Video cards can be inserted into the computer's PCI or AGP slot.
Nvidia and ATI brand video cards can be used in a motherboard's AGP or PCI video card slot. However, both cards cannot be used at the same time, so you must uninstall the video card's drivers before inserting your new card. Uninstalling video card drivers can be performed within Windows and will require restarting your computer. Swapping video cards on a desktop computer will involve opening the computer's case.
Instructions
1. Check the new video card's box and determine whether it utilizes the AGP or PCI interface. Verify that your motherboard has a PCI or AGP slot (read the user manual or look at your motherboard; each slot is labeled in tiny white letters on the surface of the motherboard). Turn on the computer and log in to your operating system. Open the "Control Panel" and select "Add/Remove Programs." Select either the Nvidia or ATI drivers for the video card and click "Uninstall." The drivers will be removed from your computer so new ones can be installed correctly. Shut down your computer after the uninstaller finishes.
2. Unplug the power cable from your computer and the current video card's monitor cable. Open the computer's case, disconnect the current video card's power cable from the power supply inside the computer (it uses a small plastic clasp that can be lifted up and slid gently backward), and slide the current video card out of the AGP or PCI slot it is using. Take your new video card and insert it into the AGP or PCI slot and plug it into the power supply. Close the computer's case, reconnect the video and power cables, then power on the computer.
3. Log in to your operating system and insert the installation CD that came with your video card. If you do not have the CD, you can download the drivers from either the ATI or Nvidia websites. Install the drivers and restart your computer. The new video card will be completely installed after you reboot the computer.
Tags: video card, your computer, computer case, current video, current video card, video card