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AGP slot was the standard for graphics card interface with the motherboard. As technology advances, the newer PCI-Express has taken over and many graphics card nowadays use PCI-E slot as its interface with the motherboard.
Before you can install the graphics card, you need to identify which type of slot does your graphics card uses.
If you are not sure which slot does your graphics card use, check out the user manual that comes with the graphics card.
Once you are ready to install your graphics card, follow these four steps...
Step 1: Uninstall the current graphics card drivers
Before you install your new card, you have to uninstall your current card driver. This is because the current driver might not be compatible with the new graphics card and it might result in hardware conflict.
On your Windows desktop, click 'Start' -> 'Control Panel'. In the new window that pops up, search for the 'System' icon and double click on it. Look for the 'hardware' tab. Click on the 'Device Manager'. This will pop up a new window showing your entire hardware configuration. Your graphics card should be listed under the 'Display Adapter' heading. Double-click the name of your graphics card. In the next window, go to 'Driver' tab and right below, there is an 'Uninstall' button. Click the Uninstall button. Once it is done, close all the windows and shut down your computer.
Step 2: Remove old graphics card
Now, unplug the power socket from the wall and remove the casing of your computer. Locate the AGP slot (short brown color slot above the rows of long white PCI slot) with your old graphics card. To prevent static charge from damaging your computer parts, touch a metal part of the case to ground yourself. Remove the screw on the back plate of the graphics card and unplug the graphics card from the slot.
Step 3: Install new card.
Align the new card correctly with the AGP slot (align with the PCI-e slot if your graphics card is of the PCI express type). Applying even forces on both end of the card, slowly push the new graphics card into the slot. Secure it to the back plate with a screw.
Step 4: Install new drivers.
Plug in all cables and boot up your Windows. Your operating system should now automatically recognize the new hardware and walk you through the installation wizard. Most of the time, you will need to insert the driver CD that come with the graphics card into the CD-ROM. Locate the 'setup.exe' file in the driver CD and double click on it. It will then walk you through the installation process. If your graphics card is not the latest model, then most probably there is a newer version of the driver on the Internet. Check out the manufacturer's website and download the latest drivers. Install it. Once done, reboot your PC. Now, you're ready to start gaming.
To accomplish these tasks, you can get by with a 32-64MB card, with a clock speed around 166MHz. You can find a good card with these specs for $40. Most of them will have only a VGA connector, but you can find some with DVI and even S-Video for more like $100.
Prevent eye fatigue
If you are looking at spreadsheets and documents for hours on end, the best thing you can do is get a card that has a high refresh rate, at the resolution you work at. A minimum is 75MHz. The higher the resolution, the more memory is used on the card and the harder it is to refresh. If this rate drops below 75MHz, your eyes will be fatigued from the flicker of the monitor. Find out what your monitor can support at the resolution you use, then get a card that can pump it out that fast.
Don't get features you don't need
If you just play on the Internet, or balance your checkbook on the computer, you don't need all those available connectors on the back of your video card. Don't spend a lot of extra money on a card that has features you'll never use. If you're just playing solitaire, it's not likely you'll notice the difference in a $50 card and a $500 card. Another good thing to check is the software that comes with the card. Most come bundled with nice utilities to change resolution and even add some effects to the way XP looks. A lot of them also come with a game or two, which are usually a good indication of what the card can handle.
John Gibb manages The site dedicated to computers and printers.