WoW has nothing to do, in this case, with something dazzling, but with a pretty popular computer game – World of Warcraft. People all over the world play it. What is probably making it so popular, besides the catchy design, is the multiplayer statute.

With an Internet connection and some basic system requirements accomplished, anyone can enter into this competition. In fact, about 15 million people did it so far. The concern regarding what video card model would make the best performance is understandable, even though graphics is not the only one to matter in this equation.

System requirements for WoW
World of Warcraft has several versions you can get to play. The game itself has no exaggerated needs, but if you are playing complicated versions, or you enter into competitions with many other online players, you might find yourself a little disappointed by the way things go with your computer. You need a processor clocked at at least 800 MHz – Pentium III or AMD Athlon is just fine. A minimum RAM of 512 MB, preferably more – to avoid lags try 1 GB of RAM. A good internet connection – 56 kbit/s. More than 6 GB of free space on the hard drive. And last but not least, a decent video card, preferably with 3D features. All these would be necessary for you to have a normal gaming experience. Nevertheless, if you want to take the best of the situation, you are going to need more. On a resolution higher than 1024 x 768, during a game sequence including a raid with lots of people, you might see the images running in slow motion, which is really annoying. For a smooth visualization, you need to have 60 fps. So what video card would be the best?

ATI or Nvidia?
ATI and Nvidia are well known. These two are fighting for the supremacy in this field, so many of you are probably wondering what to choose. The answer might disappoint you – they both do a very good job. The latest models simply do not make a difference. You can use an X850 XT model, from ATI, a 6800 Ultra graphics from Nvidia or even a 5900XT video card, again Nvidia, and benefit from the same video quality. It is hard indeed to make a distinction when testing them. However, the one to have a strong influence would be the GPU. If you have the chance, try a Radeon 9600XT or a GeForce, 6200 or 6600GT. Obviously, if you have big plans, like running World of Warcraft at 1600 x 1200 you have two GPU offers to do a great job – 6800 Ultra and X850 XT. One last mention – you should use with your video card and graphics processor a minimum 9.0 DX version.

Windows Vista is a new and powerful operating system that comes with an improved performance but also with higher requirements. Running it on a computer that does not respect the necessary features might create you some problems. The thing is that video cards are an important hardware component and they are among the first items that need to match with Vista. While graphics companies started to develop the so - called Windows Vista video cards, some other models might also suit to it, without necessary having this etiquette – especially for Vista.

There are two main directions you can choose to follow. If you are not ready to make major investments, you can look for an older model of video card, but also strong enough to handle this operating system. Nvidia, ATI or Asus – otherwise said all the major producers – can give you something like that. However, if you want from Windows Vista the best you can get, you should start doing some research on the market of these specialized products. Vista can offer you, optionally, the Aero Glass interface, which together with a strong video card will give you an incredible video performance.

Classic graphics
Here are three products that can decently run under the new operating system. Nvidia GeForce with its 210 model. You can choose either the 512 MB or the 1 GB memory version. Preferably the 1 GB one, for a better performance. It can run on both 32 and 64 – bit, wich is great. It can process DVDs in the Blu-ray and HD formats. And it can also face various sophisticated games. ATI Radeon, the 5550 model, is another candidate to take into consideration. Just like the other one it works on 32 and 64 – bit, supports HD and Blu-ray plus the DirectX 11. This one will sure improve the quality of any video format you are using. In addition, the video card has three output slots, which means you can always use up to three different monitors in the same time on your computer. Last but not least, Asus has an offer for you too – the EAH4670 model, 512M. Using it will allow you to visualize uncompressed video files and to connect flat-panel monitors to hold resolutions for up to 2560 x 1600.

Vista graphics cards
Have you ever thought on trying a dedicated graphics? Dedicated means it has a special amount of RAM used only by the video card to process information. This will sure take some pressure from the processor, enabling it to run the system even faster. They will work best with motherboards that have PCI Express or AGP slots. The integrated graphics are actually special graphics processors working with a part of the system’s RAM. This option is considerably less expensive than the one of a dedicated card, but it it also less viable and will barely support powerful games.

And I have saved the best for last. The PCI video card vista – ready, released by Diamond. It is the X1300 model, at 256 MB of DDR2 memory. It even has 3D features. The graphics processor is clocked at 450 MHz. But in order to use this graphics you must also have an at least a Pentium 4 processor from Intel, or an AMD Athlon one, the 64 FX type, more than 500 MB of free space on the hard drive and also a power source of at least 420 W.

Bottom line
If you want to go for Vista, you have various options from where to choose regarding the video cards. You just have to analyze all the situations. Moreover, you might want to first try this operating system on another computer, to see how it works, before you make the change.

When you are in love, you feel the inner need of expressing your feelings. There are many occasions you can do that, but if you do not find a proper original way of expressing yourself, there are hundreds of cards offered online. You may think that your better behalf deserves something special, well, and in this case go for some love video cards.

Online you can find either romantic or funny cards related to love. For instance you can choose an animated card with an amusing message: “WE make a hot couple” or “I love your rippling muscles”. Other funny e-cards are offered online. here you can find the Love bug. In contrast with the bugs that frighten us, this one is cute and delivers a special message; “You are the absolute best!” This card is specially designed for ladies as the little Love bug delivers a bouquet of flowers too.

