When it comes to gaming, one of the most important pieces of equipment is the graphics card. A good graphics card can mean the difference between an average gaming experience and an amazing one.
With so many options on the market, it can be hard to know which one is right for you. Here is a list of the best graphics cards for gaming in 2022, so you can make the right choice for your needs.
The Forgeary Graphics Card Guide 2022
AMD or NVIDIA?
Nvidia has been dominant for a long time and therefore has better optimization support and compatibility overall.
There is currently more data to process for Nvidia cards and that is why we recommend this for now.
Nvidia has better and more advanced Input lag and Frame timing technologies for smooth and responsive gameplay.
AMD unfortunately has problems with its drivers now, which can cause problems in games.
How much video memory is needed?
The amount of memory is primarily linked to the resolution you run. Higher resolution with more textures requires more memory. Modern AAA games with a lot of focus on graphics require more from GPU
What about SLI, Crossfire?
Several graphics cards are not recommended at this time. Multiple GPUs bring a lot of problems with drivers and stutters in games due to the sync between the cards.
What games rely on the GPU?
Modern AAA games with a lot of focus on graphics require more from GPU Esports titles and older games running in higher FPS are less dependent on GPU and rely even more on the CPU.
GeForce Experience is a powerful tool for optimizing games and provides a console-like experience with a focus on gameplay and streaming. Nvidia RTX and GTX 16XX have new hardware for streaming video with the highest possible quality. The technology with the best support for accelerated streaming hardware is called NVENC.
End results
Graphics drivers support important since it usually directly impacts game performance. AMD has been having stability and performance issues with its GPU drivers in recent years.
Nvidia has (thanks to marketing) been able to achieve the best adoption of specific performance-enhancing features such as Reflex and another input-lag tech.
However, AMD had a strong 2022 and there are reports of AMD having better “raw” performance in (older) competitive games, meaning they should not be counted out just yet.
MSI Afterburner is a great utility for overclocking your graphics card, it’s free and cross-platform.
MSI Afterburner may also be used to keep track of your vitals while gaming. It was created by MSI in conjunction with Nvidia and is used by many PC gamers to boost their graphics performance.
It also has some other features, like voltage control and custom fan profiles. Overclocking your graphics card can give you a performance boost in games, but it’s important to do it safely.
Afterburner can be used to measure performance while trying out settings and optimizations. This is done by identifying bottlenecks; for example, if the CPU is peaking at 100% utilization while the Graphics optimizations are low or vice versa.
Additionally, temperature measurements during gameplay can avoid any damage that may be caused by overheating.
The MSI Afterburner Guide
What is MSI Afterburner?
MSI Afterburner is a software program that allows users to increase the clock speeds on their graphics cards. This can result in increased performance in games and other applications.
MSI Afterburner also includes features that allow users to monitor their card’s performance, including voltage, temperature, and fan speed. The application is currently maintained by the hardware manufacturer MSI.
What are the benefits?
The main benefit of using MSI Afterburner is that it allows users to overclock their graphics card safely and easily, which can lead to improved performance in games and other graphics-intensive applications.
By increasing the clock speed of the graphics card, MSI Afterburner can help make games run smoother, reduce stuttering, and improve overall performance.
Additionally, MSI Afterburner includes several other useful features, such as the ability to monitor your graphics card’s temperatures and clock speeds in real time, which can help you ensure that your graphics card is running at its best.
Additionally, the fan speed control feature can help keep your graphics card cool, which can help extend its lifespan. Overall, MSI Afterburner is a valuable tool for anyone who wants to get the most out of their graphics card.
How to use MSI Afterburner
To use MSI Afterburner, follow these steps
Download and install MSI Afterburner from the MSI website.
Once installed, open MSI Afterburner and click the “Settings” button in the top right corner of the screen.
In the settings menu, go to the “General” tab and make sure that the “Unlock voltage control” and “Unlock voltage monitoring” options are enabled. This will allow you to adjust the voltage and monitor the temperature of your graphics card.
