Components Of The Video Graphics Card

The video graphics card in the operation involves several components that make up the video card. There are several components that can be found on the video card which is used in personal computers (PC). Among these components, there is an absolute component, there is also a component that is an additional component. Constituent components of the video graphics card as well, change with the generation or development of the computer itself.

A major component in the evolving video graphics card today is: connector to the motherboard, video or graphics processor (GPU or VPU), video memory, a monitor output connector, and RAMDAC Video BIOS. While additional components are added is a cooling fan, connector for additional power, as well as other output connectors. The components are mounted on the PCB board that make up the video card.

Connector to the motherboard. Connector is used to connect the video graphics card to the motherboard. This connector PCB board can be attached to the existing slot on the motherboard board. There are several types of connectors that is tailored to the slot on the motherboard, the PCI Express connector. AGP, and PCI connectors. For now, that is in the market generally is a PCI Express connector.

Video or Graphics Processor. This component is the main component in a video card for this component to function in image processing or graphics that is sent from the computer (processor) before being displayed on the monitor screen. For now, as the processor on the computer, video processors have the ability to perform complex data computing. The difference, the graphics processor is devoted to the processing of graphics data such as translation and lighting. Graphics processor developed at this time is called the GPU (Graphical Processing Unit) or VPU (Visual Processing Unit). The development of the GPU is quite rapidly with the development of graphics technologies such as 3D graphics and 3D games are realistic.

Memory Video. As computer memory or main memory, the video also has a memory card that is used to support the performance of the GPU in computing. Video memory serves to store data that is processed by the GPU, and save the data displayed in the monitor. The development of video memory is consistent with the development of GPU, which demands ever-increasing speed and capacity is also increased. When compared to the computer's main memory, there is a difference with this video memory. Video memory is designed for high-speed performance and a lot of ports (multi-port).

Output Connectors. Output connector connects the video graphics card to the monitor screen. There are several types of connectors available, the VGA connector and a DVI connector. The difference is the VGA connector transmits data displayed in the form of an analog signal, while DVI is digital.

Video BIOS. Video BIOS is used to store the program that controls the basic video cards work and provide instructions that allow the computer and the operating system or application program to communicate with the video card. Video BIOS also contains data about the specifications of the video card information such as the operating speed, timing memory, graphics processor voltage, and other information. It is possible to make changes to the specifications made by the user to mempercepatan performance video card (overclocked).

RAMDAC. Or stands for Random Access Memory Digital-to-Analog Converter, which serves to convert the digital signal generated by the video card into an analog signal that is displayed on the monitor screen. This component is a type of RAM that serves as a signal converter. But for now, when the monitor is turned into digital (LCD screens), RAMDAC component is no longer needed. Unless jiga still use analog monitors (CRT or analog LCD).

Other supporting components that exist in the video card is:

Cooling fan. Components for cooling is now a commonly used component because it can reduce the heat that occurs in the graphics processor. With increasing work function of the graphics processor, will add to the workload of the graphics processor itself, which in turn lead to excessive heat. So for the current video graphics card equipped with cooling components, at least if you do not use a passive cooler cooling fan.

Auxiliary power connector. This connector is used to increase the power suply to the video card that can not be satisfied by the connector or slot of the motherboard. Due to the improved performance, the excess power required. To add to the lack of power, then the video card is equipped with supplemental power connectors.

Other output connectors. Fitted with a VGA or DVI connector, there are some video cards that come with additional connectors such as connectors S-Video, Composite, Line-In, Line-Out, HDMI and other connectors.