Graphics Card

• Graphics cards
• Internal hard drives
• Memory (RAM)
• Motherboards
• Processors
• Sounds cards

Responsible for the quality of images displayed on your monitor

What is a Graphics card and what does it do?

It takes the complex task of converting numerical information from your computer into graphics, which you can view, on screen. In essence it is responsible for displaying all the images you see on your monitor.

Why do I need one?

A Graphics card aids the CPU in generating the images you see on your monitor. An integrated graphics card is part of the motherboard. It will provide basic graphics on screen whilst a separate dedicated graphics card will produce smoother images and higher quality images on your monitor. The majority of computers come with an integrated graphics card.

What is available and what are the benefits of each?

The speed and memory capacity of the graphics card determines how quickly the card can process information and what games and video can be displayed. The memory (RAM) is measured in megabytes (Mb) and the speed in MHz. The faster the speed and the more memory the card has, the higher the quality of images which can be displayed. Higher end graphics cards will support larger monitors with sharper images and will be well suited to those wishing to play games on their PC.

Graphics cards come in 3 connection types

AGP

An Older style of graphics card connection. It allows you to add a graphics card to a slightly older computer.

PCI-E

A Newer faster style of graphics card connection (most newer style graphics cards) allows you to plug in graphics card which support the newer style of computer games.

PCI-E 2.0

The newest style of graphics card connection. Allows you to plug in the latest graphics cards which support the latest games and video features.

ATI & Nvidea

are the 2 graphics card manufacturers available today. Both ranges offer superior quality graphics for the computer user. It is down to personal preference whether you choose to use an ATI or Nvidea graphics card.

How do I know what I need?

This depends on what you are using your computer for and what type of motherboard you have. An AGP graphics card will not fit in a computer PCI slot and visa versa. An entry-level card will allow you to play some games and watch movies etc. If you want to get the best out of your games and watch HD movies. Cards with greater memory and faster processors will allow you to do so effortlessly.