Not all graphics cards are created equal - each has a specific configuration that makes it suitable for a particular task like high frames per second (fps) gaming, 3D modeling, or video editing.
GPU: The terms “graphics card” and “GPU” are often interchangeably used, but they’re not quite the same. Graphics card refers to the entire expansion chip as a whole of which the GPU is a part. The GPU is, in essence, the brain of the graphics card, which handles complex mathematical calculations to create the stunning visuals we all love. NVIDIA and AMD are the two most popular GPU makers.
VRAM: The Video RAM (VRAM) is the amount of memory available on your graphics card, measured in GB. The most common VRAM sizes include 4GB, 6GB, and 8GB. Consider getting the largest video memory you can for a superior graphics performance.
Core count: Modern GPUs are made of multiple processors called cores. While NVIDIA calls them CUDA Cores, AMD refers to them as Stream Processors. If you handle a lot of graphics-intensive tasks (think 4K video editing or gaming), prefer graphics cards with more cores over those with fewer ones.
Clock speed: Each GPU core performs a certain number of computations every second, which is determined by the clock speed (measured in MHz). For two graphics from the same architectural family, the one with a higher clock speed will outperform the other.
Resolution: Graphics cards send a stream of data to your display device via standard ports like HDMI, DVI, and USB Type-C. Each graphics card supports a set of resolutions like 4K (3840x2160 pixels) and Full High Definition (FHD, 1920x1080 pixels). If you’re into Ultra High Definition (UHD) gaming, pick a graphics card that supports 4K resolution.
Refresh rate: If you’re a gamer, this is one really important specification to watch out for when purchasing a system. The refresh rate is the number of times your display draws an image (measured in Hz). If you enjoy high fps games, choose a graphics card with a high enough refresh rate.
Driver version: Your graphics card needs special software called the display driver to communicate with Windows. GPU makers will typically release driver updates from time to time, so it’s important to ensure you have the latest driver version.
FAQs
What graphics card do I have? Here's how to find out info on what graphics card you have: In the desktop search bar, start typing Device Manager and select it when the option appears. Click the arrow next to Display adapters and the name and model of your GPU will appear right below.
How do I test my laptop graphics card? ›
Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog box. Enter dxdiag, press Enter, and if prompted, click Yes to continue. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool opens and lists your graphics card under the Display tab.
How do I check my graphics card memory on my laptop Windows 10? ›
How much graphics memory does my computer have?
- Switch to the Windows* Desktop.
- Right-click on a blank area of the desktop and select Display settings.
- Click Advanced display settings.
- Click Display adapter properties.
- The total available graphics memory is listed on the Adapter tab under Adapter Information.
When a graphics-intensive application is running, open Task Manager > Right-click the top line (CPU, Memory, RAM) > Check "GPU Engine" > Look which GPU shows on the graphics-intensive process (GPU 0, GPU 1). To know which GPU is GPU 0 or GPU 1, check the Performance tab (second icon on the left).
How do I check my graphics card in Windows 11? ›
Here's how to check your graphics card with Task Manager:
- Click the Start menu, type Task Manager, and press Enter. There are lots of ways to open Task Manager, like with the Ctrl+Shift+Esc keyboard shortcut.
- Select the Performance tab.
- Click GPU. ...
- Your graphics card will be shown in the upper right corner of the window.
Check GPU from Settings
Select Settings > System. Select Display and scroll down to Related settings. Select Advanced display. Your GPU's make and model should be shown under Display information.
How do I diagnose my graphics card? ›
Run diagnostic software: Utilize diagnostic software specifically designed to test graphics card performance and identify potential issues. Popular tools include FurMark, MSI Afterburner, and GPU-Z3. Use DirectX Diagnostic Tool: Windows 10 includes a built-in tool that can help you assess the GPU.
How to check if a GPU is available? ›
Find out if a GPU is available
- import GPUtil GPUtil. getAvailable()
- import torch use_cuda = torch. cuda. is_available()
- if use_cuda: print('__CUDNN VERSION:', torch. backends. cudnn. ...
- device = torch. device("cuda" if use_cuda else "cpu") print("Device: ",device)
- device = torch. device("cuda:2" if use_cuda else "cpu")
How to find out graphics card details using Settings
- Open Settings.
- Click on System.
- Click on Display.
- Under the "Multiple displays" section, click the "Advanced display settings" option.
Checking Your GPU Memory in Windows 10
Open Task Manager by right-clicking the taskbar and selecting "Task Manager" or pressing Ctrl + Shift + Esc. Click the "Performance" tab and click "GPU 0." Your graphic card's memory is listed below the graphs in usage/capacity format.
Many laptops have a built-in mechanism that disables the dedicated GPU when detaching them from the power supply to save battery life. First, press the Windows key + X to access the Quick Access Menu. Next, choose Device Manager from the list of options. Finally, click Enable.
How do I make sure my computer is using my graphics card? ›
Environment
- From Start Icon, type "Graphics Settings" and Click the results from System Settings.
- Click Desktop App.
- Browse your application. ...
- Clickon the application name/icon.
- Click Options.
- Set the application to your preferred GPU.
- Click save.
Do laptops have graphics cards? The answer is yes because all laptops have integrated graphics card. This means that the graphics processing unit is installed in the computer's motherboard or main circuit board. Discrete graphics cards are sometimes found in high-performance laptops, including gaming laptops.
Why is Windows 11 not detecting my graphics card? ›
Type and search [Device Manager]① in the Windows search bar, then click [Open]②. After opening Device Manager, click [Action]③ at the top and select [Scan for hardware changes]④. After the system scans for hardware changes, it might recognize the graphics card device that is connected so that you can use the device.
How do I enable my graphics card on Windows 11? ›
For Windows 11
Click on Display. On the Display page, scroll down and click on Graphics under the Related settings. Click on Change default graphics settings under the Default settings. Make sure that the Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling switch is set to On.
How do I see what's using my GPU? ›
Right click on the desktop and select [NVIDIA Control Panel]. Select [View] or [Desktop] (the option varies by driver version) in the tool bar then check [Display GPU Activity Icon in Notification Area]. In Windows taskbar, mouse over the "GPU Activity" icon to check the list.
How do I know if my laptop graphics card is bad? ›
Graphical Glitches Gradually Worsening
This is one of the most obvious signs a graphics card is reaching the end of its lifespan. Likewise, when graphical glitches appear, it's a bad sign, as it means your graphics card is struggling to render things correctly on the screen and can be a sign of a dying graphics card.
How do I make sure my laptop is using the correct graphics card? ›
Environment
- From Start Icon, type "Graphics Settings" and Click the results from System Settings.
- Click Desktop App.
- Browse your application. ...
- Clickon the application name/icon.
- Click Options.
- Set the application to your preferred GPU.
- Click save.
No display
- Test boot with at least external equipments. Please refer to following instructions to remove all external devices and re-confirm. ...
- Confirm the power cord of the graphics card. ...
- Confirm the dust and foreign objects in the PCI-E slot of the motherboard. ...
- Check the temperature inside your PC case.
Open "Task Manager" (Ctrl+Alt+Delete), enter the "Performance" interface, select the corresponding graphics card (GPU X), check the "Driver Version" information in the right panel. If the 5th-9th bit of "Driver Version" is less than 4.5239, then you need to upgrade.
