How to Buy a Graphics Board

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[b]How To Buy A Graphics Board

Introduction [/b]

If the large graphics files you work with take a long time to display on your monitor, or the 3D games you play resemble a slideshow more than a game, adding a new graphics board might be just the boost you need. A faster board can speed up your system\'s ability to process 2D images and to render the 3D graphics used in games. Some models even allow you to connect more than one display, or to add the kind of video input and output connectivity that lets you hook up your camcorder or cable TV to the PC.

[b]Key Features[/b]

[b]Graphics processor:[/b] Today\'s graphics chips can efficiently handle sophisticated full-motion 3D video, thanks to advanced graphics processors, or GPUs. PC games look best when they run at 60 frames per second (a measure of how quickly your screen displays new information) or faster; 60 fps is considered flicker-free, because the human eye can\'t detect flickering or other problems at this rate.

Budget graphics cards do a fine job with older games. However, boards that can produce faster frame rates at a midrange resolution will typically sustain playable frame rates at higher resolutions, and they can usually handle more-complicated games. To play DirectX 9 games, you\'ll want a chip that supports DirectX 9 hardware acceleration.

[b]Memory:[/b] When you use your PC for graphics-intensive activities, such as playing games or editing video, the information necessary to display images is buffered in graphics RAM. You\'ll need a lot of dedicated graphics RAM to handle today\'s complex, texture-rich games. The more complicated the game or image you\'re viewing, the more memory you\'ll need. Most budget graphics cards come with 64MB to 128MB of DDR SDRAM, while more-expensive models offer 128MB to 256MB, the current maximum on consumer-level boards. For older games, 64MB is sufficient, though it\'s not likely to deliver good image quality and high frame rates with new games or at resolutions above 1600 by 1200 pixels. For higher resolutions and newer, more complex games, it\'s best to acquire a card with at least 128MB of video memory. Many games today don\'t require more than that, but you may want to opt for more memory rather than face upgrading again when new memory-intensive games arrive.

Some graphics chips that are integrated on a PC\'s motherboard (or in a laptop) use main system memory in lieu of dedicated graphics RAM (reducing the amount of memory available to the operating system). Less-expensive computers with lower-powered CPUs, such as Intel\'s Celeron, often have integrated graphics subsystems. Although PCs that use integrated chips do an acceptable job with typical business applications, they lack the extra memory necessary for sophisticated gaming, so they aren\'t usually suitable for playing any but the simplest games.

[b]Extra Options[/b]

Some cards include extra features, as well as bundled hardware and software. Here are the common options offered on graphics cards:

[b]DVI-out:[/b] A card\'s digital visual interface is a port used primarily for connecting digital monitors. With a DVI connector and a DVI-out port, a graphics card can work with either a digital or an analog monitor.

[b]S-Video-out/-in:[/b] The S-Video-out port allows you to send video signals to a TV, projector, VCR, or other entertainment device. The S-Video-in port lets you bring video into your PC from a camcorder, a VCR, or the like.

[b]Composite-out/-in:[/b] Composite ports fulfill the same function as S-Video ports, but deliver video that is noticeably lower quality than S-Video. However, composite ports are particularly handy for use with older devices, which may lack S-Video ports. Many graphics boards that provide S-Video ports also include an S-Video-to-composite adapter cable.

[b]Dual display or dual head:[/b] To connect your PC to a second monitor or to a TV, you\'ll need a card with extra ports and additional RAMDACs (chips that convert digital images to analog signals) to drive two--or even three--separate displays.

[b]Overclocking:[/b] Running a graphics processor faster than the manufacturer\'s specified speed is popular among PC tweakers and dedicated gamers. While this can squeeze a little more performance out of a card, it carries risks such as overheating. Some vendors--Gainward is one--sell cards that have already been overclocked; others bundle overclocking software with cards; and some manufacturers, like ATI, don\'t officially support it. Be sure to read the manufacturer\'s recommendations and instructions before overclocking.

[b]Anti-aliasing:[/b] Many cards offer anti-aliasing, which smooths and softens the jagged edges of 3D images. This feature is especially helpful at lower resolutions. Enabling it can lower frame rates, though, so gamers have to choose smoother images or faster performance.

[b]The Specs Explained [/b]

You can delve as deeply as you like into graphics board specs, from fill rates to clock speeds, until your 3D-rendered head spins. But the main details you need to be concerned about are the amount and speed of on-board memory, the type of interface you need for your system, and any additional input or output ports you might require.

Performance and price typically go hand in hand--the priciest graphics boards from chip makers ATI and NVidia generally offer the best 3D performance. Depending on what you\'ll be using the card for, you may not need the most expensive and powerful model. Keep in mind that having a lot of memory on the card can be as important in gaming and high-level graphics editing as the clock speed of the graphics processor. The latest games are complex and richly textured, and they require plenty of graphics memory.

