How to Buy a Basic Video Card

Businesses and ordinary users alike employ basic video cards. Their function is restricted to normal graphics functions, TV output, supporting dual monitors or S-Video output. Basic cards are inexpensive and a cinch to buy if you know what to look for.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Internet access
• Computer

Choosing a Graphics Card

1. Choose the type of video card you want based on the type of slot your motherboard has. An AGP slot offers options up to 8x, while a PCI Expert (PCIe) slot is available in 1x, 4x, 8x, 16x and 32x. PCIe is considered to be superior to an AGP card because a PCIe motherboard can support multiple PCIe slots but only one AGP. Multiple PCIe slots enable you to load two graphic cards. If you use advanced image editing or audio editing applications, a PCIe card is ideal for you.
2. Understand processor clock speed. It is a measure of a processor’s power but not the only one. A higher clock speed does not guarantee faster processing but certainly helps to increase the processing speed. A basic video card generally has a clock speed ranging between 240 MHz and 300 MHz.
3. Understand memory size. The memory size of a graphics card refers to the extent to which it can support graphics operations without tapping into the PC’s memory. The more memory it has, the faster it works. A basic graphics card generally has a memory ranging up to 128 MB.
4. Understand memory bandwidth. Memory bandwidth refers to the speed at which the graphics processor communicates with the graphics memory. A higher memory bandwidth enables faster rendering.
5. Learn about fill rate. It refers to the number of pixels that can be reproduced on the screen per second. A good fill rate would result in the faster loading of the image on the screen.
6. Consider a model with the TV-out facility. It enables you to watch your PC video on a TV screen.
7. Consider a model with DVI. Such a model would enable you to watch PC video on DVI monitors. Several LCD monitors support the DVI format.
8. Consider a dual-head graphics card. It enables you to connect two monitors together on one graphics card.

Purchasing a Graphics Card

9. Compare prices of video cards online as well as in computer stores. Look at various buyers’ guides to understand features, pricing and versions of different video cards. Some buyers’ guides include MySimon and Nextag (see link, below).These will also give you a list of stores selling video cards and their respective price.
10. Buy your preferred graphics card online. You can log on to any reliable online retailer or go to the preferred brand’s Web site and shop online.
11. Buy your graphics card from a local retailer.

Tips & Warnings

• Browse through product reviews on the Internet before you settle for a particular graphics card.
• Browse through blogs and discussion forums for gamers and advanced graphic designers. These are good sources of information about what types of video cards are required for different applications.
• Check compatibility with your computer. Although video cards are compatible with most computers, they may require advanced configuration.

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