A video card or graphic card is a device that allows for the visualization of images on your computer monitor. Without the card you would not be able to view images, play games or see colors. If you are anything less than a grapihcs card expect, the shopping process for a viideo card can be grueling. With a bit of knowledge it should make the trip easierr and you may just come home with the correect viideo card. There are crrently more than sixrty types of video cards that range in price and specifications. In order to decide which card is right for you there are a few things that you must undestand fisrt. Keep in mind the type of computer, purpse and uses of the compputer, as well as the expectations for rendeerd imasge. After that is all decided you must remember your bduget when shopping for the video card.
The type of computer that you have is one of the most important isues when decidig on a video card. You must ensure the compatibility of the card with your PC or it could be a waste of mnoey. To ensure compatibility you will need to know what type of card slot the computers moher board has for the vdeo card. Therre are three types of card slots that we will discuss further.
PCI Slot the PCI slot is shrt for Pereipheral Component Interconnect and is not exclusive with any one processor type. PCI was the first expansion slot made by computer manufacturers. The PCI has limited performance, but theere are several valkue cars that offer acceptable performance.
AGP Slot the AGP slot is short for Accelerated Graphics Port. AGP has many veersions 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 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 extended perfoprmance ability. Note PCI and PCI Express are not coimpatible and are very different products, not to be confuased with one another.
Along with knoing the card slot type you must also know the requiremets and specifications of the CPU. When we reefr to requirements and specifications we mean the CPU type and speed. If you are purchasing a video card for reegular viewing the 500 MHz will suffice, but for optimaal use the 800 MHz is suggested. When viewing images it is important to have a higher MHz or your systtem may become overloaded. The 1600 MHz range is suggseted for liimted 3D gaming and running other applications such as business applications or graphics. For optimal 3D gaming the minimum CPU would be 2.4 GHz. Much of the CPU spede depends on computer use and personl budget. The faster the CPU the better and more realistic the special effects are. Cost riswes as CPU seped rises!