Video Cards

Video and Graphics Cards

Most folks purchase a desktop computer without ever thinking about the card that generates the video and graphics signals that are displayed on their monitor's screen.  However, if you're a content professional working with graphics (or if you're a "gamer"), your video/graphics card "dies", you are looking into getting a hot new digital flat-panel display and have realized that you need to upgrade your video/graphics card to get the most out of the display, or you just aren't satisfied with the quality of the video your "stock" card is providing, then maybe it's time to look into a new video/graphics card. 

Video/graphics cards like every other technology component you can think of, have a wide range of prices, features and functions and can deliver "just the basics" or serve as the foundation for content professionals to create 3D animations, edit high-resolution video streams or even create computer-generated art.  So what are the "differentiators" in video/graphics cards that can either maintain your system's current capabilities (replace a dead card) or upgrade it into a "video monster"?  Let's take a look at some of the "options" on a video/graphics card - and what you should look, or look out for, when purchasing one.

• Onboard, PCI Express, PCI or AGP - Your video/graphics card integrates into your system in one of these four ways. (If your system has an AGP or PCI Express slot - use it!)
  • Onboard - the video/graphics chips are built into your system's motherboard.
  • PCI - the video/graphics card is plugged into your system's PCI bus.  PCI in brief, is the architecture for interconnecting your system processor and attached devices (like a sound card).  It transmits 32 bits at a time over a 124 pin connection or 64 on an expanded 188 pin connection and comes in 2 form factors - a full size, 312 mm card and a short 119-167 mm implementation for "low profile" systems.
  • AGP - AGP stands for Accelerated Graphics Port.  It was developed by Intel so that graphics worked much faster and better - making newer streaming video and video games possible.  AGP cards "talk" directly to your system's CPU and memory (in contrast to a PCI implementation where many devices/cards, share access to the CPU).  This, along with the fact that the AGP bus is much faster as well, results in better performance and speed.  There are 3 AGP specifications:
    • AGP 1.0
    • AGP 2.0 - has 3 operational modes 1x (66MHz, 266MBps), 2x (133MHz , 533MBps), 4x (266MHz 1,066MBps), 8x (2.1Gbps).
    • AGP Pro - AGP Pro has a longer slot than AGP 2.0 providing for cards with even more power and speed.

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  • PCI Express - The PCI Express architecture works a bit like a switch-based Local Area Network. The CPU is attached via a “switch” (in contrast to a “multi-drop”, shared-bandwidth like environment in the PCI world) that enables a number of connectors (cards or other devices) to interact with each other and the CPU and allows the system designer to add bandwidth to specific links where required (like a graphics controller!).  The result is a specification that includes a new connector for devices that need faster connectivity. The specification calls for 1X (2.Gbps), 4x, 8x, and 16x (4 to 5Gbps)
    connections. When compared with an existing AGP 8x connection (2.1Gbps), PCI Express can deliver more than double the speed at (in the near future) about the same or even less cost.

  

• Graphics Chip - as with your system processor (Intel, AMD, Motorola, etc.), video/graphics cards use a specially designed chip that is the foundation of the capabilities the cards themselves deliver.  Many of the video/graphics card manufacturers make this chip too, but some use chips from other manufacturers. As with your system processor, it's important to know "what's inside" before you buy.  The most prevalent  - ATI RADEON, nVidia GeForce.
• Memory - Video memory is NOT cheap.  That's why you will pay much more for a video/graphics card with lots of onboard memory.  However, as with any other CPU and memory intensive activity (like stream video, high end gaming graphics, etc.),the more memory, the merrier!
• Connectivity - the inputs and the outputs.  In the case of video/graphics cards, 15 pin standard analog VGA connectors, DVI digital interfaces (for your digital display), analog S-Video, TV in-out and even S-PDIF digital audio interfaces as well.
• Resolution - Simple put, resolution is the number of dots or pixels of color that are contained on the display in rows (horizontal axis) and columns (vertical axis) for example - 1280x1024.  Of course, the bigger the number, the better the "resolution" or the image on the display.
• Refresh Rate - is the number of times per second that the screen image is redrawn.  If the specs on the video/graphics you are looking at has a refresh rate of 56Hz, that means that the image is redrawn 56 times per second.  The best displays have very high refresh rates.  This ensures that there won't be a lot of flickering and you won't go blind from staring at a screen that looks like a flashing neon sign.
• Compatibility - More than just a Windows/Macintosh/Linux "thing", compatibility in the audio world includes a number of standards - OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) the industry standard for definition of 2-D and 3D graphics and DirectX - Microsoft's application programming interface for creating and managing graphic images and multimedia effects.
• Price - As always, what are you willing to pay?  You'll get exactly what you pay for - more quality and capabilities - more $$'s.
• System and Display - Finally, if your system and system processor are "low end" and you've purchased an inexpensive analog display, having a high quality, digital video/graphics card is rather incongruous.  Make sure that when you upgrade your video/graphics card that the rest of your system has the capabilities that will allow you to realize the capabilities that you've paid for.

