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Upgrading
Your Video Card
INTRODUCTION
Today’s
video cards are high performance computers within a computer.
They have their own memory, their own processors and are increasingly
reducing the workload on your computer’s processor. So what
does that mean to you? In a nutshell, upgrading to a powerful,
new video card can dramatically speed up your older computer,
and at a fraction of the cost of a new system! Today’s highest
performance video cards cost less than $300.00 and have 32MB of
built in memory and stunning 3D graphics capabilities. Some even
have TV tuners built in!
Whether
you are a gamer, a graphics designer or just want more video speed,
a video card upgrade is a worthy alternative to a whole new system.
BUYING
A VIDEO CARD
Video
cards typically come in two versions: PCI and AGP, which refer
to the type of slot on your motherboard that the cards installs
into. Make sure you know what kind of slot you have before buying
a card. PCI slots are white and come in multiples whereas an AGP
slot is typically chocolate brown and there is only one. AGP is
the newest video card bus technology and has been around since
late 1997. Contact ComuterHelp USA in you need more information.
You
don’t necessarily need the latest, greatest card unless you
are into gaming or some sort of graphics manipulation like digital
photography or video. There are many great card on the market
that cost around $100.00.
INSTALLING
A VIDEO CARD
Installing
a video card does not need to be a difficult process. Any card
you buy will come with manufacturer specific instruction on how
to install your new card. With a bit of patience, and careful
reading, the whole process can take less than 30 minutes. Note
that ComuterHelp USA has links the many of the more popular video card manufacturers
(STB, Diamond, ATI, etc.) on our links page.
A
WORD OF WARNING!!!
A
video card is a sensitive electrical component. Just the slightest
electric shock to the card can destroy it. Please refer to "Electrostatic
Discharge (ESD) and How To Prevent It" You have been warned!
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