• Creating a secure password
  
  
• How to protect yourself against identity theft
  
  
• Wireless networking basics
  
  
• How to create mp3s and burn CDs using media players
  
  
• How to protect your computer from power surges
  
  
• Know when to upgrade your video card
  
  
• Know when to upgrade your memory or hard drive
  
  
• How to choose your next computer
  
  
• What is broadband and do I need it
  
  
• What is VoIP and should I choose it

Know when to upgrade your video card

The role of video cards
Video cards change your computer's output into a video signal your monitor can display. Like your computer, a video card has a processor of its own, called a graphics accelerator. The processor translates the digital information coming from your computer into a video signal. The video card and its graphics controller chips determine the images that your monitor can display.

Video cards can be further broken down into two classes: integrated (onboard) and dedicated.

Integrated
Most PCs come with video cards built right onto their motherboard. These cards are also known as onboard video cards, the disadvantage of these is that they use system resources and slow the rest of the machine down. Because sapping the system memory can slow your PC's video performance, integrated video chipsets are inferior to dedicated video cards. Integrated video cards are more convenient and less expensive than dedicated video cards so most base level PCs come with integrated video as standard. However, if you intend to use your PC for more demanding work ComputerGeeks2Go recommend obtaining a dedicated video card to free up your system resources and speed up your machine.

Dedicated
Dedicated video cards are cards which are added to the inside of your PC, they come with their own memory and as such do not tie down your PC while they perform graphics processing work. Higher specification machines often come with video cards already included and do not use the integrated video. ComputerGeeks2Go recommend you upgrade to a dedicated video card if you use graphic intensive applications like games and multimedia software.

Dedicated video cards come in a variety of different connections. You must know what your PC needs before purchasing, as the cards are not compatable with each other. The three types are:

• PCI - The oldest technology. Used by few machines and should not be used if AGP or PCI-E is available.
  
  
• AGP - These cards are widely used and come in a variety of speeds. You should be able to refer to your user guide to see what speed you can support.
  
  
• PCI-Express - The newest technology. Cards are the most modern and often have the newest features.
  
  

If you need help in determining what cards you need or help in adding a new card then please contact us for help.

3D acceleration
Many video card processors are designed with special processors for displaying 3D graphics. These processors provide more realistic animation, lighting, and sharper graphics, especially for games and multimedia software.

Video playback
MPEG video playback capability is possible with most graphics cards. With this technology, PCs running the Windows XP operating system can offer video playback quality far beyond what is possible on many high-end televisions today. Many video cards also support DVD video playback, allowing you to watch entire DVD movies on your PC.