As always, size and features for video cards based on a given graphics chip can vary significantly, depending on the model and the card maker. Nvidia and AMD make "reference cards" based on their graphics processors. Third-party partners—MSI, Sapphire, Asus, and many others—then make and sell their own branded cards, some of which adhere to the design of these reference boards. They also offer "custom" versions with slight differences in shape and size, the configuration of the ports, the amount and speed of onboard memory, and the cooling fans or heat sinks installed. Compact video cards fall into that custom class. Because of that, if you're shopping for a card for a compact system, or you have a particular case in mind, be sure the size, power, and cooling demands of the card you're buying match up with the chassis you're planning on putting it in. Few things in the gaming world are more frustrating than getting a promising new graphics card in the mail, or carting it home from the local superstore, only to find out it doesn't fit in your PC, or your power supply doesn't have the juice (or requisite connectors) to get it going. If you have a bit more room to play with in your PC case, check out our roundup of the best graphics cards for 4K gaming, which will be bigger cards. (Also check out our master guide to the best graphics cards overall, heedless of size.) And complete your custom build with one of the top M.2 solid-state drives we've tested. These tiny SSDs are a perfect match if you're space-strapped.