What are the 4 Types of Expansion Cards?

Types of Expansion Cards

1. Graphics Card

A graphics card is an expansion card that is used to display graphics on the screen. Also called graphics adapter, graphics card, video adapter, video card, or video controller. In the past, graphics cards were installed in expansion slots. Modern computers have video hardware integrated on the motherboard called integrated graphics or on-board graphics. The integrated graphics hardware uses the computer's RAM.

The latest graphics cards contain dedicated memory called video memory. Most videos cards today come with 256MB to 2GB of video memory. These cards are required to run graphics applications and the latest video games. Most graphics cards have their own processor to perform graphics calculations. It allows complex graphical animations to be displayed. Graphics card processors produce so much heat that graphics cards have their own fan.

A modern graphics card provides various ports as follows:

1. DVI ports

DVI stands for Digital Video Interface. These ports allow the transmission of digital signals directly to the monitor

2. HDMI ports

HDMI stands for High Definition Media Interface. HDMI ports are used for high-definition televisions, Blu-ray players or game consoles.

3. Display port adapters

It is a new style port that connects to digital monitors or projectors. It is an alternative to DVI that also supports HDMI.

2. Sound Card

A sound card provides connections for a microphone and a speaker to produce sound. It feeds sound through a microphone and converts it into a form that can be processed by a computer. Through speakers or headphones the sound is output. It is also called as a sound card. Most computers have a sound card in an expansion slot or integrated on Motherboard.

3. Network Interface Card

Network card is an expansion card its used to connect a computer to a Network. It is also known as network card or LAN card. The computer must have a network card in order to communicate over the network. It can be connected using an Ethernet cable or using a wireless connection. A network card can be added on expansion slot. Many motherboards also have integrated network cards.

4. TV Tuner Card

The TV tuner card is used to watch TV, capture video and surf the Internet at the same time. It is also known as TV boards and personal video recorder cards. It contains a TV tuner and a video converter that converts the TV signal into a form that can be displayed on a monitor.