Next, go to the “Monitoring” tab and enable the “Start with Windows” option. This will make sure that MSI Afterburner is always running in the background, monitoring your graphics card’s performance.
Now, go to the “Overclocking” tab and use the sliders to adjust the clock speed, memory clock, and voltage of your graphics card. Be careful not to set the clock speed too high, as this can cause instability and potentially damage your graphics card.
Once you have set the desired clock speed, click “Apply” to save your settings. MSI Afterburner will automatically apply the new settings and restart your graphics card.
To monitor your graphics card’s performance, go back to the main MSI Afterburner screen. You will see a real-time display of your graphics card’s clock speed, temperature, and other important metrics. You can use this information to fine-tune your settings and get the most out of your graphics card.
The Conclusion
In conclusion, MSI Afterburner is a powerful and user-friendly overclocking utility that allows users to fine-tune their graphics card settings for optimal performance.
It includes several useful features, such as real-time monitoring and fan speed control, which can help users get the most out of their graphics card.
Whether you’re a gamer looking to improve your experience or a professional working with graphics-intensive applications, MSI Afterburner can be a valuable tool.
NVCleanstall is a software utility developed by TechPowerUp, designed to enhance user control over the installation of NVIDIA graphics card drivers.
Launched in October 2019, it addresses the common complaint among users about the bloat and unwanted components often included in standard NVIDIA driver installations.
By allowing users to select and deselect specific components, NVCleanstall aims to streamline the installation process, potentially improving system performance and stability by eliminating unnecessary software.
The tool is notable for its user-friendly interface, which provides explanations for each component, aiding users in making informed decisions tailored to their specific needs and system requirements.
NVCleanstall stands out due to its customization capabilities, offering presets for different levels of installation depth, from a minimal setup that includes only the essential drivers, to a full installation with all components.
This customization not only caters to advanced users looking to optimize their systems but also to average users seeking a clutter-free driver installation. The software supports a wide range of NVIDIA hardware and is compatible with various Windows operating systems, making it accessible to a broad audience.
Since its release, NVCleanstall has been positively received by the NVIDIA user community, particularly for providing an alternative to NVIDIA’s standard installation process, which is often criticized for its bloat.
The ability to bypass the GeForce Experience requirement and directly install drivers has been a significant advantage, especially for users of older NVIDIA models.
The tool’s regular updates and support for the latest driver releases further contribute to its value, ensuring compatibility and offering new features to enhance user experience.
However, NVCleanstall’s approach has sparked discussions and some controversies regarding the necessity of such a tool, reflecting on NVIDIA’s software distribution practices.
Critics argue that the existence of NVCleanstall underscores the bloat in NVIDIA’s drivers and highlights a broader industry trend towards overly cumbersome software updates.
Despite these criticisms, NVCleanstall remains a popular solution for users seeking more autonomy over their driver installations, symbolizing a step towards more user-centric software management in the realm of graphics drivers.
Overview
NVCleanstall is a software tool designed to give users more control over the installation process of NVIDIA drivers by allowing them to select which components to install. One of the key features of NVCleanstall is its ability to provide explanations for each component directly within its interface.
When users click on a component, a helpful snippet appears on the right side of the window, offering insights into what the component does and aiding users in making informed decisions about what to keep or remove from the installation[1].
To streamline the selection process, NVCleanstall introduces three presets that cater to different user needs.
These presets include “All,” which installs every available component in the drivers; “Recommended,” which omits components that most people would not notice if missing; and “Minimum,” which retains only the essential elements required for the GPU to be operational, primarily the display driver itself.
History
Nvcleanstall, a third-party tool designed to assist users in managing NVIDIA graphics card drivers, was first introduced to the public in October 2019[2].
This innovative software, developed by TechPowerUp, was created to provide a streamlined and efficient way of installing NVIDIA drivers, offering users more control over the installation process[1].
Since its initial release, Nvcleanstall has seen several updates, with the latest version being made available just yesterday from the time of the referenced information[2].
Upon its release, Nvcleanstall was quickly recognized for its utility and the benefits it offers to NVIDIA graphics card users.