So, ready to take a look at what is out there?  We've tried to hit on the majority of video/graphics cards and their manufacturers.  In fact, the number was so large, that we had to build a separate document with all the choices on them (and relevant information).  You can find this document at:  Video/Graphics Cards.

Additionally, we've chosen our favorite video/graphics card from every manufacturer.  Just look for the ¿ symbol!

Video and Graphics Cards Review

Video and Graphics Cards*

(Rankings - best, 5 symbols, worst, 1 symbol)

* A = Amateur, R = Rookie, P = Pro

ABIT

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹

ABIT makes thirty-six video/graphics cards all using ATI chipsets and AGP and newer PCI Express (18 PCI Express cards) bus technology.  Once installed inside your system, the software drivers are easy to install.  You'll still have to "tune" your display to work effectively with your new card.  Bundled software from ABIT and others is straight forward to install as well.

Cost - $$$$

ABIT's video cards range in price from $59.00 to $704.00.  See our product matrix Video/Graphics Cards for all pricing and product information.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

ABIT makes both basic "replacement" cards for a failed video/graphics card that came with your system as well as "upgrades" that add capabilities such as digital interfaces for a new flat panel digital display or dual screen support.  In any case, their cards can help you "see" your business applications better and faster.

Ease of Use - @@@@

Once installed the ABIT video/graphics cards will work effectively and easily with your system.
Works With - YYY

ABIT's video/graphic cards are designed for the Windows environment.

Support - ppp

ABIT video/graphics cards carry a 3 year warranty.  The tech support area on the ABIT web site includes software driver downloads, a knowledge base, information on how to access public forums and newsgroups.  If you need more help, ABIT suggests you contact your reseller first.  If that fails, they offer email and telephone support (no "800" number you'll pay long distance charges where they apply).

Features - iiii

ABIT has done a good job on a number of their high end cards including effective cooling systems that will help prolong the life of "high temperature", high-end chipsets.  ABIT has released PCI Express products based on ATI chipsets as well.  Additionally, ABIT includes PowerDVD 5 on almost every card and PowerDirector on high end cards.  ABIT also offers an overclocking utility on their "Guru" cards that allows users to manually adjust core and memory clock, voltage, fan speed, monitor the voltage, core temperature and fan speed of the card, get email alarms should an abnormal event occur and adjust screen resolution, color, refresh rate, brightness and contrast settings.

Overall Rating - %%%1/2+

A wide range of products and prices based on  ATI RADEON chipsets.  We'd like more in the way of support, but the cards themselves are robust and well priced.  For gamers - the "Guru" line with its overclocking utility is a nice plus.

AGPTEK

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹

AGPTEK makes two cards based on SiS chipsets, thirty-four based on nVIDIA and forty-two based on ATI chipsets.  Ten of the cards are PCI-based, ten PCI Express and fifty-eight are AGP. You'll have to open up your system and insert these cards, drivers install in a straight forward fashion.

Cost - $$$$

AGPTEK's video cards range in price from $18.95 to $256.00.  See our product matrix Video/Graphics Cards for all pricing and product information.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

AGPTEK makes both basic "replacement" cards for a failed video/graphics card that came with your system as well as moderate "upgrades" that add capabilities such as digital interfaces for a new flat panel digital display or dual screen support.  In any case, their cards can help you "see" your business applications better and faster.

