What IS Open GL

C

ChrisHarris

New Member
I'm looking to upgrade my video card. I currently have an nVidea GeForce 4000with 128mb ram. It sucks for playing games and it's only Direct X 7.0

I'm looking at a GeForce 6800GS It's got 256mb of ram and a 256 bit interface.

It also says Open GL 2.0

Whats that mean? I understand interface speed, CPU speed, memory, pipelines, but not a clue what Open GL is.
 
OpenGL (Open Graphics Library) is a specification defining a cross-language cross-platform API for writing applications that produce 3D computer graphics (and 2D computer graphics as well). The interface consists of over 250 different function calls which can be used to draw complex three-dimensional scenes from simple primitives. It is very popular in the video games industry where it competes with Direct3D on Microsoft Windows platforms (see Direct3D vs. OpenGL). OpenGL is widely used in CAD, virtual reality, scientific visualization, information visualization and video game development.

source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opengl

My only experience with graphic design was using openGL, writing software to draw molecular structures from PDB files, *sigh* those were the days *sigh*
 
So, would it be safe to assume that OpenGL 2.0 is better than OpenGL 1.5?

Here's the card I'm looking at:
It's a GeForce 6800GS

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814133422

I am trying to play Half Life and Counter Strike, but my current video card keeps locking up. Instant death in a firefight.

Also have a flight simulator called Aerofly Pro Deluxe, and it's always locking up too. The GForce 4000 card is just a POS for what I'm trying to do.

Thanks
 
yes, it would be ok to assume that.
6800gs or 7800gt would be fine. make sure you have a pci-express slot :) if you have AGP you may want to get the 7800gs instead...
 
I'm using an AGP 8X slot.

I'll look at the 7800GS.

Everything on this rig is smokin' At least to me, it is. It's the stupid low-budget video card that is causing me problems.

Thanks
 
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