Graphics/video card/adapter definition

A graphics card (also know as "video card") or adaptor is a computer module, typically a daughter/circuit board or processor package, that is dedicated to rendering (drawing) virtual imagery and typically outputs an image to a visual display unit or monitor directly. Most graphics processors differ from system processors in that they don't execute software and instead are optimised for performing many floating-point operations and working with large chunks of data at a time. Most graphics modules have ports that plug into visual display units, while some are for computing or rendering only, such as for scientific research or CAD. Many graphics adapters come with their own dedicated high-bandwidth memory (RAM), while discreet GPU's in mobile computers often share the system memory only. Some system-on-chips (SoC CPU's) come with a graphics processor integrated within the same chip, but external circuitry may still be required to handle the output and convert it into a signal for a screen. A graphics card is usually able to be plugged in or removed easily, even by the end-customer, via a port on the motherboard (and sometimes fed extra power by a separate cable from the PSU) for flexibility and is most popular for PC gaming.