Ever wondered about the source of the image we enjoy on the computer monitor or LCD. Well the answer to this is the video card, which processes the image on the monitor, and today we discuss everything about video cards.

Quick Facts about Video Card

Alternative Names - video adapter, graphic card, graphic accelerator, display adapter

Video Card Classification – integrated video card, dedicated video card and hybrid video card

Video Cards Commonly Used – ATI video cards and Nvidia video cards

Understanding Video Card

The monitor is composed of numerous tiny points, better known as the pixels. All these pixels are instrumental in forming an image when commanded by the computer. Now in order to form an image, the computer requires a translator which would take binary input from the CPU and then convert it into image. It is then when a video card comes into action.

It is the video card which decides how many pixels it will be using to form an image. The process of converting binary information into image is a complex thing. The 3-D image formation involves the video card to first form a wire frame of straight lines which then fills the remaining pixels by the process of rasterization. The filling of the color, lighting and texture is also done by the video card. When you are enjoying a fast paced game, this process is repeated approximately 60 times in a second. With so many processes to handle by the video card it would be difficult if this component is ignored in the system.

Video card and components involved in image formation

1. Motherboard - to retrieve data and source of power

2. Processor - the deciding factor for pixel usage

3. Memory - stores pixel information and is buffer for temporary image

4. Monitor - the final place where the result or the image is seen.

Now you have a comprehensive idea as to how important a video card is in the overall performance of the system. Ignoring even slightest problem in this component could mar the performance of your system. Here are some common video card problems.

a. One of the most frequent problems faced is that the drivers need to be updated

b. The image on the monitor is not formed properly

c. Temperature variations can also cause error in the performance of video card

If the problem becomes more complex you would require video card repair. In this connection one name which should be remembered for video card repair and laptop video card repair is Video Card Repairs by Ztronics.