Video card (also called display card , graphics card , display adapter display or graphics ) is an expansion card that generates an output image feed to the screen (like a computer monitor). Often, these are advertised as discrete or special graphics cards, emphasizing the difference between this and integrated graphics. The core of both is a graphics processing unit (GPU), which is the main part that does the actual calculation, but should not be confused as a whole video card, although "GPU" is often used to refer to video cards..
Most video cards are not limited to simple display outputs. Their integrated graphics processor can perform additional processing, removing this task from the computer's central processor. For example, Nvidia and AMD (ATi) produce cards that make OpenGL and DirectX graphics pipes at the hardware level. At the end of 2010, there is also a tendency to use the computational capabilities of a graphics processor to complete non-graphical tasks.
Usually graphics cards are made in the form of printed circuit boards (expansion boards) and fed into expansion slots, universal or special (AGP, PCI Express). Some have been created using special enclosures, which are connected to a computer via a docking station or cable.
Video Video card
History
Standards such as MDA, CGA, HGC, Tandy, PGC, EGA, VGA, MCGA, 8514 or XGA were introduced from 1982 to 1990 and supported by various hardware manufacturers.
3dfx Interactive is one of the first companies to develop 3D acceleration GPUs (with Voodoo series) and the first to develop a dedicated graphics chipset for 3D, but without 2D support (which therefore required the presence of 2D cards to work). Now most modern video cards are built with AMD or Nvidia sourced graphics chips. Until 2000, 3dfx Interactive was also an important, and often innovative, manufacturer. Most video cards offer various functions like accelerated rendering of 3D scenes and 2D graphics, MPEG-2/MPEG-4 decoding, TV output, or the ability to connect multiple monitors. The video card also has the ability to sound sound card - along with video for TV or monitor connected with integrated speakers.
Graphics cards are not very useful for early computers, as they do not have the ability to run graphics or high-resolution video games like modern computers do today. Initial computers have very little processing power with on-board integration compared to the current system. Graphics cards on this previous system run at a much lower power consumption, but on very low 2D performance. You'll often be able to see the refresh rate of the monitor compared to today's high-level update monitors powered by Nvidia and AMD's new architecture.
In industry, video cards are sometimes called graphic add-in-boards , abbreviated as AIB , with the word "graphics" usually omitted.
Maps Video card
Integrated vs. integrated graphics
As an alternative to the use of video cards, video hardware can be integrated into the motherboard, CPU, or system-on-chip. Both approaches can be called integrated graphs. The motherboard-based implementation is sometimes called "on-board video". Almost all desktop computer motherboards with integrated graphics allow for the disabling of integrated graphics chips in the BIOS, and have PCI slots, or PCI Express (PCI-E) to add high-performance graphics cards in place of integrated graphics. The ability to disable integrated graphics sometimes also allows advanced use of motherboards where on-board video has failed. Sometimes both integrated graphics and dedicated graphics cards can be used simultaneously to feed separate screens. The main advantages of integrated graphics include cost, cohesiveness, simplicity and low energy consumption. An integrated graphics performance loss arises because the graphics processor shares the system resources with the CPU. Custom graphics cards have their own access memory (RAM), their own cooling system, and a dedicated power regulator, with all the components specially designed for processing video images. Upgrading to a dedicated graphics card will work from the CPU and system RAM, so not only faster graphics processing, but the overall performance of the computer can also be improved.
Both AMD and Intel have introduced CPU and motherboard chipsets that support GPU integration into the same die as CPU. AMD markets CPUs with integrated graphics under the trademark Accelerated Processing Unit (APU), while Intel markets technology similar to the "Intel HD Graphics and Iris" brand. With 8th Generation Processors, Intel announced the Intel UHD series of Integrated Graphics for better support of 4K Displays. Although they are still not equivalent to discrete performance solutions, the Intel HD Graphics platform provides near-discrete mid-range graphics performance, and AMD APU technology has been adopted by both PlayStation 4 and Xbox One video game consoles.
