Buy a Video Card For Your PC

PCs have the ability to be expanded and upgraded to support unique hardware configurations and perform high-load tasks for games that require extra power to provide graphics at a better detail. To obtain or upgrade your video card you must ensure compatibility with your computer and choose a video card that offers the features that best enhances your multimedia experience.

Steps

Checking Computer Compatibility

  1. Decide on what you want out of a new video card. Multiple monitor displays and video do not require a high amount of power. High-end games, demanding emulators, high resolution video and virtual reality may require extra power for optimal performance. You will need to determine how powerful you want your video card’s components to be.
    • The Graphical Processing Unit (GPU) is measured in clock speed with higher clock speeds providing faster calculations for drawing graphics which is notated in “hertz”.
    • Your video display resolution and graphical detail will be determined by the amount of onboard Graphics Double Data Rate (GDDR) memory available. While more memory available is beneficial, it’s ideal to go for faster types of GDDR memory indicated by numbers. The higher the number, the faster the memory can perform regardless if lower types feature more memory.
  2. Understand the different types of video card bus interfaces. Your computer’s motherboard may feature one of three key slots that act as a video card bus interface. A key slot is a connector on a motherboard that features a specific pattern that allows you to plug in a card to expand your computer’s functionality. Inspect your motherboard and confirm with your motherboard’s documentation for which key slot is provided.[1]
    • PCI-Express is the most recent iteration in newer PCs. These can range between in Times one (x1) up to times sixteen (x16) which determines how fast the card is able to perform and the size of the key slot. Typically high-end cards will make use of an PCI-Express x16 and may use more than one slot that can also allow for more than one card to be used at the same time. Extra power will need to be provided to PCI-Express cards as they will consume more energy.
    • AGP slots were the previous standard that feature four different speeds, 1X, 2X, 4X and the fastest being 8X. Ensure your motherboard states it features compatibility with your AGP speeds. An AGP card has one to two slots in its edge card determining its voltage power to be 1.5 Volts or 3.3 Volts. AGP connectors on the motherboard are designed to prevent the wrong video card from being plugged in. Check with your motherboard manufacturer’s instruction guide or online website to determine what the motherboard comes with.
    • PCI is an older and obsolete slot type. You may have a motherboard that features integrated graphics that does not include a PCI Express or AGP graphics card. PCI cards primarily support 5 volts for power and some cards may be compatible with 3.3 volt key slots. All PCI cards are 32-bit cards, but can be plugged into both 32-bit and 64-bit key slots.
  3. Check your current PC setup. Ensure your computer can not only fit the card but will be able to sustain its power as well.[2] Your video card may be limited by the power of the Central Processing Unit (CPU), memory, power and even the size of your desktop tower’s chassis.
    • The CPU speed must be fast enough to allow your video card to perform at it’s maximum capacity. A CPU with fewer cores or at low speeds may cause your video card to throttle its performance.
    • Measure the inside of the PC chassis. A video card can vary in size. For high-end computers, a video card may require a long length in order for it to fit properly. Your video card may also be obstructed by the internal wiring. Be sure to note how much space is available in the chassis of your computer.
    • Your power supply will need to be able to not only sustain the power that your video card may potentially draw, but you may also be required to connect your video card to your power supply directly for PCI Express cards. Look for six or eight-pin connectors or SATA connectors, which are indicated by flat red wires and black connectors, coming from your power supply and identify the power supply’s wattage and amps.

