Here's a row of five PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) slots and one AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) slot, on the right. |
Has this happened to you? You just bought a hot new PC game. You rip off the shrink-wrap and insert the CD. Only then do you discover the game doesn't run well on your PC. The video may be jittery or pause for a second or two between frames, or perhaps the game doesn't run at all. The problem may not be the computer itself: It's probably your video card.
Many computers include a video chip right on the motherboard. That built-in video is good enough for basic tasks such as Web browsing, word processing, and some games. But it isn't powerful enough for applications that need serious graphics power, such as the latest graphics-intensive games and computer-aided design programs. Installing a new video card will give your PC the graphics processing power you need.
How do you choose and install a video card that will work with your PC? Read on.
Step 1: Know your upgrade options.
There are two main types of video cards: PCI (which stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect) and AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port). PCI slots are used for a variety of add-ons, including video cards. Most PCs have from two to five PCI slots. The AGP slot is only used for video. Not all PCs have one (although most do). Those that do, only have one, never more.
Before you buy a video card, you need to know what type you need, AGP or PCI. So you'll need to know which slots are available in your PC. If you already know how many empty PCI slots it has or if your PC has an AGP slot, you can skip this step. Otherwise, open the PC's case to have a look inside.
Just a handful of computers available today have the next generation of slot: PCI Express, also known as PCI-E. PCI Express moves data considerably faster than both PCI and AGP, and video card manufacturers are beginning to make PCI-E video cards available. If your PC is a brand-new, high-end machine, you may be able to choose a PCI-E video card.
Remove the PC's side panel to access the motherboard. Beware: Static electricity can kill a PC's internal components. It's a good idea to wear an antistatic wrist strap whenever you open your computer. You can also ground yourself by touching the PC's bare metal case.
Find the row of PCI slots. They are located near the back end of the motherboard so their ports are accessible at the back of the computer. Note how many PCI slots your PC has available. Check for an AGP slot; if the PC has one, it will be closest to the center of the motherboard, set back an inch or so from the PCI slots. AGP slots are usually brown and are a little shorter than PCI slots.
Step 2: Choose your new video card
Now that you know which slots are available in your PC, you can choose a video card. If your PC has an AGP slot, it's a no-brainer; choose an AGP card. AGP cards provide faster graphics than PCI cards, and because they're a one-trick pony, they leave PCI slots free for other types of add-ons later. If your PC doesn't have an AGP slot, your only option is to buy a PCI-compatible video card.
Which specific video card should you buy? That's a tougher question. For high-performance cards for games and graphics-intensive applications, the two most popular brands are Radeon and NVIDIA. Both brands have rabid evangelists and multiple cards to choose from, some of which can cost $500 or more. Check www.ati.com for its lineup of cards, and www.nvidia.com for NVIDIA's product partners (including Leadtek, ASUS, and BFG). If you don't need high-end graphics performance, many manufacturers sell less expensive low-end cards.
Pay attention to the amount of memory built into the cards you consider. More memory means the card can keep more graphics data on hand for faster processing. Decent lower-end cards will have 64MB of RAM while the best cards have 256MB.|
Configuring the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). The exact name of the video configuration items will vary depending on your motherboard.
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Step 3: Install the video card software
Before you install the video card or its software, you should remove the driver for your old video card. In any version of Windows, this is done from the System Control Panel's hardware list. In Windows XP, choose System Properties and then click the Hardware tab. Click the Device Manager button and then click the small plus sign (+) next to Display Adapters. Right-click the name of your video card and then choose Uninstall. This will uninstall the driver from the system.
With your new video card in hand, read its setup guide. Chances are it will tell you to install the software that comes with the card before you install the card itself. Follow the directions to install the driver, utilities, and other applications that are bundled with the card.
Step 4: Install the video card
Now it's time to install your new video card. Unplug the power cable and the other cables connected to the back of the PC and then remove the computer's side panel.
Remove your current video card (if your PC uses a video chip built into the motherboard, you'll skip this step, of course). If you are installing an AGP card, there will be a small plastic tab (a mechanism that locks the card in place) at the front of the slot, toward the middle of the motherboard. Press in the plastic tab to release the AGP card.
Line up the new card over its slot and then insert it gently but firmly. Press down to make sure it is completely inserted. In the AGP slot, the lock should automatically close.
A mounting hole on the top of the card's bracket should line up with the back of the PC's chassis in the port opening. Screw the card into the chassis to prevent the card from wiggling.
Many video cards have a power connector: Look for a four-prong connector on the front of the card, opposite the monitor port. Inside your PC you should find a power connector that fits snugly into it. Plug it in.
Reinstall the PC's side panel. Plug in the power cable and any other cables that you removed. |
Plugging a video card into its new home, an AGP slot.
