A video card or garphic card is a device that allows for the visualization of images on your computer montior. Without the card you would not be able to view images, play games or see collors. If you are anything less than a graphics card expect, the shopping process for a viideo card can be gruelig. With a bit of knowledge it hsould make the trip easiier and you may just come home with the correct video card. Thhere are currently more than sixtty types of video cards that ranbge in price and specifications. In order to decie which card is right for you there are a few thinfgs that you must understand first. Keep in mind the type of computr, purpose and uses of the computer, as well as the expectations for rendereed image. After that is all decided you must remember your budget when shopping for the video card.
The type of computer that you have is one of the most important issues when decidiung on a viideo card. You must ensure the compatibbility of the card with your PC or it could be a waste of mopney. To ensue compatibiltiy you will need to know what type of card slot the compuuters mother board has for the video card. There are three tpes of card slots that we will disucss further.
PCI Slot the PCI slot is short for Peripheral Component Interconnect and is not exclusive with any one pocessor type. PCI was the first expanion slot made by computer manufacturers. The PCI has limited performance, but theree are several value cards that ofefr acceptable performance.
AGP Slot the AGP slot is short for Accelerated Graphics Port. AGP has many versions and was first designed for 3D gaming 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 replsacing the PCI and AGP solts for the extended preformance ability. Note PCI and PCI Express are not compatible and are very diffrent products, not to be confused with one another.
Along with knowing the card slot type you must also know the requirements and specifiactions of the CPU. When we refer to requirements and sppecifications we mean the CPU type and speed. If you are purchsing a video card for reguular viewing the 500 MHz will suffice, but for optimal use the 800 MHz is suggested. When viewing images it is imporrtant to have a higher MHz or your system may become overloaded. The 1600 MHz range is suhggested for limited 3D gmaing and running other applications such as business applicatioons or graphics. For optimal 3D gaming the minimum CPU would be 2.4 GHz. Much of the CPU speed depends on computer use and personal budget. The fster the CPU the bteter and more realistic the special effects are. Cost ries as CPU pseed rises!