This page is designed to provide general information on a particular category. For information on individual products please refer to the help button () on the right hand side of the configurator.

Graphics Card
A graphics card is one of the most important components in a high specification computer and you can easily get caught out when choosing the right graphics card for your system.

Not only do you need to look our for a graphics card with a decent amount of memory, you also need to look for a graphics card with a powerful GPU (graphics processing unit). You can also choose to have two graphics cards in your computer - this enables gaming enthusiasts to have up to double the power when matching two identical graphics cards which means an ultimate gaming experience!

When searching for the right graphics card for your needs, consider the GPU performance, dedicated memory and also whether two graphics cards of a lower specification will out-perform a higher model for a cheaper price!

To discover which graphics card is best for you (and your budget) consider visiting the manufacturer website where further details and specifications are available:

www.amd.com

www.nvidia.com

Ports & Terminology

HDMI



HDMI stands for High-Definition-Multimedia-Interface and has been designed to carry umcompressed digital audio and video signals from the transmitter (i.e. graphics card) to the receiver (i.e. monitor). For any modern High Definition computer, a HDMI interface is a must-have as it will provide an unrivalled quality digital signal to your TV/monitor and because it can also carry the audio signal, it also reduces the need for extra wires.

DisplayPort



DisplayPort is the first display interface to rely on packetized data transmission, a form of digital communication found in technologies including Ethernet, USB, and PCI Express. It allows both internal and external display connections and, unlike legacy standards where differential pairs are fixed to transmitting a clock signal with each output, the DisplayPort protocol is based on small data packets known as micro packets, which can embed the clock signal within the data stream, allowing higher resolutions with fewer pins.

DVI



DVI (Digital Visual Interface) is a digital connector for a digital monitor. A graphics card with DVI enables users to choose whether they want to connect a standard VGA monitor (via an adapter), or a digital monitor through the DVI connector.


NVIDIA SLI Technology

PC enthusiasts and professionals are constantly searching for ways to increase the performance of their PCs, and now they can with NVIDIA breakthrough 3D platform technology. NVIDIA® SLI™ (Scalable Link Interface) technology is a revolutionary approach to scalability and increased performance. NVIDIA SLI takes advantage of the increased bandwidth of the PCI Express™ bus architecture. Together the NVIDIA SLI technologies work seamlessly to deliver heart-pounding PC performance. And depending on the application, NVIDIA SLI can deliver as much as 2x the performance of a single GPU configuration for unparalleled gaming experiences.

In order for SLI Technology to function, you need to choose two identical and SLI capable graphics cards for your system, i.e. you cannot put two different graphics cards into your computer in any circumstances. SLI Technology is only available on selected systems where you have the choice of two graphics cards and does not function on any ATI graphics cards.

The advantages of SLI technology are:

  • Up to double the power during games - the ultimate gaming experience!

  • Support up to 4 monitors - brilliant for financial services/stock exchange etc.

AMD Crossfire Technology

AMD CrossFire™ technology is the ultimate multi-GPU performance gaming platform. Unlocking game-dominating power, AMD CrossFire™ harnesses the power of two or more discrete graphics cards working in parallel to dramatically improve gaming performance.1 AMD CrossFire™ technology ready graphics cards fit practically every budget. With the flexibility to combine two, three or four GPUs, AMD CrossFire™ technology is the perfect solution for those who demand extreme performance.

Delivering Extreme Performance

By combining the intelligent software algorithms of the AMD Catalyst™ suite with dedicated scaling logic in each AMD graphics processor, a gaming rig equipped with AMD CrossFire™ technology can deliver several times the performance of a system with a single graphics card.2,3 That's performance you can count on to build your empire, take the pole position or keep your platoon alive.

See It in Extreme Detail

Let other people worry about optimal settings and resolutions. Multiple AMD Radeon™ graphics processors give you and your system the power to see every game just as the developer intended: in up to extreme high definition, with razor sharp clarity and uncompromising detail.

The advantages of Crossfire technology are:

  • Up to double the power during games - the ultimate gaming experience!

  • Support up to 4 monitors - brilliant for financial services/stock exchange etc.