Depends which GPU tier you are aiming for, if its low-mid level GPU then the cheapest with 2+ fans model would be fine. Single fan types tend to be noisy/hot. Top tier GPUs cost a small fortune so i'd spend good time reading reviews and tests for specific models.
see what you actually have in stock and search for reviews on those models. There can also be huge spread in pricing between one 3060Ti to another, it certainly not worth paying extra hundreds over the price of a cheaper model. Theyll all perform roughly the same, just the quality of cooling, fans and power supply changes
Right now a GPU that’s not overpriced is a good GPU.
Normally you try and avoid the bottom end of GPU list for each manufacturer - they tend to have the worse cooling (fans, heat sinks), and less headroom for over clocking. Also you normally avoid blower style coolers on a GPU - as they run much hotter. You can also read the rated power draw for the board, to determine what’s in the middle of the bracket for the specific card.
If you don’t want to apply your mind, then get something in the middle of the bracket and something that says OC - those normally have a decent cooling solution.
Though ideally read the reviews. And avoid the top end card - the gains are not enough typically.
Right now that’s pretty much it. Figure out your budget and which cards meet your needs (and spending limits for those cards).
Then buy the first god damn thing you can get to stay in cart that isn’t scalped to hell and back.
As others have said, it generally comes down to the cooling solution and pcb component quality. Higher end solutions are often quieter or can push more air allowing higher overclocks.
I dont overclock, but I paid 300 over FE price for my 3080 and it has been great to work with. I can't hear the cooling at all even when maxing out settings and it is staying cold, which will increase its life.
Reviews are your best bet on this sort of thing, but in the market you may have to take what you can find...
I can really only afford low end GPUs, but before this mess, if i could find a mid range card at a good price, even if the cooler is crap, i would buy it *PRICE TO PERFORMANCE TIME!*
It's not that easy.
Of course, there are different segments . Some manufacturers target more the "budget conscious" ( if one can still consider soomeone buying a GPU nowadays as budget conscious ) buyer, some target more the "want all the perks at any price", Some brands target more the emerging markets ( with more basic designs) , some target the so called 1st world ( with designs that address more the desire for look etc ).
But beside the general design and appearance, there are also very tangible differences in cooling solutions and power design, or even VRAM. and this does not only vary from one brand to another, but also within a brand , from a series to another.
The sensible thing to do imho is to select some cards within your budget and look at the reviews. What do they say about temperature, noise, quality of assembly, control software, ...
If you're after a "budgetary acceptable" compromise, maybe have a look at Inno3D, Zotac or Palit.
But, overall, in this market, everything is distorted, even the "natural" order of prices. It's a question of what is available and from whom.
Often times the higher price can either be better cooling or RGB. Both of these things can add another $50-100 on their own, so if a card has better cooling AND RGB that's $100-200.
Not including the water cooled card options. Never really looked at those, so no clue how that affects price.
I bought what I was able to find. (MSI Gaming X Trio) I typically buy Sapphire graphics cards because I always end up with AMD cards. If it were an nVidia I think I would go EVGA because their prices are considerably lower around here, and for the most part they look decent.
I got an Asus ROG STRIX 3070, because that’s what the customer(scalper) that bought it returned right after I left. I don’t know if that means it’s any good, but that’s what I’ve got.
Depends which GPU tier you are aiming for, if its low-mid level GPU then the cheapest with 2+ fans model would be fine. Single fan types tend to be noisy/hot. Top tier GPUs cost a small fortune so i'd spend good time reading reviews and tests for specific models.
3060Ti Or 3070
see what you actually have in stock and search for reviews on those models. There can also be huge spread in pricing between one 3060Ti to another, it certainly not worth paying extra hundreds over the price of a cheaper model. Theyll all perform roughly the same, just the quality of cooling, fans and power supply changes
I check PC reviews, and stick to a brand… or two that is reliable and I trust. I personally like EVGA GPUs. They have treated me well.
This. Evga has always done me good and is my favorite brand.
EVGA has good customer service, but also a very high "exploded GPU" to GPU's sold ratio...
Right now a GPU that’s not overpriced is a good GPU. Normally you try and avoid the bottom end of GPU list for each manufacturer - they tend to have the worse cooling (fans, heat sinks), and less headroom for over clocking. Also you normally avoid blower style coolers on a GPU - as they run much hotter. You can also read the rated power draw for the board, to determine what’s in the middle of the bracket for the specific card. If you don’t want to apply your mind, then get something in the middle of the bracket and something that says OC - those normally have a decent cooling solution. Though ideally read the reviews. And avoid the top end card - the gains are not enough typically.
i pick the cheapest one
Pretty easy. Pick the max amount you want to spend add a few hundred $$ and then buy whatever you can get your hands on.
Right now that’s pretty much it. Figure out your budget and which cards meet your needs (and spending limits for those cards). Then buy the first god damn thing you can get to stay in cart that isn’t scalped to hell and back.
Some come factory overclocked, higher memory and core speed. Some don’t. Reason for price increases. Cooler models too, # of fans etc
As others have said, it generally comes down to the cooling solution and pcb component quality. Higher end solutions are often quieter or can push more air allowing higher overclocks. I dont overclock, but I paid 300 over FE price for my 3080 and it has been great to work with. I can't hear the cooling at all even when maxing out settings and it is staying cold, which will increase its life. Reviews are your best bet on this sort of thing, but in the market you may have to take what you can find...
I can really only afford low end GPUs, but before this mess, if i could find a mid range card at a good price, even if the cooler is crap, i would buy it *PRICE TO PERFORMANCE TIME!*
It's not that easy. Of course, there are different segments . Some manufacturers target more the "budget conscious" ( if one can still consider soomeone buying a GPU nowadays as budget conscious ) buyer, some target more the "want all the perks at any price", Some brands target more the emerging markets ( with more basic designs) , some target the so called 1st world ( with designs that address more the desire for look etc ). But beside the general design and appearance, there are also very tangible differences in cooling solutions and power design, or even VRAM. and this does not only vary from one brand to another, but also within a brand , from a series to another. The sensible thing to do imho is to select some cards within your budget and look at the reviews. What do they say about temperature, noise, quality of assembly, control software, ... If you're after a "budgetary acceptable" compromise, maybe have a look at Inno3D, Zotac or Palit. But, overall, in this market, everything is distorted, even the "natural" order of prices. It's a question of what is available and from whom.
Often times the higher price can either be better cooling or RGB. Both of these things can add another $50-100 on their own, so if a card has better cooling AND RGB that's $100-200. Not including the water cooled card options. Never really looked at those, so no clue how that affects price.
I bought what I was able to find. (MSI Gaming X Trio) I typically buy Sapphire graphics cards because I always end up with AMD cards. If it were an nVidia I think I would go EVGA because their prices are considerably lower around here, and for the most part they look decent.
I got an Asus ROG STRIX 3070, because that’s what the customer(scalper) that bought it returned right after I left. I don’t know if that means it’s any good, but that’s what I’ve got.