What is a graphics card?

A graphics card interfaces with a computer motherboard to allow the display of graphics on a monitor.  It has a built-in processor and built-in RAM so that the CPU and RAM are relieved of the duties of processing and rendering graphics.

Most graphics cards are miniature computers used primarily by gamers for graphics processing and rendering.  They are small boards usually run on a PCI Express or AGP slot and they output the graphical data to a monitor.  Most graphics cards require a lot of power and are expensive, but the prices are coming down.