Many people get confused when using AI software and see the requirement "NVIDIA graphics card required for acceleration": My card is from Colorful, ASUS, or Gigabyte, not NVIDIA—can it still work?
Don't worry—today we'll break down the "ins and outs" of graphics cards in plain language, helping you figure out if your card has "NVIDIA DNA."
Understand Graphics Cards with an Analogy
Imagine building a car:
- NVIDIA is like a manufacturer that produces car engines. It designs GPU chips (such as the RTX 3060, 4090), but it doesn't assemble the entire car.
- Brands like Colorful, ASUS, and Gigabyte are like car assembly plants. They buy NVIDIA's "engines" (GPU chips), add their own chassis, cooling fans, and circuit boards, and assemble them into complete graphics cards to sell to you.
What Are the Styles of These Brands?
Each brand has its own "car-building style," but the core engine is always from NVIDIA:
Colorful: Like a "domestic, cost-effective car"—affordable and capable.
ASUS (ROG): Like a "high-end modified car," especially the ROG series, focusing on luxury and high performance.
MSI: Like a "racing-style car," with excellent cooling and strong overclocking capabilities.
Gigabyte: Like an "all-round family car," offering good value and stability.
ZOTAC: Like a "mini hot hatch," specializing in compact graphics cards.
GALAX: Like a "flashy supercar," with eye-catching designs and strong personality.
Inno3D: Like a "practical utility vehicle," focusing on cooling and durability.
Key Point: AI Acceleration Depends on the Chip, Not the Brand
How to Tell If It Works?
As long as your graphics card model starts with RTX or GTX (e.g., RTX 4060, GTX 1660), regardless of whether it's from Colorful or Gigabyte, the core is an NVIDIA chip, and it can run AI without any issues!What's the Difference Between Brands?
Brands only determine "external" factors like appearance, cooling, and warranty. AI acceleration capability depends entirely on the NVIDIA chip model (e.g., 3060, 4090).
Quick Tips to Check Your Graphics Card
- Look at the Name: Graphics card names are usually "Brand + RTX/GTX + Number," such as "Colorful RTX 4060."
- Check Software Requirements: If the requirement is "RTX 3060 or above," as long as your model number is ≥3060 (e.g., 4060, 4070), the brand doesn't matter.
- Check Your Computer: Windows users can press "Ctrl+Shift+Esc" to open Task Manager, click the "Performance" tab, and check the graphics card model.
Summary in One Sentence
NVIDIA is the "chip boss," while brands like Colorful are the "assembly partners." Just look for RTX/GTX + Number, and AI acceleration is guaranteed to work!