Graphics cards are a hardware component in a laptop or computer that display images, videos, and animations to a high standard on a monitor and they make a high-end gaming experience even better, by accelerating the graphic processing capabilities of your PC.
They work with the CPU to process and send out visual data. So with all this in mind, what exactly is a graphics card and why do you need one? Let’s take a look!
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Do we need graphics cards?
Yes! If you use your PC or laptop for gaming whether that’s action games or fun activities such as live blackjack, video editing, or any kind of 3D modeling. For this a dedicated graphics card is essential. For anything else, an integrated graphics card will suffice.
What’s the difference between dedicated and integrated cards?
The difference between the two cards is simple. A dedicated graphics card has its own dedicated memory and processing power which provides high performance for gaming and video editing. Integrated graphics cards, on the other hand, are built into the CPU and aren’t as powerful, but are perfectly fine for computers that aren’t used for gaming!
Source: makeuseof.com
What is video random access memory (VRAM) and how much do I need?
This depends entirely on your requirements. For most people who are gaming, 4-8 gigabytes of VRAM is perfectly fine to play games of up to 1080p resolution. If you want to play games that are at a higher resolution than that or use your PC for high-end video editing and extensive graphics processing then it’s worth considering 8GB or more of VRAM.
Does size matter when it comes to graphics cards?
It does matter, especially when it comes to fitting it safely in your computer case. Some high-end graphics cards are larger and might not fit into small cases, but before making your purchase make sure that your case has the right amount of space and clearance to accommodate the length, width, and height!
Make sure that the PCIe (peripheral component interconnect express slot) is in the right place on the motherboard to fit the size of your card, too.
Are there differences between mid-range and high-end graphics cards?
With mid-range graphics cards, they tend to offer good performance for their price bracket and can handle most games at a resolution of 1080p. However, high-end graphics cards will give a better performance and will also be able to handle demanding tasks and gaming at high levels of resolution, too. They’re also great for VR and any professional apps that need a much higher processing power for their graphics to display correctly.
Source: newegg.com
What level of power do I need?
Your graphics card will have specific power requirements, and these will be listed in their specifications. Make sure to check the wattage rating to determine whether your power supply can handle it. It’s better if your power supply exceeds the recommended power requirements of your graphics card – or at least meets it.
If you’re unsure, check with a qualified electrician and tech specialist who will be able to advise you properly and make sure you’re operating your precious tech equipment safely.
