picksbycard
October 11, 2026No. 162
The notebook ยท 9 articles

GPU guides, without the fluff.

Longer reads on the questions the spec sheet will not answer: how much memory you actually need, when used beats new, and which matchups are worth the argument. One a week.

Every guide

9 posts
October 5, 2026

How Much VRAM Does Your PC Need for Gaming and AI?

When buying a graphics card (GPU), you're often confronted with technical jargon like "VRAM" without clear guidance on w

Read the guide →
September 28, 2026

The 1440p Graphics Card Roundup: Which One Suits Your Build?

Choosing a graphics card that fits your budget and performance needs can be overwhelming. The market is flooded with opt

Read the guide →
September 21, 2026

The Thin VRAM Buffer Trap: How Cheap Graphics Cards Age Poorly

When building a PC on a strict budget, it's easy to fall into the trap of prioritizing low prices over long-term value.

Read the guide →
September 14, 2026

Buying Used Graphics Cards: Separating the Good from the Bad

A practical guide to acquiring pre-owned graphics cards for gaming and local AI.

Read the guide →
September 7, 2026

Used Budget AI vs. New Budget Gaming: GeForce RTX 3060 12GB (used) vs. Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB

A used GeForce RTX 3060 12GB faces off against the Radeon RX 9060 XT 16GB in our comparison.

Read the guide →
August 31, 2026

How Much VRAM Do You Really Need?

Determining the right amount of VRAM for your gaming and local AI needs in 2026.

Read the guide →
August 24, 2026

The Best Used Graphics Cards for Gaming and Local AI in 2026

A detailed guide to choosing the best used graphics cards for gaming and AI, covering 3090, RTX 4090, RX 7900 XTX, and 3060.

Read the guide →
August 17, 2026

Where a Cheap Graphics Card Costs You Later: Thin VRAM Buffers

Which budget graphics cards will still hold up in a few years, and which ones their small VRAM will hold back.

Read the guide →
August 3, 2026

RTX 5070 vs. B570: A Mid-Range Battle for Gaming Enthusiasts

Compare the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 and Intel Arc B570 for gaming, VRAM, and budget considerations.

Read the guide →

The Silicon Note

One short read on the GPU market, most mornings. No spam, one-click out.