Tekserve can upgrade or add a video card to most tower Macs (Mac Pro, Power Mac) while you wait. All other Apple computers have a built-in video card that cannot be upgraded but check out the Matrox video splitters to run multiple displays. If you are comfortable opening up your computer, we also carry video cards that you can install yourself.
What is a video card and what does it do?
Video cards (a.k.a. graphic cards) help process the images displayed on your computer's screen. Your video card determines which displays you can use with your computer and how many displays you can use at the same time.
Why would I want a video card upgrade?
A high-performance graphics card is critical to advanced graphics work, modeling, animation, rendering, and gaming. Check the system requirements of any professional program that you plan to use or ask us for a recommendation. An additional video card allows you to run more displays.
What video card (graphics processor) do I have in my Mac now?
To check what is installed in your Mac, go to Applications/Utilities/System Profiler. This utility will tell you everything you need to know about your computer. Select Graphics/Displays from the left bar. The name of your graphics card will be in bold at the top of the screen. You can also see what type of graphics card your computer uses (PCIe, PCI-X, or AGP) next to bus on that screen.
What's the difference between PCI-X, PCI Express (PCIe), & AGP video cards?
Different Apple desktops used different bus standards to connect to video cards. We can look up which standard your computer uses if you bring in your computer's serial number or the machine itself. Most Power Mac G4 computers use AGP video cards. Power Mac G5 computers used all three different standards from 2003 to 2006. From 2003 to early 2005, Power Mac G5 models used AGP graphics cards and had PCI-X expansion slots for additional graphics cards. In late 2005 Power Mac G5 models switched to PCI Express. All Mac Pro towers use PCI Express (PCIe).