Lesson 4- Video card component - explains what a video card is with definitions of features
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In lesson 4 we'll explain what a video card is with definitions of features to look for when shopping for a video card and how much you can expect to pay.
Overview
The video card is responsible for creating all that you see on your computer monitor. Up until about 5 years ago, video cards were advancing in the acceleration and quality of 2 dimensional images. Since that time, video cards have reached a point where they are all equal in their ability to show 2D images and no further acceleration is possible.
Video card development now focuses on 3 dimensional acceleration and 3D image quality, 3D games and 3D modeling software, for instance.
Direct X is the system that 3D acceleration is based on. The latest version, Direct X11 which comes with Windows 7 and be installed on Windows Vista, provides the best image quality and fastest 3D graphics available. Direct X 9 is supported by the lower end video cards in Windows XP. For the best 3D performance, look for Direct X 11 support in your video card.
The amount of memory a video card has plays a big role in the speed and quality of 3D graphics. Look for a card with at least 1GB of memory.
Interface
The video card will attach through a PCI Express 2.0 16x slot on the motherboard . Make sure the video card you buy supports PCI Express 2.0 16x. There is an older standard of PCI Express called just PCI Express 16x. Make sure you see the 2.0 on the product details of the video card before you buy.
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