Ease of Use - @@@@

Once installed the AGPTEK video/graphics cards will work effectively and easily with your system.
Works With - YYY+

AGPTEK's video/graphic cards are designed for the Windows environment, although a few support Linux OS's as well.

Support - pp

AGPTEK video cards carry a one year warranty.  They have a rich tech support site with a Knowledge Base, "Do It Yourself Troubleshooting", Text Center, Articles, Downloads and Game Patches.  HOWEVER, when we attempted to use the "email tech support" link, the page was unavailable.  And, since this company is based in China, we'd expect that trying to put a phone call through could be expensive and time consuming.

Features - iii

AGPTEK delivers very basic video/graphics cards based on "established" ATI, nVIDIA and SiS chipsets.  The "highest end" nVIDIA chipset is the FX6600 and for ATI the X800XL and FireGL V3100.  No software is included beyond drivers.

Overall Rating - %%%

If you're self sufficient and price is the key, the AGPTEK cards may be for you.  If you are, however, looking for more "bleeding edge" graphics implementations, you should seek other options.

Albatron

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹

Albatron makes thirty-six video/graphics cards all based on nVIDIA's chipsets.  Twenty-nine are based on PCI Express, one is PCI and six are AGP-based.    Once installed inside your system, the software drivers are easy to install.  You'll still have to "tune" your display to work effectively with your new card. 

Cost - $$$$

We were able to find U.S. pricing for only seven of the Albatron cards.  Pricing ranged from $50.49 to $234.99.  See our product matrix Video/Graphics Cards for all pricing and product information.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

Albatron makes both basic "replacement" cards for a failed video/graphics card that came with your system as well as "upgrades" that add capabilities such as digital interfaces for a new flat panel digital display or dual screen support.  In any case, their cards can help you "see" your business applications better and faster.

Ease of Use - @@@@

Once installed the Albatron video/graphics cards will work effectively and easily with your system.
Works With - YYY

Albatron's video/graphic cards are designed for the Windows environment.

Support - ppp

Albatron video/graphics cards carry a 3 year warranty.  The tech support area on the Albatron web site includes software driver downloads, a FAQ and an online help wizard "Dr. Pro".  If you need more help you can email tech support or, if in the U.S. call their main number and hope that you can get some help from someone (no "800" number, you'll pay long distance charges where they apply).

Features - iii1/2

Albatron delivers just about any standard iteration of the nVIDIA chipset one could imagine.  Good, standard implementations.

Overall Rating - %%%1/2

A wide range of products and prices based on nVIDIA chipsets.  Support isn't exceptionally strong (Albatron targets their products more toward reseller rather than retail channels). 

AOpen

Simple Start-Up - ¹¹¹

AOpen makes sixteen graphics cards, all based on the nVIDIA chipsets (8 PCI Express, 8 AGP and 1 PCI).  AOpen includes a software tool to help you install the card drivers after you've put your new card inside your system in a PCI Express (eleven cards) or AGP slot.  After the card and drivers are in place, you'll still have to "tune" your display to your card.

Cost - $$$$

AOpen's video/graphics cards range in price from $29.99 to $333.00.  See our product matrix Video/Graphics Cards for all pricing and product information.

Time Savings - ¹¹¹¹

AOpen makes both basic "replacement" cards for a failed video/graphics card that came with your system as well as "upgrades" that add capabilities such as digital interfaces for a new flat panel digital display or dual screen support.  In any case, their cards can help you "see" your business applications better and faster.

Ease of Use - @@@@

AOpen includes software tools and a GUI-based user interface to help you get the most out of the card as you "tune" it to your display, system and applications.
Works With - YYY1/2

AOpen's video/graphics cards all support the Windows environment, some also support Linux and/or OS/2 WARP.

Support - pp

AOpen's video/graphics cards carry a one year warranty.  The technical support area on their web site includes just the basics - downloads, FAQ, user manuals.  If you need more help they suggest you contact the store at which you pu