Graphics

The graphics card is an expansion card that allows the computer to generate and output images, videos and other graphical information to a display device such as a LCD monitor, TV or projector. A graphics card is also known as a video card, graphics adapter or video graphics adapter. Some computers do not have a graphics expansion card and use instead an integrated graphics processor unit (GPU) directly on the motherboard. These are commonly known as integrated graphics, which is a less expensive solution but also a less powerful graphics system. An extra add on graphics card will have advanced graphics capabilities for the latest games and video features, it also plays an important role when using graphic intense software for graphic designer’s for optimal display and faster rendering. 

Some integrated graphics processors have only one port for connection to a standard display device while a more advanced expansion graphics card may have ports for connections to multiple output sources including additional monitors and televisions. The graphics card is installed in an expansion slot on the motherboard. While some graphics cards and most other cards in a computer are of the PCI format, graphic cards can use other formats as well including AGP and PCI Express. These additional formats provide a more efficient way for the graphics card to communicate with the CPU and other components in the PC system.

Market Segments

Extreme Graphics – This segment is the first choice for extreme gaming, making sure that you have the highest frame rates and the latest technology as well as the industry leading features.

Professional Graphics – Segment of graphics cards built for handling heavy demanding software applications to achieve the best rendering as well as the highest possible display resolution.

Multimedia & Gaming – Loaded for the latest features, this segment makes sure you can play games and watch HD video content without a big price tag.

Multimedia – Offload some graphics processing from local CPU by adding on a graphics card that will provide you with overall increased 3D effects in all applications, whether that is gaming, multimedia home theatre or office applications.

Today there are three main chipset manufacturers in the market, Matrox, ATI (Part of AMD) and NVIDIA. Each has differing strengths depending on market segment and vertical applications they are used in, with the market leader usually being decided by the latest GPU and driver technology they offer.