Video Card Information

Inexpensive computers and motherboards have chips that send video output to a monitor; this is called "integrated video." Experts say that each generation of integrated video chip is better than the last, but not as good as even a cheap dedicated video card. If you want to play the latest action games, a video card is essential. If you don't play action games, a basic video card will considerably increase the speed of all your computing activities. Video cards have their own processors and RAM memory, which liberates a computer's processor and memory from having to help power the display. Video cards plug into a PCI-E slot on a motherboard. This standard has been popular for several years; older computers have AGP slots. Although the term is rarely used in advertising or by the public, manufacturers and reviewers often call video cards "graphics cards" -- the terms are interchangeable.

Both Nvidia and ATI have buying wizards that direct you to a specific video card based on your intended uses and system.

Nvidia buying guide

ATI Upgrade Advisor

Nvidia also has a useful guide to the requirements for playing HD DVD and Blu-ray discs on a PC.

Digit-Life.com has a comprehensive and relatively easy to understand how-to-buy guide.

Don Woligroski of Tom's Hardware offers a multi-part introduction to video cards from summer 2006.

Go here to learn more about Nvidia SLI.

CNet.com's GameSpot has a very basic buying guide from June 2006.

Studies of the effects of video game violence

Violent Video Games: Myths, Facts, and Unanswered Questions.

The Effects of Home Video Game Violence and Fantasy Portrayals upon Enjoyment and Emotional State: A Gender Comparison, at PSU.edu.

Video Game Violence and Public Policy from the National Institute on Media and the Family.

No strong link seen between violent video games and aggression, reported in PhysOrg.com.

Does game violence make teens aggressive? Reported on MSNBC.

Report at ArsTechnica.com on a study finding that stable personalities are unaffected by violent games.

Violent video games alter brain's response to violence, reported at NewScientist.com.

Manufacturer's websites have information about specific products:

Nvidia

AMD/ATI

Asus

BFG Technologies

Connect3D

Diamond Multimedia

EVGA

Foxconn

Gainward

Gigabyte

MSI

PNY

Sapphire Technology

XFXForce

Zotac