How does graphics card work? Do you really need it? These are the main questions that usually linger in most people’s mind. You might think the only thing that is important to your computer is the CPU as it is regarded as the brain of your computer, but as a video editor or a gamer you can’t survive without a graphics card.
What Are Graphics Card?
Have ever wondered how images get displayed on your PC? This is the work of Graphics Chip! If you are in need of smoother images, then you require the best graphics card. Did you know graphics card acts like the heart of your PC? Yes, it pumps pixels into your computer at any given time. How does graphics Card helps in displaying images to your monitor? The graphics do this by transforming data into a better form (signal) that your monitor can easily understand. And to make thing clear, let’s starts with; There are two types of Graphics Chip out there: Integrated and Discrete. Although upgrading integrated graphics is quite difficult. And for your informing, Integrated Graphics are mainly found in ‘standard’ PCs and laptops. You will find integrated graphics build and install into the motherboard whereby no add-in card required to use. What about discrete graphics? Discrete is usually installed in the PC motherboard as an additional motherboard component. The good thing about discrete graphics is that it can be easily upgraded when you are in need of modifying your computer system. When carrying more complex tasks such as video editing or gaming, you will need this kind of graphics to process the images in the shortest time possible. But in case you are carrying out simple tasks such as creating documents, surfing the internet or watching videos on the internet like something, then the integrated graphics will be more than enough for you.
But without discrete graphics, as a gamer you will find your game jittering at the most critical points. And you know; Just like the PC, the Graphics card also consists of a brain known as Graphics Processing Unit (GPU). GPU is a very crucial component for creating the visuals displayed on your computer screen. In fact, that is the main function of the GPU. There are various Graphics Card models in the market, and GPU power will be determined by the kind of model you select for your PC. The GPU converts data coming from your computer processing unit into images. High- definition games usually come with complex visuals which need more quicker and complex GPU to accommodate and process the given stream of detailed data.
So, Why Do You Need A Graphics Card?
You might wonder whether you need a graphics card to edit a video or to play your favorite game. Truth be told, nothing improves your computer gaming ability and performance like graphics card. All PC comes with Graphics Chip; it can either be inbuilt or pre-installed into the computer motherboard. So, Why Do You Need A Graphics Card?
Better gaming: If you are looking for a good experience in the gaming sector, then you should install a graphics card into your Desktop. In case you are using an older version of a computer, then it would be wiser to install a new graphics card for better gaming than buying a new computer. Better video performance: Another reason you might need computer graphics is video editing and to play them better. Good graphics card helps you in editing video in the shortest time possible. With graphics, you are able to make your videos colorful, attention-grabbing and viewable. Free up memory: Some inbuilt graphics card comes with their own memory which is used in storing pixels and complete images temporary. This leaves more room for the computer to use on other functions. Good computing experience: Graphics card smoothes the computing experience by integrating new graphical features.
Now Let’s See How Graphics Card Actually Works;
The images displayed on your PC screen are made of pixels (looks like tiny dots). Your monitor usually displays more than a million pixel at the most ordinary computer resolution setting. And in order to create the required image, your computer has to decide what to do with every pixel to produce a smoother image. For this to happen, a translator is needed (GPU-Graphics Processing Unit); something to convert information data into a viewable picture. This is where the graphics card comes in; you computer motherboard should have built in or installed graphics for the translation to be conducted. Nothing is so difficult and complex like a graphics card’s task, but with good understating of the graphics components and principles the task will be very simple for you. Let’s compare your computer with a business firm with an art department. At any given time the company wants an artwork task done; they will request the art department to do so. Prior to processing the piece of artwork, the art department will put a draft of the work on a piece of paper, and then turn it into an actual drawing, and a viewable picture inclusive of every requested detail; And that’s the same principles a graphics card follows. How does this principle works with the graphics card? With the help of software applications that brain of the computer (CPU) sends data about the image in question to graphics card processing unit. The graphics card makes decisions on how to utilize the pixels to make create the required image. The already processed data is sent to the PC monitor, and displayed in form of images. Creating a viewable image out of unprocessed information is a very complex process that demands more than computer components and principles. While creating a 3-D image, the first thing that the graphics do is making a wire frame which is derived out of straight lines. Out follows is the graphics filling in the remaining pixels. To make a quality image it then adds, color, lighting and texture. For the gamers who are in look out for high-paced games, the PC has to go through the above process at least sixty times per second for them to get the game they need. Imagine a computer world without a graphics card? Such tasks would be so complex and hectic for a common PC to handle. What components of the PC aids the graphics card in performing these tasks? There are form components of a computer that are of great help in creating the image needed. They include;
Motherboard: As we all the motherboard is the most crucial part of PC just like the name sounds it is the mother of all the components as it holds them together. Components such as the CPU, connectors for output and input devices as well as the memory are all brought together by the motherboard. Thus you need it for better power and data connection. Processor: There are millions of pixel that needs to processed and combine together to form a viewable image. The processor makes decisions how to utilize each and every pixel on the screen to form a quality and viewable picture. Memory: For your computer to store and hold all the information on each pixel required to make an image, a good computer memory is needed. This computer memory is also used in storing already created image in a short period of time (used for temporary storage). Monitor: After your image is completed you definitely need to view it. The already completed picture can only be viewed with the aid of a monitor.
You will find that graphics card function kind of similar to a motherboard, as it houses two main components; a RAM and processor. In addition, it also comes with an output/input system chip known as BIOS. This chip is necessary for card settings storage and performing diagnostics analysis on input, output and memory startup. You normally find that a computer comes with a processing unit (CPU) which acts as its brain; the same case applies to a graphics card. A graphics card features a processing unit (GPU) which also acts as the brain of the graphics. Although GPU acts like a CPU it functions are quite different as it is designed to specifically to perform one main function; carrying out complex geometric and mathematical calculations. Not only does the GPU come with processing power but it also uses a unique programming for it to be able to analyze and use the given data accordingly. The processors comes with two features that helps in producing quality images; FSAA (Full scene anti-aliasing) and AF (Anisotropic filtering). While the AF helps in enhancing the image look by making it look crisper, the FSAA helps in producing a smoother image as it smoothes the edges of the 3D objects. There are various types of the graphics card in the market; however, each company tries all the best to come up with GPU techniques that will help in shading, applying colors, patterns and textures on the image.
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