| Want to know what piece of technology is changing | | | | more sense to go for a heavy duty card. Screen |
| most rapidly in the world of computer? That's right - | | | | resolution and image quality tend to be important |
| video cards. The rate at which video cards come out | | | | factors for this type of work. Look for a video card |
| is simply mind boggling. We're looking at a whole | | | | whose processor which supports a high screen |
| plethora of video cards based on graphics processors | | | | resolution, with ample graphics memory. A good choice |
| from ATI and Nvidia. Which card should you choose? | | | | would be the XFX GeForce FX 5500.General |
| Will it be good enough?Well, this article will help you | | | | GamesIf you'll only play simple games like |
| make some sense of this fast changing technology | | | | Minesweeper, Reversi or Backgammon, then my |
| and enable you to choose the best video card for | | | | advice is to save your money and just get a simple |
| your computing needs.The best way to see what | | | | video card. No need for the latest 3D graphics |
| video card to buy is to consider how you're using your | | | | gizmo.Hard-Core GamingOn the other hand, if you live |
| computer now. There are several categories:There | | | | on intense, real-time 3D games like Unreal Tournament |
| are several categories: | | | | and Battlefield 2, you'll want to get the latest 3D |
| | | | graphics card like the Connect 3D Radeon X850 XT |
| Server | | | | Platinum. These games require extremely powerful |
| Simple Applications | | | | cards which support a variety of graphics effects like |
| Complex Applications | | | | anti-aliasing, Z-buffering, vertex shaders, |
| General Gaming | | | | etc.ConclusionIn summary, you should always consider |
| Hard-Core Gaming | | | | your needs first before going out to buy that video |
| | | | card. Video cards, especially the latest models, tend to |
| Ok, let's look at these in turn.ServerIf you're using your | | | | be prohibitively expensive. If you only need to do |
| computer as a mail server, FTP server, print server, or | | | | general computer stuff, then don't shell out cash for |
| even a game server, you definitely do not need a | | | | the newer cards like the Connect 3D Radeon X850 |
| high-end video card. Look for a low-end card like the | | | | XT Platinum. Go for some of the cheaper video cards |
| Diablotek ATI Rage XL.Simple ApplicationsSay you're | | | | like the Diablotek ATI Rage XL. Do your homework, |
| using the PC for simple applications only, for example, | | | | read up the manufacturer's online manuals before |
| word processing, email or web surfing. Again, you do | | | | making your purchase decision.Gary Hendricks runs a |
| not need the best video card out there. A cheap and | | | | hobby site on building computers. Visit his website at |
| decent one will do the trick.Complex ApplicationsIf you | | | | for tips and tricks on assembling a PC, as well as |
| need to perform more complex tasks like 3D | | | | buying good computer components. |
| computer aided design or video editing, it will make | | | | |