Where are graphic cards used?
Graphic cards are the most important hardware of any PC for smooth working. These are used to display high-quality images with maximum clarity and stunning color contrast. They are smaller versions of a computer motherboard. However, modern graphics cards are termed stand-alone computers.
Whether you are using your laptop for scrolling social media or you are a passionate graphic programmer, fabulous images are on a screen because of graphic cards.
Graphic cards found massive applications from rendering 3D images to heavy machine learning. This article is a complete insight into what are graphic cards and where are they used.
Let’s get down to our article.
What are graphic cards?
Graphic cards are visual cards installed into computers for high-quality visual display. They come with a dedicated graphics unit (GPU) and RAM for executing graphical data more efficiently. With various ports for HDMI and AGP, these cards are the best for providing multiple connectivity technologies.
Are graphic cards and GPUs the same?
There is a refined distinction between these two terms. GPU is the unit in a graphics card for rendering images and views while graphic cards are expansion cards inserted into a computer for displaying images on the output device. We can say that a GPU is a chip but graphic cards are boards. However, they are used interchangeably.
Uses of graphic cards:
For gaming:
Modern video games have become more intensive than ever before. A better graphic card ensures a better frame per second. Some games are GPU intensive, so having a powerful graphics card will make your gaming experience smoother and much better. GPUs are capable of rendering both 2D and 3D images. You can enjoy the latest games on your older PC by installing a new graphics card. Your gaming experience will be very bad if you do not install a suitable GPU.
For high-frame video editing:
GPU makes can quickly render high-end videos with its influencing features. Since it is a very time and power-consuming procedure, previously it took a lot of time to make high-level videos when only the CPU was used. But with the GPU, video editing can be done more faster and effectively without overloading the system.
For heavy machine learning:
The most superb application of GPU is its incredible performance in deep machine learning and artificial intelligence. GPU comes with a parallel architecture that supports complex multi-steps in machine learning. A powerful GPU can compensate for a weaker CPU. It can help in deep learning not only for rendering high-quality images but also to speed up the process.
For 3D graphic rendering:
3D graphic rendering is becoming more popular not only in video games but also in film industries and other digital art displays. This 3D graphic rendering is much more intensive and time-consuming. Many filmmakers now rely on 3D graphic rendering for more dynamic and abstract images which otherwise could never be possible. They can execute a large number of pixels in less time hence enhancing the quality of graphic production.
For accelerated mathematical calculations:
A GPU is designed for doing accelerated mathematical calculations. It can solve complex mathematical sums and problems related to physics. For dealing with intensive physics simulation, a GPU is the best thing due to its ability to deal with multiple tasks.
For freeing up memory:
There are two types of graphics cards i.e., Integrated and discrete graphic cards. Some integrated graphic cards have their memory and some of them share the computer’s memory. If the built-in card shares computer memory you can install a new graphics card. This will free up space for other tasks. Moreover, this will boost your performance.
For a smoother computer experience:
Having an appropriate GPU on your PC can make your work faster. It can handle multiple tasks simultaneously. The massively parallel architecture will allow for doing many tasks at the same time.
FAQs:
Are graphic cards only used for gaming?
Primarily graphic cards were designed for gaming purposes. But now they find massive applications in rendering high-frame images and videos. You can do tough physical manipulation with faster graphical processing units. Nowadays, graphic cards are doing much more than just gaming.
Do I need a graphics card on my PC?
If you are intending to use your PC for normal office work like managing worksheets on excel or surfing the web. Then an integrated graphics card would be more than enough. However, if you are a graphical programmer or interested in making high-end videos, then installing a powerful graphic card will be a good decision.
How many graphics cards are crucial for a smooth gaming experience?
Having 2 GPUs is the best option for playing mid-range games. However, for playing high-end video games you will need more GPUs. The higher the number of GPUs, the smoother will be gaming experience.
Is a 2GB graphics card enough?
For 1080p gaming 2GB graphics cards are not enough. 4GB is also the minimum for playing high-end video games. For heavy machine learning, you will need a graphic card with more than 8GB of memory.
Conclusion:
Graphics cards play an important role in rendering quality images and videos. Besides making the gaming experience more effective these dedicated graphic units are being used in artificial intelligence.
The above article will give you a complete understanding of graphics cards, their functions, and their uses.
Please let me know which graphic card are you using. If you want to know anything about graphics cards, feel free to ask me.
