A good video card is not only displaying a high-quality image on a monitor. This is, first of all, an increase in the performance of the computer's central processor in solving problems associated with graphic processing of information. In order to choose the ideal option, it is necessary to take into account many factors - from the manufacturer to the dynamic cooling system. In our article you will learn how to take into account all the nuances and subtleties and choose the video card that your computer needs.
Content:
The best video card manufacturers - which company to choose
The choice of a reliable manufacturer is one of the main factors for purchasing a quality product. Popular video card manufacturers have been competing with each other for more than 20 years and are trying to introduce the most modern and powerful models on the market.
The best manufacturers are considered to be:
- NVidia;
- AMD;
- Asus;
- Intel;
- Msi (Microstar);
- Palit.
Each video card has its own principle of operation, a special device, and various characteristics. They need to be considered in order to choose a model that fits a specific computer. Therefore, to make the right choice, you need to listen to the opinion of experts and study all the features, specifications, price offers on the market for computer equipment.
- See also: top video card rating
The principle of operation and device video cards
The video card is responsible for the formation, transmission, output and image quality on the monitor. Therefore, it is simply impossible to imagine a computer or laptop without it, although the processor will work stably technically and without it. However, no matter how powerful a computer is, in the absence of information on the monitor, it will be absolutely useless.
The video card consists of a standard set of devices:
1. Graphics processor One of the central components, which is responsible for calculations when displaying the image on the screen without the participation of the central processor. Consists of a large number of transistors, ensuring its high performance.
2. Video controller Designed to form an image in a video memory device, transfer information to a monitor, process requests between the user and the central processor. To enable the connection of several monitors at the same time, modern types of video cards are equipped with several video controllers.
3. Video Memory A peculiar repository of information that comes from the graphical process. The greater the amount of video memory, the greater the amount of graphic information it can store at the time of the computer.
4. Connectors - communication devices between the monitor and the computer. The number of monitors that can be connected to a video card depends on the number of video outputs. Required are connectors for power and cooling systems.
The process of transferring information to the monitor and back consists of several stages:
1. All data using binary code are processed in the central processor of the computer;
2. The processed information is redirected to the graphics processor via the data bus;
3. In the graphics processor, the information is processed and sent to the video memory using a video controller;
4. In the storage of video memory, a prototype of the future image is created, which is transferred to the converter;
5. The digital-to-analog converter is responsible for the process of converting data from a binary code to an analog signal;
6. The processed information in a form accessible to the user arrives on the monitor screen.
Such a rather complicated process is performed in thousandths of seconds. The speed of conversion and output of information directly depends on the type of video card.
Types of video cards
Embedded
This type of video card is also called integrated. The main difference is that they are embedded in the motherboard during its production. For the operation of the integrated video card, the central processor and the computer’s RAM are used.
Advantages:
- Affordable cost;
- Low power consumption;
- Ensuring the work of most programs and applications.
Disadvantages:
- Low task processing speed;
- Additional load on RAM, CPU;
- The impossibility of working with complex programs, powerful games.
Many computer manufacturers use these video cards to equip low-cost computers and laptops. Built-in video cards allow you to solve the main range of user tasks - working with office applications, watching movies and images, editing them.
Discrete
Such video cards do not use the internal resources of the computer, since they are equipped with their own graphics processor and video memory.
Advantages:
- High performance;
- High speed of processing user tasks;
- Ability to work with complex and powerful software.
Disadvantages:
- High price;
- High power consumption.
Such video cards are mainly used in gaming computers or computers designed to work with graphic programs for processing, editing images and video.
Hybrid
They are a symbiosis of embedded and discrete video adapters. This option is suitable for laptops and personal computers.
Advantages:
- The ability to use different adapters in solving various problems;
- Sufficiently high performance;
- Automatic switching between cards.
Disadvantages:
- High price.
Hybrid video cards allow you to work with any software. For simple applications, an integrated module is used, more powerful programs include a graphics accelerator and connect a discrete graphics card.
Video Card Selection
Before you buy a video card, you need to study its technical characteristics:
1. Memory. The device’s own video memory has a certain amount, which is measured in megabytes. The amount of memory depends on the performance and speed of the system.
2. The bus width determines the size of the transmitted information, measured in bits.
3. Kernel frequency is measured in megahertz. High rates of frequency directly affect the speed of information processing graphic editor.
4. Connectors (pins) - must match the connectors on the motherboard.
5. Resolution affects the size of the image that is displayed on the monitor.
6. Cooling system. High performance graphics card affects the temperature of the device. It is video adapters that heat up the most and require a good cooling system.
It is also necessary to pay attention:
- Compatibility of the video card and the motherboard, the ability to support similar technologies in order to avoid conflicts in software;
- Type of technology - various adapters are provided for computers and laptops;
- Year of issue. As a rule, more modern models are equipped with the necessary outputs that are suitable for most motherboards.
Answers to the question about the technical characteristics and other parameters of the selected video card model can be obtained by studying the information on the packaging, in the price list or from a store consultant.
Many price lists contain abbreviated data that you need to be able to decrypt. Suppose a video card with the following marking is selected: SVGA PCI-E 512Mb Radeon 500 (DDR3 128bit, VGA) AMD.
The decryption will be as follows:
1. Manufacturing company - AMD;
2. Model - Radeon 500;
3. Memory capacity - 512Mb;
4. Memory Type - DDR3;
5. Bus width - 128bit;
6. Connector - PCI-E;
7. Connectors - VGA.
Similar decoding can be done for any video card model.
Which graphics card to choose
Knowing the technical characteristics and parameters, you can choose exactly the video card that your computer needs.
It is worth listening to some recommendations of experts:
1. Each device has its own expiration date, with video cards it is 2-3 years. Therefore, choosing an adapter, you should give preference to the latest developments that will be relevant during this time.
2. A large amount of memory is not a decisive indicator of high performance graphics card. Maximum performance provides a large amount of memory in combination with a large number of memory bus width bits.
3. Do not forget about the appointment of a computer. To work with ordinary office applications, the memory capacity of 512Mb will be enough, more powerful programs and games will require at least 1024Mb.
4. Pay attention to the monitor settings. The larger the screen, the greater must be the resolution of the video card. Most modern models support resolution for large monitors (approximately 1920x1080).
5. In the price list of any model necessarily indicate the findings. VGA are designed for analog images and old monitors, DVI are designed for LCD monitors and projectors, HDMI is considered the most modern. Modern conclusions also include DP. It is designed specifically for digital displays.
6. Powerful in its technical characteristics, the video card requires the same powerful processor. Otherwise, the money will be spent in vain and its normal functioning will not be.
7. Particular attention should be paid to the effectiveness of the cooling system. It depends on it and the noise level when the computer is running, and the degree of heating of the card. Preference should be given to custom versions that are equipped with an alternative cooling system.
8. Despite all the advantages of modern video cards, you should not chase the top-end fashionable models. Their prices will be quite high, and many functions may simply not be useful. Several monitors connected at the same time are not needed by everyone.
How much does a video card cost
1. The average cost of budget options ranges from 1,500 to 4,000 rubles. For this money, you can buy a video card for working with office programs, watching movies, and simple games.
2. More productive video cards will cost from 5,000 to 10,000 rubles. With their help, you can work in programs for editing images and videos.
3. The most powerful models will cost from 15 000 rubles and above. With such video cards, you can freely play fairly realistic games, connect to your home theater, and perform the whole range of work with any software.
4. These "giants" in power and performance reach in the order of 400,000 rubles. Such models are designed exclusively for games.
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