Often video card features have long and complicated names with little or no explanation. Some of these features are useful, others are just marketing gimmicks. For those who want to know a bit more, here is a list for the most popular video card features and capabilities.
Generic features for all dedicated video cards
1. Anisotropic filtering = Improves the quality of textures in games, making them more visually pleasing. This feature has a moderate impact on game performance.
Left anisotropic is off / Right anisotropic is set to high – notice how much more detailed are the rocks in the background in the right image.
2. Anti-Aliasing = softens edges in games but needs a lot of video processing power. The smoother the edges, the more processing power is needed.
Left anti-aliasing is off / Right anti-aliasing is set to high – notice character hand and chest are much smoother in the right image.
3. Ambient occlusion = makes light more realistic in games by taking into consideration the light reflected from all surfaces and objects in a game.
Left ambient occlusion is off / Right ambient occlusion is on – the shadows in the right image are slightly softer, especially around the feet.
4. Vsync = Prevents tearing during games (see below), making them smoother and more fluid. However, it can significantly reduce frame rates.
Usually when a game scene changes fast, the upper part of the image does not match the lower part. Vsync prevents this.
5. DirectX = The standard programming interfaces (programming library) used on Windows. A higher version number means better graphics.
6. OpenGL = The standard programming interface (programming library) used on Linux, macOS and FreeBSD but also compatible with Windows. A higher version number means better graphics.
7. Vulkan = A standard programming interface (programming library) derived from OpenGL but with significantly better performance. Few games use Vulkan now, but more will certainly implement it in the future.
8. OpenCL = A programming interface (programming library) through which a video card can be used for data computation like simulating weather conditions, password cracking or predicting the stock market.
9. VR Ready = Compatibility with virtual reality headsets. However virtual reality needs a lot of processing power for a nice experience, so for laptops it is more of a gimmick.
10. Nvidia Optimus / AMD Switchable Graphics = When using non-graphic demanding applications, like writing papers. web browsing, or checking the email, the laptop switches off the dedicated video card and uses the graphic processor integrated into the main processor, thus saving power and increasing battery life.
11. AMD FreeSync / Nvidia G-Sync = It makes game-play significantly smoother and more fluid. It has the same result as Vsync but without the performance penalties. To work, the display of the laptop has to be FreeSync or G-Sync enabled.
12. AMD Crossfire / Nvidia SLI = The ability to combine two or more same generation video cards from the same vendor into a single laptop/PC, greatly improving performance.
13. AMD Frame rate target control / Nvidia BatteryBoost = Limits the number of frames per second (fps) in games, reducing the power consumption and extending the battery life. Since most gamers what to have 40+ fps it is only useful if playing older / non-demanding games on battery.
14. AMD Auto-Pilot Efficiency/ Nvidia GPU Boost = Improves performance as long as the video card does not exceed certain temperatures. Useful if the laptop has a very good cooling solution.
15. AMD VSR / Nvidia DSR = Renders games at a much higher resolution than the resolution of the display. It is more of a gimmick.
NVIDIA Specific
1. HBAO+ = A better implementation of ambient occlusion which basically makes lighting effects in games even more realistic. This features needs a lot of video processing power so it is useful only for powerful video cards.
2. VXGI = An improved version of ambient occlusion (different from HBAO+). Makes very realistic lighting in games but requires a lot of video processing power. Useful mainly for powerful video cards.
3. MFAA = Anti-Aliasing smooths edges in games but needs a lot of video processing power. Multi-Frame Anti-Aliasing (MFAA) reduces the processing power needed for anti-aliasing, improving frame rates and overall visual experience.
4. TXAA = Distant objects in games usually flicker, this algorithm eliminates flickering but needs significant video processing power. Useful mainly for powerful video cards.
5. Adaptive Vsync = Vsync is used to make gameplay smoother and more fluid, but it also significantly impacts performance. Adaptive Vsync enables Vsync when frame rates are high and disables it when frame rates are low.
6. CUDA = A programming interface (programming library), through which a video card can be used for data computation like simulating weather conditions, password cracking or stock market predictions.
7. PhysX = A very realistic simulation of physical effects in games, like cloth, paper, fluids or explosions. Does not use a lot of resources, but few games implement it.
8. HairWorks = Very realistic simulation of hair and similar materials in games. This feature needs a lot of video processing power so it is useful only for powerful video cards. Only a few games use it.
9. Simultaneous Multi-Projection = Significantly improved performance for VR headsets.
10. FCAT = A tool for analysing game performance and frame rates. Useful only for enthusiasts.
11. Ansel = Capture very nice in-game screenshots. Useful for just a limited few.
12. GameStream = Cast games from a laptop to a Nvidia Shield device. Nvidia Shield is a sort of a TV Box.
AMD Specific
1. TrueAudio = More realistic sound experience in games without any performance penalties.
2. AMD TressFX = Very realistic simulation of hair and similar materials in games. This features needs moderate video processing power so it can run on most AMD and Nvidia video cards. Only a few games use it.
3. Eyefinity = On a multi-display setup, the video card creates the images by taking into consideration the frame of the displays, thus creating a much more immersive experience. This feature is more useful for desktops since laptops are rarely used for multi-display gaming.
4. GPUOpen = Although AMD has a smaller number of features and graphic improvements than the competition, they make them available across all types of video cards. Due to this policy, in the long-run the features and improvements they help develop have a much better chances of getting implemented in games.
Image source: screen captures from the game Trine 2 and Starcraft 2.
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