The Definition of a Graphic Card

Graphics cards, also known as video cards, graphics accelerators or display cards are computer hardware that takes binary data--that is, data compressed into a system of just two digits, 1s and 0s--and converts this data into images that are displayed on the computer's monitor. Graphics cards are external devices that can be bought and attached to the motherboard through an appropriate slot. Some motherboards have an integrated graphics card, meaning the graphics card has been built in.

GPU

The graphics processing unit (GPU) is similar to the motherboard's computer processing unit (CPU). Both act as brains for completing complex calculations and processing instructions, but the GPU is specifically designed to perform the calculations necessary to render graphics. Some graphics cards have GPUs with more transistors than CPUs. The data processed by the GPU are then passed onto a display device outside the computer.

VRAM

Because graphics cards create images, they need memory on which to store them. VRAM is video random access memory, which stores data on pixels, color and their location. Frame buffer is the term associated to loading images before they are used, increasing speed and performance. VRAM can read and write to its memory at the same time.

BIOS

Graphics cards also have a basic input/output system, or a BIOS chip, integrated into the card. This system stores the graphics card's settings and acts as a diagnostic tool for the card's memory during startup. The BIOS contains all the data necessary for the card to interface with the motherboard. Settings, such as processing speed, can be accessed from here.

PCI

PCI is the peripheral component interconnect (PCI), which allows peripheral devices to connect to the motherboard. PCI slots have replaced ISA and VESA bus ports, and most motherboards today have PCI slots and one AGP slot of a display adapter. PCI Express is a newer form of the PCI slot and will eventually replace it. Graphics cards connect through the PCI slot although newer cards are PCI Express compatible. These slots yield faster performance and data transfers.

Function

A graphics card has a few basic components to function, including a processing unit, motherboard connection and its own memory. When installing a graphics card, the device is placed into a PCI or PCI Express slot, which is a plug-and-play type of connection, built into the motherboard. On the outside end of the graphics card, there are plug-in points for monitors, sometimes more than one. When the motherboard passes data to the graphics card, it decodes these images into pictures, which are then displayed on a computer monitor.