Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
Video Adapter Components
Video display adapters contain certain basic components, usually including the following:
•
Video basic input/output system (BIOS)
—Provides the firmware controlling the video card.
•
Graphics processing unit (GPU)
—Video processor/video accelerator. Places text or graphics
information onscreen and provides 3D acceleration.
•
Video memory
—Holds the information.
•
Digital-to-analog converter (DAC)
—Formerly a separate chip, the DAC is usually
incorporated into the GPU. The DAC is not necessary on a purely digital subsystem (digital
video card and display); however, most display subsystems still include analog VGA support.
•
Bus connector
—Connects a discrete video card to the motherboard.
•
Video driver
—Software that communicates with the OS to control the card.
On mid-range and high-performance video cards, such as the card shown in
Figure 12.1
, most of the
components are underneath the cooling system. This card uses a combination of a fan and a heatsink to
cool its GPU and memory modules.
