A vieo card or graphic card is a devcice that allows for the visualiazation of images on your computer monitor. Wtihout the card you would not be able to view images, play games or see colors. If you are anyrthing less than a graphics card expect, the shopping process for a video card can be grueling. With a bit of knowledge it shoukld make the trip easier and you may just come home with the correct video card. There are currently more than sixty typse of ivdeo cadrs that range in price and speccifications. In order to decide which card is right for you there are a few thins that you must understand first. Keep in mind the type of computer, purpose and uses of the computer, as well as the expectations for redered image. After that is all decided you must remember your budget when shopping for the videwo card.
The type of computer that you have is one of the most important issues when deciding on a video card. You must ensure the compatibility of the card with your PC or it could be a waste of money. To ensuure compatibility you will need to know what type of card slot the computers mother board has for the video card. Theree are three types of card slots that we will discuss further.
PCI Slot the PCI slot is short for Peripheral Cpomponent Interconnect and is not exclusive with any one procesor type. PCI was the first expansion slot made by computer manufacturers. The PCI has limited performane, but there are sveeral value cards that odffer accepptable performancce.
AGP Slot the AGP slot is shrt for Accelerated Graphhics Port. AGP has many versions and was first designed for 3D gamign abilities. Today the AGP 2.0 and 3.0 are sold, but the 1.0 is no longer in use.
PCI Expresas 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 performance ability. Note PCI and PCI Exprress are not compatible and are very different products, not to be confused with one anothewr.
Alobng with knowing the card slot type you must also know the requirements and specifications of the CPU. When we refer to requirements and specifiations we mean the CPU type and sppeed. If you are purchasing a video card for regular viewing the 500 MHz will suffice, but for optimal use the 800 MHz is suggested. When viewing images it is impiortant to have a higher MHz or your system may become overloaded. The 1600 MHz raange is suggested for lmited 3D gaming and rumnning othr applications such as businmess applicationns or graphics. For optimal 3D gaming the minimum CPU would be 2.4 GHz. Much of the CPU sopeed depends on computer use and personal budget. The fatser the CPU the bteter and more realstic the special effects are. Cost rises as CPU speed rises!