Study of Video Adapter & Display Controllers
Aim:
To study the working and specifications of video adapters and display controllers installed in a computer system.
Apparatus / Requirements:
- Desktop / Laptop Computer
- Pre-installed Operating System (Windows/Linux)
- Display Monitor (LCD/LED)
- Graphics Card (Integrated or Dedicated)
- Device Manager / System Information tool
- GPU Control Panel (if available)
Theory:
Video Adapter:
- A video adapter (graphics card or display adapter) is responsible for rendering images, videos, and graphics. It takes data from the CPU and converts it into visual output for the monitor.
Main Components:
- GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) – Processes graphics.
- VRAM (Video RAM) – Stores graphical data.
- Output Ports – HDMI, VGA, DVI, DisplayPort.
Types:
- Integrated Graphics – Built into CPU/Motherboard (e.g., Intel UHD Graphics).
- Dedicated Graphics – Separate hardware for high performance (e.g., NVIDIA, AMD).
Display Controller:
The display controller is a part of the video adapter that controls:
- Reading of image data from VRAM.
- Generation of signals for the monitor.
- Managing resolution, refresh rate, and color depth.
Functions:
- Frame buffering.
- Sync signal generation.
- Color mapping.
- Multiple display management.
Procedure:
Identify Installed Video Adapter:
- Open Device Manager → Expand Display Adapters.Note the name and type of adapter.
- Right-click adapter → Properties → Note driver version, memory, and date.
- Go to Display Settings → Note resolution, refresh rate, and orientation.
- Open Task Manager → Performance tab → GPU to check utilization. (Optional) For dedicated
- Open NVIDIA/AMD Control Panel → Note VRAM, clock speed, and features.
Observation Table:
| Parameter | Observed Value |
|---|---|
| Adapter Name | Intel UHD Graphics 630 |
| GPU Type | Integrated |
| VRAM Size | 1 GB Shared Memory |
| Driver Version | 30.0.101.2079 |
| Driver Date | 15/06/2023 |
| Max Supported Resolution | 1920 × 1080 (Full HD) |
| Refresh Rate | 60 Hz |
| Output Ports | HDMI, VGA |
Result:
- The system contains an Intel UHD Graphics 630 integrated video adapter with 1 GB shared VRAM, supporting a maximum resolution of 1920 × 1080 at 60 Hz.
- The working of both the video adapter and the display controller was successfully studied.
Precautions:
- Avoid changing GPU/Display settings without proper knowledge.
- Ensure drivers are updated for stable performance.
- Use the monitor’s native resolution to prevent distortion.