This video is part three of a multi-part series about the process of choosing components needed to build a PC. This video considers how to choose graphics cards & drives. Other episodes cover different components, so subscribe to get notifications for them!<\/p>\n
The graphics card or GPU is an often-admired PC component. Its job is to process data from the CPU & render it visually on your display. One of the main ways a system\u2019s power and performance translate into an improved user experience is through a strong GPU. <\/p>\n
Integrated vs. Dedicated GPUs
\nWhat\u2019s the difference between integrated & dedicated GPUs? Integrated graphics are already on your CPU or motherboard. They\u2019re simpler, cheaper, use less power, and rarely experience driver or compatibility issues. Dedicated graphics offer more powerful performance & more variety of ports for a multi-monitor setup, but at a greater cost. You\u2019ll also need a compatible slot in your motherboard, as well as PSU power & sufficient cooling.
\nWhich setup should you go for? That depends on your system\u2019s intended use. If you\u2019ll be playing older or low-demand indie games, you\u2019re not likely to need a dedicated GPU. However, if you\u2019re playing modern or triple-A games, rendering or editing graphics\/video, you\u2019ll want to invest in a dedicated graphics card. <\/p>\n
Features of GPUs
\nYou may not feel you need a dedicated graphics card. That\u2019s fine! Not everyone needs one. You may be able to save money for another component that better suits your needs. That said, if you do plump for dedicated graphics, the top two contenders in the GPU market are NVIDIA and AMD, though Intel now makes their own Intel Arc Alchemist GPUs too. Each brand has its own strengths & weaknesses but in general, expect newer GPUS to have features like ray-tracing (real-time rendering of how the human eye processes light reflection and shadows), supersampling (maximizing your frame rate without sacrificing resolution), GSYNC or FreeSync tech to minimize screen tearing with compatible monitors, hardware encoding for streamers and creators, and far more besides.
\nAs important as the features a card offers, though, is the amount of video memory or vRAM your GPU needs. More memory means more details it can process. Resolution plays a big part here. 8GB is the minimum for playing games like Cyberpunk 2077 or Control as they were intended: at 4k, in full high-detail glory.
\nLastly, consider how much power and what power connector your GPU uses. There will be more discussion of power & cooling in the next episode, but for now just keep it in mind as you choose components.<\/p>\n
Storage Options
\nAnother component that deserves careful consideration is the storage drive. Whether your favorite indulgence is movies, video games, programs, or photos, they all need to be stored somewhere. A big hard drive is a must to avoid constant scrambling for an external drive.
\nThe main choice is between an HDD or SSD. An HDD (hard disk drive), is the traditional choice, with one or more magnetic spinning disks that reads and writes information. It\u2019s trusted and low-cost. One TB of HDD storage can cost as little as $40! SSDs (solid state drives) read and write data using microchips. They have no moving parts, so they\u2019re quieter, faster, more energy-efficient & longer-lived than hard drives. Both HDDs and SSDs can work together well in a build. SSDs are best as main drives, where programs and operating systems are installed. HDDs offer great value & utility as auxiliary drives for file storage. It\u2019s a great combo of speed, storage capacity, and value. <\/p>\n
Protocols and Form Factors If you want more details on specifics of GPU\/SSD tech, check out these videos: Got questions about the video or Kingston products? COMMENT or contact us on SOCIAL MEDIA:
\nIf you include an SSD in your build, you\u2019ll need to decide on storage protocol (SATA vs. NVMe) and form factor (2.5\u201d vs. M.2). We already covered this topic in an earlier video (https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ToE2qjzrhaA),<\/a> but the upshot is that NVMe is designed specifically for SSDs and uses the PCIe bus. That makes it faster & experience fewer bottlenecks than a SATA SSD. To summarize form factors, M.2s are smaller & plug into motherboards with M.2 slots, while 2.5\u201d drives connect more like a traditional HDD.<\/p>\n
\nM.2 vs. 2.5\u201d SSDs: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=8iNf8hRn1N0&<\/a>
\nExternal GPUs: https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=Ia-FFHBJ7t4&t=7s<\/a><\/p>\n
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