Chapter 11

Installing Video and Sound Card

Prepared by:

Khurram N. Shamsi

Video Cards

What is a video card?

A video card (or graphics card) is an expansion card whose function is to generate output images to the display.

Types of slots for video cards

1. PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) slot. A slot designed to accommodate a wide range of

computer parts, including video cards, sound cards, and modems.

A computer may contain up to six PCI slots.

2. AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) slot. This is dedicated solely to video cards. There is only one AGP slot on a motherboard. AGP video cards are more powerful than PCI cards.

Types of slots for video cards

Figure 1: The AGP and PCI slots are outlined in red

Parts of a video card

Figure 2: A Typical Video Card

Parts of a video card

Screw hole The small hole where a screw attaches the video card to

the computer case. Monitor port

Where the monitor cable plugs in. Metal bracket

Metal piece attached to a video card that contains the monitor port and screw hole.

Gold contacts Part of video card that actually connects to the

motherboard. This part is inserted into the slot.

Step to install a video card:

1. Locate the proper slot for your new video card.2. Orient the gold contacts of your new video card

towards its slot on the motherboard.3. If necessary, flip the card so that its metal backer

is facing towards the back of the case.4. Lightly hold the video card’s gold contacts against

the slot’s edges.5. Gently, but firmly, insert the card into the slot.6. Screw the card into place using the screw.7. Install the drivers for the new video card.

Figure 3: Fix the card in the AGP slot and screw it

Sound Cards

What is sound card? A sound card is a computer expansion card that

facilitates the input and output of audio signal to and from a computer under control of computer programs.

A sound card is inserted into the PCI slot on a motherboard.

Steps to install a sound card

1. Locate the PCI slot for your new sound card.2. Orient the gold contacts of the card towards its slot

on the motherboard.3. If necessary flip the card so that its metal bracket

in facing towards the back of the case.4. Lightly hold the sound card’s gold contacts against

the slot’s edges.5. Gently, but firmly, insert the card into the slot.6. Screw the card into the place using the screw.7. Install the sound drivers for the new sound card.

Suggested Websites

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_card http://www.howstuffworks.com/graphics-card.

htm http://www.howstuffworks.com/agp.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_card http://computer.howstuffworks.com/sound-car

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