Moreover, if you know that your loved one enjoys playing, send the following 3D video card: Love Daisy. Based on a pick petals technique you assure your love trough this e-card that he or she has no reason in waiting this long or has no reason on playing this childish game in order to find out whether you love her or not. Some of us are more into romantic and traditional cards. Well, for those here comes a love e-card stating that: “One of my greatest joys comes from our love…” The text follows the line and the background completes in a suitable manner the message, a red candle and a red rose on an idyllic purple background that fits perfectly with the romantic song.

Finally, there are some romantic cards that you can customize, for example: To my sweetie. This e-card is perfect for Valentine’s Day, due to its romantic message and photos: a couple, a chocolate box and a bunch of roses are here to complete the picture of love. You can change the couple’s picture and put instead one of yours.

Zotac is a Chinese company, focused on computer hardware components’ production. Motherboards, Nettops, Mini PCs and video cards are what the 6.000 employees do. And it seems they are doing a pretty good job since this manufacturer has become an international distributor. Their products are reliable and powerful, even though the Zotac name is not as popular as it should be. So, if you are looking for an affordable and yet good graphics chipset, try one that sits under this logo. For your confidence, the company produces Nvidia based video cards.

Many customers accidentally bumped into Zotac video cards in IT stores and did not know what to think about them… If you want to do more than this, go straight to the source, on the company’s web site, where all the graphics cards they have released so far are exposed with pictures and detailed information. We are talking about eight different series: 200, 400 and 500 on the one hand, and the GeForce series on the other hand, named from GeForce 5 to GeForce9.

The most important aspect is that every series has its own sub series, offering a wide variety of models, for any budget and needs. It might take a novel to describe their features, but, as I said, going to the source will help you. You have some options in there to search by name, slot type and edition. The memory speed, the GPU, the core clock value, the stream processor, the shader clock and video memory are all explained for every model. Since we have got here, I should mention that Zotac has products for PCI, PCI Express and AGP slots. Depending on your computer’s motherboard, you can choose the right type. Nevertheless, your options do not end at this point. According with the main features of every video card, there are also six editions: Infinity, AMP!, ZONE, Synergy, Standard and Eco. It looks like the company thought of everything. Now you just need to analyze everything and pick one. Customers have rather positive opinions on Zotac video cards. Some claim that are regular products for average users while others say they are working just fine. As you can imagine, it is not as if no one has ever had unpleasant experiences with these products, but good news come even from this direction. The company seems to have a good developed customer service and support. Their main flow would be that since the they mainly activate in Hong Kong, are not well known in Europe or the States. And this would make buyers feel a little insecure. But the prices are more than affordable, which is yet another important feature.

Purchasing a Zotac video card
Surveying through all those models might take a while, but once you have found one that you like, take some time to do an extra research. See on forums what others have to say about it, eventually look for some reviews of that specific product. As always, getting to know a little from other’s experiences can be crucial for avoiding an uninspired investment. But if you really have a crush on one of their graphics and you do not know from where to buy it, the answer is, again, on their internet page. You have a section in there named “Where to buy” that will give you all the details. You get to choose between Retailers, E-Tailers, Distributors or Systembuilders; by country, by city or by postal code. If you register yourself in there, you should be able to make online orders, in case you cannot identify a nearby store or you simply don’t want to make the effort.

If you are asking yourself whether you can run two video cards on a computer in the same time, the answer is – yes. You can do that, but you need to follow some rules and specifications. To begin with, the cards must be on the same model and you should have a strong enough power supply. Amateurs should not do this move, since the possibility of literally destroying the PC is a real one. However, if you are determined to go on this path, you would better choose some specially designed models, like CroxxfireX, ATI make, or SLI from Nvidia – these two are among the best - quoted products on the market

What do you need?
First of all, you need to know what you have to do. Read as many informative materials as you can, ask reliable persons for advices and make sure you theoretically know the steps. You might want to open the case of your computer to take a look inside of it and to establish some things. Does the motherboard have two special slots PCI Express? Because there is nothing you can do in the absence of this specific feature. How many watts does your power supply can handle? This should be written with a large font right on it. You need at least 500W. And does it have enough connectors to fill in two cards?

If you are not very confident, you can take out the graphics chipset and take it with you at the store. Show it to the seller and ask him which model could be compatible, just to be sure you are not wasting money. Moreover, when you come back home, make sure you have a screwdriver – it will be your main tool.

Placing the video cards
Now that you have everything you need, you can start assembling them. Unplug all the cables from your computer and reopen the case. Identify those PCI Express slots and place the two graphics side by side. When you can see they are firmly fixed and they do not move at all, secure them with that special screw from the base of the slots. Use the connector you have in order to link the two cards. If you have no idea how to do that, you should consult the manual because different models have different instructions. After that, you will only have to make another connection between the video cards and the power source and to identify the dual card setup on your motherboard and activate it. You should look for a jumper to switch, but again, it depends on what model of motherboard you use so go check the manual. Now shut the case and turn on your computer.

Install the drivers and then open the software to activate the dual card option. You did it on the hardware side, but you also need to tell the program to work with both of them.If you know what to do, this is not a difficult operation. It is risky indeed, because there are things that might go wrong and a little dangerous because you are handling devices that use power. So be very careful when working inside the computer. Take into consideration the requirements of both cards. Otherwise, you might get to burn out your power source or even the graphics chipsets. In addition, if you don not have two models alike, ask a specialist whether they are compatible or not. In many situations, they will not be, but it does not hurt trying.