How do i know if my computer supports certain graphics cards?

Question

Im looking to a buy a new graphics card, how do i know which ones will work with my computer?

Answer 1

You need to look at the manual for your Motherboard. It will probably show you either PCI, PCI-e, or AGP slots for add on cards.

You should have either gotten a booklet about your motherboard, or have gotten a disk with the manual on that along with your PC when you bought it.

The manual will describe the "slots" you have. You will certainly have PCI slots, but you may also have PCI-e slot, or an Accellerated Graphics Processor (AGP) slot also. Depending on the types of "slots" you have, you simply purchase a card that will fit in the slots you have but you need to read the MoBo manual to make sure there are no other "restrictions" to what that slot will handle.

If you can't find the manual either in booklet form or on a cd, then you need to visit the manufacturers support web page to find what MoBo you have, etc. If it's a Dell, they have an excellent support page with all this info.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Go inside your computer. In the bottom back of the computer, look at the slots. A new computer may have an AGP slot in the top, and a couple PCI slots under it. If it is a older machine, it may have one or two ISA legacy slots and a few PCI slots. Some new machines have a PCI express slot instead of AGP. When you find out which type of card your getting, you have to find out what you want to use the card for. If your a gamer, you should Get at least a 256MB PCIe or AGP card. (512MB is recommended) If you want to just make your computer screen look better or run Windows Vista Aero features, you should get at least a 128MB AGP or PCIe card.(256MB is recommended) And if you want just good 2d graphics, you should get at least a 64MB PCI, PCIe or AGP card. Finally the prices are as follows:
64 MB cards = $45 ---------------- For good 2D graphics
128 MB cards = $68 ---------------- For good 3D graphics
256 MB cards = $79 -----------------For great 3D graphics
512 MB cards = $300---------------- For intense gamers
768 MB cards = $600----------------- For intenser gamers
1GB cards = $1000---------------- For major 3D design applications!

Answer 3

You just need to find out if your motherboard has AGP, PCI, or PCI express slots for video cards. Contact your pc mfg or your motherboard mfg.