How to Quickly Choose a new Graphics Card

How to choose a new Graphics Card without knowing to much detail. This method is very successful and fast to learn. Written By a Geek for general populace. Simple and Rigid - Seems a little strict? You can always learn yourself. However mot people dont have the time so this simpe method is best.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Brain.
• Computer.
• Internet Connection.
• Internet Browser.
• Basic internet and price comparison skills.

1. Find some good comparison sites/shops for graphics cards.
   
   If in australia www.staticice.com.au is the best.
   
   Ensure YOUR PC HAS A PCI-e 16 slot.
2. Set a price range.
3. Find a graphic card within your budget - look at its model number.
   
   If NVIDA (or dont know) go to step 4.
   
   If ATI goto Step 5.
   
   Note: many companies sell G-cards gigabyte, Palit etc however only 2 make the cards (ATI and NVIDIA)- and give them model numbers. (if you get a MATROX card ignore it).
4. If Nvidia (if you dont know continue - if your card doesn't fit assume ATI) go to " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_Nvidia_graphics_processing_units ", Go to your seris,(first digit) and see the next G-card below yours e.g.
   
   8800 GS
   
   8 = seris
   
   8800 GTS - this is the next G-card along.
   
   See if you can afford this card(search around - for the model number, not manufacturer) - continue until you reach your budget limit. If at very last model goto next seris (Try to compare current model numbers)
   
   eg 8800GTX to 9800GTX, not 9600 GT.
   
   Goto step 6.
5. If ATI (if you don't know continue - if your card doesn't fit assume NVIDIA) go to " http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_ATI_graphics_processing_units ", Go to your seris,(first digit) and see the next G-card below yours e.g.
   
   HD3650
   
   3 seris
   
   3830 GTS - this is the next G-card along.
   
   See if you can afford this card(search around - for the model number, not manufacturer) - continue until you reach your budget limit. If at very last model goto next seris (Try to compare current model numbers)
   
   eg 2870 to 3870, not 3450 - may need to move down(in price) to find pice range.
6. Check that your card can do any special features You want (if you want more than one card go with ATI). For HD decoding go with ATI's HD seris. Go with NVIDIA for AA and Textures. (Accurate untill this month - new next gen cards coming out and this might change).
   
   Check TIPS n warnings for a last few advice tips.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want special Features research em.
• Learn about benchmarkin G-cards. (I MAY put in an EHOW article on it later, if i get good feedback or feel bored). To compare ATi and NVIDIA cards in a similar price range.
• If buying card for XP ATI HD 2-3 seris and NVIDIA 8 seris should be good.
• If buying card for VISTA ATI HD 3-4 seris and Nvidia 8-9 seris and try to have have DX10.1 support.
• Ensure you HAVE PCI-e 16x slots in your pc and the card fits in one.
• Dont EVER choose a card because of the Total GDDR(ram) it has. Cards come with enough for the stuff they should be doing. Extra GDDR is wasted GDDR