Upgrading your graphics card shouldn’t feel like guesswork. Use this 5 minute checklist to match the right GPU to your monitor, case, PSU, and the games/apps you actually run, without the headache.
1) Start with your screen
Your monitor silently dictates the GPU you need.
-
1080p / 60–100 Hz → aim for midrange cards; focus on VRAM and efficiency.
-
1080p / 120–240 Hz → prioritise high FPS + upscaling support (DLSS/FSR/XeSS).
-
1440p → look for strong raster performance + modern upscalers; 8-12GB VRAM helps.
-
4K → you’ll want upscale tech and >12GB VRAM for high/Ultra settings.
Tip: If you mostly play esports titles, a cheaper card with great upscaling can beat a pricier GPU at native resolution.
2) Check the three C’s: Case, Cables, Cooling
-
Case clearance: Measure GPU length/height vs your chassis spec; allow extra room for cables and airflow. The website I use for the most consistently correct dimensions if you can’t find them on the manufacturers website is Techpowerup.
-
Cables/Connectors:
-
Older GPUs: 6-pin / 8-pin (or two 8-pins).
-
Ada-generation cards (RTX 40) often use 12VHPWR/12V-2x6. The newer 12V-2x6 spec supersedes 12VHPWR and tightens safety requirements - use the proper cable from a compatible PSU if possible.
-
Cooling & airflow: Don’t trap a triple-fan card against a glass panel, budget a front intake fan upgrade if temps are borderline.
3) Power supply sanity check
-
Watts: Add 150–200W headroom above your CPU+GPU combined draw.
-
Quality: A decent 80+ Bronze (or better) from a reputable brand is worth more than raw wattage.
-
One cable per 8-pin on higher-draw cards; avoid ‘daisy-chaining’ when you can.
4) CPU pairing & bottlenecks (the quick rule)
-
Older 4-core CPUs (e.g., early i5/Ryzen 3) cap high-refresh gains, so there’s no point spending a lot on a powerful new GPU without upgrading the CPU too.
-
6-8 core modern CPUs pair well with mid/high-range GPUs for 1440p.
-
Enable Resizable BAR (ReBAR) if your platform supports it, it’ll gain you small but free FPS in quite a few games. Nvidia and Intel document the feature and how to enable it. Intel specifically urges Arc users to turn it on for best performance. NVIDIA+2Intel+2
5) Pick the right features for how you play or create
Upscaling & Frame Generation
-
DLSS 3 (Frame Generation) requires an RTX 40-series GPU (Ada). DLSS 3.5’s Ray Reconstruction improves RT image quality across RTX generations (support varies by feature).
-
FSR 3 upscaling works on a wide range of GPUs; AMD notes Frame Generation support from Radeon RX 5000 Series and newer (and can be used on other vendors in many titles).
-
XeSS is vendor-agnostic in many games; it runs best on Intel Arc but also works on modern Nvidia/AMD.
Streaming & video work (AV1)
-
Nvidia RTX 40: NVENC supports AV1 encoding - great for YouTube/TikTok/live streaming.
-
AMD RDNA 3 (RX 7000-series): hardware AV1 encode/decode via AMD’s media engine.
-
Intel Arc A-series: full AV1 encode/decode support.
6) How much VRAM do you actually need?
-
1080p: 8GB is fine for high settings; 12GB gives more mod/texture headroom.
-
1440p: 10-12GB reduces stutters in RT/open-world titles.
-
4K: 12-16GB+ if you chase Ultra textures and RT.
7) Compatibility & setup checklist (5 minutes)
-
Update BIOS & chipset drivers.
-
Clean old GPU drivers (DDU if switching vendors) and install the latest.
-
Turn on Resizable BAR (and SAM on AMD platforms).
-
In-game: start with upscaling on Quality mode, then tune presets.
8) Choose by use-case, not just benchmarks
Competitive 1080p (high refresh)
Look for high FPS + mature upscaling; lean Nvidia/Intel Arc if you also stream with AV1.
Cinematic single-player (1440p/RT)
Favor GPUs with strong RT and DLSS 3.5 support; ensure 10–12GB VRAM.
Creator/Editor + Gaming
AV1 and strong encoders matter (RTX 40, RDNA3, or Arc). Resolve/Premiere users often prefer NVENC/AV1 for stability and speed.
9) Buying used in 2025: what to look for
-
Proof of health: screenshots of temps, clocks, and a short stress-test run.
-
Cleanliness: dust-free shrouds/fin stacks; no bent fins or corrosion.
-
Noisy fans or coil whine: budget for fan replacements on older cards if needed.
-
Returns/warranty: even 3–12 months on used hardware is a big plus.
-
Avoid mystery adapters on high-draw cards; use native PSU cables (or reputable replacements) for 12V-2x6/12VHPWR.
10) Quick GPUsed cheat-sheet (save or share)
-
Tell us your monitor (resolution + refresh) and case/PSU model.
-
We’ll suggest a shortlist aligned to your goals (esports / 1440p RT / creator).
-
We test, clean, repaste where sensible, verify temps, and provide honest grading.
-
Need under-£200 ideas? See our other blog here, cards like RTX 3070, 3060 12GB, 2060 SUPER, RX 5700 XT, GTX 1080 Ti are common value picks for 1080p/high with modern upscaling support where applicable.
Final word
The ‘best GPU’ is the one that matches your screen, games, and cables, not just the highest benchmark bar. Share your build (CPU, PSU, case, monitor) and target (1080p/1440p, esports/RT/streaming), and GPUsed will point you to the smartest upgrade in stock, no wasted watts, no wasted money.