I. What is a video card?
Video card is also known as Graphics Card (VGA for short – and its full English name is Video Graphics Adapter).
VGA has the main task of processing information about images in the computer, such as color, resolution, contrast, … through connecting to a monitor to display images to help users sports can be manipulated and processed on a computer.
Every computer must have a video card (VGA) to process images, resolution .., it is also an extremely important and indispensable part on a computer.
And the most important part that determines the power of the video card is the GPU (Graphic Processing Unit), which will take care of handling all image-related problems.
In short, the video card is one of the very important hardware parts, it determines the quality of your computer is good or bad.
Explain more: GPU is an important bridge in the transmission of data, it will convert the bit codes in the form of 1 0 in the program into images, and then display them on the computer screen for us to see.
Unlike CPU, GPU has a much faster data processing speed, GPU can handle thousands of data streams at the same time. And of course, the better the GPU, the better the performance, the higher the processing speed and image analysis.
The GPU’s operating clock will affect the image processing speed, image quality, image display speed (FPS) and screen resolution.
NOTE:
Many of you wonder if the term GPU and video card are the same or not?
In fact, many people still call it interchangeably, which is basically correct. However, there is a slight difference is like this:
- Graphic card: The whole board that combines the GPU (including components and other components).
- GPUs: Is the brain of the video card. Maybe Integrated GPU (embedded in the CPU) or Discrete GPU (is a separate chip mounted on its own breadboard). For more details, please read II under.
In short, I still call it GPU and video card a
II. How many types of video cards are there?
Video cards, we divide them into 2 types: Cards Onboard and Removable card.
#first. What is the onboard card?
Cards Onboard (VGA Onboard, also known as VGA Share) is a video card that is already integrated on the mainboard (motherboard) of the computer.
More specifically, it is built-in by the manufacturer into the CPU (central processing unit, it is likened to the human brain). Card Onboard works on the power of CPU and RAM (temporary memory) to process images.
When viewing the parameters of a laptop computer, you can see the information of the graphics card that is glued right on the product, for example, stamps Intel HD Graphics or GMA 4500HD… using Intel processors).
In case your computer uses an AMD CPU, its graphics chip will be called ATI/AMD (formerly the AMD graphics card manufacturer bought ATI).
With old laptop computers, the Onboard Card is controlled by a chip built into the Mainboard or is part of the North Bridge Chipset.
As for the current new generation of PC & Laptop computers, Crard Onboard will be integrated directly into the CPU processor, the purpose of this is to increase graphics processing performance and reduce heat dissipation. out during operation.
And in Vietnam, most of the CPUs are from Intel. In general, with a built-in Card Onboard like this, it will meet the needs of normal work and entertainment.
For example, watching HD movies, Full HD, playing online games or programs that do not require too much graphics processing power.
As I said in the previous post, the reason the computer is not getting enough RAM, partly because it shares the graphics card. Therefore, for a laptop to work smoothly, at least 4GB of RAM is required to be stable.
#2. What is a discrete card?
The discrete card has the same features as the onboard card, but it is designed specifically and works completely independently and specializes in image and graphics processing.
The discrete graphics card is linked to the Mainboard through the communication bus in expansion slots such as PIC, PIC Experss (PCI-Ex), AGP …
To identify where the slot of the discrete VGA card is, please stand the Main up, now the slot of the discrete video card is at the top, followed by other PCI expansion slots such as network cards, sound cards, … .
#3. General comment
After reading the above 2 concepts, you probably know which one is better to use, right :D,
Discrete cards are specifically designed to serve tasks that require high graphics processing such as 3D design, terrible games, etc.
But if you are a regular computer user, the use of a discrete card is not too necessary because now new generations of CPUs support you to play 3D games or watch HD movies very well.
III. Compare the pros and cons of Onboard Cards and Discrete Cards
Here are some advantages and disadvantages of Onboard and discrete cards. If you find something missing, don’t hesitate to comment with additional information at the end of this article
Advantages:
- Few errors during use because it is optimally designed for Chipset-based Mainboard.
- Rarely have hardware conflicts.
Defect:
- Because it is used in conjunction with the RAM on the computer, of course it will consume the available resources on the computer. RAM is occupied, RAM is hot because it has to work continuously, leading to the computer crashing.
- Cannot run heavy software, software that requires high graphics processing…
#2. Discrete VGA card
Advantages:
- Use a separate slot.
