The Ultimate Guide to Buying an Nvidia GPU in Pakistan

In this article, I’ve tried to provide you guys with a comprehensive guide for buying a new Nvidia Graphics Card in Pakistan. I have written it from the perspective of an average consumer who wants to make a good decision for themselves and wants to make a sense of the underlying tech and its value in that mountain of marketing terms that Nvidia throws at us on every launch event.

Before we start exploring the market of Graphics cards, Potential options for the average consumer and Advice regarding the dos and don’ts of buying a Graphics card, Let’s quickly go over what a Graphics Card actually is and some other terms you should know about.

What is a Graphics Card?

You might have seen the terms GPU and Graphics Card used interchangeably, but they are a bit different. Just like a motherboard has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) inside it, which basically handles all the processing of a computer, similarly, the GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) is a small chip that resides within the hardware unit called the Graphics Card. In short, the GPU is the chip while ‘Graphics Card’ is the total package with GPU, Fans, PCB and other parts that make up a complete Graphics Card.

Graphics Cards are best known for their gaming capabilities, but they are used in a much wider range of applications i-e Gaming, Crypto Mining, Professional Content Production, Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications and a lot more. 

Graphics Cards were initially made for people with specialized Graphics needs But Now they’ve become more popular among Consumers especially Gamers who require Graphics Cards to play modern games.

Major Players in the GPU Market 

When the topic is related to GPUs, you’ve probably heard about AMD and Nvidia because they are the top competitors in the market. These are some of the world’s most well-known companies for producing Graphics Cards (aka GPUs).

In the context of gaming, AMD is known for offering better raw performance for the money, while Nvidia provides far more featureful options such as DLSS, G-Sync,  and Ray Tracking, etc. However, enabling such technologies does significantly impact your FPS, so if you’re an FPS gamer, you should probably leave them off.

In terms of pricing, Nvidia is more expensive than AMD, but considering all the technological advantages that Nvidia provides, the pros do outweigh the cons.

Latest Features

You might have seen buzzwords like DLSS, Frame Gen, Reflex, and Ray Tracing being thrown around—these are some of the key innovations driving the rapid advancement of modern technologies. 

Let me give you a bit of an introduction to these technologies. But why would an average Bashir care about them? Because once he understands them, it will help him make an informed decision about whether or not to buy a specific Graphics card.

Nvidia Tech

• DLSS: Nvidia technology that uses AI to upscale lower-resolution images to higher quality, making games look sharp while boosting performance.
• Frame Generation: AI creates extra frames between existing ones to make gameplay smoother and improve frame rates.
• Reflex: Reduces input lag, so your actions (like clicking or moving) feel faster in games.
• Ray Tracing: Simulates realistic lighting, shadows, and reflections, making games look more lifelike.

CUDA

• Outside the Gaming specific technologies discussed above, Nvidia is the pioneer in building a rich ecosystem around Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence applications through CUDA – It is a platform utilizing extra CUDA hardware present in Nvidia GPUs with its specific programming framework.
• CUDA, in short, is a specialized technology that helps Nvidia users get more out of their Graphics Cards especially when working around AI, Machine Learning and similar technologies using Parallel Computing

RTX 50 Series 

The RTX 50 series is on its way—it hasn’t launched yet, but it will be pretty soon. To be honest, according to statistics, it barely outperforms the 40 series in terms of raw performance. There are some incremental improvements, like multi-frame generation and AI-driven features. However, considering its price, the performance does not appear to represent a significant upgrade. Instead, it seems more like an enhanced ultra-super-saiyan RTX 4090.

The purpose here is simply to inform the average consumer about the current market trends. Debating whether the 50 series is good or bad is beyond the scope of this article—that’s a discussion for another day.

Why Choose Brand-New Graphics Cards Over Used Ones

Risk of Cards Previously Used for Mining

When buying used Graphics cards, it’s often challenging to find ones in good condition that haven’t been heavily used for cryptocurrency mining. Mining is one of the main reasons which leads to performance issues in Graphics cards.

On the other hand, when you are buying a new Graphics card, you don’t have to face such issues, and you always have that peace of mind that you will be getting the value out of the money you put in the GPU.

The Challenge of Finding Reliable Dealers

Trustworthy dealers are hard to come by, as many claim reliability, yet countless stories emerge daily about dissatisfied customers who’ve bought cards that fail to perform as promised.

Warranty Matters

When buying used Graphics cards, you won’t be getting a warranty for more than one month. Think of it—it’s already used, and on top of that, you are not even getting a warranty for the card. What if it stops working after a month? It is cheaper to buy a used card, but with it comes an even greater risk.

