Graphics Cards

Upgrade your desktop computer with a graphics card designed for gaming, content creation, live streaming, video editing, 3D rendering, and other GPU-accelerated tasks. Best Buy Canada carries NVIDIA GeForce and AMD Radeon GPUs from brands such as ASUS, MSI, PNY, Sapphire, and ZOTAC.

Whether you are replacing an older video card or building a new gaming PC, compare graphics cards based on performance, video memory, cooling, physical size, power requirements, and connectivity to find the right option for your system.

What is a graphics card?

A graphics card, sometimes called a video card, is a PC component that processes and displays images, videos, animations, and other visual content. A dedicated graphics card typically includes a graphics processing unit, or GPU, along with its own video memory, cooling system, display connections, and supporting circuitry.

The graphics card installs in a compatible PCI Express slot on the computer’s motherboard and connects to a monitor through an HDMI or DisplayPort connection.

Computers can also have integrated graphics built into the processor. Integrated graphics share system memory and are often suitable for web browsing, office applications, video playback, and other everyday activities. A dedicated graphics card has its own GPU and video memory, making it better suited to demanding gaming and creative applications.

What is the difference between a graphics card and a GPU?

A GPU, or graphics processing unit, is the processor responsible for performing graphics-related calculations. The graphics card is the complete component that contains the GPU, video memory, cooling hardware, display outputs, and other specialized parts.

Although the terms have different technical meanings, “GPU” and “graphics card” are frequently used interchangeably when shopping for a dedicated desktop graphics card.

How can a new GPU improve PC performance?

A more powerful GPU can deliver higher frame rates, sharper visual detail, smoother gameplay, and better performance at higher display resolutions. Many modern graphics cards also support features such as ray tracing, AI-assisted graphics, upscaling, frame generation, and low-latency gaming.

Graphics cards can also accelerate supported creative applications used for photo editing, video editing, animation, 3D modelling, rendering, and live streaming. Performance improvements vary depending on the application, the rest of the computer’s hardware, and whether the software supports GPU acceleration.

What should I look for when choosing a graphics card?

Start by considering how you plan to use your PC. A gaming graphics card should be selected based on the games you play, your monitor resolution, desired frame rate, and preferred graphics settings. Content creators may need additional video memory for high-resolution editing, complex 3D projects, or other demanding workloads.

Before purchasing a graphics card, check its length, height, and slot width to make sure it fits inside your computer case. You should also confirm that your power supply provides enough wattage and includes the required GPU power connectors.

Other factors to compare include video memory, cooling design, HDMI and DisplayPort connections, compatibility with your motherboard, and how well the graphics card pairs with your processor.

How do I upgrade the graphics card in my PC?

Before installing a new graphics card, confirm that your computer has a compatible PCI Express slot, sufficient case clearance, and a power supply that meets the card’s requirements.

Turn off the computer, unplug it, and follow the installation instructions provided by the graphics card manufacturer. The new graphics card should be securely installed in the appropriate PCI Express slot and connected to the required power supply cables. Your monitor should then be connected directly to the graphics card rather than the motherboard’s display output.

After restarting the computer, download and install the latest graphics drivers from the GPU manufacturer’s official website. Anyone who is uncomfortable installing internal PC components should consider getting assistance from an experienced technician.

Best Buy carries a wide selection of graphics cards and GPUs for gaming, streaming, content creation, and PC upgrades.

Discover other PC components at Best Buy Canada.

Want More Info? Check out some of our resources:

Graphics Cards Explained

PC Gaming Buying Guide

Build Your Very Own Gaming

How to find the right graphics card (video card) for your computing needs

What kind of graphics card do I need for gaming?