[ The PC Guide | Systems and Components Reference Guide | Video Cards ]

Video Card Performance

Determining the performance level of a video card can be quite difficult for a few reasons. First, the speed of a video card depends to a great extent on what you are doing with it. Only the best, most expensive cards excel in all respects; others are a series of tradeoffs, like all things in the computer world. Second, the performance level of a video card cannot easily be measured in a vacuum, because the video card's work is tied closely to that of the processor, memory, system bus and other parts of the PC. Finally, there is an important software component involved in system performance--drivers--that are critical to the subject but are often ignored. This section discusses some of the factors relevant to determining a video card's performance.

Next: OEM vs. Retail Cards

Home  -  Search  -  Topics  -  Up