The Zone

 

It used to be a computer industry tradition, at least amongst the two graphic card giants NVIDIA and ATI, to release three market segments when they roll out a new series of graphics technology. From the entry-level, middle-range, to high-end, specific model range of cards were designed to cater to different markets to meet their needs.

 

However, with the rise of demanding games, especially the DirectX 10 graphics standard found on Windows Vista, entry-level cards were given the boot, as they were no longer capable of handling the modern demanding DX10 games, like Crysis. In many ways, Crysis set the benchmark for the future of games to follow.

 

Additionally, with the rise of integrated graphics on boards, via new powerful board chipsets, the entry-level graphic card was eventually overshadowed by both board and newer games which needed in the least, a mid-range card.

 

The two graphic titans also answered the plea of gamers to play games like Crysis on cards which weren't as underpowered as the midrange, but neither were as expensive as the hi-end. Hence came the birth of the mighty GeForce8800GT, and the RadeonHD3870. Even the new GeForce9 Series started with the 9600GT.

 

Thus we can safely say, the reign of the entry-level card is over, and from now on, entry-level graphics will be handled by on-board graphics, while midrange cards become the minimum card standard, with hi-end cards taking up the higher position for gamers who can afford it. For the elite few, SLI and CrossFire come in, combined with the option to go for dual-core graphic cards.