Initial release and development
The journey of NVCleanstall began with its beta version, which was actively developed between 2018 and 2019[4].
This period was crucial for gathering user feedback and refining the software to meet the needs of a broad audience.
The official release of NVCleanstall was announced in October 2019, marking the beginning of its availability to the general public[2].
Compatibility and support
The wide range of NVIDIA hardware and software configurations supported by NVCleanstall underscores its versatility.
Compared to other methods that might require specific versions or have limited compatibility, NVCleanstall aims to cater to a broad audience by facilitating the installation of drivers across various devices and systems.
This inclusivity, combined with the tool’s ability to identify and load the best drivers for the user’s hardware, positions NVCleanstall as a valuable alternative for users seeking a tailored installation experience.
Features
NVCleanstall, a utility designed to streamline the NVIDIA GeForce Driver installation process, offers a range of features aimed at enhancing user control, performance, and system stability.
By providing options to remove unnecessary components and optimize driver configurations, NVCleanstall stands out as a valuable tool for NVIDIA graphics card users.
This section outlines the key features of NVCleanstall, highlighting how it improves the installation process of NVIDIA drivers.
This customization extends to offering explanations for each component, aiding users in making informed decisions about what to include in their driver setup.
Performance optimization
NVCleanstall not only focuses on removing unnecessary components but also adds advanced tweaks to improve input-lag, potentially enhancing gaming and graphics performance.
By tailoring the driver installation to the system’s requirements, users can achieve an optimized performance that suits their specific needs.
Stability and compatibility
The removal of unwanted components through NVCleanstall can lead to greater system stability. Additionally, the utility supports a wide range of NVIDIA hardware and software configurations, ensuring broad compatibility.
This feature is particularly beneficial for users aiming to maintain a balance between performance and stability in their systems.
Enhanced control over driver versions
By enabling the “Show all versions” option, users gain access to a comprehensive list of available drivers, including those that may not be officially recommended for their hardware.
This feature allows for greater flexibility in choosing driver versions, offering the opportunity to use older drivers if they better suit the user’s needs or to experiment with newer releases ahead of official compatibility updates.
Presets for easy configuration
NVCleanstall introduces three presets (All, Recommended, Minimum) to simplify the selection process for users. These presets range from enabling all available components for a complete installation to keeping only the bare essentials for GPU functionality[1].
Despite the seeming convenience, users are advised to be aware that many driver components are interdependent, which may affect their decisions on what to deselect.
Direct driver file utilization
Users have the option to use driver files already downloaded to their disk, providing flexibility for those who prefer to download drivers directly from NVIDIA or other sources.
This feature is particularly useful for reinstalling drivers or applying custom configurations without needing to redownload the entire package.
The Nvcleanstall Solution
Nvcleanstall differentiates itself from the standard NVIDIA driver installation process by offering users a streamlined and customizable experience.
It enables you to tailor your driver installation to your specific needs, granting you full control over the components you want to install.
Advantages of Using Nvcleanstall
By utilizing Nvcleanstall, users can experience several advantages:
Precise Control: Customize the installation by selecting only the necessary driver components, eliminating unnecessary bloatware.
Optimized Performance: Tailor drivers to your system’s requirements, potentially enhancing gaming and graphics performance.
Stability Enhancement: Remove unwanted components to potentially achieve greater system stability.
Compatibility: Nvcleanstall supports a wide range of NVIDIA hardware and software configurations.
How to use NVCleanstall
Check out our NVIDIA Drivers ultimate guide for more information on how to utilize this tool and get a more responsive gaming PC.
NVCleaninstall should be used after you have completely removed your old NVIDIA drivers using Display Driver Uninstaller for the best effect.
Launch NVCleanstall and wait for the application to find the latest driver from NVIDIA. Click Next to proceed to the next step (Using optimized GPU drivers will not only limit the amount of telemetry sent back to NVIDIA but will also remove the need to create an account for future updates.)
Driver components
Select only the essential components to install with the package. Click Next, the application will now prepare the driver installation without unnecessary bloatware. (Our recommendation is to select only the Display Driver unless you rely on ShadowPlay to record your gameplay.)
