What Is a Graphics Card ? | What is a GPU?

 

You can't play your favorite video game without one, but how does a graphics card work?

Your computer has many components inside its case, each responsible for a different function. If you opened up your PC case right now, you'd likely find a motherboard, a CPU, some RAM, and a storage drive. Then, in some computers, you'd also find a graphics card, the bit of hardware responsible for creating images on your screen.

The graphics processing unit (GPU) is a vital piece of hardware. Without it, you wouldn't be able to play games, watch movies, or even flick through a Powerpoint presentation. So, what is a graphics card, and does it actually work?

What Is a Graphics Card?

So, when someone says "graphics card," they're referring to the GPU—the graphics processing unit. Like the motherboard in your computer, the graphics card is also a printed circuit board. It comes with a specific set of instructions to follow, and when it comes to standalone (known as discreet) GPUs, it'll also come with fans, onboard RAM, its own memory controller, BIOS, and other features.

While graphics cards can come in all different shapes and sizes, there are two main types:

• Integrated: An integrated GPU is built directly into the same housing as the CPU or an SoC. The vast majority of Intel CPUs come with integrated graphics, though it's a bit hit and miss with AMD's CPUs. Integrated graphics are useful for some modest gaming, web browsing, email, and potentially watching videos. They're also less power-hungry than a discreet GPU.
• Discreet: A discreet GPU is one separate from the CPU, added to an expansion slot found on the motherboard. A discreet GPU will deliver more power than an integrated GPU and can be used for high-level gaming, video editing, 3D model rendering, and other computationally intensive tasks. Some modern GPUs require hundreds of watts to run.

A modern, discreet GPU will typically outperform an integrated GPU, but you do have to take CPU and GPU generations into consideration. If you're comparing hardware produced in the same era, the discreet GPU will win out. It simply has more processing power and more cooling available to process complex tasks.

What Components Does a Graphics Card Have?

information then whizzes from your graphics card to your monitor (via a cable, of course), where the images, lines, textures, lighting, shading, and everything else changes.

If done well, and the graphics card and other computer components aren't pushed to perform actions outside their capabilities, it looks like magic. The above description is very, very basic. There is a lot more going on under the surface, but that's a rough overview of how a graphics card works.

Who Makes Graphics Cards?

There are two big names when it comes to graphics cards: AMD and Nvidia. These two GPU powerhouses have dominated the market for decades, and although CPU giant Intel is stepping into the arena with its Arc Alchemist graphics cards, the names ringing out are AMD and Nvidia. Now, technically, AMD and Nvidia don't "make" graphics cards. They design them, then send them to a chip foundry for manufacturing, or license their designs to other brands like MSI, ASUS, Zotac, Palit, and so on, who do the same.

But, we don't want to quibble, so let's stick to talking about AMD and Nvidia. If you open a website today and attempt to buy a new graphics card, you'll end up with a design from one of these two. This begs the question, does it really matter which GPU you buy?

How to Choose a Graphics Card

At the time of writing, the world is still emerging from the global chip shortage that contributed to GPU (and other PC hardware) prices rocketing. But as prices slowly begin to fall back to respectable levels (don't hold your breath!), you might wonder how you go about choosing a graphics card for your machine.

There are a few things to take into account:

• Price: The cost of a new graphics card is always going to come first and foremost. What's your budget for a new GPU? Ignoring the inflated prices, you're still looking at $500 for an Nvidia RTX 3070 or $580 for an AMD RX 6800 XT. These are mid-to-high end GPUs from the latest generation.
• Availability: The availability of your preferred GPU will also have a factor in your purchasing decision.
• Specs: Figure out if you need to splash a heap of cash on a high-end GPU or if an entry-level, more budget-friendly model will do the job. Put it this way—if you're planning on checking your emails, hitting up your social media, and watching YouTube, you probably don't need to drop a thousand bucks on a high-end model. But if you want to play games in 1440p or even 4K, you should definitely consider a top-end model.
• Compatibility: Make sure any potential GPU is compatible with your hardware. Does it fit into your motherboard with the other components? Do you have enough power connectors? Are you about to introduce a massive bottleneck to your system?

Everyone Needs a Graphics Card

Remember, graphics cards and GPUs aren't limited to desktop computers. They're found in your smartphone, your tablet, your smartwatch, your PS5, your Xbox Series X, and everything else that displays a visual interface. The technology isn't always as advanced, but everything with a screen needs a way to show you information. Now you know where it comes from.