PCI Graphics and Video Cards

Graphics and Video Cards

Graphics and video cards are important parts of your PC. They convert the data you input into a picture so that your monitor can display it. All computers come with a graphics card, but some are better than others. What graphics or video card best suits your needs will depend a little on what you’re using your PC for.

PCI (peripheral component interconnect) computer graphics or video cards are parallel expansion bus standards, which means they transfer data in multiple chunks at a time. PCIe cards transfer data in serial, so only one bit of data can send at a time. PCIe graphics and video cards provide faster data transfer than PCI cards because different types of data transfer in different lanes.

For gaming, lower latency and high data transfer rates are ideal, as games demand a lot from graphics and video cards. Consider whether a PCIe x4 graphics or video card or a PCIe x16 graphics or video card will best suit. The x4 or x16 refers to the number of lanes the card can run, so you’ll need to consider what your hardware can support. Most gaming PCs will come with a motherboard that can support 2 x16 PCIe cards. Generally, for gaming, x16 is a good place to start.

For very small PCs, the physical size and amount of space available might become a limiting factor. Make sure to leave enough space to adequately cool the graphics and video cards so they don’t overheat. The physical size you’re working with may also contribute what options you’re able to choose from.

Buying used graphics and video cards is a great option as long as you do your research before purchasing one. Many serious gamers test out various graphics card options to see what works best for their particular setup. This means you can often snap up a great deal.