THG Graphics Card Buyer's Guide

CPU

The system CPU has quite a bit of influence on the graphics card's performance. Even though modern graphics processors no longer need any CPU time for their calculations, the data they process has to be prepared by the CPU and then transferred to the card. Additionally, the CPU also must take care of handling computer player AI, physics calculations and sound, all at the same time. To be able to push a fast graphics card to its limit, you'll also need a potent CPU.

Of course, the opposite case is just as true - a fast processor won't do any good if the graphics card is limiting the frame rate. And the same also holds true for the system memory, which can hold the system back if it's too slow, or if there isn't enough of it. In summary, the individual components need to be well-balanced. A single weak component can cripple the entire system.

Fortunately, there aren't any bad choices where the graphics interface is concerned. The current standard is the AGP 8x bus, which will gradually be supplanted by its successor, PCI Express, over the coming months and years. For now, don't expect to see any performance increases from switching to the new bus, however! If you'd like to read up on PCI Express and its future role in the graphics market, take a look at our article here .