How we take a look at GPUs | WePC

Final Up to date: June 14th, 2022

The GPU is on the coronary heart of each gaming PC and in case you’re a hardcore devoted PC gamer it’s prone to be the only most costly element you buy. That’s why we put each GPU via rigorous real-world and artificial exams so we are able to straight evaluate and fee each precisely and towards direct competitors. Standardized and repeatable testing is vital to get correct, comparative outcomes.

Actual-world exams

Aesthetics

We take a look at all the things from the product and packaging, to any particular options on the cardboard (resembling an LED show, quantity of followers, any additional stuff bundled in). We verify the size, really feel, and weight of the cardboard, and what supplies it’s constructed from.

Gaming Efficiency

We take a look at every GPU with the next standardized set of video games so we are able to fee the GPU in context. We take a look at every recreation at 1080p, 1440p, and 4k, and we repeat testing on every decision 3 times. These are normally performed on the highest settings. We additionally take a look at ray tracing efficiency on video games if out there. Our gaming repertoire:

• Counter-Strike: World Offensive
• Grime 5
• Doom Everlasting (ray tracing)
• Evil Genius 2
• Far Cry 6
• Fortnite
• Rainbow Six Siege
• Resident Evil: Village
• Shadow of the Tomb Raider
• Warzone

Artificial exams

We take a look at the efficiency of GPUs in non-gaming packages, resembling 3D rendering (Blender/SolidWorks) and video rendering (Premiere Professional), and we additionally use the 3DMark benchmark take a look at.

Energy exams

We take a look at the ability draw of the GPU for precise utilization utilizing Nvidia PCAT. Checking the ability draw of the cardboard underneath heavy load in addition to basic utilization.

Thermal and cooling exams

We take sensor readings over a interval of load to verify how the die is cooled underneath load.
We verify how good the cooling resolution is and in addition how loud it’s. We use a decibel meter in a managed setting to measure how loud the GPU is in comparison with different real-world noises. 
Thermal testing is completed in a managed setting, with a thermal probe to know gauge temperatures across the GPU.
We verify fan RPM to see how the followers react underneath load.

• We take sensor readings over a interval of load to verify how the die is cooled underneath load.
• We verify how good the cooling resolution is and in addition how loud it’s. We use a decibel meter in a managed setting to measure how loud the GPU is in comparison with different real-world noises.
• Thermal testing is completed in a managed setting, with a thermal probe to know gauge temperatures across the GPU.
• We verify fan RPM to see how the followers react underneath load.

Overclocking

• We take a look at how far the cardboard could be pushed as normal. 
• We then conduct a step-by-step course of to search out the boundaries of every half.

Teardowns and chilly plate

• We take away the cooler to verify the contact between the cooler and elements of the cardboard.
• We verify if the VRMs, reminiscence, and die have a very good resolution of thermal pads or contact. 
• We use stress paper (or stress mapping sensors) to verify the connection between the die and chilly plate to see how good the contact is for higher thermal conduction.
• We additionally verify the roughness of the chilly plate for nearer inspection of the contact surfaces.

Hashrate

• We use Phoenix Miner to check the hashrate of the GPU.

How we rating 

We rating GPUs out of 5 stars with the next weightings.

Gaming (55%)

A key function of any graphics card is how properly it does in operating the video games you want. There’s the uncooked efficiency of a card and what number of FPS it should get in a recreation. However there are additionally additional options it helps resembling ray tracing or upscaling software program.

Artificial (15%)

Artificial benchmarks aren’t at all times a direct dictator of efficiency however they offer a good suggestion of relative efficiency. They provide a very good comparability between totally different playing cards and so we are able to see the distinction between a number of playing cards simply. In addition to being smaller and extra constant than some gaming benchmarks they will present a very good overview of a graphics card.

Worth for cash (MSRP) (10%)

When not in search of the top-of-the-range, worth for cash is an enormous consideration. We evaluate how properly the GPU does for a way a lot it prices with the producer’s meant retail worth.

Energy (5%)

One other consideration while you worth cash is energy consumption. With excessive utilization, your payments will probably be increased, so it’s good to know what to anticipate. And if the ability is well worth the cash or is the choice a greater choice.

Thermals (5%)

To maintain working at its most potential a graphics card wants nice cooling to cease it from throttling. So we consider how properly every cooling resolution is and if it holds as much as the duty when underneath heavy masses.

Overclocking (5%)

Once you need to extract essentially the most out of your GPU typically it’s a must to push it past the boundaries. So we consider what the potential of doing that’s with the cardboard and the way a lot it positive aspects from doing so.

Aesthetics (5%)

Generally you need to exhibit your costly card so the way it appears could be an essential issue. Looking at the way it’s constructed, the standard of supplies, and what options include it may be some key takeaways for some shoppers.

GPU take a look at crew

Sebastian Kozłowski takes the reigns of operating the GPU specialist position. With loads of years of expertise as a gamer he additionally has a ardour for taking issues aside a seeing how they tick. Beforehand benchmarking and buiding {hardware} since 2021 he makes positive the GPUs dwell as much as his lofty expectations.

Current GPU critiques

WePC guides to purchasing the most effective GPU

It’s not simple getting your arms on a GPU nowadays and whereas the scarcity continues the costs are nonetheless sky-high. For that motive, it’s important that you just get essentially the most bang on your buck that’s doable. We put each GPU we get via rigorous, standardized, and repeatable exams to provide the final confidence when shopping for. Should you’re in search of the most effective GPU for gaming that cash should buy you need to try our collection of the finest graphics playing cards. Or in case you’re in search of cheaper playing cards we’ve a collection of finances playing cards or low profile playing cards.