Power request
As video card processing power has increased, their demand for electric power. High-performance video cards today tend to spend a lot of power. For example, thermal design power (TDP) for GeForce GTX TITAN is 250 Watt. While the CPU and the power supply maker have recently moved towards higher efficiency, the power demands of the GPU continue to increase, so the video card may have the largest power consumption in the computer. Although power supplies increase their strength as well, congestion is due to PCI-Express connections, which are limited to supplying 75 Watt. Modern video cards with power consumption of more than 75 Watt usually include a combination of six-pin (75 W) or eight-pin (150 W) sockets that connect directly to the power supply. Providing adequate cooling becomes a challenge on such a computer. Computers with multiple video cards may require a power supply in the range 1000-1500 W. Heat extraction is a major design consideration for computers with two or more high-end video cards.
Size
The video card for desktop computers has one of two profile sizes, allowing the graphics card to be added even to a small PC. Some video cards are not regular sized, and are categorized as low profile. The video card profile is based only on the width, with low profile cards taking less than the PCIe slot width. The length and thickness can vary greatly, with high-end cards typically occupying two or three expansion slots, and with dual-GPU cards - such as the Nvidia GeForce GTX 690 - generally exceeding the length of 250Ã, ((10Ã, inches). will prefer a lower profile card if the purpose is to match multiple cards or they have permission issues with other motherboard components such as DIMM or PCIE slots.This can be fixed with larger casing that comes in size like a central tower and a full tower. full can usually fit into larger motherboards in sizes like ATX and micro ATX.The larger the casing, the bigger the motherboard, the bigger the graphics card or some other component that will get the real-estate case.
Multi-card scale
Some graphics cards can be linked together to allow scaling of graphics processing across multiple cards. This is done by using the PCIe bus on the motherboard, or more commonly, the data bridge. Generally, the card must have the same model to link to, and most low-power cards can not be linked in this way. AMD and Nvidia have scaling methods, CrossFireX for AMD, and SLI for Nvidia. Cards from various chipset manufacturers, the architecture can not be used together for multi-card scaling. If the graphics card has a different memory size, the lowest value will be used, with a higher value being ignored. Currently, scaling on consumer class cards can be done using up to four cards. The use of four cards requires a large motherboard with the right configuration. Nvidia's GeForce GTX 590 video card has the ability to be configured in these four card configurations. As stated above, users will want to stick the same performance card for optimal use. Motherboards like the ASUS Maximus 3 Extreme and Gigabyte GA EX58 Extreme are certified to work with this configuration. For the proper performance of your 4 card configuration, it is recommended to use the core i7 CPU with turbo boost to avoid bottleneck throughput. A large certified power supply is required to run cards in SLI or CrossFireX. Electrical demand must be known before proper inventory is installed. For four card configurations, a 1000 watt supply is required. AcBel PC8055-000G and Corsair AX1200 supplies are an example. With powerful video cards like GTX 1060 or 1080, thermal management can be ignored. The video card requires a well-ventilated thermal and thermal solution. Water or air conditioning is required for all video cards, with larger configurations requiring a water solution to achieve the proper performance.
3D graphics API
The graphics driver usually supports one or more cards by the same vendor, and should be specifically written for the operating system. In addition, the operating system or additional software package can provide certain programming APIs for applications to do 3D rendering.
