Graphic card explained??

[Dibbley247]

Could someone tell me how to understand a graphics card?
I kinda get comparing clock speeds etc, but if I look on the back of games they just say model numbers and memory of the graphic card?
How can I tell what's compatible by looking at a model?

E.g my 6year old one is an ATI RAdeon HD2400.
Now a bit of guessing tells me this does run high end games, but it will run some of today's still (only at recommended levels) so how can I tell by looking at that make/model that it will work?

Thanks.

 

[Dibbley247]

Im sorry but im confused by your post.

You cant compare graphics card clock speeds unless they are the same architecture.
And compatible with what?

Don't know how you figured your 6 year old card will run high end games because it won't.

I didn't say my graphic card will run high end games, I said SOME games. (Like tropico 4).

How can I tell a spec of a graphics card from the model number then? I don't have a budget yet, I want to UNDERSTAND the models. And simply go oh that's compatable that's not.

 

[Dibbley247]

Screen would be on a 1080 plasma. I won't be buying the Higher than HD type screens.

 

[Dibbley247]

Haha, sorry my post should have said "does not"

 

[Dibbley247]

Ok so here is a random game with graphic card requirements:
Guild wars 2: Graphics card NVIDIA® GeForce® 7800, ATI Radeon™ X1800, Intel HD 3000 or better
(256MB of video RAM and shader model 3.0 or better)

Let's look at the intel one... What's better than a HD 3000? Or worse???
And the same with the X1800. The RAM I understand, higher the number is more. It's the rest if these numbers and letters I don't get.

 

[Dibbley247]

It's ok, I found an example now:


1st number = generation
2nd/3rd number = tier and power within the generation
GS = lowest
GSO = lower
GT = semi-gaming, regular/high tier
GTS = gaming, slightly better than GT
GTX = gaming, delineates highest end

9800GT

9 = 9x00 generation
8 = highest tier
GT = regular/higher tier
GTX260
GTX = highest tier
2 = 200 generation
60 = mid tier

GTX280
GTX = highest tier
2 = 200 generation
8 = high tier

GTX285
GTX = highest tier
2 = 200 generation
8 = high tier
5 = above the GTX280

GTX295
GTX = highest tier
2 = 200 generation
9 = highest tier
5 = highest power of the high tier

 

[Dibbley247]

Exactly, I didn't know what the numbers referenced to! Unlike some, I didn't wake up one morning and know everything.
So now going by that, if a game requires a 800, then a 700 is no good, and a gtx is the highest type?
This is what I was getting at.

 

[Dibbley247]

That's exactly what I'm looking for!!!! I expected to do some research on some cards when comparing "equivalents" but at least now I have a "rule of thumb" to go by!
I have a PC speced out for me, I just like to get the knowledge of everything and the GPU was the one that was the one that bamboozled me, I would have been alright a few years ago if I took an interest and kept up to date, but there's so much out there it's tricky to compare with my limited knowledge (at the moment)
Very much appreciated!!!! Thanks.

 

[Dibbley247]

How would I know that the CPU would be enough to feed it?
I'm looking at the core i5 types, preferably the 3570k. And I'll be buying the MSI z77a-G45 mobo.
The benchmark sites would be very useful for me to look at!!!!

 

[Dibbley247]

@BAcon - No worries.
So what is generally the better make or best value for money between the manufacturers? Or is there not much between them?

 

[Dibbley247]

It's all good! Lol.
Here's one then, sli/crossfire. Something I'm not interested on doing, BUT, say I go and buy an AMD HD7850, then a few years down the line I find some games are struggling. Would I be better off buying the exact same card second hand and using it as SLI or how many models up would be better working as one rather than these 2 combined?

As mentioned before it'll be 1080p on a 18-20" screen, and when the mrs is out, it'll be on a 42" screen.

 

[Dibbley247]

I'll be sticking with the one, was just wondering for future and if it would be worth doing.
I think that's me done now!!!! Time to look at what's out there!!!