Target resolution
1080p, 1440p and 4K place very different loads on a GPU. Start with the monitor and frame rate you want.
Graphics card specifications & gaming data
Find and understand GPUs.
Search NVIDIA, AMD and Intel graphics cards, compare their key specifications and see how resolution changes expected performance.
— graphics cardsDesktop & mobile1080p · 1440p · 4K
QUICK EXPLAINERThe GPU renders the image you see on screen.
Its architecture, processing resources, VRAM and memory bandwidth determine how well it handles resolution, quality settings and visual effects.
HOW TO CHOOSE A GPU
Match the graphics card to your screen and games.
VRAM capacity
VRAM stores textures and render data. Higher resolutions and quality settings generally require more capacity.
Memory bandwidth
Memory type, speed and bus width work together. Bus width alone does not describe total graphics performance.
Power requirements
Check power-supply capacity, connectors, case clearance and cooling before selecting a high-performance card.
GPU QUESTIONS
Before you pick a graphics card.
How much VRAM do I need?+
It depends on the game, resolution and settings. Eight gigabytes can handle many 1080p workloads, while demanding 1440p and 4K gaming benefits from 12 GB or more.
Is a GPU bottleneck bad?+
Not necessarily. In gaming, high GPU utilization often means the graphics card is being used effectively and the CPU has enough headroom.
Does a faster GPU always increase FPS?+
Only when graphics rendering is the current limit. A CPU-limited game may show a smaller improvement until the processor or settings change.
CHECK THE COMPLETE BUILD
Pair your GPU with a processor.
Use the calculator to see whether the CPU can keep up at your target resolution.
POPULAR GPU CHECKS
Most-checked GPUs, in static HTML.
RTX 5070 bottleneck · RTX 4090 bottleneck · RTX 4060 bottleneck · RTX 3060 bottleneck · RX 7800 XT bottleneck.
Read the blog → for articles that explain these checks, and run your exact pairing in the calculator →