Announcement
8 min read
What actually matters when you pick a GPU for a touring rig, and where you can save money.
Marcus Bell, Solutions Engineer
Most stage rigs are over-specified. A real-time water surface at 4K is demanding, but it is one shader, not a game engine.
What to look for
Fill rate and memory bandwidth matter more than raw compute. Two outputs at 60 Hz is the common case; three or more is where a workstation card earns its price.
Laptop or desktop
A current mid-range laptop GPU runs a 1080p wall comfortably. For 4K LED or multi-output, choose a desktop card with active cooling and a short, sealed flight case.
Our picks for 2026
Small rooms: any recent integrated GPU at 1080p. Arenas and festivals: a desktop card with 16 GB of memory and two DisplayPort outputs. Keep a spare; it is cheaper than a dark stage.
