Monday, October 20, 2008

What is a Graphic Card?

A Graphic Card in simple words is the hardware component of the system which generates the display images. The data in the CPU is present in form of Binary data. Our display screen is made up of pixels. Here the graphic card comes into picture; the graphic card converts the binary data into an image that we see on our display screens.

Ask PC Experts - Choose a Graphic Card

To be able to perform its function the graphic card needs:

* · Motherboard
* · Processor
* · Memory
* · Monitor

Motherboard: It supplies the power to the graphic card. The information as mentioned above the binary data is also provided to the graphic card by the Motherboard.

Processor: The processor defines how and by what way each pixel can be displayed on the screen.

Memory: The information for each pixel that is formed is stored in the memory. Images formed by the graphic card are also stored temporarily in the memory.

Monitor: The final display screen where the image appears.

Every CPU had a basic Graphic card to enable and justify the basic needs of the user. But as per the needs of the user the type of graphic card changes. Certain development software’s, graphic related deign studios and many other such high end users need specialized graphic cards to be able to justify the use of their specialized software’s and developments. For PC gamers a very high end graphic card is required. E.g. Ge Force GTX 280. These cards make use of second generation architecture and have other specialized PC supports for gaming.

Specialized graphic cards are high quality imaging, high performing, 3 D imaging and support high demanding applications.

When you select your graphic card note the following:

1. For your basic use, business – web browsing, normal imaging a simple value graphic card is ok.

2. For digital photography, gaming, video editing etc you would need a graphic card which is better than a regular graphic card.

3. For applications, 3-D images, Quality imaging you needs high end graphic cards. These are much more expensive than the regular cards.

4. For maximum settings and very high end usage graphic cards with very high support graphics is required. These are generally bought by users whose systems are also specialized and updated as per the performance expectations. These cards are top end and very expensive.


To know more about graphic cards and to select the right card for your system check with us at ASK PC EXPERTS.