On the Internet, one of the biggest debates you’ll encounter is about the best graphics card brand. The arguments between the fans of these brands are as rabid as they are productive.
The market is cornered by two manufacturers: AMD graphics cards and Nvidia graphics cards. Under these two manufacturers, you’ll have different brands of graphics cards. And by brands, we mean the companies that are making the aftermarket versions of the graphics cards.
You see, AMD and Nvidia provide the chips and architecture to these brands, and they’ll make their own versions of the graphics cards under their brand. When AMD and Nvidia make their own graphics cards, they’re branded as Founder’s Editions. These are more powerful graphics cards than the aftermarket brands, but they come at a hefty price. They’re also limited in terms of supply, which accounts for why they’re so expensive.
The aftermarket brands listed below are what we’d consider consumer graphics cards. These graphics cards were designed to not be as powerful as the Founder’s Edition versions, but the performance is just as comparable.
How Do Graphics Card Manufacturers Differ?
As mentioned earlier, NVidia and AMD don’t manufacture their graphics cards on their own. They sell the chips and architecture to the following companies listed in the next section, allowing them to customize the build of the graphics cards as they see fit.
The end result being you get different variations of one graphics card. For example, Nvidia sells the architecture and chips for an RTX 2080. You’ll then have something like Zotac RTX 2080 or MSI RTX 2080.
Do these cards differ in terms of performance?
Yes and no. GPU performance is negligible between the two different GPU manufacturers. Some brands will clock faster than others, but you can hardly tell the difference. Again, using the RTX 2080 as an example. The MSI RTX 2080 might have a higher base clock speed or boost clock speed than its Zotac counterparts, but you can hardly tell the difference. The features of the RTX 2080 under different manufacturers will still be the same, and that’s all that matters. Ray tracing support will still be present in an MSI and Zotac counterpart. Same thing can be said for AMD’s FidelityFx super resolution found in different AMD cards.
As for the pricing, that’s a different story.
You get good graphics cards deals depending on the brand of GPU. Higher clock speed and better aesthetics often dictate how higher a certain brand of graphics card will be compared to other brands. Nvidia cards have always had better aesthetics than AMD graphics cards, but most people don’t really care much about aesthetics. They’re more concerned with the graphics processor, the clock speed, and other technical specifications.
As for warranty, a lot of modern graphics cards come with decent manufacturers’ warranties. Nvidia GPUs and AMD cards are replaceable if there’s a defect, or if the card’s irreparable. Based on personal experience, I’ve had my Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 replaced by the computer shop without any difficulty. It took about a couple of weeks to coordinate with the manufacturer, but I have had no complaints about the warranty.
Having said all of that. Let’s go over the different brands of graphics cards and how they differ from one another.
What Are The Different Graphics Card Brands In The Market?
Assembling your gaming PC can be a bit of a challenge, especially when you see the different brands of graphics cards. The gaming performance won’t be any different between these GPU makers, but rather, how much power you get is another story in itself.
Micro-Star International or MSI
MSI, or Micro-Star International, is a popular manufacturer for PC hardware and laptops. This Taiwanese company is also known for their high-end graphics cards and budget offerings too.
On the high-end side, you’re getting Gaming X and Gaming Z while you’re getting Ventus 3x and 2X on the budget side of things.
MSI both designs and sells for Nvidia GeForce RTX and AMD Radeon graphics cards.
Examples of MSI Nvidia Graphics Cards
Examples of MSI AMD Graphics Cards
ASUS
Like MSI and Gigabyte, ASUS is one of the best and most popular manufacturers for PC hardware and peripherals, laptops, and smartphones. But they’re widely known for their hardware than anything else. For their gaming laptops, you’ll recognize them for their ROG Strix series on the premium side and TUF series on the budget side.
ASUS graphics cards are known for their excellent gaming performance and overall GPU performance, even though they have a slightly higher price tag than others.
Currently, ASUS sells both Nvida Geforce and AMD Radeon graphics cards
Examples of ASUS Nvidia Graphics Cards
Examples of ASUS AMD Radeon Graphics Cards
Inno3D (for Nvidia Geforce video cards only)
One of the oldest graphics card brands on this list is the Inno3D. Their box designs is just as insane as their GPU performance, minus the large price tag.
