VGA Card

VGA card (Video Graphics Adapter) allows you to translate the output (output) to a computer monitor. For drawing / graphic design or to play games.
Growth & Development Hardware
VGA CARD consists of two types:
The development of onboard VGA
VGA is onboard processing unit that has integrated on the motherboard, the VGA card is not needed anymore. The presence of an onboard VGA chipset is not fixed because the onboard VGA can be adjusted to inactive if the user wants to install the VGA card that he wanted.
Since the original IBM PC was born in 1981 almost all PCs have a separate memory for frame buffer, the memory block where the image is mapped out on the monitor screen. This is not a problem for a system that has a monochrome video-based character, because the frame buffer is needed only 2 KB. But the GUI (Graphical User Interface) based on modern graphics that require the display bit mapped high resolution and true color is very greedy of memory. Screen resolution 640 x 480 pixels with 8-bit color frame buffer request for 300 KB, while the screen resolution of 1024 x 768 pixels with 24-bit color requires 2.25 MB of memory. Dedicated frame buffer, measuring equipment. No matter which display mode is being used, the frame buffer must be able to accommodate the highest resolution and color depth of the best that can be supported. Software can not use the rest of the frame buffer memory is used despite the low resolution and 16 colors.
This is caused by way of Video Memory packaging and configuration of specialized graphics subsystems. Thus, to the Mega-mega bytes of memory wasted. UMA (Unified Memory Architecture) unites with the main memory frame buffer. By allocating sufficient RAM to handle the display mode being used. UMA introduces the use of frame buffer memory for the rest of other purposes. Eliminating the dedicated frame buffer is expected to reduce the cost required to buy a PC. Many chipsets that have supported / using UMA technology, such as Weitek, optimistic, VLSI, SiS, Cirrus Logic, etc... The fact that must be accepted is a UMA system degrade the performance of your PC, this occurs when the CPU and graphics controllers to access main memory at the same time. Therefore UMA system is provided primarily for Low End PC systems are cheap.
Development of Independent VGA (with VGA card)
Since the first IBM PC system, there must be a unit within the computer graphics card, either CGA, EGA, MCGA, VGA, or the other. By using independent VGA card / not onboard then we will get better performance than systems that use UMA. Along with the development of computer technology, technological developments in the field of graphic card (VGA Card) is also growing rapidly. If you had an 8-bit graphics card with 512 KB memory that can display 256 colors at 640 X 480 resolutions is enough, then not anymore. Size for Chip Set / processor on the graphics card not just 8 or 16 bits, has now reached 128 bits. The ability of graphics cards has increased further. Minimum Requirements for a multimedia computer is 64 bit graphics card with 1 MB of memory.
VGA card using several kinds of memory such as:
DRAM (Dynamic RAM)
speed 80 ns or 70 ns, there is also an MD-RAM (Multiple Dynamic RAM) that uses DRAM layered. DRAM is used in many graphics cards 8, 16, or 32 bits. The use of DRAM is intended for entry-level computer language levels, which does not require a high speed and lots of color.
EDO RAM
speed 60 ns to 35 ns, EDO RAM can be easily found on 64-bit graphics card. EDO RAM is generally used has a 60 MHz speed 60/40ns. Examples of VGA cards that use EDO memory is WinFast S280/S600 3D, Diamond Stealth 3D 2000, ATI Mach 64, etc...
VRAM (Video RAM)
speed 20 or 10 ns, VRAM is more expensive than DRAM because of VRAM is faster than DRAM. Use of VRAM on the VGA card is intended for upper-class computer. Mounted on the ordinary VRAM VGA concentrated to graphic design. Examples of using the VGA card is the Diamond Fire GL VRAM, Diamond Stealth 3D 3000 Diamond Stealth 64, and so on.
SGRAM (Synchronous Graphics RAM)
speed less than the 10 ns, SGRAM VGA card is also based on SDRAM technology in the computer's main memory. SGRAM is widely used in high-class graphics cards that have a 3D accelerator capabilities. Examples of the VGA card that uses SGRAM is a Matrox MGA Millennium, Matrox Mystique 3D, Diamond Stealth II S220, Diamond Viper, ASUS 3D Explorer, ATI 3D Rage II Pro, etc..
Rambus
Rambus VGA card usage on the computer is still small (Rambus is the memory used on gaming machines Nintendo, Sega, so far only the production of graphics cards Creative Labs (MA-302, MA-332 3D Graphics and Graphic Blaster Blaster xXtreme) who use them.
Chipset / VGA card processor, so many kinds because each VGA card manufacturer has its flagship chipset. There are many manufacturers such as NVIDIA chipset VGA card, 3DFX, S3, ATI, Matrox, SiS, Cirrus Logic, Number Nine (# 9), Trident, Tseng, 3D Labs, STB, OTI, and so forth.
Graphic Accelerator
Chipset-chipset today already includes built-in 3D acceleration capabilities of the VGA card. In addition to the VGA card, there is now a computer peripheral called 3D accelerator support. 3D accelerator functions to process / translate the data / image in a more perfect 3D. 3D accelerator whose existence does not require IRQ longer able to perform manipulation-manipulation of complex 3D graphics. For example in 3D games could be shown a much more realistic image. Because a lot of 3D graphics processing functions previously performed by the processor on the motherboard, is now done by the 3D graphics processor on the 3D accelerator. With the division of labor is then the processor can do more work processing the other. In addition the programmer does not need to create 3D graphics functions, because the function is already provided by the 3D accelerator. 3D VGA chipset on the card is not as good when using the 3D accelerator, as its supporter (3D accelerator installed separately along with a VGA card). Even so Chipset 3D VGA card also supports the 'few' facility 3D acceleration 3D accelerator.
As a cautionary notes that, 3D accelerator function would be optimal if the software / game that is run using special functions in the 3D accelerator. Software / games that support these facilities began to grow, which is famous for is support for 3D accelerator with 3D FX Voodoo chipset, rendition Verite, and Permedia 3D Labs.