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Step 5: Plug in your monitor
You're ready to plug your monitor into the new video card. The video card may have two types of connectors: VGA and DVI (Digital Visual Interface). Many cards have both types of connectors. Plug the monitor cable into the appropriate port and tighten the thumbscrews to secure it. (Two connectors does not necessarily mean that the card can control two monitors. Some cards simply give you a choice of connectors, while others can run both a DVI and VGA monitor at the same time. Read the video card's documentation to find out your model's capabilities.)
If your monitor has both DVI and VGA inputs, use the DVI port (and a DVI cable)—it will provide more accurate color and a sharper image. If your monitor only has a VGA port, use the VGA port and a VGA cable. Alternatively, cables that let you connect a card's DVI port to a monitor's VGA port are widely available.
Step 6: Configure the BIOS
You may have to configure your PC's BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) to recognize the new video card.
To access the BIOS setup utility, turn on the PC. As soon as it powers up and beeps, press the appropriate key to enter the BIOS setup utility. This varies among computers but is often the DELETE, ESC, or F2 key. The information screen that appears when you first turn on the PC will state which key to press to enter the BIOS. Or, you can check your PC's manual. |
Configuring multiple monitors in Windows XP.
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If, when you turn on the PC, you don't see any video at all, turn off the PC and temporarily move the monitor cable to the PC's built-in video port, if your system uses a graphics chip connected directly to the motherboard. If not, reinstall the old video card, configure the BIOS as directed below, and switch the monitor cable back to the new video card after you reinstall it.
You'll see the main menu of the BIOS setup utility. Find the settings screen that includes the video card controls. The name of the screen and setting will vary from PC to PC. Check your motherboard or PC manual if you need help.
Look under the Integrated Peripherals, Advanced Chipset Features, and similarly named menus for the Primary VGA BIOS function. This will tell whether the video card or the internal video is the primary one. You may also need to tweak the settings such as AGP Spread Spectrum and AGP Maximum Speed. Check the video card's manual for the correct settings.
After you've configured the BIOS, use the setup utility's "Save and Quit" command. The PC will reboot.
Step 7: Configure Windows
When Windows boots, it will notice the new video card and configure it. You may see the New Hardware Found wizard. If so, simply follow the wizard's instructions to set up the card. Keep the driver disc that came with the card handy; Windows may ask for it.
Next, go to the Display Properties control panel to configure the settings for the video card and monitor. In Windows XP, from the Start menu, choose Control Panel, then click Appearances and Themes, and then Display. Click the Settings tab and set the screen resolution. The best resolution for you depends on the specifications of your video card, monitor, and the keenness of your eyesight. Start with 1024 x 768 pixels and work to higher resolutions (larger numbers) from there.
Click the Advanced button for more configuration options. There may be a special tab added by your video card driver; if so, click it and explore its configuration choices. Be sure to click the Monitor tab and set the Refresh Rate to the highest number supported by your system; a higher refresh rate eliminates screen flicker and reduces eyestrain. Press OK to save your changes.
Step 8: Play!
Your new video card is ready to go. Launch your new game or favorite graphics application and see what it can do. 
by Kevin Savetz
Multiple Monitors
Having two monitors attached to one PC might sound a little odd to you, that is, until you use a PC with two monitors. Once you try it, you'll be instantly addicted. If you have space on your desktop and the extra cash, you can use dual monitors to create significantly more screen space for applications and games. During a research project, you can have several Web browser windows open on one screen and your word processor on another. When playing Flight Simulator or your favorite game, you'll have room for multiple views of the action (provided your game will work with a multimonitor arrangement).
The easiest way to set up more than one monitor is to use a video card that supports multiple monitors. You could try to install two video cards in your PC and connect one monitor to each. But cards that support two monitors (usually with one DVI [Digital Visual Interface] and one VGA port) are inexpensive and widely available. They can support two LCD (liquid-crystal display) screens or an LCD and a CRT (cathode-ray tube). Cards that support four or more monitors are also available, though not so widely and not so cheap.
You'll need to configure Display Properties control panel to tell Windows which monitor is the "primary" screen—that is, which one gets the taskbar—and the relative locations of the screens. Not every application works with more than one monitor; some will be limited to your primary display.
Windows 98/2000/XP don't need extra software to support multiple monitors, but add-on software such as UltraMon ($39.95; www.realtimesoft.com) can help make multiple monitors more convenient.
You'll need enough real estate on your desk to hold both monitors. You can use two CRT screens, two LCD screens, or a combination. Placing two CRTs right next to each other can cause interference; the magnetic field created by one can distort the image on the other. If this happens, you'll have to move the screens a few inches farther apart.
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