Graphics card

A computer component that processes graphics and sends image data to a display. It may be a separate expansion card or circuitry integrated into a processor or system-on-chip.

Graphics processing unit: A processor designed to perform many graphics and other parallel computations. The GPU performs most of a graphics card’s image-processing work.
PCI Express: A high-speed serial interface standard for connecting devices inside a computer. Most discrete graphics cards communicate with the computer through PCI Express.
Integrated graphics: Graphics-processing circuitry built into a processor or system-on-chip rather than a separate card. It performs similar display work without a separate graphics expansion card.
Real-time rendering: The generation of images quickly enough to respond interactively to changing inputs. Games and interactive applications depend on a card rendering frames with low delay.
Video game: An electronic game in which players interact with a visual system through input devices. Demand for richer real-time graphics has driven generations of faster cards.
Video random-access memory: Memory used to store image data and other information needed by a graphics processor. Its capacity and bandwidth affect which visual data the card can handle efficiently.
Computer bus: A communication system that transfers data between computer components. PCI Express is the bus that links a discrete card to the rest of the system.
APU: A processor that combines general-purpose CPU cores and graphics-processing circuitry on one chip. An APU combines functions that a discrete graphics card and CPU handle separately.
Ray tracing: A rendering technique that simulates light paths to produce realistic illumination and reflections. Modern cards can accelerate ray tracing for more physically realistic images.
Graphics processing unit market: The industry that designs, manufactures, and sells graphics processors and related products. Card development reflects competition among chip designers, board makers, and software platforms.

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