How to Choose Best GPU for Ryzen 9 3900X? (Buying Guide)

How to Choose Best GPU for Ryzen 9 3900X? (Buying Guide)

The AMD Ryzen 9 3900X is a 12-core processor that competes with the Intel Core i9-9900k. Although it may not surpass the i9-9900k in every category, it is still an impressive CPU for creating high-end gaming systems or performing demanding tasks such as video editing or 3D rendering. The key benefits of this processor are its power efficiency and excellent value for the money, which attract most users. 

However, due to its lack of integrated graphics, a dedicated GPU is required to achieve the best performance in graphically intensive applications such as gaming or 3D rendering. But finding such a graphics card could be challenging, so you must know how to choose best GPU for Ryzen 9 3900X. Even if you don’t, we can are here to help you. This buying guide is all about this topic. Let’s read and explore!

Buying Guide to Choose Best GPUs for Ryzen 9 3900X

The best graphics card is one that has several qualities, like excellent value for the money, competitive performance, good user reviews, and more. We have not only written this buying guide but also chosen and reviewed several graphics cards for all types of users in this post: Best GPUs for Ryzen 9 3900X. If you want to get a list of the graphics cards with in-detail reviews, this article will give you this. Go and read it. 

Factors to consider

Several factors must be considered when buying a graphics card for the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X. A few essential ones include as follows: 

Brand

When purchasing a graphics card, selecting the right brand is crucial. The two most prominent brands in the market are Nvidia and AMD. Nvidia is renowned for its blower-style cards, while AMD has made a name for itself by delivering exceptional performance. However, if you’re looking for a high-cooling card, EVGA is an excellent option. 

On the other hand, if you’re on a budget, PNY cards provide outstanding value for the money. Additionally, ZOTAC is known for producing compact cards perfect for smaller builds or tight spaces. Understanding your needs and priorities is critical in selecting the right brand that aligns with your budget and requirements.

 GPU Compatibility

GPU compatibility is crucial to consider, which is determined by several factors. Firstly, you must ensure that your motherboard has a PCIe 16-slot to accommodate the GPU. Secondly, it’s essential to check the pin connectors of the GPU and ensure that your power supply can provide sufficient power to the GPU. Selecting a power supply that meets the card’s minimum requirements is vital. 

Lastly, you must consider the dimensions of your PC case and the GPU card you’re considering. Ensure that the case has enough space to accommodate the GPU, and check the measurements of the GPU to ensure that it will fit in your case.

Furthermore, you may also want to consider the airflow in your PC case. A GPU generates heat, and proper ventilation is essential to keep it cool. Make sure that the case has enough space for proper airflow, and consider adding additional fans or upgrading to a larger case if necessary. It’s also essential to check for compatibility with your operating system and any other hardware components.

Memory

The amount of memory GPU memory significantly impacts its performance. A card with higher memory will perform better than one with lesser memory. For example, a 24 GB of memory card is ideal for high-end games and content creation tasks as it can support smooth and optimum performance. However, a card with only 4GB of memory may not be suitable for advanced games and other resource-intensive tasks.

While 24 GB of memory is undoubtedly impressive, it may not be necessary for all users. Experts suggest that a minimum of 8GB of memory is ideal for gaming, providing excellent performance without breaking the bank. Additionally, it’s essential to consider the type of games or applications you plan to use your graphics card for. 

Some games or software may require more memory than others, and selecting a graphics card that meets those requirements is essential. It’s worth noting that memory alone does not determine a graphics card’s performance. Other factors, such as clock speed, architecture, and memory bandwidth, also play a crucial role. Therefore, when selecting a graphics card, it’s important to consider all these factors.

Bandwidth

Bandwidth refers to the amount of memory the GPU can access at any time. Higher bandwidth results in faster data fetch to the shader cores, ultimately leading to better overall performance. A graphics card with high bandwidth can quickly process and deliver complex data, resulting in optimum video and game graphics clarity.

Having sufficient bandwidth is critical for resource-intensive gaming and video editing applications. These tasks require a lot of data to be processed quickly, and a card with low bandwidth will cause performance bottlenecks and slowdowns. Therefore, It’s essential to check the available bandwidth to ensure that it meets your requirements.

The bandwidth available on a graphics card is influenced by several factors, such as the memory type, memory clock speed, and memory bus width. A higher memory clock speed or a wider memory bus width can increase the available bandwidth, leading to better performance; go for a graphics card with higher bandwidth. 

CUDA Cores

The CUDA cores, also known as shader cores, are a crucial component of graphics cards. They greatly influence the card’s performance, especially in terms of bandwidth. The CUDA cores perform the complex mathematical calculations required for graphics rendering. The more cores a graphics card has, the more calculations it can perform in parallel.

The number of CUDA cores you need in your graphics card depends on your usage and the games you play on your PC. For example, if you’re using a Ryzen 9 processor, it’s recommended to go for a graphics card with at least 2000 plus CUDA cores. However, this number can vary depending on the types of games you play and the level of performance you require.

Having more CUDA cores is beneficial for resource-intensive gaming, video editing, and 3D rendering applications, as they require a lot of processing power to deliver smooth performance. Therefore, if you plan to use your graphics card for these applications, selecting a card with a high number of CUDA cores is essential.

In addition to their impact on bandwidth and overall performance, the number of CUDA cores can also influence the types of applications that a graphics card can support. For example, some applications may require a specific number of CUDA cores to function correctly, and not having enough cores can result in performance issues or compatibility problems.

Power

You must consider not only the card’s TDP value but also the power supply requirements. Graphics cards require a certain amount of input power to function correctly, and this power is typically supplied through 6-pin or 8-pin connectors. Therefore, it’s crucial to check if your power supply has these connectors and if they can deliver adequate input power to the graphics card.

The insufficient power supply can result in several issues, such as system crashes, random shut-downs, and reduced graphics performance. Therefore, checking your power supply specifications before purchasing a graphics card is essential to ensure that it can provide enough power to meet the graphics card’s requirements.

If your power supply does not have the necessary connectors, you may need to upgrade it or use an adapter to connect the graphics card. However, an adapter can cause additional problems, such as reduced power delivery, which can impact graphics performance. Therefore, it’s suggested to have a power supply with optimal rated TDP so the card can get optimal power. 

Cooling

Proper thermal management is a crucial factor in determining the performance of a graphics card. It ensures that the card runs at optimal temperatures and prevents it from overheating, which can cause damage and reduce its lifespan. An unbalanced cooling system can cause the card to run at higher temperatures, leading to reduced performance and potential system crashes.

When choosing a graphics card, it’s essential to look for a card with low power consumption but high thermal management capabilities. Lower power consumption means the card generates less heat, reducing the cooling system’s load. An excellent thermal management system ensures that the card stays cool, even under heavy loads, and can sustain its performance for extended periods.

However, it’s worth noting that high-end graphics cards often consume a lot of power to deliver the best performance. In such cases, it’s crucial to ensure that the card has adequate thermal management capabilities to prevent overheating and potential damage. Ensure that the graphics card has adequate cooling features like heat dissipation, airflow, etc., to ensure optimal cooling.

Sajid Ali
Sajid Ali is a tech enthusiast and gamer who loves to write reviews about gaming hardware. He has a passion for staying up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and loves sharing his knowledge with others. Sajid studied Intermediate Computer Science at Degree College and went on to earn his Bachelor's in Computer Science from GSC. In his free time, you can find him testing out new hardware and software, or playing the latest video games. Sajid's in-depth understanding of computers and his love for gaming make him the perfect author to turn to for all things tech and gaming.