When it comes to finding a laptop or desktop PC that can play games, and power through CAD design, Architecture, Video Editing or Photoshop, a graphics card for your workstation or gaming PC is one of the most important parts that cannot be overlooked. The options can be overwhelming at times, today we will look into the range available from NVIDIA, a pioneer in the graphics card industry. NVIDIA offers a range of graphics cards catering to different needs. We’ll explore the difference between three prominent series: Quadro, RTX, and GTX, shedding light on their unique features and purposes.
For an optimal gaming experience, we highly recommend choosing a laptop or PC with a dedicated graphics card. Unlike integrated graphics, which share system memory with the CPU, a dedicated graphics card has its dedicated memory and processing power solely for graphics-related tasks. This means smoother gameplay, more FPS, better visuals, and the ability to run graphically demanding titles.
NVIDIA Quadro Series: Ideal for CAD, Video Editing, Photography
NVIDIA Quadro graphics cards are designed for professionals in fields such as content creation, 3D modeling, and CAD work. The Quadro series excels in delivering unmatched precision and reliability for demanding tasks like video editing, simulations, and rendering. These cards are optimized for stability, accuracy, and support for professional applications.
NVIDIA RTX Series: Real-time Ray Tracing and Gaming Performance
The RTX series represents a significant leap in graphics card technology, introducing real-time ray tracing capabilities. RTX cards are a top choice for gamers and content creators alike, as they bring cinematic-quality rendering to the gaming world. With features like AI-enhanced graphics and DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), RTX cards redefine visual fidelity in games and applications.
NVIDIA GTX Series: A Solid Choice for Gaming
The GTX series, while not as cutting-edge as the RTX line, remains a reliable choice for gaming enthusiasts. These cards provide excellent performance for gaming at 1080p and 1440p resolutions, offering a cost-effective option for those who prioritize smooth gameplay without the need for advanced features like ray tracing which are often not required to enjoy most games, with many games not even requiring this feature at all.
Can Quadro Graphics Cards Play Games too?
One common question among users is whether Quadro graphics cards can handle gaming. While Quadro cards are not specifically designed for gaming, many models are capable of running games smoothly and are an ideal, cost-effective choice especially in the refurbished market, as a way to get a cheap gaming laptop. Many games such as Minecraft, Fortnite, Roblox, GTA5, Apex Legends etc have no trouble running on many of the Quadro cards, and provide really decent framerates at low to medium settings in Full HD. Gaming-oriented RTX or GTX cards are always going to be better suited for gaming but often come at a higher price point, so it really does come down to what your budget allows and how often you are going to be gaming, and especially what level of performance (framerate, high settings etc) you are after. For a hardcore gamer that is only going to be using their machine to play games, who wants maximum framerates and performance, especially in high resolutions like 4K we would recommend choosing a GTX or RTX card when buying your next computer.
To test this further, we benchmarked and compared two Lenovo Laptops. One which features a Quadro RTX 4000 4GB Graphics Card, and the other with a GTX 1050 Ti 4GB. We found a comfortable average FPS of 41.6 in Unigine Heaven Benchmark at high settings with the Quadro, which ends up being very similar in performance to a GTX 1050 Ti, which can easily play most games at low to medium settings in HD.
Lenovo P53 Quadro RTX 4000 4GB
Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Extreme GTX 1050 Ti
Ultimately, selecting the right NVIDIA graphics card depends on your specific requirements. If you’re a professional in need of powerful rendering capabilities, the Quadro series is the go-to choice. For gamers who want cutting-edge features like ray tracing, the RTX series delivers an unparalleled experience. Meanwhile, the GTX series strikes a balance between performance and affordability, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious gamers, and a worthy consideration is always an affordable Quadro powered laptop or PC if you are a casual gamer.
If you are in the market for refurbished laptops or notebooks we also have a fantastic article you can read here where we dive deeper into other specifications such as processor and RAM.
Feeling stuck? Ask an expert if you need help to find the perfect laptop or PC for your needs!