On the other hand, you don’t face this issue with a new GPU. If something happens, there’s nothing to worry about—you can get it replaced or fixed.

The Hidden Risks of Buying Used GPUs

There are countless risks of buying a used GPU. Did it come from a careful user who knows what they’re doing? Did it come from someone whose baby pissed all over the top of the PC (and GPU), someone who tried installing it with a sledgehammer and tweaked the edge where the PCIe pins are? 

Did they mine on it to death in poor conditions? Did they yank it in and out of the system with the power still on? Are they one of the users who posts on Reddit like, “Yeah, so I drop-kicked my PC down two flights of stairs”?

Similarly, you don’t have to worry about any of that when getting a new Graphics card. Truth is, we can talk about it all day, and we all know which side is going to win.

Performance Assurance

Used Graphics cards are called used for a reason, and with time, their performance declines and declines. Ever seen a crypto graph? When the market is bad, the slope moves in a downward direction—that’s exactly how the used Graphics card performs over time.

But the new GPU, it’s like a soldier that is armed and ready to get into the battlefield and is at its prime for a very long time. You will not face any performance issues with the card, of course, if you pair it with the right PSU and CPU, etc.

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What to Consider Before Buying a Graphics Card

The Rokra (Your Budget)

The most important factor when buying a Graphics card is actually your budget, because the more you can allocate, the better performance you can expect. For new Graphics cards, it is advised to categorize your budget into three distinct tiers:

• Entry-level Graphics card (50k-110k PKR)
• Medium-range Graphics card (174k-240k PKR)
• High-end Graphics card (335k-650k PKR)

Understanding Your Needs

The second most important thing when getting a Graphics card is understanding your own use case. What do you actually expect from the card in terms of performance?

• Gaming: Are you buying a GPU to play games? If so, what kind of games? Do you want to play them in 4K, 1080p, or somewhere in between?
• Non-Gaming Purposes: Perhaps you’re not into gaming at all, and your main purpose is video editing, 3D rendering, or another professional task.

Asking yourself these questions is important because your specific requirements will directly influence your decision when choosing a GPU.

Compatibility

You can damage your GPU or it might not perform at its max if you don’t have the right components for your PC. So, whenever deciding to buy a GPU, you must check the following:

• Power Supply (PSU): Does your PSU have enough wattage and the required connectors for the GPU?
• Case Size: Ensure your case has enough space for the GPU (length and height).
• Motherboard Support: Confirm the GPU fits your PCIe slot and is compatible with your motherboard.

Recommended GPUs: Find the Right Card for You

 Entry-Level Graphics Cards (50k-110k PKR)

If you are looking for an entry-level Graphics card, whether for gaming or work purposes, and you’re on a budget but still want decent-good performance, then the GTX 16 series is the perfect choice for you. The series includes:

• GTX 1650
• GTX 1660
• GTX 1660 Ti

The GTX 16 series, released back in 2019, remains a shining example of incredible value for money, even today. It has managed to hold its ground over the years, delivering performance that can easily rival the RTX 20 series in many cases

It is hard to find new 16 series cards because it’s been some time since it was released, but it is still possible , if you can get your hands on one , then it’s a win-win situation.

Benchmark Results

GTX 1650

• If your purpose is gaming and you want a Graphics card that can provide decent performance at 1080p, or if you’re buying it for editing, etc., then this card is the right choice for you.
• However, with more graphically intensive games, it might struggle at 1080p, so keep that in mind.

GTX 1660

• When comparing this GPU with its predecessor, it performs around 50% better.
• This card can easily handle gaming at 1080p while providing smooth FPS. Additionally, the value for money is pretty decent as well.

GTX 1660 Ti

• The GTX 1660 Ti performs better than all the previous 16 series cards. Compared to the 1650, it is almost 60-65% better, while compared to the 1660, it performs 10-13% better.
• If you can spare a bit more money and want that extra performance edge over the 1660, then you must go for the GTX 1660 Ti. It can easily handle almost every game at 1080p as well as 1440p.

Power Efficiency

The GTX 1650 is more power-efficient than both the GTX 1660 and 1660 Ti. Despite the latter two offering better performance, an interesting aspect of the GTX 1660 Ti is that it consumes the same power (120W) as the GTX 1660 while offering even better performance.

Price-to-Performance Ratio

The GTX 1650 starts at a lower price and provides decent performance for gamers looking to play at 720-1080p settings.

On the other hand, the 1660 and 1660 Ti are priced closely and outperform the GTX 1650 by a significant margin. However, the 1660 Ti takes the lead by surpassing both the GTX 1650 and GTX 1660 in all areas of performance.