Use of a specific GPU
Most GPUs Designed With specific usage in mind:
- Gaming
- GeForce GTX
- nVidia Titan X
- Radeon HD
- Radeon RX
- Cloud Gaming
- nVidia Grid
- Radeon Sky
- Workstation
- nVidia Quadro
- nVidia Titan X
- AMD FirePro
- Radeon Pro
- Cloud Workstation
- nVidia Tesla
- AMD FireStream
- Artificial Intelligence Cloud
- nVidia Tesla
- Radeon Instinct
car - Automated/driverless
- nVidia drive PX
Industry
In 2016, major suppliers of GPUs (video chips or chipsets) are used in AMD and Nvidia video cards. In the third quarter of 2013, AMD had a 35.5% market share while Nvidia had a 64.5% market share, according to Jon Peddie Research. In economics, this industrial structure is called duopoly. AMD and Nvidia also build and sell video cards, called add-in-board (AIBs) graphics in the industry. (See Comparison of Nvidia graphics processing units and Comparison of AMD graphics processing units.) In addition to marketing their own video cards, AMD and Nvidia sell their GPUs to authorized AIB suppliers, which AMD and Nvidia refer to as "partners". The fact that Nvidia and AMD compete directly with their customers/partners complicates relationships within the industry. The fact that AMD and Intel are direct competitors in the CPU industry is also worth noting, as AMD based video cards can be used in computers with Intel CPUs. Intel's move to the APU could undermine AMD, which until now has gained a significant share of its revenue from graphics components. As of the second quarter of 2013, there are 52 AIB suppliers. These AIB Suppliers may market their own branded video cards, or produce video cards for private label brands or produce video cards for computer manufacturers. Some AIB suppliers such as MSI make video cards based on AMD and Nvidia. Others, such as EVGA, build only Nvidia-based video cards, while XFX, now only builds AMD-based video cards. Some AIB suppliers are also motherboard suppliers. The largest AIB supplier, based on global retail market share for graphics cards, includes Taiwan-based Palit Microsystems, Hong Kong-based PC Partner (which markets AMD-based video cards under the Sapphire brand and Nvidia-based video cards under its Zotac brand ), Taiwan-based Taiwanese computer maker Asustek Computer (Asus), Taiwan-based Micro-Star International (MSI), Taiwan-based Gta BTA, California, EVGA (which also sells computer components such as power supply ) and XFX Ontario, California USA based. (The parent corporation of XFX is based in Hong Kong.)
Market
Video card shipments peaked at a total of 114 million in 1999. In contrast, they reached 14.5 million units in the third quarter of 2013, 17% fell from Q3 2012 levels, and 44 million total in 2015. Sales of video cards have tended to decline due to an increase integrated graphics technology; high-end graphics, CPU-integrated capable of delivering competitive performance with low-end video cards. At the same time, video card sales have grown in the high-end segment, as manufacturers have shifted their focus to prioritize the gaming and enthusiast market.
Beyond the gaming and multimedia segments, video cards are increasingly being used for general-purpose computing, such as large data processing. The growth of cryptocurrency has placed a very high demand on high-end video cards, especially in large numbers, due to their advantages in the mining process. In January 2018, mid-to-high-end video cards experienced a huge surge in prices, with many retailers experiencing stock shortages due to significant demand among these markets.
Section
Modern video cards consist of printed circuit boards where components are installed. These include:
Graphics Processing Unit
A graphics processing unit ( GPU ), also sometimes called visual processing unit ( VPU ), is electronic special circuits designed to rapidly manipulate and alter the memory to speed up image creation in a buffer frame intended for output to a view. Due to the enormous level of programmable computing complexity for such tasks, the modern video card is also a computer for itself.
Heat sink
Heat sinks are installed on most modern graphics cards. Heat sinks disperse heat generated by the graphics processing unit evenly throughout the heat sink and the unit itself. Heat sinks generally have an installed fan as well to cool the heat sink and the graphics processing unit. Not all cards have heat sinks, for example, some cards are cooled with liquid, and instead have a waterblock; In addition, cards from the 1980s and early 1990s did not generate much heat, and did not require heatsinks. Most modern graphics cards require the right thermal solution. This could be a liquid or heatsink solution with an additional connected heat pipe which is usually made of copper for the best heat transfer. It should also be noted that the case is correct; either Mid-tower or Full-tower or some other derivative, must be configured properly for thermal management. This can be enough space with proper thrust pull or the opposite configuration as well as fluid with radiators either in lieu of or with fan settings.
