Back when video cards were first developed, they offered you text only in one color and 4KB video memory. It’s amazing how far technology has taken us. Current graphic accelerator cards allow us to generate and output images to our display monitors. They are separate acceleration expansions that plug into a slot on your motherboard, and they are different from the graphics controller that is already integrated into your computer.

Graphics accelerator cards have taken us from the computer dark ages to viewing high resolution graphics and movies on our personal computers. Also, don’t think that computers are limited to a PC graphics accelerator card. Apple computers and video game consoles also take advantage of video card devices.

To add new life to the graphics on your computer:

1. Find the graphics accelerator card that suits your needs
2. Price compare for greater savings
3. Add your new graphic accelerator to your computer

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Excel with the right accelerator card

Determine if you need to buy an AGP (accelerated graphics port) video card, a PCI (peripheral component interconnect) video card, or a PCI express card based on your existing computer hardware. AGP is a newer standard than the PCI card, and the PCI express card is the latest technology. It is your successor to the PCI card.

I recommend: The University of Maryland offers us a descriptive differentiation between PCI and AGP cards. Mainly, an AGP card will be considerably faster than the original PCI one, as well it uses your computer's memory more efficiently to create the image. Check out a computer interface with both styles, along with an Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) slot. To find out more about the PCI express card, check out Dell's white paper on the subject. Baber.com offers video cards compatible with any of these outlets.

Understand that you are not looking for a PCMCIA graphics accelerator

PC cards, created by the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association, were once known as PCMCIA cards. Graphics accelerator cards can insert these into PC slots in your laptop computer. Understand, though, that the term PCMCIA no longer refers to the card, but instead to the organization itself.

I recommend: You can find PC slots for graphics cards at DealTime.

Price and purchase your graphics accelerator card

Graphic accelerator card prices can vary from as little as $40 to over thousands of dollars.

I recommend: The cheapest graphics accelerators can be found by price comparison websites such as Bizrate, NexTag, PriceWatch and eBay. You can also buy direct from electronics stores like Best Buy.

Install your accelerator card

Install your accelerator graphic card yourself or use an expert.

I recommend: All manufacturers should include installation instructions with their graphics accelerator cards. In the event that you have questions, though, you can contact Circuit City or Best Buy. Circuit City's installation and trouble shooting prices start at $29.99, and Best Buy offers in-store or at home service. The other options are for them to call you, or chat via computer.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  With such a variance in prices for graphics cards, make sure that you are purchasing one to meet your specific needs. Assess if you need it for gaming, graphics work, or 3d rendering.
• •  All you need to access the inside of your computer is a screw driver. However, if you just want higher resolution graphics and not the headache of installation, hire an expert to do it for you.