Medium-Range Graphics Cards (174k-240k PKR)

Now, let’s turn our attention to the mid-range Graphics card, where things get serious in terms of performance. What cards are included in this price range? Let’s get right into it:

• RTX 3060 Ti
• RTX 4070

Benchmark Results

The RTX 4070 outperforms the RTX 3060 Ti by approximately 32% in terms of raw performance scores based on various benchmarks.

In gaming scenarios, the RTX 4070 is about 53% faster at 1080p, 59% faster at 1440p, and even shows a significant lead in performance at higher resolutions. So whether you want to game or use it for other purposes, the RTX 4070 clearly outperforms the RTX 3060 Ti.

Power Efficiency

You might have thought that since the 4070 provides more performance than the 3060 Ti, it would also use more power, right? Well, ladies and gentlemen, sorry to disappoint, but the RTX 4070 is actually more power-efficient than the 3060 Ti while delivering more performance.

Price-to-Performance Ratio

The RTX 3060 Ti offers better value for money in terms of cost-effectiveness, and despite being an older card, it still performs pretty well.

While the RTX 4070 has a higher starting price, the performance it offers justifies its pricing. Additionally, it provides future-proofing and comes with features such as DLSS 3 and frame-gen, which are not available in any of the 30 series Graphics cards.

High-End Graphics Cards (335k-650k PKR)

Lastly, we arrive at the high-end Graphics cards, made for gamers and people who really want the best of the best. What Graphics cards are included in this tier? Let’s get into it:

• RTX 4080 Super
• RTX 4090

Benchmark Results

The RTX 4090 outperforms the RTX 4080 Super by approximately 12% in terms of benchmark scores, making it the most powerful GPU currently available in the market.

In gaming scenarios:

• The RTX 4090 delivers around 135 FPS at 1440p in demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077, compared to the RTX 4080 Super’s 125 FPS.
• At higher resolutions like 4K, the RTX 4090 maintains its lead, making it ideal for ultra-high-resolution gaming and professional workloads.

Power Efficiency

The RTX 4080 Super (320W) is more power-efficient than the RTX 4090 (450W) while still offering really good performance.

Despite its higher performance, the RTX 4090 consumes significantly more power, making the RTX 4080 Super a better choice for those who prioritize efficiency.

Price-to-Performance Ratio

The RTX 4080 Super offers better value with a lower price tag and strong performance, as compared to the RTX 4090, making it ideal for gamers looking for high-end features while at the same time not breaking their bank.

On the other hand, you can choose the RTX 4090, which is unrivaled in terms of performance, but it comes at a cost—at the cost of holes in your wallets. Jokes aside, if you are looking for the best of the best, this is the perfect card for you.

Key Considerations When Buying a Graphics Card

VRAM

The more Video RAM (VRAM) a GPU has, the greater its capacity to store images and render them to your monitor at a time.

• Minimum Recommendation: 4 GB of VRAM for entry-level gaming.
• Maximum Recommendation: 8 GB or more is recommended for 1080p and 1440p gaming. This much VRAM is more than enough for workloads as well.

CPU

When buying a GPU, make sure you have a good enough CPU to support the upgrade. Otherwise, you will experience bottlenecking issues (low FPS in games, lag in games and HD video editing, and stuttering in both).

• For mid-range GPUs (like RTX 3060 Ti or RTX 4070): A CPU such as the Intel Core i5-12400F or AMD Ryzen 5 5600X would provide balanced performance.
• For high-end GPUs (like RTX 4080 Super or RTX 4090): Consider a more powerful CPU like the Intel Core i7-12700K or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X, which will perform well without bottleneck issues.

Core Frequency

The higher the core frequency, the more efficient the core’s operation will be, resulting in faster performance.

• Minimum Recommendation: A core frequency of at least 1.5 GHz is advisable for decent performance in gaming.
• Maximum Recommendation: Aim for a core frequency between 1.8 GHz and 2.0 GHz for good performance in demanding applications and games.

By ensuring your GPU specifications align with your CPU, you can achieve a smooth gaming experience.

Memory Frequency

The higher the memory frequency, the less time it will take to transfer image data to the core, improving both core and memory efficiency.

• Minimum Recommendation: A memory frequency of around 12 Gbps is suitable for most mid-range cards.
• Maximum Recommendation: Look for memory frequencies of up to 19 Gbps or higher for better efficiency and performance in high-resolution gaming.

