Graphics (Video) Cards and 3D Cards

are the device in the computer that allows images to appear on your monitor. A video card usually controls how big the image is on your screen, how much detail it can have, and how many colors are displayed (in the next chapter, we will discuss the specific elements of an image).

Recently, there has been a trend toward faster, 3D hardware-accelerated video cards. Many applications require only the display of simple pictures, but if you are interested in doing 3D-related games, it will make sense to look at buying one of these cards. Most new systems will have a hardware-accelerated card, but the type and memory that it has will affect your performance. There are two manufacturers that are head and shoulders above the rest: Nvidia with its GeForce line of cards and ATI with the Radeon line. Regardless of the type of card you get, a 3D card is specifically designed to take the tasks of 3D rendering from the computer by handling textures, effects, and geometric calculations.