Though many components of the computer affect game play one of the most important aspects for every gamer is the video card. The video card has several names; display adapter, graphics card, graphics accelerator card, but if you're a gamer you know it as a 3D graphics accelerator. The card itself is small but the result is enormous; the card processes data received, generates images and outputs those images to the display. The display is your computer monitor; your monitor has its own display limits so make sure that your monitor and video card are compatible. Consisting of the Graphics Processing Unit, also known as GPU, Video Bios, Video Memory, RAMDAC and Outputs, the video card works from the moment the computer is powered on; the properties of each component is usually listed on the video cards box for consumer comparison.



The GPU is a graphics microprocessor that is dedicated to optimizing floating point calculations which are fundamental when rendering 3D graphics. The Core Clock Rate, which is the GPUs main attribute, is the measurement of time, in hertz, that it takes for the computer to process basic operation; usually measured by the number of cycles per second. Hertz, represented by Hz, is the measurement of the frequency of rotation; thus 1 Hz equals 1 cycle per second. Normally most GPUs have 250 MHz - 850 MHz (1 MHz = 1000 Hz) of processing capabilities.

The Video Bios is firmware for the video card itself; it contains the video cards basic programming that allows the computer software as well as other computer components to interface with the card by governing operations and providing the video card with instructions.

If part of the motherboard, the sound card may use the computer memory, if not integrated into the motherboard the video card will have its own built in memory known as Video Ram. A video card will usually contain RAM between 128 MB and 2 GB. The Video memory usually uses high speed or multi-port memory so that it may be accessed by the GPU.

RAMDAC (Random Access Memory Digital-to-Analog Convertor) is responsible for turning the digital data received from the computer processor into analog data that can be shown by the computers display. As technology grows and the motherboard takes on more functions and LCD monitors, that show digital data without need of converting, become more common RAMDAC is slowly becoming obsolete.

The Output is a key component for the processed data because it allows for the connection between Video Card and the display. There are three types of connections: HD-15, DVI, and VIVO. HD-15 is the original analog transfer method, this method posed many problems, and the most common were electrical noise, image distortion and sampling error. DVI connections are usually with Plasma screens, high definition televisions and LCDs; it is the standard transfer type for digital displays. VIVO (Video In Video Out) usually a 9 pin Mini-DIN connection designed for DVD players, video recorders, televisions and video game consoles.