Graphics Card/Driver Thingy Questions

[tree_fu_go]

Are Graphic Cards and Graphic Drivers the same? Well is updating them going to help with performence or anything? When I mean update I mean installing software I think from the graphic card/driver company websites or something. (To be honest I've never done this or know how)

 

Will it increase performence in games and stuff?

 

Also how do I know if I have OpenGL on my computer? Do I only have it if I volountirely install it or something?

 

Oh yeah in case this helps..:

 

Windows Vista 32-bit

 

Processor: Intel® Core2 Quad CPU   Q6700 @ 2.66GHz 2.67 GHz
Memory (RAM): 4.00 GB
 

Not sure what this means I hope its related to Graphic stuff V

 

AMD Radeon HD 6670

Chip Tyoe: AMD Radeon Graphics Processor (0x6758)
DAC Type: Internal DAC (400MHz)
Adaptor String: AMD Radeon HD 6670
Bios Information: 113-930-930

Total Available Graphics Memory: 2559 MB
Dedicated Video Memory: 1024 MB
System Video Memory: 0 MB
Shared System Memory: 1535 MB

 

Thank you and I think there are spelling mistakes im too lazy right now sorry, firefox spell-check doesn't seem to be working with the new forum...

 

oh yeah IM BACK

[David H. Lipman]

No.

 

Graphic Card Drivers are the low level software that acts as middleware between the hardware and the OS.

 

Graphic Card Software are sets of utilities that allow the user to take full advantage of what the card offers.  For example rotating a display from Landscape to Portrait or add-ons for DirectX and other display constructs.  OpenGL may be included.  The quality of the software and drivers may determine if you see performance hits or advantages.  An newer version of the Graphic Card Software may or may not bring performance enhancements.

[Firefox]

Just to add, If you want to update your driver you can do so by going to AMD website.

 

You can install a small program the will auto detect your card from HERE or if you like the driver for your current card should be located HERE

 

Updating the driver is not always needed.  If the computer is working fine the way it is, then leave it be.  This old saying comes to mind....

 

If it aint broke don't fix it....

[CWB]

to further add to the mix ...

always use the manufacturer's site to update your drivers and software .

i don't trust those "let us update all yer crap for you" programs , nor graphics updates via "windows updates" .

 

the other main player in the video card game is nvidia .

the nvidia site and checking software for the US :

http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us

[tree_fu_go]

So I if I didn't install OpenGL, I dont have it? And if, by some chance, I already have OpenGL installed, and I download it again... will it affect anything? actually what is OpenGL, Im trying to download Wings3d and it says I need it..

[David H. Lipman]

AMD Radeon 6670 specifications
 

OpenGL 4.1 support

[CWB]

"... And if, by some chance, I already have OpenGL installed, and I download it again ..."

 

the way most "driver" installation software works is :

you will be notified if the software version you are trying to install is older than the currently installed version .

the version numbers may also be displayed ... (generally) use the highest version .

 

if you continue to have issues , contact amd or the support for "wings3d" or exercise your google-fu .

as the wings3d installation program is pinging you , i would contact the support for that manufacturer ...

quite possibly the topic/issue will be covered in their support forum(s) or knowledge base .