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Assembly

  1. Assembly Environment

  2. Prepare Case

  3. Install Motherboard

  4. Install Processor

  5. Install RAM

  6. Install Hard Drive

  7. Install Video Card

  8. Install other cards

  9. Install CD/DVD Drive

  10. Connect wires

  11. Check all connections

  12. Close case and turn on

  13. Software Installation

  14. Finishing Up

 


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Assembly

7. Install the Video Card

It's all downhill from here!

Installing the cards and double checking everything is all that's needed before you can turn the computer on for the first time.

Video Card

Locate your video card , it's the one with a blue connector on the back and looks like the picture on the right.  Since video cards use more resources and power of all the other cards in your computer, they have their own special slot closer to the processor.  Typically this slot is brown in color and is slightly offset from the other PCI slots .

The slot you'll be inserting the video card into is called an AGP slot .  The process for inserting this card is the same as all the other cards aside from the fact that it goes in a different kind of slot.

To install:

Touch the case!   Remember, if you're not using a static wristband then make sure you are always touching the case while handling electronic components.  I usually just make sure my forearm is touching the perimeter of the case.

Simply place the card over the AGP slot on the motherboard and settle it in slowly.  There are different kinds of AGP slots so make sure that your video card fits in this kind.  If your motherboard and video card are fairly recent, then you should have no problems with this.  If your card lines up but doesn't seem to fit, then double check to see if the notches in the card line up with the ones on the motherboard.  If they don't, then it looks like you may have to return your video card for one that is compatible with your motherboard.  Consult your motherboard manual for details on what sort of AGP cards it supports, then buy a video card accordingly.

Installing the Video Card

Make sure the card is seated well in the slot by pushing down on the edge of it along it's length.  It should feel secure in there, and the back end of the card should be lined up with the empty slot on the back of the computer.

Securing the Video Card

If everything goes well, you can go ahead and finish your first card installation by securing it with a screw.  Locate the bag of screws that came with your case and find a screw with Large Threads .  Use this screw to secure the card in the location illustrated by the picture on the right.

The hardest part is over!  Now you can

Install other cards (Step 8)

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