In [[computer graphics (computer science)|computer graphics]], a '''swap chain''' is a series of virtual [[framebuffer]]s utilized by the [[graphics card]] orand graphics [[API]] in both [[immediate mode]] and [[retained mode]] graphics processing environments for [[frame rate]] stabilization and several other functions. The swap chain usually exists in [[Video card#Video memory| graphics memory]], but it can exist in system memory as well. The non-utilization of a swap chain will result in 'choppy' [[Real Time rendering|rendering]], but its existence and utilization are required by many graphics APIs. A swap chain with two buffers is a [[double buffer]], and one with three is a [[triple buffer]].
