How to install a New Graphics Card

philipc · 03-29-2009, 07:23 AM

Hi.I am Running a Compaqu Presario SR5522uk, and I am using the on board Graphics card. I have purchased an Asus EAX1650pro 256mb DDR2 card, but i am not sure how to install it due to the monitor and system running off the onboard graphics system.I hope that you can help.
Many thanks Philipc

Phædrus2401 · 03-29-2009, 11:34 AM

Why did you get an X1650? Those are ancient cards. Oh well, if you're dead set on using it.

Turn off your computer and unplug everything from the back. Remove the computer's side panel and lay the computer sideways. You should see a bunch of stuff. Your motherboard should look something like this (it's the same model as your computer has):

Except where it says CPU there will be a large boxy thing, where it says RAM there will be a couple sticks of RAM, and there will be a bunch of wires and such and maybe a few other cards.

Find where it says PCI Express slot and find that slot on your motherboard. It probably won't have anything in it.

Look at the back of your computer. There should be one or two blank areas on the back with pictures of a screwdriver and little rectangular holes. Find the one that lines up with your PCI Express slot. Take a flathead screwdriver, fit it into the hole and twist until the metal insert comes out. Don't worry, you're supposed to break the metal. IF THERE IS ALREADY A CARD THERE, DO NOT DO THIS.

If there is already a card, simply undo the screw holding it in on the back of the case and lift it out of the slot carefully. You want to ground yourself--have one finger on the metal of the case. You want to do that when installing the new one as well. That will stop static electricity from ruining the card.

When you have an open expansion slot and an open PCI Express slot, you're ready to go. Take your card and carefully fit it into the slot in your motherboard and the slot in the back of the case. When it's fitted snugly, screw it into the back with the screw(s) provided. Close your computer case and plug everything back in, making sure to plug the monitor into one of the plugs on the back of the new card.

Now start your computer. All the graphics will be really bad, but that's okay. Go to google and look up "ATI drivers x1650." Find ATI's driver page. Download and install the drivers and restart your computer. Congratulations, you now have a working, mediocre graphics card.

Why'd you get an X1650?

philipc · 04-05-2009, 04:34 AM

Hi.
I got the card from work off one of the guys who was fitting a different graphics card of some sort, it only cost the price of a pint. What type of card do you recomend.
regards Philipc

**emosun** · 04-05-2009, 06:39 AM

For the price of a pint? An x1650. lol. Also check out the "how to install a video card" link in my sig.

After you put it in you then just go into the bios settings and change the video from using the onboard to use the pci-e slot.

03-29-2009, 07:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
philipc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2 OS: windows Vista Home Premium	How to install a New Graphics Card Hi.I am Running a Compaqu Presario SR5522uk, and I am using the on board Graphics card. I have purchased an Asus EAX1650pro 256mb DDR2 card, but i am not sure how to install it due to the monitor and system running off the onboard graphics system.I hope that you can help. Many thanks Philipc

03-29-2009, 11:34 AM	#2 (permalink)
Phædrus2401 Hardware Tech Team Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 3,732 OS: Vista Ultimate x64 SP1 + Ubuntu 9.04 My System	Re: How to install a New Graphics Card Why did you get an X1650? Those are ancient cards. Oh well, if you're dead set on using it. Turn off your computer and unplug everything from the back. Remove the computer's side panel and lay the computer sideways. You should see a bunch of stuff. Your motherboard should look something like this (it's the same model as your computer has): Except where it says CPU there will be a large boxy thing, where it says RAM there will be a couple sticks of RAM, and there will be a bunch of wires and such and maybe a few other cards. Find where it says PCI Express slot and find that slot on your motherboard. It probably won't have anything in it. Look at the back of your computer. There should be one or two blank areas on the back with pictures of a screwdriver and little rectangular holes. Find the one that lines up with your PCI Express slot. Take a flathead screwdriver, fit it into the hole and twist until the metal insert comes out. Don't worry, you're supposed to break the metal. IF THERE IS ALREADY A CARD THERE, DO NOT DO THIS. If there is already a card, simply undo the screw holding it in on the back of the case and lift it out of the slot carefully. You want to ground yourself--have one finger on the metal of the case. You want to do that when installing the new one as well. That will stop static electricity from ruining the card. When you have an open expansion slot and an open PCI Express slot, you're ready to go. Take your card and carefully fit it into the slot in your motherboard and the slot in the back of the case. When it's fitted snugly, screw it into the back with the screw(s) provided. Close your computer case and plug everything back in, making sure to plug the monitor into one of the plugs on the back of the new card. Now start your computer. All the graphics will be really bad, but that's okay. Go to google and look up "ATI drivers x1650." Find ATI's driver page. Download and install the drivers and restart your computer. Congratulations, you now have a working, mediocre graphics card. Why'd you get an X1650?

04-05-2009, 04:34 AM	#3 (permalink)
philipc Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 2 OS: windows Vista Home Premium	Re: How to install a New Graphics Card Hi. I got the card from work off one of the guys who was fitting a different graphics card of some sort, it only cost the price of a pint. What type of card do you recomend. regards Philipc

04-05-2009, 06:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
emosun Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: usa Posts: 6,916 OS: xp pro sp2 My System	Re: How to install a New Graphics Card For the price of a pint? An x1650. lol. Also check out the "how to install a video card" link in my sig. After you put it in you then just go into the bios settings and change the video from using the onboard to use the pci-e slot. __________________ Gpu Benchmarks Cpu-Z Power supply information and selection Gpu-Z Video card quick list