BIOS Video
The video BIOS or firmware contains minimal programs for initial setting and video card control. It may contain information about the memory time, operating speed and voltage of the graphics processor, RAM, and other details that can sometimes be changed. The usual reason for doing this is to overclock the video card to allow for faster video processing speeds, however, it has the potential to permanently damage the card with possible damage to the motherboard.
The modern BIOS video does not support all video card functions, just enough to identify and initialize the card to display one of several frame buffers or text display modes. It does not support YUV to RGB translation, video scaling, copying pixels, composing or any of the many other 2D and 3D features of video cards.
Video memory
The memory capacity of most modern video cards ranges from 1 GB to 12 GB. Because video memory must be accessed by GPUs and display circuits, often using high-speed memory or special multi-ports, such as VRAM, WRAM, SGRAM, etc. Around 2003, video memory was usually based on DDR technology. During and after that year, manufacturers are moving towards DDR2, GDDR3, GDDR4, GDDR5, and GDDR5X. The effective memory clock rate in modern cards is generally between 1 GHz to 10 GHz.
Video memory can be used to store other data as well as screen images, such as Z-buffer, which manages depth coordinates in 3D graphics, textures, vertex buffers, and compiled shader programs.
RAMDAC
RAMDAC, or random-access digital-to-analog converter, converts digital signals into analog signals for use by computer screens that use analog inputs such as cathode ray tubes (CRTs). RAMDAC is a type of RAM chip that manages graphics card functions. Depending on the number of bits used and the RAMDAC data transfer rate, the converter will be able to support different computer refresh rates. By displaying CRTs, it is best to work over 75 Hz and never under 60 Hz, to minimize flicker. (With LCD screens, flicker does not matter.) Due to the growing popularity of digital computer displays and the integration of RAMDAC to a dead GPU, it largely disappears as discrete components. All current LCD/plasma monitors and TVs and projectors with only digital connections function in the digital domain and do not require RAMDAC for those connections. There is a display that displays analog input (VGA, component, SCART, etc.) only . This requires RAMDAC, but they convert analog signals back to digital before they can display them, with an inevitable loss of quality that comes from this digital-to-analog-to-digital conversion. With the VGA standard removed for digital sake, RAMDAC is starting to disappear from the video card.
Output interface
The most common connection system between a video card and a computer screen is:
Video Graphics Array (VGA) (DE-15 )
Also known as D-sub, VGA is an analog-based standard adopted in the late 1980s designed for CRT displays, also called VGA connectors. Some of these standard problems are electrical noise, image distortion and sampling errors in evaluating pixels. Currently, the VGA analog interface is used for high-definition video including 1080p and higher. While the VGA transmission bandwidth is high enough to support higher resolution playback, image quality degradation can occur depending on the quality and length of the cable. How clear this quality difference depends on individual vision and appearance; when using a DVI or HDMI connection, especially on a larger LCD/LED monitor or TV, the quality degradation, if any, is evident. Blu-ray playback at 1080p is possible through the VGA analog interface, if the Image Constraint Token (ICT) is not enabled on the Blu-ray disc.
Digital Visual Interface (DVI)
Digital-based standards designed for displays such as flat panel displays (LCD, plasma screens, wide-definition high-definition television screens) and video projectors. In some rare cases, high end CRT monitors also use DVI. This avoids image distortion and electrical disturbance, according to each pixel from computer to display pixel, using the original resolution. Note that most manufacturers include DVI- I connectors, allowing (via simple adapters) output of standard RGB signals to old CRT or LCD monitors with VGA input.
Video for In-Video Video (VIVO) Video-In Video , Composite video and Component video
Includes to allow connection with television, DVD player, video recorder and video game console. They often come in two variations of the 10-pin mini-DIN connector, and the VIVO splitter cable is generally equipped with 4 connectors (S-Video in and out composite video in and out), or 6 connectors (S-Video in and out components P < sub> B out component P R out component Y out [also composite out composite in).
