How to buy a GPU — Quick guide
One of the trickiest parts of any build is choosing the right GPU. Here’s a condensed, practical guide to help you pick the best video card for your needs in 2025.
TL;DR
- Pick a GPU based on the games you play and the resolution/refresh rate you want.
- Prioritize VRAM and enough memory bandwidth; larger VRAM wins for longevity.
- Check physical card size and PSU requirements before buying.
- AMD and Intel currently offer better value in entry/mid tiers; NVIDIA still leads in ray tracing and DLSS.
Key considerations
It’s all about the games
Competitive shooters often run fine on entry-level cards at 1080p with high frame rates. For modern single-player titles with ray tracing or high resolutions (1440p/4K), you’ll need a much more powerful card — or to use upscalers like DLSS, FSR or XeSS.
NVIDIA vs AMD vs Intel
There are three main GPU designers: NVIDIA, AMD and Intel, sold via AIB partners. In 2025 AMD and Intel often offer better value in mid/entry segments, while NVIDIA still provides the best ray-tracing performance and its DLSS ecosystem.
VRAM
More VRAM is generally better — aim for the higher-VRAM option within your budget. For many modern titles, 8GB is becoming a bottleneck; 10–16GB is preferred for longevity at higher resolutions.
Size & power
Measure case clearance and check recommended PSU wattage. Many modern cards are large and may need a 2.5–3 slot clearance and a higher-watt PSU.
Used GPUs?
Used RTX 40-series cards can be a good deal if priced fairly. Avoid very old generations unless your budget is extremely tight.
When to buy
Prices are volatile in 2025. If your current GPU still works, waiting might make sense. If you need an upgrade, weigh the cost vs. urgency; prebuilts sometimes bundle GPUs cost-effectively.
Recommended starting points (2025)
Search these models on Amazon (affiliate links):
- Radeon 9070 XT — search on Amazon
- Intel B580 — search on Amazon
- NVIDIA RTX 5090 — search on Amazon (high-end)
- GeForce RTX 5060 — entry-level
- GeForce RTX 5060 Ti — step up from 5060
- AMD RX 7800 XT — good raster performance/value
Notes: I removed any direct RSS/newslinks to the source. This post summarizes current market advice: match your GPU to your monitor, prefer more VRAM, check card size and PSU, and consider the strengths of each vendor (ray tracing & DLSS for NVIDIA; value and VRAM for AMD/Intel).
Questions? Reply below — what games and resolution are you aiming for?