Top Brands for Nvidia Graphics Cards

ASUS

ASUS doesn’t play around. They’ve got the ROG (Republic of Gamers) lineup—a name that carries weight in the gaming world. Their Strix series? A beast. Factory overclocked right out of the box, meaning you’re squeezing out extra performance without lifting a finger.

If you’re looking for top-tier reliability and performance at the expense of holes in your wallet, ASUS ROG is a solid choice.

MSI

Then there’s MSI. They’ve mastered the balance between raw power and aesthetics. Take their Gaming X Trio, for instance. Triple fans to keep temps in check, TORX fan design for better airflow—it’s like they’ve weaponized cooling. And guess what? They come factory overclocked as well, with Afterburner software to push the card even further.

Go for MSI if you want a balance of performance and style.

Gigabyte

Now, Gigabyte. You might know them from their motherboards, but their GPUs are no slouch. They are famous for the cooling technologies packed right into their Graphics cards.

Choose Gigabyte for a mix of performance and value, especially if you’re drawn to features like RGB lighting.

Why Not the Cheap Brands?

There are others—Zotac, Palit, Inno3D. You’ll find them when you filter by price. But here’s the thing: spending less upfront means paying more later. Maybe it’s the cooling that fails. Maybe the materials aren’t built to last. Worst-case? You’re gambling with your performance.

So if you’re going to drop some serious bucks, do it right. Choose the brands that don’t just promise—they deliver . Performance. Cooling. Longevity. This is how you build a rig that’s yours.

Offline vs Online Purchasing: The Battle

Offline Purchasing

What are the Pros?

You walk into a store, and the hardware’s right there. No guessing, no waiting. You can touch it, see it, and feel the build quality. If you’ve got questions, there’s always a Bashir ready to answer them. Though let’s be real, they’re probably just trying to upsell you. But still, it’s instant. 

You pay, you walk out with your GPU. No shipping delays, no risk of a box arriving with an Nvidia ZTX 2099 in it. And returns? You walk back into the store, receipt in hand, and sort it out. Immediate, human interaction—sometimes that’s what you need.

What are the Cons?

But the downsides? Price. They have to pay rent and staff, so it’s acceptable that they pass that cost to you. And inventory? Limited. If you’re looking for that specific ASUS ROG Strix OC model, they might not have it. Worse, they’ll try to push whatever they’ve got, even if it’s not the right card for you. 

Plus, you’ll need to get out of your mom’s old basement, get there, and deal with parking and crowds—it’s a whole thing. Offline’s convenient…until it isn’t.

Online Purchasing

What are the Pros?

Then there’s online. Infinite options. ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte—all the brands, all the models, right there on your screen. Need the factory-overclocked variant with triple fans? One search, and it’s in your cart. 

And prices? Online stores fight for your wallet with deals and discounts you’ll rarely see offline. Want to compare benchmarks? Customer reviews? It’s all there. Click, pay, wait. Sometimes you even score free shipping. And the biggest benefit? No Bashir trying to be another Andrew Tate in order to sell you the Graphics card.

What are the Cons?

But here’s the catch in Online Shopping. You’re virtually blind. You can’t see the real product until it arrives. What if it’s damaged? Or worse, what if you get scammed, a used GPU sold as new, or a counterfeit card that barely runs GTA Vice City? And returns? A nightmare. Long waits, endless emails. 

Then there’s shipping delays. When you’re in a hurry to game or finish your project, waiting 5-7 business days feels like an eternity.

Conclusion

To conclude, we started by understanding what a GPU is, then we explored the market trends, and discussed Graphics cards across different tiers—low, mid, and high and what different brands offer.

The most important factor in a country like Pakistan is always your budget and use-case. It’s crucial to set a realistic budget and understand your needs . This will help you find the perfect GPU tailored to your requirements.

While I’ve provided guidance here, I personally recommend doing your own research as well. Taking the time to explore on your own will surely be helpful.

Finally, a personal advice: Make use of the Online marketplaces to compare prices, Find the best model, and then visit local stores to check it out in-person before making your decision.

If you think you found any value in this, I encourage you to join the Wandering Pro Discord server. If you found any error or have any feedback, please share it at admin@sknexus.com

References and Resources

1. https://www.industech.pk/   (Store)
2. https://technical.city/en   (Benchmark site)
3. https://gpu.userbenchmark.com   (Benchmark site)
4. https://youtu.be/x6hIuYo7F30   (4080S vs 4090)
5. https://youtu.be/jJaaU_2S8Ok   (3060ti vs 4070)
6. https://www.techmatched.pk   (Store)
7. https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/tech-takes/gpu-buying-guide 

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