Enshrouded System Requirements

How To Pick The Best (and right) Graphics Card.

Picking the best graphics card can be essential for an optimal PC experience, whether you're aiming for quality gaming, video editing, 3D rendering, or general multi-tasking. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to choose the right one for your needs:

1. Determine Your Needs:

   • Gaming: If you're a gamer, consider the games you play. High-end, AAA titles require more graphics power than indie games or older titles.
   • Professional Use: Video editing, 3D rendering, and AI tasks often require a powerful GPU, sometimes with specific features or certifications.
   • General Use: Everyday computing, streaming videos, and light gaming might not need a high-end card.

2. Consider Your Budget:

   • Graphics cards range from around $100 to over $1,000. Establishing a budget helps narrow down your choices. Remember, the most expensive card isn't always the best for your needs.

3. Check Your Current Hardware:

   • Compatibility: Ensure your motherboard has the right slot for the GPU (usually PCIe 3.0/4.0 x16). Also, check the card dimensions to see if it fits in your case.
   • Power Supply: More powerful cards need more power. Make sure your PSU can handle the card’s demands, with the necessary power connectors.
   • CPU: Ensure your CPU is good enough to avoid bottlenecking, where a powerful GPU is held back by an underperforming CPU.

4. Resolution and Refresh Rate:

   • The higher the monitor resolution (like 4K) and refresh rate (120Hz or more), the more powerful a graphics card you’ll need.

5. Memory and Bandwidth:

   • More VRAM allows for better performance at high resolutions and keeping larger amounts of texture data and other information the GPU needs. However, having too much VRAM isn't useful if the GPU can't use it all efficiently.
   • Also, check memory speed and bandwidth; faster memory can process more data.

6. Performance and Reviews:

   • Look at benchmarking and comparison reviews from reliable sources. These tests demonstrate how cards perform in real-world scenarios and compare against each other.

7. Software and Features:

   • Consider cards that support software or features you need (like Nvidia's DLSS for better performance in games or AMD's Radeon ProRender for rendering tasks).

8. Thermal Design:

   • Check the card’s cooling system. Overheating can reduce performance and lifespan. Cards with better cooling systems usually perform better.

9. Connectivity:

   • Ensure the card has the outputs you need for your monitor(s), such as HDMI or DisplayPort.

10. Future Proofing:

    • Consider how long you plan to keep your card. Getting a slightly more powerful card than you currently need can extend its useful life.

11. Brand and Warranty:

    • Consider the reputation of the manufacturer and the warranty provided. Sometimes, it's worth paying a little more for a reliable brand and better customer support.

12. Market Conditions:

    • Graphics card prices can fluctuate based on demand, availability, and even cryptocurrency trends. Keep an eye on market conditions to find the best deal.

Remember, the "best" card isn't the one with the highest specs but the one that best fits your needs, setup, and budget. Always cross-reference multiple reviews and performance tests to ensure you're making an informed decision.

Now you have your PC back up to scratch, get you and your friends an "Enshrouded Game Server".