Processing Power
For this section we are going to mainly focus on steam processing. Steam processing concerns itself with graphic output. The way the graphics show up on the screen depends on how much power is behind the GPU and how fast it can therefore process. If you don't have a powerful enough GPU processor, you will lose out massively on the clarity of the rendering on your screen. It is possible to get a good budget GPU with an acceptable, or even great, processing power. You shouldn't compromise on this aspect of the GPU because if you do, you may just sacrifice the entire appearance of your game experience. Visuals are paramount to a game's success as you need to be able to see what you're doing so that you can play the game properly. Don't compromise too much on this figure if possible.

Cooling Capacity
Graphics cards get hot. They work hard, they are small, but they are powerful. They do a lot in a short amount of time with little space to work with. The sheer power they put out means that they naturally get hot. With that in mind, a GPU is not worth buying if it has a terrible cooling capacity. If the system gets too hot, it won't work. So, make sure it has a good cooling system to go with it before you buy otherwise you might fall prey to an overheated graphics card that cannot do what you need it to do.

RAM Power
When it comes to RAM power, or random access memory, it can make or break a graphics card. Realistically, you need to be looking for a higher capacity RAM in order for your game to run smoothly. The lesser the RAM, the more glitches and the poorer the speed of the game. With more RAM, you will have great visuals and a significant lack of lag. RAM is measured by gigabytes per second. Ideally, you don't want anything under 6GB. 6GB is more than sufficient to run a basic game. Of course, if you are a more advanced gamer and you're looking for an even better picture, then you can boost those numbers up as much as your budget will allow.

Memory Bandwidth
The memory bandwidth of any potential GPU purchase is important. This number refers to the GPU's capacity for handling data through the bus. It is an inference, if you like, as in the total amount of memory that could pass through the bus without depreciating the overall quality output. You might never hit the top figure, but it's still good to know what your graphics card might be able to handle. So, why has it made the list? The main reason is that the higher the memory bandwidth, the better the quality will be in your game. The image on your screen will have a better pixel resolution and the videos will be clearer if, and only if, the memory can handle it. So, this is definitely worth researching before jumping into any potential purchase.

Budget GPU Top Picks
Now, even with all the information you have just read through, there is a chance that you're still scratching your head and wondering where to start. So, let's get you pointed in the right direction. You will find some great and high-performance GPUs such as a 3080 graphics card here. CCL are experts at all things computers and all things gaming. They sell top quality products for a fair price, and even provide a breakdown of the GPU specs for you to browse through and compare. Shopping for an important purchase like a 3080 graphics card is so much easier when you have all of the important stuff laid out in front of your eyes and you don't have to dig around for it. CCL have you covered as they do this and more.

How Much Should You Spend?
How much are you able to spend? If you buy something cheap with low quality attributes, there is an increased probability that you will be back on the browse for another purchase not long after. But you can buy cheaper graphics card and still retain quality. Realistically, set your expectations at something around the £400 mark. This might just make your eyes water but consider it in the wider scope of GPU where the top tier products come in at over £1000. This should put some perspective on the market. These devices are intricate little things that manoeuvre a lot of moving parts that come together to create a masterpiece before your eyes. £400 can get you a decent quality GPU that may be second hand or new depending on where you land on the matter.

Conclusion
You don't have to compromise on quality simply because you are browsing with a lower budget. You can find plenty of top tier GPU products at a fair price and have a good gaming journey. The trick is to know where to look, to keep your eye on the specs, and to not make too many compromises when it comes to getting what you want. Spending a bit more time to successfully save a bit more money can be the difference between a dud and a champion purchase. You don't have to break the bank, but if you're going to invest in something that is so integral to your gaming experience, you will have to spend a bit of cash to get the desired results.