Installing the graphics card

Pt. 8 of 10 | 2:58 |

How Do I build a PC

Wednesday October 20, 2010

Although it's not absolutely necessary when

building your own computer

, installing a

graphics or video card

will greatly improve your computer's ability to

process graphics and video

. In this episode, we show you how to

install a graphics card

into your computer by connecting to your computer's

PCI express slot

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Show Notes

- The graphics card is what processes all of the images that are displayed onto your monitor.

- Most motherboards have an on-board graphics card but these are generally not as good as other discreet graphics cards that you can install.

- Modern graphics cards generally use PCI express to connect to the motherboard.

- While motherboards have numerous PCI express slots, you'll want to install the graphics card into one that says x16 or x8 on it.

- In order to connect your monitor to the graphics card to display graphics, you'll need the graphics card to face out the back.

- The back panel will usually be covered with brackets and some video cards need one bracket open, some need two.

- To install the graphics card, slide it into the PCI express slot carefully ensuring that you align the card properly and leave room for any wires and cables.

- You'll need to connect the graphics card to the power supply, then screw the graphics card into the bracket to complete the installation.

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