| The video card that is inside of your | | | | technical gibberish. If you are a Windows |
| computer is responsible for what you are | | | | user, all you need to focus on is the DirectX |
| seeing on your monitor right now and how good | | | | capabilities. DirectX is the software used to |
| your PC games play. Video cards, also known | | | | process the graphics information, so make |
| as graphic cards, can come pre-built into | | | | sure you get a video card that supports the |
| your motherboard or can be an actual card | | | | latest DirectX version. Find out what the |
| that fits securely into a slot on your | | | | latest version of DirectX is by going to |
| motherboard. Either way, your video card is | | | | Microsoft's website. |
| very important, and becomes more important as | | | | |
| graphics become more demanding. | | | | Last but not least we move onto installing |
| | | | your new video card upgrade. This is actually |
| First let's talk about what type of video | | | | the simple part and can be done by everyone |
| cards there are, and which one you should | | | | who owns a computer. First you need turn off |
| get. Upgrading your current video card has | | | | your computer and unplug everything attached |
| become a very simple task because it only | | | | to it. Then unscrew your computer case and |
| slides right into a slot on your computer. | | | | remove it, exposing the inside of your |
| Your video card can go into one of two slots, | | | | computer. If you are installing the video |
| PCI or AGP. Chances are that your computer | | | | card in an unused expansion slot, then be |
| has both, but which one is the best you ask? | | | | sure to remove the slot cover on your |
| By far AGP is the better technology since it | | | | computers case and save it for future use. If |
| processes data much faster then PCI. | | | | you are replacing your old video card, then |
| Unfortunately if you have a computer that was | | | | you need to unhook any cables that are hooked |
| bought before the year 2000, most likely you | | | | up to it, and gently rock it back and forth |
| don't have an AGP slot, or at least not the | | | | out of the slot to remove it. |
| fastest. Yes, AGP slots can come in many | | | | |
| different speeds too, like 1x, 2x and so on | | | | Once that is all done, you can pull your |
| and so forth. | | | | pretty new video card out of its box, and |
| | | | protective sleeve, and put it into the AGP or |
| Now that you know about AGP and PCI, you need | | | | PCI slot on your motherboard. Push evenly on |
| to find out which one your computer can use. | | | | both sides of your video card, to get it |
| Every computer has a PCI slot, so a PCI video | | | | securely into the slot. After that, screw the |
| card should be fine for anyone, but if you | | | | card into the slot holder with the screw |
| want to use the faster and better AGP | | | | provided, and make sure it is secure. Then if |
| technology then you need to find out if your | | | | the card has any extra cables that may be |
| computer has an AGP slot. You can do this one | | | | required to be hooked up, like a power supply |
| of three ways, call your computers | | | | connector, audio cable or whatever the card |
| manufacturer and ask, read your PC's | | | | demands, then connect them. How to hook up |
| instruction manual, or open up your computer | | | | these cables, and where they go, should be in |
| and look for a brown slot on your | | | | the manual that comes with your video card. |
| motherboard. PCI slots are usually white and | | | | |
| AGP are brown, but it could be different for | | | | Once those steps are complete, just put your |
| others computers. So just remember this, a | | | | computers case cover back on, hook everything |
| PCI slot is bigger then an AGP slot, so if | | | | back up, and you are just about done. The |
| you have a slot that is smaller then the | | | | last thing you need to do is start your |
| rest, that is your AGP. | | | | computer, and once you are at your desktop |
| | | | you need to install the video card drivers. |
| Next we talk about features on your video | | | | These drivers should be on a CD or floppy |
| card, and what they are all about. If you are | | | | disc that comes with the video card, if not |
| a computer beginner or novice, then you need | | | | then the card might only require generic |
| to know two important things about video | | | | drivers that come with Windows, so no disc is |
| cards. First is their memory size, which | | | | required. |
| basically means how much RAM the video card | | | | |
| has. The more the better obviously, but to | | | | You have now learned how to successfully |
| much can be a waste of money, so just be sure | | | | upgrade and install a new video card into |
| to get the right amount for what you plan on | | | | just about any computer. Use this knowledge |
| doing. Second are graphic capabilities, now | | | | to help your friends and family have a better |
| there are all kinds of technical terms like | | | | PC, and maybe make a few extra bucks for your |
| floating points, pixels and lots of other | | | | self. |