A video card driver is computer software that allows a host computer to work with a video card. Almost all types of external computer hardware require a driver of some kind to translate between the main computer system and the external device. A video card and video card driver allow a computer to run advanced graphics and increase the performance of a system.
A video card.
Most store-bought computers come with a basic video card driver. This software may be specific to the original operating system and may not function properly if installed and run on a different operating system. Manufacturers often offer frequent updates that can be downloaded and installed, allowing your graphics card driver to stay current with new graphics card features and capabilities. If a computer can’t run a new game or program with advanced graphics, try to see if a graphics card driver update is available to help facilitate new technology and graphics advances.
Certain signs may indicate that updating your graphics card driver is a good idea. If your graphics load slowly, appear fragmented, or cause a program to crash, your graphics card driver is often the culprit. Some computer experts recommend checking for updates every few months to maximize performance and prevent system slowdowns.
Most video card drivers are not compatible with video cards from different manufacturers. Important information before buying a new video card or updating a video card driver includes the type of operating system on the host computer and the type of driver and card already in use. A brand may have different driver software for each operating system, while the driver and card generally must be made by the same company or brand.
Information about installed driver programs can be found in several ways. When purchasing the computer, driver information will usually be included; if not, ask the seller to find it. Consider contacting the manufacturer’s helpline or website to obtain your computer’s serial number. It can also be found by manually searching the operating system; look up the names of common driver manufacturers and try using the “search” function to find out if they exist on your computer. Because each operating system may store this information in a different location on the computer, there is no universal way to get the driver information.
