Video Card Question

[andypearce]

Hey guys.

I'm new to all the technical and hardware stuff, so I have a question about graphics cards.

Basically the question that I have is:

Does a graphics card actually increase the speed that games run, or does it just increase the graphics level that a game can run on?

Thanks

Andy

 

[GreenDutchAlien]

If you mean FPS ( frames per second ) by speed the answer is both. FPS and quality level. Better cards also do a lot with the picture smoothness and things like tesselation.

 

[andypearce]

Okay. Thanks for your help. Well I have another question. Sadly, my Motherboard only has a PCI Express x1 slot. I am currently looking at this graphics card:

http://www.cclonline.com/product/38163/90-C1CNX0-L0UANABZ/Graphics-Cards/Asus-ATI-Radeon-HD-5450-1GB-Graphics-Card/VGA1205/

Will this graphics card fit in my Motherboard?

Thank you

Andy

 

[4745454b]

Not unless you modify the PCIe 1x slot. But seeing as you're new I suggest you don't.

 

[Wolfshadw]

There are low-end graphic cards like the HD 5450 that have a PCI-Ex1 interface.

HIS Radeon HD 5450 (as an example)

The problem with these non-standard cards is the price premium you end up paying.

-Wolf sends