What is a "graphics card" and how do I choose the right one for my needs?

What is a "graphics card" and how do I choose the right one for my needs?

Ian Urquhart (Lead Developer, E-Haus, LLC.) gives expert video advice on: How do I choose a DVD or CD burner?; How do I choose the best monitor for my needs?; How do I choose the best speaker system for my computer? and more...

If you're thinking of getting a graphics card, there are a couple of things to bear in mind. If you're a normal user, you're never going to need to upgrade your graphics card. If you're a hardcore gamer, you'll be changing your graphics card every six months or so. If you're somewhere in between, stick with the one that you have unless you're starting to see a drop-off in your quality of graphics. That's when you decide that you need a new one.