- The discrete card uses the GPU with its own dedicated memory, without the need for RAM on the computer, so it does not affect the general system of the computer. Since it has its own processor and VRAM
- Support to handle heavy software / applications, games that require high graphics processing.
Defect:
- More expensive (depending on type).
- The discrete VGA has a heat dissipation system that is not really good, so your computer will more or less get hotter than before. If the cooling fan cannot cool the video card, then when doing heavy work like playing games, make video, Render video… the temperature of the GPU will increase => and now the Card will have to automatically reduce its operating frequency to cool down => this will reduce the performance of the card. Therefore, before deciding to buy a discrete card, you should pay attention to its cooling system. If
Compare AMD discrete cards and Nvidia discrete cards:
Of course, at the moment, NVIDIA holds a much larger market share than AMD due to the use of advanced technology. However, AMD can still live well because they are flexible on pricing.
Before deciding to buy yourself a graphics card, we need to pay attention to the ratio P/P (Price/Performance aka price/performance) of that graphics card. In this regard, it seems that AMD does better than NVIDIA.
This is the ranking of video cards by the Tomshardware site, you can refer to it here !
TIPs:
Some of you have commented asking me which brand of discrete video card I should use. Should use discrete card of NVIDIA or AMD. And here are some of my experiences:
- Choose NVIDIA’s GeFoce Card or AMD’s Radeon Card: If you often play heavy games.
- Choose NVIDIA’s Quadro Card: If your computer needs are graphic design or filmmaking, Render Video….
IV. Signs of computer failure caused by video card
- When the computer is powered on, the power light is on, the power fan is still spinning, but no image is displayed.
- The computer screen appears horizontal stripes, vertical stripes or spots, the image is blurred and laggy.
- When opening heavy applications or heavy software, it automatically exits or crashes the computer is automatically powered off.
- When accessing the Windows operating system, receiving VGA is a blue Dump error.
- For Macbook, the apple hangs or the screen goes white.
- Depending on the model, there will be different default beeps: DELL laptops will report 8 continuous beeps, and HP laptops will blink 3 or 1 Caplock lights.
V. How to know if the computer uses an Onboard card or a discrete card?
Method 1: VGA port
If you are using a desktop computer, the simplest way is that you can look at the position of the computer’s VGA cable, if the VGA cable is plugged into a separate crad, it means that your computer is using a discrete card.
As for the laptop we can’t see, you can follow the ways below.
TIPs:
Some new laptop computers now have a stamp of the video card on the computer, you can check it first. For example the image below.
Another very simple way to know what video card you are using is to right-click on the Desktop to view information.
However, this method is only standard in case your computer is already install video card driver just full. If it is missing, it will not work and will not appear in the right-click menu.
Các bài viết liên quan:
For example this is your computer are using the onboard card.
The computer is using a discrete card.
The computer is using both discrete and onboard cards. In this case, if you are running light applications, your computer will use the Onboard card.
On the contrary, if you are running heavy applications, the computer will automatically switch to a discrete card for use.
Method 3: Use the dxdiag . command
Perform:
Open the Run dialog box then type command dxdiag => press Enter to make => window DriectX Diagnostic Tool appears => you switch to Tab Display To test.
For example, my computer is using the onboard card, if your computer has a discrete card, then at the line Device Type will display the details of the card company you are using.
Method 4: Use CPU-Z
CPU-Z in addition to the main function is see computer configuration Very accurate, you can also use it to check if your computer is using an onboard card or a discrete card.
See the guide at this paragraph (Item 6 – Graphics okay)
A few illustrations when using CPU-Z software to see what video card the computer is using, making it easier for you to visualize.
+) In case the computer is activated using both video cards (Decoupled and Onboard)
+) In case the computer is using the Onboard video card.
+) In case the computer is using a discrete video card.
BECAUSE. Instructions to turn off the onboard card to use the discrete card
To disable the onboard video card the simplest way is to do the following:
Perform:
Right click My Computer => choose Manage => choose Device manage => choose next Display adapters => finally right click on your onboard card and select Disable done.
VII. Purchase address Computer video card according to your needs
Prices will change from time to time, you can refer to both links to find the product with the most suitable price:
See video card on Tiki View video cards on Shopee
VIII. Epilogue
Here are the definition of onboard and discrete cards that computer users need to understand.
Hopefully this article will help you understand more about the concept of video cards and how to distinguish Onboard and discrete cards. If you have any questions about the video card, feel free to comment!
Hope this article will be useful to you. Good luck !
Kien Nguyen – Blogchiasekienthuc.com
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