Specifications

Video Display Adapters

907

Table 15.13 Continued

Actual Onboard Video

Color Z-Buffer Buffer Memory Memory Size

Resolution Depth Depth Mode Used Required

1024×768 16-bit 16-bit Double 4.50MB 8MB

Triple 6.00MB 8MB

24-bit 24-bit Double 6.75MB 8MB

Triple 9.00MB 16MB

32-bit

32-bit Double 9.00MB 16MB

Triple 12.00MB 16MB

1280×1024 16-bit 16-bit Double 7.50MB 8MB

Triple 10.00MB 16MB

24-bit 24-bit Double 11.25MB 16MB

Triple 15.00MB 16MB

32-bit 32-bit Double 15.00MB 16MB

Triple 20.00MB 32MB

1600×1200 16-bit 16-bit Double 10.99MB 16MB

Triple 14.65MB 16MB

24-bit 24-bit Double 16.48MB 32MB

Triple 21.97MB 32MB

32-bit 32-bit Double 21.97MB 32MB

Triple 29.30MB 32MB

Note

Although 3D adapters typically operate in a 32-bit mode (refer to Table 15.12), this does not necessarily mean they can

produce more than the 16,277,216 colors of a 24-bit true-color display. Many video processors and video memory

buses are optimized to move data in 32-bit words, and they actually display 24-bit color while operating in a 32-bit

mode, instead of the 4,294,967,296 colors you would expect from a true 32-bit color depth.

If you spend a lot of time working with graphics and want to enjoy 3D games, you might want to

invest in a 32-bit 3D video card with at least 64MB or more of RAM. Although 2D operations can

be performed with as little as 4MB of RAM, 32-bit color depths for realistic 3D operation with large

Z-buffers use most of the RAM available on a 16MB card at 1024×768 resolution; higher resolutions

use more than 16MB of RAM at higher color depths. Today’s video cards provide more RAM and

more 2D/3D performance for less money than ever before. Note that recent and current-model

video cards don’t use socketed memory anymore, so you must be sure to buy a video card with all

the memory you might need now and in the future. Otherwise, you must replace a card with inade-

quate memory.

Note

If your system uses integrated graphics and you have less than 256MB of RAM, you might be able to increase your avail-

able graphics memory by upgrading system memory (system memory is used by the integrated chipset). Most recent Intel

chipsets with integrated graphics automatically detect additional system memory and adjust the size of graphics memory

automatically. Refer to Table 15.8 for details.

Chapter 15

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