High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)
HDMI is a compact audio/video interface to transfer uncompressed/uncompressed digital audio data and uncompressed/uncompressed digital audio data from HDMI-compatible devices ("source devices") to compatible digital audio devices, computer monitors, video projectors or digital television. HDMI is a digital replacement for existing analog video standards. HDMI supports copy protection through HDCP.
DisplayPort
DisplayPort is a digital display interface developed by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). This interface is mainly used to connect the video source to a display device such as a computer monitor, although it can also be used to transmit audio, USB, and other data forms. The VESA specification is royalty free. VESA designed it to replace VGA, DVI, and LVDS. Compatibility to VGA and DVI by using the adapter dongle allows consumers to use the corresponding DisplayPort video source without replacing the existing display device. Although DisplayPort has a greater throughput of the same functionality as HDMI, it is expected to complete the interface instead of replacing it.
Another type of connection system
Motherboard Interface
Chronologically, the connection system between video card and motherboard, especially:
- Bus S-100: Designed in 1974 as part of the Altair 8800, it is the industry's first industry standard bus for microcomputers.
- ISA: Introduced in 1981 by IBM, became dominant in the market in the 1980s. It is an 8-or 16-bit bus clocked at 8 MHz.
- NuBus: Used on Macintosh II, it is a 32-bit bus with an average bandwidth of 10 to 20Ã, MB/sec.
- MCA: Introduced in 1987 by IBM it is a 32-bit bus clocked at 10 MHz.
- EISA: Released in 1988 to compete with the IBM MCA, it is compatible with previous ISA buses. It is a 32-bit bus clocked at 8.33 MHz.
- VLB: Extension of the ISA, it is a 32-bit bus clocked at 33 MHz. Also referred to as VESA.
- PCI: Replace EISA, ISA, MCA and VESA buses from 1993 onwards. PCI enables dynamic connectivity between devices, avoiding any necessary manual adjustments with jumpers. It is a 32-bit bus clocked 33 MHz.
- UPA: The interconnecting bus architecture introduced by Sun Microsystems in 1995. It has 64-bit bus clock at 67 or 83 MHz.
- USB: While most are used for a variety of devices, such as secondary storage devices and toys, USB and display adapters exist.
- AGP: First used in 1997, this is a special-to-graphic bus. This is a 32-bit bus clocked at 66 MHz.
- PCI-X: The extension of the PCI bus, introduced in 1998. It improves PCI by extending bus width to 64 bits and clock frequencies up to 133 MHz.
- PCI Express: PCIe abbreviated, this is a point to point interface released in 2004. In 2006 provided double the rate of AGP data transfer. It should not be confusing with PCI-X, an enhanced version of the original PCI specification.
In the following table is a comparison between feature options from some of these interfaces.
See also
- List of computer hardware
- ATI - GPU company dead (merged with AMD)
- AMD, NVIDIA - duopolist GPU 3D chip and graphic card designer
- Standard computer display - standard list of details like SVGA, WXGA, WUXGA, etc.
- Diamond Multimedia - Alternative
- Feature connector
- GeForce, Radeon - example video card
- GPGPU (ie: CUDA, AMD FireStream)
- Free and open source device driver: graphics - about FOSS device drivers available for graphics chips
- Mesa 3D - free and open-source API rendering implementation
- Framebuffer - the computer memory used to store screen images
- Hercules - monochrome
- Mini-DIN Connector
- List of video card manufacturers
- Texture mapping - how to add image details to 3D scenes
- In Out Video Videos (VIVO)
- Z-buffering - how to determine visibility
- Capture card - opposite of video card
References
External links
- How Graphics Cards Work in HowStuffWorks
- Large image from the graphics card history tree
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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