2012 Build Your Own PC Components: Video Card

This lesson is part of the following series:

2012 Build Your Own PC: Components, Install, Setup (27 lessons, $29.70)
2012 Build Your Own PC: Internal Components (10 lessons, $13.86)

Overview:
In this lesson we'll explain what a video card is with definitions of features to look for when shopping for a video card and how much you can expect to pay. Whether your are building your first gaming PC yourself, a budget computer, or just interested in learning what goes into a computer these lessons will help you get there.

The video card is responsible for creating all that you see on your computer monitor. Up until about 4 years ago, video cards were advancing in the acceleration and quality of 2 dimensional images. Since that time, video cards have reached a point where they are all equal in their ability to show 2D images and no further acceleration is possible.

Video card development now focuses on 3 dimensional acceleration and 3D image quality, 3D games and 3D modeling software, for instance.

Direct X is the system that 3D acceleration is based on. The latest version, DirectX 10.1, which only comes with Windows Vista, provides the best image quality and fastest 3D graphics available. DirectX 9 is supported by the lower end video cards in Windows XP. For the best 3D performance, look for DirectX 10.1 support in your video card.

The amount of memory a video card has plays a big role in the speed and quality of 3D graphics. Look for a card with at least 512 MB of memory.

This lesson is part of a comprehensive series of lessons created by Home PC Builder that will guide you through the process of building your computer (from the selection internal and external components through installation and setup).

You can purchase all 27 lessons in the course and save 46%.
http://www.mindbites.com/series/25-2012-build-your-own-pc-components-install-setup

For a DVD of this full series, please refer to https://www.homepcbuilder.com.

The other lessons in this Internal Component series are:
Pt 1/10: Hard Drives - http://www.mindbites.com/lesson/1528
Pt 2/10: DVD/Blu-Ray - http://www.mindbites.com/lesson/1515
Pt 3/10: Memory/RAM - http://www.mindbites.com/lesson/1513
Pt 4/10: Video Card - http://www.mindbites.com/lesson/1531
Pt 5/10: Sound Card - http://www.mindbites.com/lesson/1532
Pt 6/10: Modem, Ethernet, Wireless - http://www.mindbites.com/lesson/1504
Pt 7/10: Processor/CPU - http://www.mindbites.com/lesson/1516
Pt 8/10: Motherboard - http://www.mindbites.com/lesson/1517
Pt 9/10: Case & PSU - http://www.mindbites.com/lesson/1527
Pt 10/10: Cooling - http://www.mindbites.com/lesson/1544

You can buy all 10 internal component lessons as a series and save 30% http://www.mindbites.com/series/21-2012-build-your-own-pc-internal-components

This video card component lesson covers

Interface:
PCI Express 2.0 16x and PCI Express 16x are covered

Pricing:
$40 to $600- the videos breaks down the different price levels and recommends which level to choose depending on your specific needs

Crossfire and SLI:
Put 2, 3 or 4 video cards in your computer to improve graphics performance
Explains the features and options of both standards

Outputs: How you connect your monitor or your TV to the computer
S Video
Component
DVI
HDMI
All options are covered

The video ends with a summary of features and specifications to look for when buying.

In the installation lessons we’ll go over how to install the video card into your computer.(www.mindbites.com/lessons/1540)

The supplemental file below contains the complete written information from the video and is available to download after you buy.

• Once you purchase this lesson you will have access to these files:
• 09_video_card_comp.rtf

Hello everyone my name is Michael Cooper & I have been in the computer industry for over 15 years. For the past 8 years I have been making instructional videos showing the average computer user how to build their own computer. I am A+ Certified and a member of the Better Business Bureau.

Great Review on the best types of videos cards

07/22/2009

~ nachan

This lesson is great for people who are building their own computer or want information on the best types of video cards for the computer they already own. You will learn about pricing, size, and memory. You will find out exactly what kind of card you need based on the way you use your computer.

• View all learner reviews »