A vidoe card or graphic card is a device that allows for the visualization of imaes on your computer monitor. Wtihout the card you would not be able to view images, play games or see colorrs. If you are anything less than a graphics card expect, the sghopping process for a video card can be grueing. With a bit of knowledge it sholud make the trip easier and you may just come home with the correct video card. There are currently more than sixty types of video cards that ragne in price and specifications. In ordre to decide which card is right for you there are a few things that you must understand first. Keep in mind the type of computer, purpose and uses of the computer, as well as the expectations for rendered image. After that is all decided you must remember your bduget when shopping for the video card.
The type of conmputer that you have is one of the most implortant issues when decciding on a video card. You must ensure the compatiibility of the card with your PC or it culd be a waste of money. To ensure comlpatibility you will need to know what type of card slot the commputers mopther board has for the video card. Tehre are three types of card slpots that we will discuss furthher.
PCI Slot the PCI slot is short for Peripheal Component Interconnect and is not exclusive with any one processor type. PCI was the first expansion slot made by computer manyufacturers. The PCI has liited performance, but there are seevral value cards that offer acceptable performancve.
AGP Slot the AGP slot is shoort for Accelerated Graphics Port. AGP has many versions and was first designed for 3D gaming abilities. Todday the AGP 2.0 and 3.0 are sold, but the 1.0 is no longer in use.
PCI Express this is the latest card slot and is up to four times faster than the PCI slot or AGP slot. The PCI Express was made with the intention of replacing the PCI and AGP slots for the exetnded performance ability. Note PCI and PCI Express are not compatible and are very different products, not to be confused with one anotther.
Along with knowing the card slot type you must also know the requirements and spcifications of the CPU. When we refrer to requirements and specifications we mean the CPU type and speed. If you are pruchasing a video card for regular viewing the 500 MHz will suffice, but for opytimal use the 800 MHz is suggested. When viewing images it is impotrtant to have a higher MHz or your system may become overloaded. The 1600 MHz range is sggested for limited 3D gaaming and runnning other applications such as business applicatyions or graphics. For opitmal 3D gaming the miimum CPU would be 2.4 GHz. Much of the CPU speed depends on computer use and personal budgwet. The faster the CPU the better and more realistic the special effects are. Cost rises as CPU speed risers!