Graphics cards & display glossary
Terms about the graphics card, the monitor and the picture you see. Each term is explained in plain English, in a sentence or two.
6 terms on this page
- Integrated graphicsAlso called: iGPU
Some processors have basic graphics built in, so you can plug the monitor into the motherboard's own video ports. Many don't: Intel models ending in "F" and many AMD Ryzen processors need a separate graphics card to show any picture at all.
Mentioned in: PC Turns On But No Display · Motherboard Debug Lights Meaning
- Monitor input
Monitors have several sockets (HDMI, DisplayPort) and only show the one that's selected. If the PC is connected to a different one, you'll see "No signal". Use the monitor's own buttons to switch input.
Mentioned in: PC Turns On But No Display
- PCIe slot
The long slot on the motherboard where the graphics card goes, usually the top one. A small latch at one end clicks when the card is fully inserted.
Mentioned in: Motherboard Debug Lights Meaning
- FPS (frame rate)
FPS means frames per second, the number of images your graphics card produces each second. A higher number looks smoother, but past your monitor's refresh rate you can't see the difference, and the card works harder and louder for nothing.
Mentioned in: Why Is My GPU Fan So Loud
- Refresh rate (Hz)
The refresh rate is how many times per second your monitor redraws the image, measured in hertz (Hz). A 144 Hz monitor can show up to 144 frames per second.
Mentioned in: Why Is My GPU Fan So Loud
- Driver
A driver is software that lets Windows use a piece of hardware. The graphics driver, from NVIDIA, AMD or Intel, is the one most often updated or reinstalled when there are display problems.
Mentioned in: PC Turns On But No Display · Why Is My GPU Fan So Loud
Other glossaries
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