Buying a Video Card

  1. Choose a Graphical Processing Unit Brand. There are two popular brands of GPUs that are popular in the video card market; Nvidia and AMD. Both GPU types can provide similar features using proprietary functionality as well as their share of exclusive features. [3]
    • Nvidia video cards are typically more expensive but offer higher performance. Nvidia features multi-card support through SLI with identical video cards and 3D display support using Nvidia 3D Vision. Nvidia cards also feature a proprietary PhysX engine used to provide more realistic physics in games that support it.
    • The highest performing AMD video card is underpowered compared to the Nvidia chipset but is usually cheaper in price. AMD features multi-card support through CrossFire connectivity with other compatible AMD cards and 3D display support through AMD HD3D.[4] It also includes support for treating multiple monitors as one large display labeled as Eyefinity.
  2. Choose a video card manufacturer. A video card manufacturer will differ in terms of warranty, customer support and sometimes can come bundled with free games. There are other key features to keep in mind when choosing a card from a manufacturer.
    • Identify the amount of power the video card will need from your power supply. If your video card exceeds the limits of your power supply you will either need a different power supply or choose a video card that consumes less power.
    • Video cards may differ in terms of video output. It may support HDMI, DisplayPort, DVI or VGA video output. Choose a card that is compatible with your display device. A video card may be able to connect to more than one display to allow multiple monitors to display more screen space.
    • Manufacturers may also contain unique features such as hardware designed around overclocking and may feature its own cooling system for video cards that demand high power at high temperatures.
  3. Understand the video card model name and number. The name and number of a video card type specifies their power and performance. This can be used in addition to determine how powerful a video card is. Both popular chipsets offer different naming conventions to identify their line of cards.[5] A video card model number will determine its power, generation and performance level.
    • The Nvidia line identifies their performance line from highest to lowest; GTX, GTS, GT and GS. The lowest performing cards are ideal for low-end office computers. The first number indicates the generation of cards the device belongs to with the second and third number indicating the performance level of the card. 0-30 indicates a low-end card, 40-60 indicates a mid-range card with 70-90 indicating high-end cards. Nvidia cards may also offer “Ti” and “Ti Boost” versions that feature extra power to the card.
    • Newer AMD cards use their own naming convention for their RX line where the X represents the performance level with three numbers indicating the performance level. Cards identified with an X at the end of the name indicating higher clock speeds. Most AMD cards are named under the HD line with four numbers. The first number indicates the generation and the remaining three describes the performance level of the card with the higher numbers indicating high-end cards.
  4. Purchase a video card. Purchase a video card from a retail store or from online. You may also read reviews to compare and contrast other user’s experiences with the video card.
    • Keep an eye out for seasonal and periodic sales as this will allow you to purchase a video card at a lower price.
    • A computer can be built with millions of combinations. Comparing your computer’s overall performance to others will not offer the best advice for the graphics card itself unless the hardware combines with your video card for specialized compatibility.

Installing the Video Card

  1. Connect the video card to your PC. Be sure to turn off the computer and remove all connected plugs. Open the chassis of your computer and locate the compatible key slot for your video card. Line up the video card to the compatible key slot on the motherboard and push down.
    • PCI Express cards may feature a holding clip used to secure video cards in place. Pull the clip back and hold onto the video card by its edges to line up with the keys on the motherboard then push the card gently into place until it is seated.[6]
    • If you are upgrading from an older video card, remove the previous card unless it is being used with a cross-connection method described for either Nvidia or AMD video cards.
    • Plug in power using either power connectors or SATA power cables. If the video card requires more than one power source, be sure to use a different cable track from your power supply. You may also use converter cables if you have a different connection type that leads to your power supply.[7]
  2. Install and configure drivers. Your video card will come with drivers and software designed to control your video card’s behavior. You can obtain the software from a disk that is bundled with the video card or from the manufacturer’s website. Follow the instructions provided by the video card manufacturer on how to install the software.
  3. Configure software settings. Certain programs such as games may require additional setup to be configured for higher resolutions and enhanced features. Your video card may also need to be identified by the software or game in order to display video.

Tips

  • Video card bus slots are not cross compatible with different slot types.
  • Disable integrated graphics cards unless advised by the PC manufacturer if your video card does not override your integrated graphics card settings. You can disable this from within the BIOS of your computer or through your graphics card’s configuration software.
  • Virtual reality will require a display refresh rate of 120hz to allow for stereoscopic 3D. Underpowered video cards may provide a disorienting experience. Make sure you have obtained powerful hardware suitable for virtual reality displays.
  • Games can be designed for use with multiple monitors that allow for an expanded view space for games or can be used to extend your desktop. This can be useful for multitasking when working with multiple applications. Games that use multiple monitors can take advantage of additional screen space if the game supports it.
  • Games that provide splitscreen for local multiplayer can allow players to use their own screen using multiple monitors. You can search online for mods and in discussion forums for tips on how to expand your multiple monitors into one screen space for both your desktop and for the game’s internal settings. Not all games will support this feature natively.

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ http://www.playtool.com/pages/vidslots/slots.html
  2. ↑ http://www.pcgamer.com/how-to-buy-a-graphics-card-six-things-you-must-know-about-gpus/
  3. ↑ https://www.quora.com/Which-company-makes-better-graphics-cards-Nvidia-or-AMD
  4. ↑ http://blog.logicalincrements.com/2015/03/nvidia-or-amd-video-card-whats-the-difference/
  5. ↑ http://blog.logicalincrements.com/2014/06/graphics-cards-what-do-the-numbers-mean/
  6. ↑ http://www.helpwithpcs.com/upgrading/install-video-card-agp.htm
  7. ↑ http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/pc-components/how-know-if-graphics-card-is-compatible-3588810/
Retrieved from "https://kipkis.com/index.php?title=Buy_a_Video_Card_For_Your_PC&oldid=299773"