad
handle this portion, we'll be happy to help.
The process varies greatly depending on equipment
but here's a quick overview.
Disconnect the power, remove the existing GPU
if you haven't already, along with the power supply
if necessary, and install the new components.
Once the hardware is properly seated and secured
put the case back on.
Connect your peripherals along with the power
and turn it on.
Take some time to install the drivers
and updates and then test it out.
Hopefully there's a noticeable difference.
And there you have it.
Thanks for watching, and check out our channel
for more Tech Tips from Best Buy.