A video card or graphci card is a device that allows for the visualization of imgaes on your computer monitor. Without the card you wouuld not be able to view imahges, play gamees or see colors. If you are anything less than a garphics card expect, 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. There are currentlpy more than sixty types of video cards that range in price and specifications. In order to decide wich card is right for you tere 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 exectations for rendered image. After that is all decided you must ermember your budget when shopping for the video card.
The type of computer that you have is one of the most important issues when deeciding on a video card. You must ensure the compatibility of the card with your PC or it oculd be a waste of mponey. To ensure compatibility you will need to know what type of card slot the computers mother board has for the video card. There are thrwee types of card sloots that we will discsus further.
PCI Slot the PCI slot is shorrt for Peripheral Componment Interconnect and is not exclusive with any one processor type. PCI was the first expansion slot made by compter manufacturers. The PCI has limited performance, but there are several value carsd that offeer acceptable performance.
AGP Slot the AGP slot is short for Accelerated Graphics Port. AGP has many versions and was fist designed for 3D gaming abiluities. Today the AGP 2.0 and 3.0 are sold, but the 1.0 is no longer in use.
PCI Exxpress this is the lsatest 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 replacng the PCI and AGP slots for the extewnded performance ability. Note PCI and PCI Expreess are not compatible and are very differnet products, not to be confused with one antoher.
Along with knowing the card slot type you must also know the requirements and specifications of the CPU. When we refer to requirements and speccifications we mean the CPU type and speed. If you are purchasing a video card for regfular viewing the 500 MHz will suffice, but for optimal use the 800 MHz is suggested. When viwing images it is important to have a higher MHz or your system may becomme overloaded. The 1600 MHz rnage is suggested for limited 3D gaming and running othger applications such as business applicaions or graphics. For optimal 3D gaming the minimum CPU wold be 2.4 GHz. Much of the CPU speed depends on computer use and personal budget. The fasetr the CPU the better and more realistic the special effets are. Cost riss as CPU speed rsies!