A modern personal computer is not a “thing in itself”, but a complex electronic device consisting of a relatively small number of basic functional blocks. So, an audio adapter is responsible for outputting sound, a central processor for calculations, and a video card for generating images from digital data streams.
Many graphics-oriented applications, especially numerous computer games, require a modern, high-performance video solution for their normal operation. This is the main reason for frequent user questions about how to upgrade a video card.
All video adapters are traditionally divided into two large groups: discrete and built-in. The latter, in turn, are located in one of the chips of the motherboard, as well as being an indivisible part of the central processor. Now in the field of microprocessors there has been a clear tendency to integrate the greatest possible number of functional elements in the product. The concepts of "north and south bridges" no longer reflect what stood behind them about ten years ago. Now, owners of integrated graphics solutions may no longer be interested in how to update a video card, because such a replacement has become impossible. The situation is similar for owners of motherboards with video cards included in the chipset.
In other words, you can replace the integrated video adapter only by purchasing a new processor (motherboard), or by installing a discrete solution.
In turn, a discrete video adapter is an independent expansion card that is inserted into a special connector on the motherboard. Difficulties with how to update the video card usually do not arise. Further, this type is considered.
Typically, a computer owner who is interested in updating a graphics card seeks to increase the performance of the video subsystem. Sometimes you can do without a replacement, but more on that later.
If the PCI Express card (read in the instructions), then updating it is very simple. To do this, disconnect the computer from the network, remove the side cover (held by two bolts) and remove the board, the wire from which goes to the monitor - this is a discrete graphics card. It remains to go to the store, show the card to the consultant and ask for a more productive solution. We install a new one in the same connector and connect the monitor wire to it. In this case, first one side is inserted into the connector, then the other, and not immediately the entire contact comb. After loading the system, you need to install the driver from the disk that comes with the card.
There is also a frequently asked question about how to update drivers for a video card. This is one way to increase productivity. A driver is a specialized program that controls the operation of a video adapter. Its new versions often allow the card to work faster, so you need to update them constantly. The universal way is to go to the manufacturer’s website and download the appropriate driver, indicating the type of card and operating system. The manufacturer can be found out as follows: “Start” - in the search bar, type “DXDIAG - Screen” (type of microcircuit). Do not confuse the builder (ASUS, Gigabyte) and the chip developer (AMD, Intel, NVidia) - you need a developer.
For example, how to update the ATI graphics card driver ? ATI is no longer there - it became part of AMD, but out of habit, the name still remains. Open the AMD website in any browser, where we go to the “Support and Drivers” tab. Here we fill in the windows of the drop-down menu that help identify the card, and indicate the operating system used. Then we look at the results, select the latest version and download it. After that, run the file and, if everything went well, restart the computer.