antbody who knows aout a computer, help?

Question

Hi where do you find a vidio card in a computer. and does anybody know where to get a good deal on a computer? thanks

Answer 1

First of all, Video comes in 4 flavors. I'll name each of them and describe how you can identify them.

1. Onboard. The video chips are integrated into the large motherboard and this is the least powerful type of video. On the back of the computer, there should be a bunch of connectors right next to each other (usually they run vertically along the computer). In that area, you would connect your printer, scanner, usb devices, and your monitor, if the monitor plug is there. If you are plugging your monitor into the computer in that area, you are using onboard video. You cannot upgrade onboard video, BUT you can install a video card and use it instead of the onboard video.

2. PCI Video Card. This is the oldest Video card technology and should be avoided. PCI refers to a kind of slot on the motherboard, into which you would install a PCI Video Card. Refer to this link to see pictures of PCI slots and to read more about them (you don't really need to know too much though).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peripheral_Component_Interconnect

3. AGP Video Card. In almost every computer I have even seen, the AGP slot has been brown, if there was one present. An AGP Video Card is the same as a PCI card, only it fits into a different size slot and it performs MUCH better. There are several versions of AGP. You need to check your computer's manual to find out which slot you have, if any, and match that to the video card you buy. Examples: AGP 1x, AGP 2x/4x, AGP 8x. AGP 8x PRO.
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agp

4. PCI Express Video Card. AKA PCIe. This is the latest technology out. Your computer will most likely have one of these if you bought it recently. Again, these video cards are the same as the others, but they fit into different slots and perform even better. There are several sizes of PCIe motherboard slots, but the longest one (PCIe x16) is almost always used for video cards.
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCIE

Now, once you have identified which card you need, you can get the best price from several websites, but I recommend NewEgg.com, because they have lots of reviews from users like me, who know exactly what they're doing. You can read those reviews and make sure that what you are buying is a good product. They also ship faster than anybody. Their message boards are full of praise from their customers.

PCI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048+1069609642&name=PCI

AGP 2x/4x
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048+1069609638&name=AGP+2X%2f4X

AGP 4x/8x
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048+1069609639&name=AGP+4X%2f8X

PCIe
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2010380048+1069609641&name=PCI+Express+x16

I recommend NVidia video cards, because they have lasted the longest and given me the best performance. You can use the menu to the left, at the NewEgg site, to filter out results.

Lastly, if you want to buy a whole new computer, Dell is the way to go. They give you the best deal. You can call them on the phone and they will customize the computer as per your needs, if all this is too confusing. They usually give you a free printer, which is nice.

Answer 2

Some computers have motherboards with built in video cards. Check to see where your monitor plugs in, if it's close to the keyboard and mouse then it's part of your motherboard, it's not then it's either a AGP PCI or PCIe video card and should be in an appropriate slot.

Answer 3

If you do decide on buying a new putee , my suggestion is not to buy one off the shelf, as another member stated go with a friend who does know a thing or two about putees and get one custom made, the price depending on what you want or what you want it for is very comparable to any off the shelf crapper. Benefits are that you get the absolute latest software and are not held down to in built nonsical programmes that say DELL, IBM or Hewlett Packard cram on your machine.

Answer 4

Disconnect power supply. Then remove side panel and lay computer on its side.Follow the cable from your moitor to the back side of the computer case , That connects to your video card or onboard video( part of your mother board) Tiger direct and newegg.com both have a good selection at very good prices

Answer 5

Your questions lead me to believe that you know very little. Go with a friend that knows something. Basically to find the video card you open the case and look. It may be onboard, PCI (old-slow), AGP (better) or PCI-E (best) and they are not interchangeable. A system with onboard video may have an AGP or PCI-E slot, or may not.