Graphics cards have greatly increased in memory, processing speed, and bandwidth over time. Early cards from 1996 had 4MB of memory and clock speeds of 150MHz, while 2013 cards had over 1000MB of memory and clock speeds over 300MHz. Early 3D games used fewer polygons and pixelated textures, while modern games use many more rounded and detailed polygons with realistic textures and lighting that allows objects to cast accurate shadows.

1. 0
1500
3000
4500
6000
1996 2006 2013
VOODOO 1 (1996) GeFORCE 8800 (2006) RADEON HD 7990 (2013)
(4MB)
MEMORY
0
250
500
750
1000
1996 2006 2013
MB
MHZ Power
0
150
300
1996 2006 2013
0.045
BT/S Speed
PC GRAPHICS CARD SPECS COMPARISON STATS
All polygons used in models are more rounded and
there’s more of them. Human figures are far more
accurately designed and the gameplay environment
is not filled with detail but its basic features are
textured realistically and accurate textures are used
as apposed to pixel art. The light actually appears to
reflect off objects and the moving models all have
shadows.
Few polygons are used are used and therefore
the pixels are more cubic and rigid. Even the
blood splatter, that should have a liquidy
physique, is fairly square. Shadows are present
within the setting, yet they are either averagely
light or very dark and do not appear to
realistically reflect off any objects. Pixelated
textures cover each polygon.
Lighting plays a big part in the effectiveness of
the pure visual, cinematic realism that these
graphics produce. Human figures are highly
detailed with textures as exact as creases on
clothes and motioned facial hair, as too is the
environment, which features leaves that each
seem to individually make a contribution to the
atmosphere. Very high numbers of polygons are
used to piece together such graphics, which are
almost perfectly shaped.