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What is a Graphics Card?

R. Kayne
R. Kayne

A graphics card, also known as a video card, is a piece of hardware installed in a computer that is responsible for rendering the image on the computer’s monitor or display screen. Graphics cards come in many varieties with varying features that allow for a price range that extends from about $20 US Dollars (USD) to $2,400 USD or more.

The first consideration when buying a graphics card is to be sure it is capable of displaying the best resolution the monitor can support. For Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) monitors this means supporting the native resolution. Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) monitors do not have a native resolution. In this case, ensure the card is capable of supporting the highest resolution, even if the CRT monitor will be frequently used at lower resolutions.

A graphics card.
A graphics card.

The second consideration is on-board memory. A graphics card must work very hard to render images to the screen. Unlike text files, graphics images are much larger files consisting of great amounts of data that must be processed by the graphics or video card. A faster card has its own resident memory chips to perform this function so as not to impinge upon the system’s Random Access Memory (RAM). Less robust cards have less resident memory and require sharing system RAM to process images.

A HDMI® cable, which can be used with a graphics card.
A HDMI® cable, which can be used with a graphics card.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that a graphics card with shared memory will be unsatisfactory, but much depends on the primary purpose of the computer and on the amount of system RAM present. More system RAM is better if it will be shared, but for gaming and multimedia enthusiasts, a card with resident memory is a better choice. This is also true for those wishing to watch, work with or edit movies.

A graphics card may be used to improve gaming performance.
A graphics card may be used to improve gaming performance.

The graphics processing unit (GPU) is a chip akin to the computer processing unit (CPU). The GPU on the graphics card processes data in parallel lines called “pipelines.” The more pipelines a card has, the faster it can process data. Some cards feature dual GPUs for additional performance. Other factors that play into performance include bus speed and the type of on-board memory the card supports.

Graphics cards use heat sinks to dissipate heat.
Graphics cards use heat sinks to dissipate heat.

Because graphics cards work hard they generate heat. For this reason most high-performance video cards utilize built-in fans. Fans can be quiet or noisy, depending on the card model. High-performance fanless video cards are also available. These cards use heat sinks to pull heat away from the GPU. The advantage of a fanless card is lack of noise; disadvantages include expense and a wider footprint that can take up two slots inside the computer.

The first consideration when buying a graphics card is to be sure it is capable of displaying the best resolution a computer monitor can support.
The first consideration when buying a graphics card is to be sure it is capable of displaying the best resolution a computer monitor can support.

Installing a graphics card is very easy. The card features an interface that plugs into a port or slot inside the computer on the motherboard. Older motherboards offer an Advanced Graphics Port (AGP) interface, while newer boards have the faster Peripheral Computer Interface Express (PCIe) interface. A PCIe card cannot be installed into an AGP slot, and visa-versa, so be sure to get a card that is compatible with your system.

External ports on the card can allow an additional monitor to be plugged in for gaming or for advanced graphics displays that can be spread across two monitors. A graphics card might also have an “S-Video Out” port for sending the signal to a television, or a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) port. Advanced ports that extend functionality add to the cost of the card.

While prices vary widely, the average gaming enthusiast is likely to be happy with a card in the $150 - $300 USD range. For someone who uses a computer for more general purposes, a graphics card closer to $65 USD will likely do the job. Watch for rebates and sales to get a good deal, and read customer reviews for information about issues like fan noise and performance.

Discussion Comments

anon325050

What if I drop it in water? My friend told me to but it cost me $1,000 dollars, so what do I do?

pleonasm

@browncoat - To be honest, if someone doesn't know what they are doing with a computer and isn't really capable of looking it up thoroughly (not trying to be mean, I know some people just don't really care that much or don't have time) then I would suggest going to a computer parts store and asking around.

They will almost always have someone who can help you with something as basic as a graphics card. Just don't get talked into paying to have it installed. It's the work of a few minutes at the most (you just snap it into place) if you've got a PC (don't take apart laptops unless you know what you're doing).

browncoat
@anon99036 - I'm not an expert, but I was looking up graphics cards the other day because I was thinking about buying one myself (I want to build my own computer). The problem with getting a graphics card for your computer might be that you need to get one that's compatible with all the other components (like your monitor and your motherboard) and there might not be one that's capable of interacting with 4 year old components and also showing your game in good detail.

I would suggest researching "how to build a computer" and checking out what they say about graphics cards. There are a few places out there that rate all the cards according to how well they play certain games and you can work out what's possible for you from there.

anon301369

"Your computer will not take two cards; it will take one or none."

This guy is not correct. A computer will take two graphics cards.

anon298735

Why do we use graphic cards in our laptops?

anon249749

Thanks for the information. It is useful for beginners like me.

anon190843

Can I please have help on finding the right one? I'm trying to play Minecraft but I need a better graphics card.

anon155838

can i use a graphics card and not a screen?

anon138945

No, don't be daft. All laptops come with prebuilt graphics on the motherboard. these type of graphics are called onboard graphics and sadly they cannot be updated. If you have a desktop pc, yes it can, and you can add better graphics etc, only if your card is compatible.

PCI-E cards are probably better as they are more powerful in my opinion. Your computer will not take two cards, it will take one or none. Laptops are only upgradable by memory!

anon106549

great article, r.kayne.

anon105935

kindly somebody tell me what is the purpose of a graphics card.

anon99967

You can see your graphics card by right clicking on "my computer" and then "properties." it shows graphic memory.

anon99036

i need to find a good card compatible with the game borderlands, but my computer is four years old and the graphics card fried. could you give advice me on the my problem?

anon89394

i don't know how to use a graphics card.

anon85409

How can I find out if my laptop has a graphics card or not?

anon82916

Can a graphics card be used in laptops?

anon73436

i want to know where is the graphic card slot located in a laptop.

anon54194

How do I add a graphics card to my Laptop?

anon40504

i have a dell laptop and also 256 mn vedio card. is it sufficient or not?

praju

Can i use a graphics card without a PCI slot ?

bigdivot48

My computer has 1 AGP port and 4 PCI ports, can I put in one AGP card and one PCI card?

Is this a waste of money?

Will the cards conflict with each other?

anon6653

My computer has 1 AGP port and 4 PCI ports, can I put an AGP graphics card and a PCI graphic card in their respective slots?

Is this a waste of money?

Will the computer use one card over the other?

Will the cards interfere with each other?

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    • A graphics card.
      By: vetkit
      A graphics card.
    • A HDMI® cable, which can be used with a graphics card.
      A HDMI® cable, which can be used with a graphics card.
    • A graphics card may be used to improve gaming performance.
      By: nikkytok
      A graphics card may be used to improve gaming performance.
    • Graphics cards use heat sinks to dissipate heat.
      By: Luminis
      Graphics cards use heat sinks to dissipate heat.
    • The first consideration when buying a graphics card is to be sure it is capable of displaying the best resolution a computer monitor can support.
      By: Igor Mojzes
      The first consideration when buying a graphics card is to be sure it is capable of displaying the best resolution a computer monitor can support.