One of the most upgradeable components of your PC is your video card and it is also one of the components that can increase gaming performance the most.

Motherboards today typically come with a PCI-Express or AGP slot. This is where the video card gets plugged into on the motherboard. Some motherboards have integrated graphics processing, but most of the time if you install a video card, it will override the graphics card that in built-in. If there is a need to reverse this override, then it can most likely be done within the BIOS.

To install your new video card, you'll need the following:

· Non-magnetic screwdriver

· Graphics card manual

· Anti-static wrist strap

· Drivers CD that came with video card

· Windows Installation CD (Usually not necessary)

· Motherboard Manual (For reference purposes)

For your first step, you will want to uninstall any previous drivers you have for your current video card. This can be done within Device Manager in Windows.

Then, power down your PC and turn off anything plugged into it. Unplugged all devices that are connected to it. With the power cable still connected to the PC, touch the backside of your case to ground yourself. This discharges any static you have built up in you so that you don't damage any circuitry that you may come in contact with. You can also use a grounding strap to be sure that you stay grounded while working on the inside of your PC.

Remove the side panel on your case and locate either the PCI-Express slot or the AGP slot. Refer to your motherboards reference manual for its specific location, but it is usually the first slot in line closest to the middle of the motherboard.

If you already have an older video card installed, remove that first. Usually there is a lock on the slot that you have to pull to the side in order to remove the card. Next, line the teeth up on your new card with the slot and press it down firmly. The card should slide into the slot. If it does not, then don't force it because you most likely don't have it aligned correctly.

Most newer video cards are so powerful that they require extra power to run. If your card does, then you will need to plug in the required molex or other type of power plug into the card.

You're done! Close up the case and you are now finished with the physical work. Let's go ahead and turn the PC back on. After it boots, you should see the new hardware wizard appear on the screen. Go through the prompts accepting the default selections and reboot your PC when asked. When Windows asks you for the drivers to your video card, insert the drivers CD that came with your video card.

Once that is done you are finished installing your video card! Now you'll just want to go to the control panel to adjust your display settings so that your screen is formatted correctly for your monitor.