Most owners of motherboards with AGP slots opt to install AGP video cards. These graphics cards provide the fastest performance possible without upgrading to a newer PCI Express motherboard, but you can also install a PCI graphics card if you have an AGP motherboard. The PCI standard is older and slower than AGP and PCI Express, but installing a PCI video card may be more cost effective if you don't need high performance graphics.
Instructions
1. Turn your computer off and unplug all cables from the unit. Remove the left side panel to access the motherboard. You may see a thumb screw you must twist off, set of screws you must remove with a Phillips screwdriver or a latch you must trigger on the back edge of the panel.
2. Attach an anti-static wrist strap to your arm to prevent static electricity inside your body from damaging your computer. Wrap the wristband end of the strap around your arm and clip the other end to a bare metal surface inside of your computer, such as the edge of the case or the hard drive cage.
3. Remove the metal bracket adjacent to an empty PCI slot. Look for these white slots below the AGP slot. Take out the screw holding the bracket down using a Phillips screwdriver and pull the metal tab away. This opens up the PCI slot for your graphics card.
4. Insert the graphics card into the empty PCI slot. Grip the edges of the card, align the copper connectors on the bottom of the card with the slits in the slot and push down. Make sure the video card is in all the way. You should barely be able to see the copper contacts on the bottom of the device.
5. Screw down the bracket on the left side of the card using a Phillips screwdriver and the same screw from earlier. This secures the graphics card to the case.
6. Replace the side cover and plug all cables back in Windows should work automatically with the new video card, but for best results download the latest drivers from the manufacturer's website.
Tags: graphics card, Phillips screwdriver, video card, your computer, empty slot, inside your