Video Graphic Card Course

A graphic card is simply an electronic component or component with a complex design, just like the processor or the CPU in a computer. In general, the graphics card or graphics card is used in everything related to displaying data on the computer screen, as it is tasked with displaying images, graphics or video and everything that carries the character of graphics, with high accuracy and quality in 3D. The screen card has many names synonymous with each other, including the following:

- Graphics card .

- The video card.

- Video converter.

Graphics accelerator.

- Graphics adapter.

Graphics console.

Display card and other names.

It should be noted that the more modern graphics cards with good specifications, the higher the resolution of the video and graphics in general and of high quality.

2- The components of the graphics card:

Through these next paragraphs, we will talk about the component parts of the graphics card, and we will deal in particular with the external display card, not the integrated one. So, below, we review these components:

Graphic Processing Unit

The graphics processing unit, known by the acronym GPU at the level of the display card, is the central processing unit for the motherboard of the computer, as it is the main and important element in the graphics card, and its role is reflected in the control and data processing of graphics.

GPU memory

 It should be noted that the graphics processing unit has its own memory that helps it store all the information and control data that it uses to facilitate the control and processing process, as well as to process the information gradually. This memory of course has a direct link with the memory known to everyone as RAM or random access memory, so that the process of exchanging information and data between these two memories is, of course, at the command of the central processing and graphic units.

It is considered against the slot for passing the data of the intermediate display card between it and the motherboard, so that it is matched on the motherboard by the so-called slot or simply the AGP port, which is an abbreviation for Accelerated Graphics Port or the newer port of it that provides faster data transfer speed and is called PCI Express.

It is considered one of the most important parts and components of the graphics card because it plays a very important role, which is reflected in the dispersion of heat emitted from the graphics card, which is formed due to the maximum speed in processing graphic data. Without this copper piece in addition to the fan accompanying it, the GPU and in general the video card will not cool down and thus the information and graphic data will not be processed well, so the presence of the heat sink in addition to the accompanying fan is necessary in order for the processing process to be in the best condition.

Triple video ports:

Most modern graphics cards contain three ports that allow to connect the external screen that is used to display processed data from pictures, videos, etc. with the graphics card via a specific connector or cable depending on the type of port used. These three outlets are:

VGA port is short for Video Graphics Array.

DVI Port is an abbreviation for Digital Visual Interface.

HDMI is short for High-Definition Multimedia Interface.

3- Types of graphics cards:

Graphics cards in general are divided into two types, namely:

Integrated Graphic Card:

It is the one that is attached to the motherboard, whether in the desktop computer or the laptop alike, and the latter does not apply to it what we mentioned in the paragraphs during which we talked about "the components of the screen card" because it is integrated with the motherboard or the motherboard. The second type is:

Integrated graphics card

Integrated graphics card

- The screen card is not integrated or separate External Graphic Card:

It is an external display card that is added to the computer to improve its performance and speed in processing graphic data, and this is done by integrating it at the level of the AGP port or the PCI Express port, according to what is provided by the motherboard.

Graphic card

4- Graphics card rating.

A display card is classified and distinguished from another by adopting several criteria that are the main determinants of the strength of the graphics card, namely:

GPU Frequency and Speed.

Its firmware.

RAMDAC speed.

Direct X compatibility and support.

Memory Capacity.

Resolution.

5- Methods for identifying the graphics card specifications

There are two practical ways to know the specifications of the graphics card or display card installed on your device from its full name, its model, manufacturer, capacity or size and its speed and so on, and they are:

1- The first method

Using the Device Manager

By following the following steps: Click on the computer icon with a right-click, then choose the Manage option, then click on Device Manager from the window that appears on the screen, then another window will appear for you that includes many devices. Select the card, then click on Details and then click You will be presented with a list of all the information you need to know about your graphics card.

2- The second method

Using some commands of the Windows operating system: These commands are: dxdiag or msinfo32.

Click on the Start menu, then the Run option. Then, a small window will appear. In it, type one of the following commands: "dxdiag or msinfo32". Then click on the Enter button. After that, another window will appear for you with multiple computer information, as well as many tabs. Select and then click on the tab that interests us