Their flagship series is called the iChillX3 and iChillx4, and unlike most GPUs in the market right now, Inno3D GPUs carry extra fans. The iChillX4 line of GPUs carry a fourth fan intended for MOSFET cooling. The company is also known for thier Twin X2 and X3 OC lineups, both powerful graphics cards in their own right but do not carry high-end components.
If you want raw performance that’s out of this world but on a tight budget, then Inno3D might be the best graphics card brand for you.
As it stands, Inno3D only makes graphics cards for Nvidia Geforce.
Examples of Inno3D Nvidia Graphics Cards
Gigabyte
Gigabyte is a brand that needs no introduction because it’s one of the best third-party AIB graphics card manufacturers in the industry right now. They’re also widely known for their PC hardware and peripherals.
Gigabyte is well known for its aesthetics and high-performance graphics cards, as well as some affordable options in the market. On the premium side, you get the AORUS Master and Vision. On the budget side you get the Gaming OC lineup.
What’s interesting here is that all of the Gigabyte graphics cards are known for providing and guaranteeing excellent performance.
Currently, Gigabyte produces both Nvidia GeForce and AMD Radeon graphics cards.
Examples of Gigabyte Nvidia Graphics Cards
Examples of Gigabyte AMD Radeon Graphics Cards
Sapphire (for AMD Radeon video cards only)
Some of AMD’s best graphics cards in the market right now falls under the Sapphire brand, a manufacturer dedicated only to the production of AMD Radeon graphics cards.
Sapphire GPUs are easily recognizable by their branding and box designs. Sapphire is known for producing high-end graphics cards without breaking the bank. Their best-performing graphics card series is the Nitro+, considered by many as the “premium of all premium graphics cards”. Meanwhile, Sapphire Pulse is the affordable option from their series and is one of the most popular consumer graphics cards right now.
Currently, i have the Sapphire Pulse AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX, and its the best AMD graphics card that I’ve owned over the last few years. Graphics cards tend to be expensive as you go up in performance, but this isn’t the case with the 7900 XTX. It competes okay against the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 in terms of gaming performance, but the AMD Radeon RX 7900 XTX I have right now is cheaper.
Examples of Sapphire AMD Radeon Graphics Cards
7) XFX (for AMD Radeon video cards only)
Just like Sapphire, XFX is limited to producing AMD graphics cards and they’re known for their high-performance graphics cards that’re extremely affordable. Their most popular series is the Speedster SWFT 319, a line filled with premium and affordable options. Their most powerful graphics card is the Speedster MERC 319, known for its incredible thermal efficiency and overall build quality.
XFX graphics cards deliver pure performance and is often the graphics card of choice by creative professionals.
Examples of XFX AMD Radeon Graphics Cards
Colorful (for Nvidia Geforce video cards only)
Colorful is another popular graphics card manufacturer, known for their iGame Vulcan series of GPUs. They also have one of the best cooling hardware installed on their graphics cards. What makes the iGame Vulcan appealing to PC gamers is its tiltable display that can be used as a system monitor.
The iGame Ultra and iGame Vulcan series are their premium GPUs, but they also have affordable GPUS under the Advanced OC and BattleAX umbrellas. But what really sets Colorful apart from the other graphics cards brands on here is their gaming performance. You’re already getting the best graphics card deals with just the BattleAX series that competes against the other high-end graphics cards
Overall, Colorful is a great graphics card manufacturer, but they do not sell AMD Radeon GPUs.
Examples of Colorful Nvidia Graphics Cards
- Colorful NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
- Colorful GeForce 1660 6GB GDDR6
Wrap Up!
Ultimately, the best graphics card brand for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences. It’s important to consider factors such as performance, features, price, and support when choosing a graphics card brand. While NVIDIA and AMD are two of the most popular and highly regarded brands on the market, other brands such as ASUS, Gigabyte, and MSI also offer excellent graphics cards that may be better suited to your specific needs. Whatever brand you choose, investing in a quality graphics card can greatly enhance your computer’s performance and overall experience, whether you’re a gamer, content creator, or professional designer.