Also, if you\'re going to connect your PC to a second display or television, or input video from your camcorder or VCR, you\'ll need to get a graphics board with the appropriate ports.

[b]Video memory[/b]

Low End ($50 to $100): Up to 64MB
Recommended ($100 to $200): 128MB
High End ($200 and up): 128MB or more

An important consideration. With more video memory, your graphics board can hold more image data, leading to faster rendering of textures and 3D graphics. Many mainstream and most high-end boards use the faster DDR (double data rate) memory.

[b]Graphics processor clock speed[/b]

Low End ($50 to $100): 166 MHz or lower
Recommended ($100 to $200): 166 MHz or lower
High End ($200 and up): 325 to 500 MHz

Somewhat important. While a variety of factors determine graphics board performance, the clock speed of the graphics processor is a good overall indicator of how fast it will render 3D graphics.

[b]Interface[/b]

Low End ($50 to $100): PCI or AGP
Recommended ($100 to $200): AGP
High End ($200 and up): AGP

Somewhat important. Almost all new systems contain an AGP (accelerated graphics port) slot for connecting your graphics board. Systems more than four years old, and many with integrated graphics, may only have PCI slots; you\'ll have to look a little harder to find a PCI board, and the PCI interface is not as fast as AGP. Current AGP graphics boards generally support speeds up to 8X; AGP 8X doesn\'t offer much of a speed boost over 4X AGP, however. If you have an older AGP 4X, 2X, or 1X system, an 8X board will not work because of varying voltages.

[b]Display connectors[/b]

Low End ($50 to $100): One VGA connector for a CRT display
Recommended ($100 to $200): One or two VGA connectors for a CRT display
High End ($200 and up): One or two VGA connectors, or one extra digital output for flat panel displays

Somewhat important. You have to have the right connector for your monitor. The lowest-end cards offer just one VGA port to connect your PC to an analog monitor, including most cathode ray tube (CRT) monitors and analog LCD flat panels. Support for a second connector and a second monitor will allow you to multitask more easily. For example, you could have a spreadsheet open on one screen while you were using your word processor to prepare a report incorporating its data on the other. Some boards allow you the choice of connecting a digital LCD flat panel, a standard CRT, a TV, or even a combination of display devices.

[b]Input/output ports[/b]

Low End ($50 to $100): Not available
Recommended ($100 to $200): S-Video or composite
High End ($200 and up): Variety of connectors

A minor consideration. If you want to edit video, use your PC as a personal video recorder, or even use your big-screen TV to play games, you might want a high-end graphics board that ships with a variety of input/output ports or a TV tuner.

[b]Graphics Board Shopping Tips[/b]

When shopping for graphics boards, it\'s easy to feel overwhelmed by the mountain of stats and features each board touts on its packaging. But if you stick to your guns and follow these tips, you should be able to get the board you need at a price you\'ll be able to smile about.

Go for midrange boards. Unless you need the ultimate gaming board (and have a brand-new, high-end PC that can use it to maximum advantage), aim a little below the top end. You can usually save at least $100, and you won\'t sacrifice much in terms of performance.

[b]Gamers[/b] need more power. The most recent spur to upgrade is Microsoft\'s DirectX 9 application programming interface, which is now appearing in games. If you\'re planning to play these new games, you\'ll need a powerful board that supports the DirectX 9 API and has at least 128MB of DDR SDRAM.

Make sure your board has DDR memory. Most modern graphics boards come with DDR memory, but a few don\'t. This faster graphics memory makes a sizeable difference in performance without adding much to the cost.

[b]Review the reviews. [/b]Many major technology publications--including PC World--run regular reviews of graphics boards and benchmark them against the competition. It\'s a good way to familiarize yourself with the different boards and see how they perform against one another.

[b]Check the connection.[/b] While most PCs made in the past four to five years have an AGP port, some don\'t--especially inexpensive models with integrated graphics. Be sure that yours has an AGP connection before shelling out for a graphics board that may not fit.

[b]Shop online.[/b] Many chain computer stores only carry a few models of graphics boards. By shopping online, you\'ll find more variety and, frequently, better prices.

[b]Consider your needs.[/b] Don\'t throw away money on features you don\'t need. Unless you\'re planning to capture and edit digital video, for example, get a board with only the basic connections--you can save money, or get a board with more advanced 3D processing capabilities for the same price.

[b]Check the list of included software.[/b] Many graphics boards include a bundle of utilities, games, or video-editing software, so check to see what comes with your purchase. If a couple of $30 to $50 games you plan to buy anyway are bundled in the package, a seemingly pricey board can turn into a good deal.

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