Graphics CardGraphics CardAndrew Kasper

MYP 5

ContentsContents

What is a graphics card?How does it work?History of graphics cardsGraphics card outputsModern graphics cardsHow to find your graphics cardSources

What is a graphics card?What is a graphics card?

A graphics card (also called a video card or GPU) is a device which generates and outputs images on the display of the computer.

How does it work?How does it work?

When your PC wants to display something on your monitor, the CPU sends information to the graphics card, which decides how to use the pixels, and sends the data to the monitor.

History of graphics cardsHistory of graphics cards

The first graphics card was developed by IBM in 1981. The first cards had just 2, 4 or 16 colors. In 1987, the first graphics card with 256 colors was released, and in 1990, the first card with memory over a MB was released by IBM. All these cards are very low quality compared to today’s cards.

The IBM 8514 grap. Card (1987)

Graphics card outputsGraphics card outputs

The graphics cards can be connected in many different outputs. The most basic ones are VGA made in the 1980s. Now mostly DVI connection is used, and it has the ability to connect to LCDs.

VGA connection

DVI connection

Modern graphics cardsModern graphics cards

Nowadays, the video cards are much more developed than in the 80s. The internal memory can reach up to 4GB and number of colors are in the milions. If you are a video gamer, you certainly need a good video card, like the one on the picture.

How to find your graphics cardHow to find your graphics card

Go to your desktopThen right-click anywhere on your desktop,

except on an icon and click on PropertiesClick on Settings and on the bottom right-

hand corner you will see AdvancedAfter that click on Adapter and there you

will find information about your graphics card

SourcesSources

http://www.nvidia.com/object/product_geforce_9600gt_us.htmlhttp://computer.howstuffworks.com/graphics-card.htmhttp://www.itechnews.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/pny-nvidia-quadro-fx-5800-and-fx-4800-high-end-graphic-cards.jpghttp://news.softpedia.com/images/extra/large/IBM%208514-

large.jpghttp://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/graphics-card-4.jpghttp://ati.amd.com/designpartners/media/images/

R9600%20BOARD_RGB_MID_RES.jpghttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_cardhttp://computer.howstuffworks.com/graphics-card.htm

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