Graphics cards

Now we need to decide whether we are going to use an external Video Capture Card or an internal Video Capture Card. Given that, I would definitely recommend using an internal PCI or PCIe Video Capture Card. To put it into context for you - The PCI-Express interface is tailored to run high-end graphics card, allowing ultra-fast data transfer between the CPU, RAM and card. (32 cards)

Installing an internal Video card is very simple, infact it is almost idential to installing a standard graphics card. Graphics cards have now become a must to every computer user. Even the common Pc users are also installing graphics cards for better resolution. You don't need to spend hundreds of dollars to get a good quality graphics card. Don't know how to install graphics card? If you are hardcore PC gamer and use a 30-inch LCD monitor, this DirectX 11 graphics card is the best choice for you.

The GPU includes Nvidia GeForce GTX 480 graphics processor, 1.5GB graphics memory as well as 700MHz core clock speed, two dual-link DVI ports, and one HDMI port.

This ATI Radeon HD 5870 GPU boasts 870MHz core clock speed, 1GB DDR5 graphics memory as well as two dual-link DVI ports HDMI port DisplayPort and DVI-to-VGA adapter, PCI Express x16 interface and two Molex-to-six-pin graphics-card power adapters.

Sapphire Radeon HD 5850 Toxic Edition is another notable name in the list of top graphics card. With 765MHz core clock speed and 1GB DDR5 graphics memory this graphics card also comprises PCI Express x16 interface, two dual-link DVI port and DisplayPort HDMI port.

GeForce GTX 470-based ENGTX470 from ASUS offers impressive gaming performance that the gamers avail from ATI's Radeon HD 5870 card. The card also includes CUDA GPU-accelerated computing support.

An NVidia Graphics card is a smart upgrade for your computer because a high-tech graphics card can increase the flexibility of use of your computer. Using such advanced graphics card features as Dual Monitor and a TV cable input and television software, you can get more out of your computer than you can with a basic graphics card. It is easy to use and configure nvidia graphics cards for a dual monitor setup. Some nvidia graphics cards come with a built-in TV card, which allows you to connect a coaxial cable television feed to your computer video card and output the signal to your monitor. The best graphics cards produce best quality of image. From a bird's eye point of view, there hardly exists much difference between nVidia and ATi Radeon graphics cards. For instance, the latest version of graphics cards, i.e. dual 3D-card was introduced by nVidia and is yet to be associated with ATi. ATi Radeon GPUs are not sophisticated enough to match the brilliance of 3D effects that one can associate with nVidia graphics cards. The advance version of these cards features television software, TV cable input and a Dual monitor. The most recent versions of nVidia graphics cards allows you to connect a computer video card with to a cable television feed and can then transfer the output signal to a monitor. A graphics card refers to any computer device or program that makes a computer capable of displaying and manipulating pictures. In simple terms, a graphics card is an integrated or expansion card whose main function is to generate output images to a display medium. Graphics card can be used interchangeably with the terms vide card, video adapter, graphics accelerator, and display adapter.

Components of a Graphics Card

1. Graphics Processing Unit

A Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is a dedicated processor which is optimized to accelerate graphics. 2. Video BIOS

The Video BIOS, also known as the firmware, contains the basic program that controls the graphics card's operations and instructs the computer and software to interact with the card. 3. Video Memory

The memory capacity of a modern card ranges from 128MB to 4GB.

RAMDAC functions like a RAM chip that regulates the performance of the graphics card.

5. Outputs

Graphics cards and the display modules must be connected by some means. Nowadays, high performing graphics card tend to consume a large amount of electrical energy. As the processing power of the graphics card increases, so does its demand for electrical power. There are three types of cooling devices employed on a card. Card Types

The Integrated graphics cards are components that are already built-in to the system motherboard. If in some instances both the CPU and memory are overloaded, the graphics card is greatly affected in speed. It is because of this that expansion type graphics card are considered to be the most powerful graphics hardware capable of delivering high-quality 3D graphics. The Expansion type card is further subdivided into two: Discrete video card and Dual video card.

Discrete graphics card are geared towards achieving high performing 3D graphics quality and thus are suitable for gaming, while the Dual graphics card are used for displaying immense files at top speed usually used for high precision rendering.

It is a good guideline in selecting a good graphics card for your needs.

Integrated video cards are generally acceptable for:

To tackle complex graphics, applications and gaming. A discrete video card you can handle all the applications an integrated card can handle, plus:

• Graphics design

• High resolution video

• Video conferences

• Video editing

• Game creation

• Complex graphics design