Graphics Cards

Whether you are a hard-core gamer, an artist or simply interested in managing digital pictures or watching DVDs, it is important to invest in a quality video graphics card.  A high quality card will:

  • Have a high resolution to produce sharp images.
  • Offer a range of vibrant colors.
  • Replicate the smoothest video playback.

Graphics Cards Simplified

The world of video cards has a lot of letters and numbers and vague acronym brand names, so here are some basics.

  • There are two major video card manufacturers, Nvidia and AMD/ATI. Nividia produces the GeForce.  AMD/ATI produces the Radeon. 
  • Other companies badge and package these two memory cards. So you don't buy a Nvidia GeForce 1GB, but an ASUS Geforce GTS 250 1GB. 
  • Most modern graphics cards span from 256MB,  to 512MB,  to 1GB  of memory. There are other variables that dictate performance, but this is the most accurate measurement of how well the card will generally perform.

How to Choose

When Buying A New Computer

Know that when you buy a new computer, there is usually a graphics card pre-installed that is meant to handle basic 2-D image rendering. Upgrades are usually available when customizing the computer features that you want, including RAM, burners, CPU speed, etc. Consider what types of programs and applications you plan to use prior to choosing a graphics card in order to avoid the hassle later.

Major Brands

For Upgrading

There are many levels of video graphics cards to choose from, so it is best to decide what you want to use it for before purchasing one. Otherwise, simply going from Web site to Web site will not simplify this complicated search, especially when there is a lot of technical jargon to muddle through. When you install a higher grade graphics card, the old card will be overridden automatically. Remember, you can't just stick a state of the art video card on a CPU  from the 90's and expect to be playing newly released games.  If you invest in an expensive card, your machine should be relatively fast by today's standards. Check compatibility between cards and with your motherboard  before you shell out any money.

Consider Your Computing Profile

  • Basic Productivity
    • If you planning to use your computer for the Internet and emailing, word processing or other basic productivity applications, a low-end, budget graphics card is usually sufficient. Once you start watching movies and editing photos you will need something more powerful. Consider a 128MB  budget or midrange graphics card from ATI or Nvidia.
  • Watching Movies
    • If you like watching DVDs with crystal-clear picture quality or are interested in editing video, look for something with minimum specs of at least 128 MB of memory or higher, and Pro, XT, or Ultra speed models. Also, the higher the model number, the better the card. Choose a 128MB  or 256MB  graphics card.
  • Photo Imaging
    • If you like digital photography and editing your photos on your computer using Adobe Photoshop,  Picasa  or other programs,  you need a better graphics card to properly view 3-D images. Make sure your printer  is up to so that your graphics card won't go to waste. Look to buy a 256MB graphics card. 
  • Gaming
    • If you are a hardcore gamer who wants to be able to play the latest high definition games, you should buy a 1GB HD graphics card  from ATI or Nvidia. If you simply want your games from a couple years ago to run smoother, a 256MB card  will suffice.

Basics Specs

  • Memory
    • Graphics cards have their own memory to store the image information.
    • By using their own memory, graphics cards avoid filling up the system's RAM, so that images can be rendered more quickly without sacrificing other aspects of computer performance.
    • The bigger the memory, the better the graphics card will be for handling image-intensive jobs like video editing.
    • If you plan to do any kind of graphic-intensive work, like desktop publishing or photo editing, you will probably want at least 128 MB of RAM.
    • Some gamers might be happy with 128 MB, but the serious gamer should go with a 256 MB card.
  • Video Card Processor (aka Graphics/Video Processing Unit, Graphics Processor, Controller, etc.)
    • Graphics cards have their own processors so that they don't have to take up the CPU.
      • Graphics processors are specially designed for the calculations involved in drawing images, so they are better than an ordinary CPU at these kinds of tasks.
    • An "integrated graphics solution" means that instead of its own chip, the graphics card uses your main CPU, which is the less efficient way of doing things.
      • If you are serious about your graphics, you should probably avoid these systems as their performance is often inferior to a dedicated graphics processor.
    • The higher the clock speed (measured in MHz) the more calculations it can do per second. This means faster image refreshing and better images, especially moving ones (like in a video game).
  • Connector Compatibility
    • Your computer comes with one of three types of data bus ports for graphics cards: PCI, AGP or PCI Express.
      • PCI = Peripheral Component Interconnect.
        • The slowest and oldest type.
        • Also used for other devices, including modems.
        • Cards supporting this type of connection are now hard to find.
      • AGP = Accelerated Graphics Port
        • Faster than PCI, but now starting to show its age.
        • Commonly availble in three versions: AGP2x, AGP4x, AGP8X.
        • Whilst AGP is meant to be backwards compatible (meaning you can use a AGP4x, in an AGP8x slot) you are unlikely to be able to use an AGP8x card in an AGP2x slot, also, using a faster card in a slower slot will mean the card isn't running at its fastest speed.
        • Fewer and fewer new cards are being made that support AGP8x, thus the new cards are becoming more expensive.
        • An AGP8x version of a graphics card will be slower than the PCI Express version, when used with modern games.
        • Still apropriate for mid-range games and general applications.
      • PCI Express = Peripheral Component Interconnect Express
        • The fastest and most modern.
        • Supports a much faster transfer rate of data than the other types.
        • The most common data port supported by most all new graphics cards
    • Before you buy a new graphics card, check which kind of slot you have--they aren't inter-compatible.
    • Also be sure that the speed of the card and the speed of the port are compatible.
  • Data Width/Register Width
    • The larger the width, the more information can be manipulated with each calculation.
    • A larger number translates into a faster card.
  • Maximum Resolution
    • For example: 2048 x 1536 @ 75Hz
    • The higher the resolution, the sharper the image.

Popular Picks

EVGA Geforce 6200 256MB DDR AGP 2/4/8x 

This card is a great value buy for under $40. This is more than enough to play most modern games.

XFX Radeon HD 4850 512MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 

With up to 1.2 teraFLOPS on tap this card will redefine the way you play and take HD gaming to the extreme, with best-in-class performance.

EVGA Geforce GTX 260 896MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 

This HDTV ready card boasts a maximum resolution of 2560 x 1600.

MSI Radeon HD 4870 1GB GDDR5 PCI Express x16 

This high-end level graphics card is based on the latest generation of 55nm GPU.

GIGABYTE Radeon HD 4850 1GB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 (2.0v) 

ATI Avivo HD displays brilliant colors, sharp images, smooth playback of Blu-ray and HD DVD content.

Sapphire AMD ATI Radeon HD 5870 1GB 

Experience a riveting high-definition gaming experience and use up to three monitors at the same time with this top of the line graphics card.

BFG Nvidia GeForce GTX 295 1792MB 

Most advanced card available today. NVIDIA PhysX gaming effects, stereoscopic 3D, and lightning fast video and image processing all accelerated by the graphics card.

Related Guides

Blu-Ray

RAM Guide

Computer Speakers

PC Games

Building a Computer

External Links

  • ITReviews.co.uk: An extensive list of graphics cards and a brief description about each product.
  • Microsoft.com: More information on digital video imaging.
  • Epinions.com: A detailed explanations of whether or not to buy a new video card.
  • Choice.com: How graphics cards work for various tasks.
  • Crucial.com: PCI vs. AGP information.
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