Installation tweaks
Check all the boxes except “Add Hardware Support” (which is only for older laptops etc with limited driver support). Click Next. (“Disable NVIDIA HD Audio device sleep timer” will throw an error during installation due to the HDMI Audio driver not being installed – You can simply ignore this.)
Finish installation
Wait for the installation to create a customized driver package based on your configuration. Once unpacked the NVIDIA drivers will install automatically.
Wait for the installation to finish
Keep this window open until the installer has finished.
Restart the PC
Wait for the PC to restart and once you are back in windows you are ready to configure the NVIDIA Control Panel to further improve the gaming performance.
NVCleanstall is a software utility that enables the user to cleanly reinstall the NVIDIA drivers on their system.
This is useful if you are having issues with your current drivers, or if you want to install a fresh copy of the drivers with best performance.
Can it enhance my gaming experience?
NvCleanstall removes unnecessary bloat from NVIDIA’s GeForce Driver, and adds advanced tweaks for improved Input-lag.
Using optimized GPU drivers will not only limit the amount of telemetry sent back to Nvidia but will also remove the need to log in using an Nvidia account.
Multiplane Overlay (MPO) is a feature of Windows display adapter that enables multiple framebuffers to be composited by the display controller hardware. This can reduce the workload of the GPU and CPU, as well as the latency of displaying the content.
MPO can also allow for independent page flips of different planes, which can improve the performance and responsiveness of Windows applications.
However, MPO can also cause some issues with certain graphics drivers, such as AMD, and may require disabling for optimal stability.
What is Message Signaled Interrupts?
Message signaled interrupts (MSI) are a way of signaling an interrupt without using a dedicated pin. Instead, devices that use MSI write a value to a specific memory address to trigger an interrupt.
This method has some advantages over pin-based interrupts, such as reducing the number of pins, increasing the number of possible interrupts, and avoiding race conditions with memory writes.
MSI is supported by PCI bus since version 2.2 and by PCI Express bus.
What is NVIDIA HD Audio Device Sleep Timer?
Nvidia HD Audio Device is a driver that allows your computer to communicate with the audio hardware on your Nvidia graphics card. It can also enable features such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X for immersive sound.
The sleep timer is a setting that lets you specify how long the audio device should remain active before going into power-saving mode.
You can adjust the sleep timer in the Nvidia Control Panel under Manage 3D Settings > Power Management Mode.
What is HDCP?
HDCP stands for High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection. It is a form of digital copy protection that prevents unauthorized copying of audio and video content.
HDCP is used by devices such as Blu-ray players, game consoles, streaming services and HDMI cables to ensure that only authorized devices can receive and display the content.
Users have appreciated the ability to bypass the cumbersome process of signing into GeForce Experience and directly install only the components they need, leading to improved system performance and reduced resource consumption.
The customization options available in NVCleanstall have been praised for providing an unprecedented level of control over graphics driver installations.
Gamers and professionals, who demand peak performance from their hardware, have found the tool’s ability to select individual components for installation especially useful.
This granularity not only helps in avoiding unnecessary bloat but also in resolving driver conflicts and compatibility issues, thereby enhancing the overall user experience.
Conclusion
While NVCleanstall has been praised for providing NVIDIA users with the ability to streamline their driver installations and reduce system bloat, its introduction and use have not been without controversy and criticism.
One primary concern among users is the potential for NVCleanstall to inadvertently remove critical components necessary for specific functionalities, leading to driver conflicts, graphical glitches, and compatibility issues.
The program aims to mitigate these risks by offering explanations for each component that can be removed, but the effectiveness of these descriptions and the user’s understanding can vary, sometimes resulting in unintended consequences.
Furthermore, some critics argue that the need for a third-party tool like NVCleanstall highlights deficiencies within NVIDIA’s own software distribution model.
Critics point out that NVIDIA’s drivers have become bloated with unnecessary features that consume significant system resources, prompting the need for tools to customize the installation process.
