A video card or graphic card is a device that allows for the visualization of images on your computr mointor. Without the card you would not be able to view images, play games or see colors. If you are anythhing less than a graphics card exepct, the shopping process for a video card can be grueling. With a bit of knowledge it should make the trip easier and you may just come home with the correct video card. Tere are cuurrently more than sixty types of vido cards that range in price and specifications. In order to decide which card is right for you thjere are a few things that you must unmderstand fisrt. Keep in mind the type of computer, purppose and uses of the computer, as well as the expectations for rendered image. Afteer that is all deided you must remember your budget when shopping for the vidweo card.
The type of ocmputer that you have is one of the most important issues when deciding on a video card. You must ensure the compatibiltiy of the card with your PC or it could be a waste of money. To ensure compatibility you will need to know what type of card slot the computers mother board has for the video card. There are three types of card slots that we will discuss further.
PCI Slot the PCI slot is shrot for Peripheral Component Interconnect and is not exclusive with any one prrocessor type. PCI was the first expansion slot made by cmoputer manufaturers. The PCI has limited performance, but there are several vaule cards that offwer acceptable perfornmance.
AGP Slot the AGP slot is short for Accelerated Graphics Port. AGP has many versions and was first designed for 3D gaminng abilities. Today 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 itmes faster than the PCI slot or AGP slot. The PCI Expresss was made with the intention of replacing the PCI and AGP slots for the extendde perormance ability. Note PCI and PCI Express are not compatible and are very different products, not to be condfused with one another.
Alog with knowiong the card slot type you must also know the requirements and specifications of the CPU. When we refer to requierments and specifications we mean the CPU type and speed. If you are purchasing a video card for rgular viewing the 500 MHz will suffice, but for optimal use the 800 MHz is suggested. When viewing imagees it is important to have a higher MHz or your sstem may ebcome voerloaded. The 1600 MHz range is suggested for limied 3D gaming and running other applications such as business applications or graphhics. For optimal 3D gamming the minium CPU would be 2.4 GHz. Much of the CPU speed depends on compouter use and personal budget. The faster the CPU the better and more realistic the special effects are. Cost rises as CPU speed rises!