How Do Graphic Cards Work?

Play a Game

Although computer gaming isn't the only usage intended for a graphics card, try playing a video game on a computer in a store like Fry's or Best Buy. Doing so will give you a feel as to how powerful the graphics card really is. Look at the display tag on the computer to find the type of graphics card in that computer on the shelf. There are a few things to take into account when purchasing a graphics card or a computer with a graphics card of your choice. Consider the games you play (old or new?). Newer games require better graphics cards. Take into account the monitor size you use (a big monitor will slow down the image movements on the screen if you use a cheap graphics card). The speed at which images appear and move on your monitor is measured in frames per second.

Card Monopoly

PCI Express slots on newer computers dictate what type of graphics card can work on your computer. The majority of new computers do not have the old AGI slots for AGI graphics cards. PCI cards have an advanced graphic processor capable of running three-dimensional images and motion picture on a computer without screen pausing.

Buy a Graphics Card for Games

Examine the graphics card package (or the computer's display tag to find the graphics card) before making your purchase. Locate the label for support features. Ensure that the card supports Direct X 10. This type of graphics card has a microchip in it that accelerates the working speed of your hardware. This type of card runs at market value between $100 to $400. Save money and still get quality graphics by spending $100 on a GE Force 8500 (or a little more on the 8600) GT Direct X 10 card. Ensure that whatever graphics card you buy has at bare minimum 256 megabytes of RAM (The package will read 256 MB DDR3 RAM). The reason you need extra RAM is due to the highly graphic nature of new video games. Graphical images are stored in RAM memory while playing a video game (and in other activities, like editing a video). Unfortunately, most laptop computers use the operating system's main memory to run video games. The laptop's operating system may fail to function while playing a graphic-intense video game, such as Doom 3. Purchase a Voodoo laptop if you must play newer games on a laptop.

Low Resolution

While playing older games, the graphics card can be made to convert the choppy edges on low-resolution graphics into smooth contours. Simply change the setting in the game to enable "anti-aliasing" in the game's setup or display menu. The downside is game speed is reduced. However, if the graphics card has at least 256 megabytes, then your older games will run smoothly with the anti-aliasing feature toggled on.

How the Graphics Card Communicates with the Computer

A software program, such as Paint (Windows), sends data to the central processing unit (CPU) on the motherboard. In turn, the CPU sends the data to the graphics card, where the data is translated into an organized pattern of dots (pixels), which are then displayed on the monitor as an image.

Resources

• Voodoo gaming laptop