How do I choose a graphics card ?

[bigboi972]

My laptop has broken and the store is going to give me another one but i wanna know how do i know if the graphics card thats in the laptop is going to be a good one one that will allow me to play games on my pc with no problem and on a side note what is the main purpose of a graphics card in case this helps i use my laptop for photoshop projects and making music and editing videos

 

[mickey megabyte]

main purpose of a graphics card has got to be games.

they can also take a bit of load off the cpu when watching or rendering movies. photoshop can take advantage of gpu power too.

so, if you want to play games, render videos and photoshop it pays to get a powerful gpu.

strictly speaking, laptops don't have graphics cards, they have inbuilt chips, which are generally non-replaceable.

the downside to powerful graphics is the power, battery life is not that great compared to weaker chips.

do you know the model of the replacement laptop?

 

[bigboi972]

no i have not went up there to pick it up yet

 

[mickey megabyte]

ok.

 

[thefabe]

You might want to look into the new "switchable Graphic card" Laptops. These laptops come with 2 graphic chips one is used for normal web browsing , checking emails ect. This is a power saving tool.
Once you start to use a Graphically intense program or game it will automatically switch to the more powerful card.

A bit of an explanation on how this works. Fabe Nvidia Unveils Optimus Switchable Graphics Technology - PCWorld

 

[TVeblen]

Just an FYI
Some of the newer laptops have an actual video module, like this one: Alienware : The Best Custom Built Gaming PC for the Ultimate PC Gamer!

But if the OP's laptop has a module, I think you can only use a replacement. I don't see any upgrade video modules for sale.