Video cards and FPS, how to choose them, what features to look for
Video cards are fundamental components of modern computers. Hardware that is incorporated into the motherboard for traditional office computers or economical ones, this card takes on crucial importance when the computer in which it is installed is intended for specialized uses such as graphics, video editing and gaming .
Dedicated video cards
The dedicated video card is in fact an essential component when using the computer for demanding applications. The dedicated video card is in fact not just a "conduit" but thanks to a dedicated processor (GPU) and RAM memory, it processes the graphics and displays them.
The task of the graphics card is in fact to manage the graphics processes and process the video signal output from the PC.
As already indicated, the video card can generally be integrated or dedicated.
Integrated: the video chip is part of the motherboard; you choose this solution when you don't expect any type of high-level graphics processing on your computer.
Dedicated: The video card is installed on the motherboard. In this case it is equipped with its own processing unit and often also with memory used exclusively for graphic display.
Factors to evaluate when choosing dedicated video cards
When we go to assemble a "super computer" for gaming , video editing or graphics processing, even in 3D, we will have to take many factors into consideration. As regards the graphics card, there are various parameters that determine it the “power” and computing capacity. The main ones are:
Just by considering these seven choices you will be able to get a precise idea of the potential of the video card we have identified. But let's look at them better:
GPU speed.
With this value we define the working frequency of the card. The higher this value, the greater the processing capacity of our video card.
Amount of RAM.
As with the CPU and its speed, even in the case of video cards the availability of fast and available memory is essential when you want to make the most of the possibilities given by a software, an animation or a game.
Connectors and links.
In addition to the type of base with which the video card is equipped, it will also be necessary to pay attention to the connection ports to the monitors that it supports. Video cards can usually have four types of connectors, the VGA display, a standard analogue port in traditional monitors, the DVI port, available in various versions including the Dual Link variant and two other ports which are always digital but designed for high definition . In fact, we have the HDMI port, capable of also incorporating the audio signal and the DisplayPort.
Maximum resolution.
What is the maximum resolution supported by the video card ? This value, expressed in pixels, is essential to know to make the most of the monitor to which it is connected.
Type of cooling.
High-end graphics cards, when working at their maximum, use considerable power. All this power generates heat that must be dissipated in order not to risk "cooking" the graphics card. There are two types of cooling systems, passive ones and those equipped with fans. The former are obviously silent, but underperforming. In fact, on advanced graphics cards the use of one, two or more fans is mandatory.
Integration with the rest of the components.
How will we install our video card inside the case? How many slots will it occupy? Will the case's power supply have enough power to power it? All these are questions that we will have to find an answer to, through the specifications of the card, before proceeding with the purchase.
Supported OpenGL and DirectX drivers and types.
Graphics APIs that allow the correct execution and management of games. These libraries consist of a series of specifications that must be respected by game programmers. Periodically these libraries are updated generating new standards that allow graphic programmers to give their best.
Video card manufacturers
The market features three manufacturers that deal with video cards globally. On the one hand, obviously Intel, which deals almost exclusively with video cards integrated into the motherboard, the company's real core business. On the other hand, NVidia and AMD are focusing heavily on dedicated video cards.
The competition between these two companies is very high and obviously the ones who benefit are consumers who find increasingly high-performance video cards at increasingly affordable prices.
Video card combinations
What if a single video card is no longer enough? Both Nvidia and ATI/Amd have worked and are working on this concept. Their designs, known as SLI (Scalable Link Interface) and CrossFire allow you to pair multiple video cards in order to obtain the maximum possible graphics processing.
The high computing and processing power of video cards has made them perfect even for complex calculations. In fact, for a few years the GPU has also been used for cryptocurrency mining activities. However, remaining on the concept for which video cards were designed and in particular in the gaming sector, there is another fundamental factor to consider.
FPS
FPS, acronym for Frames Per Second, is a value that indicates how many frames our PC and consequently our graphics card is capable of processing every second. The FPS value largely depends on the video card used, although CPU and RAM memory also contribute to the same.
Having more FPS means having a faster update of the action that is happening, a fundamental factor when playing fast-paced video games such as Fortnite or the latest versions of racing games.
In general, having a higher number of FPS is better, even if, once a certain level is reached, the increase in FPS becomes less evident if not downright deleterious.
Playing with FPS that are too high could in fact lead to problems with the fluidity of the game, thus taking away all the advantages given by a higher number of FPS.
How many FPS do you need?
Let's see in concrete terms how many FPS can be used with some numerical examples:
Video cards and FPS are a winning combination, which if well managed can give valuable results in all those applications that require a lot of processing capacity. From gaming to video editing, from 3D modeling to mining, the quality of processing passes through video cards.