This criticism suggests a broader issue within the industry, where software and driver updates are increasingly seen as overly intrusive and burdensome by users. Another point of contention is the reliance on third-party tools for what some believe should be built-in features.
The fact that users must seek out and trust software like NVCleanstall to manage their driver installations reflects a potential gap in customer service and software design on NVIDIA’s part.
While NVCleanstall itself is widely regarded as safe, the general practice of downloading and using software to alter system drivers carries inherent risks, including the possibility of introducing malware or other vulnerabilities.
Users are advised to exercise caution and conduct thorough research before downloading and using any third-party software.
Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) is a program designed to remove all traces of AMD, Nvidia and Intel graphics drivers from a system.
It can be used to fix various graphics issues, or to prepare a system for a new graphics card/driver installation. DDU should always be used in conjunction with a fresh install of the latest graphics drivers.
What is Display Driver Uninstaller?
Most official uninstallers in Windows 10 are known for leaving leftovers on the system when used to remove an application.
It can be all sorts of junk, and in the case of GPU drivers, this is particularly troublesome as these leftover files may interfere with performance.
Display Driver Uninstaller is a free tool to carefully remove old GPU drivers.
It works by properly scanning the computer for all known files and configurations and removing them for the last time.
NVIDIA Control Panel comes bundled with your graphics card drivers and provides configuration options for various scenarios. As usual with these applications, they are meant to be compatible with a wide range of use cases. Hence optimizations are necessary for competitive gaming.
How to setup Nvidia Control Panel
Setting up the right options inside NVIDIA Control Panel is crucial to maximise your NVIDIA drivers and Graphics Card
Total Time:25 minutes
3D Settings (Top)
3D Settings (Mid)
Ultra-low latency Limit Max Framerate
3D Settings
Prefer Maximum Performance
Resolution & Scaling
Set the option to “No Scaling”. From the drop-down make sure to select your main monitor. Make sure you have the resolution set to your native resolution for your monitor. Check the option to “Override game-specific” to force these options in all applications. Additional layers of graphics will add input lag from your monitor
PhysX
Set your Nvidia graphics card as the PhysX compute device. (While PhysX is rarely used today, your GPU is vastly superior to your CPU for these tasks.
Before you install new NVIDIA drivers it’s recommended to carefully remove the old ones, whether you are upgrading the graphics card or just updating to a newer version.
The official uninstallers from NVIDIA (and AMD) are notorious for leaving leftover files that may interfere with performance.
This guide focuses exclusively on NVIDIA graphics cards, for the time being, check out our PC guide for our hardware recommendations.
In this NVIDIA driver’s optimization guide you will learn the following.
What GPU driver optimization is
Why it’s important to optimize your GPU drivers
How to optimize your Graphics drivers
The Ultimate NVIDIA Drivers Guide
What are Nvidia drivers?
NVIDIA and AMD make drivers for their graphics cards containing software and instructions on how to run their hardware on a PC. The Graphics card drivers contain optimizations and instructions for specific games.
Why are GPU drivers important?
Fresh drivers are released to increase the performance of new games and established titles alike. Updates may also introduce features and bug fixes for existing drivers and will improve compatibility with newer games. It’s recommended to use the latest version for the most up-to-date features (NVIDIA Reflex etc.)
(It May or may not be worth it to evaluate older drivers for specific competitive titles that have reached maturity.)
How to optimize your GPU drivers
To completely optimize your GPU and game graphics, you need to professionally install drivers. Configure the drivers for improved performance, responsiveness, and limited Input-lag. Follow the steps below to remove your current drivers. Install the latest version without the unnecessary features that may interfere with your gameplay.
Nvidia Drivers Guides
Conclusion
The installer has now installed the optimized NVIDIA drivers with the configuration we set above. This will limit the amount of additional bloatware and improve performance and lower network lag.
In conclusion, by following the tips in this article, you can optimize your Nvidia drivers for 2022. This will help improve your gaming experience and ensure that your hardware is running at its best. So, be sure to try out these tips and see how they work for you!
