PC help: Best graphics card

Q What is the difference between an integrated graphics accelerator and a standard graphics card?

Should I look to replace the integrated graphics accelerator in my PC?

Jim Bolton

A Integrated graphics cards are built onto the motherboard directly, whereas a standard graphics card is plugged into a slot on the motherboard.

Integrated graphic cards are included to keep costs down and are generally less capable than separate graphics cards.

This is not a problem unless the computer is for playing games, or you want to upgrade to Windows Vista and enjoy its new Aero Glass design. In this case, a more powerful graphics card will be required.

Standard graphics cards use one of three different slots on a motherboard. From best to worst performance, they are: PCI Express x16, AGP and PCI.

You will usually find a PCI Express x16 or an AGP slot on a motherboard – if there is neither, you’ll be limited to using a PCI graphics card.

Although the performance will not be as good as a PCI Express x16 or AGP, a PCI-based card will still be better than the built-in graphics. Good examples include the Scan Nvidia FX5200 graphics card that costs £32. More information can be found here.

When upgrading the graphics card, make sure the power supply in the PC is capable of supplying enough power. If not, the computer may crash without apparent reason and eventually become damaged.

The power rating will be described on the label on the power supply, visible when you open the computer’s case.

A useful calculator for checking whether the power supply is up to the task is the Journey Systems Power Supply Calculator.

Click on the brand of processor in the computer – Intel or AMD. Use the dropdown menus to select the options that match most closely the specification of the computer, then click on the Find my Wattage button.

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