< hardware , graphics > (Or "graphics adapter", "graphics card", "video adaptor", etc.) A circuit board fitted to a computer, especially an IBM PC , containing the necessary video memory and other electronics to provide a bitmap display .
Adaptors vary in the resolution (number of pixels ) and number of colours they can display, and in the refresh rate they support. These parameters are also limited by the monitor to which the adaptor is connected. A number of such display standards , e.g. SVGA , have become common and different software requires or supports different sets.
(1996-09-16)