What is a graphics card and what does it do? Which one do i need?I is it easy to install?

I am not Pc minded.. I recently got Command %26amp; conquer and Supreme commander for my laptop (18 months old toshiba equium) neither works , someone told me i have to upgrade my graphics card do i do this myself or get a shop to do it. thanks for your help.

What is a graphics card and what does it do? Which one do i need?I is it easy to install?

Gamers take notice: Installing a new graphics card is one of the easier PC upgrades you can make. As PC games continue to get more complex (and more fun to play), you need a bigger, more powerful graphics card to push all those pixels. The latest cards from ATI and Nvidia deliver nearly cinematic effects. Once you decide on which card you want, it should take 45 minutes to 1 hour for you to be up and gaming.

Before you start, you'll need to gather these elements:

New graphics card

Phillips screwdriver

Antistatic wrist strap (optional)

Required attention span: 1 hour

Follow these four steps...

Step 1

Uninstall current graphics card drivers. Before you install your new card, you'll need to uninstall your current graphics card's drivers to avoid any potential conflicts. Right-click My Computer and select Properties. Under the Hardware tab, find the button to open the Device Manager. Your graphics card should be listed under the Display Adapter heading. Double-click the name of your graphics card to open a properties window for your current card. Still with us? We're almost there (it takes longer to describe the path than it does to actually click your way though it). Last step: Under the Driver tab, click the Uninstall button.

Step 2

Remove old card. Turn off your PC and unplug it from the wall. Open the case and locate the AGP slot--it's the brown-plastic slot typically found above the white-plastic PCI slots. Make sure you first ground yourself by first touching a metal part of your PC case or by wearing an antistatic wrist strap. (Grounding yourself will prevent you from getting shocked and from unintentionally damaging your PC's components.) If you are replacing a graphics card, you'll need to remove a small screw attached to the back plate prior to taking out the card.

Step 3

Install new card. It wouldn't hurt to page through your new card's instruction manual at this point. Then, take your new graphics card out of its foil wrapper and slide it into your motherboard's AGP slot. Press down firmly with even force until it is securely in place (your system won't boot up unless the card is in all the way). Screw it into the back plate and close up your case.

Sub-steps for physical installation:

A) The first step is to determine what type of graphics card you need for your system. Check with your computer manufacturer, vendor or motherboard manufacturer for compatible graphics cards.

B) After you determine the compatible video cards for your system you need to gather your tools. To install most graphics cards you will need a screwdriver that is not magnetized and a anti-static wrist strap. You can get anti-static wrist straps from most computer stores. Don't skip the anti-static wrist strap, a small shock that you would not even feel could destroy your new $500 graphics card. Be sure to follow the instructions with your anti-static strap.

C) Once you have your tools together, you will need to turn off your computer and remove the left side panel. The left side panel will be the one on your left if you are in front of your computer. Don't touch anything inside the case that you don't have too.

D) After removing the side panel lay your computer on its side and find the expansion slot you wish to use. Graphics and video cards are available for AGP slots, standard PCI slots, 1x PCI Express slots and 16x PCI Express slots. Be sure you have the correct card for your available expansion slot. Once opened most graphics cards are non-returnable unless damaged in manufacturing.

E) Once you locate the expansion slot you plan to use for your graphics card, you will need to remove the IO plate covering the slot on the back of your computer. The IO cover design will vary depending on your case design. Some are secured with screws or tabs, while others require you to twist them off.

F) Once you remove the cover from the expansion slot you want to use gently remove your video card from its box.

G) Once removed from its box you will be ready to plug your graphics card into the chosen expansion slot. Gently insert the card into the expansion slot and firmly press it into place. Most expansion slots have a retention mechanism to lock the card in place, however yours may not. Be sure to use a screw or other method to secure your card to the case where you removed the IO cover from the expansion slot you chose, there will be some method of securing your card to the case.

H) After installing your graphics card you need to verify if it requires power directly from your computers power supply. The instructions included with your video card will tell you if it requires its own power connector and if so what type. Newer PCI Express graphics cards often require special PCI Express power connectors. Most high end card manufacturers include adapters for use in systems without the correct plug for these cards.

I) Once you have your video card getting power, plug your system back in and turn it on before you put the side panel back on your case. You need to verify that the fan on your video card is working. You don't want improper connections or a bad $2 fan on your card to cause it to overheat and become damaged the first time you turn it on.

J) After verifying that the fan on the graphics card is working turn your system back off and reinstall the side panel.

K) Once the side panel is back on you are ready to connect your monitor to your graphics card an power up your system.

L) Once your system is on a running, you will need to install the correct driver for your graphics card. The driver will be included with your graphics card. However, the drive included with your graphics card could be a old version. You will want to update your driver from your video card manufacturer's web site.

M) Once you have updated your video card drivers, you are done! Congratulations, you installed your own video card!

Step 4

Install new drivers. Turn on your PC and install the drivers. Windows XP should automatically recognize the new hardware and walk you through the installation wizard. If Windows doesn't detect the card, click Settings from the Start menu. Open the Control Panel and click Add Hardware. From there, a wizard will help you install the new drivers from the CD that came bundled with your new card. It's a good idea to check the graphic card vendor's Web site for more up-to-date drivers, just in case the vendor has released drivers since manufacturing your card. Once you've downloaded the drivers, simply restart your PC. Now, you're ready to start gaming.

What is a graphics card and what does it do? Which one do i need?I is it easy to install?

It's a laptop. You can't upgrade it. Slap that "someone".

What is a graphics card and what does it do? Which one do i need?I is it easy to install?

A graphics card is a bit like an independantt proccessor which sorts all the graphical info for your pc, basically anything you see on your screen comes from the graphics card. And you can install it yourself if you know a bit about hardware.

What is a graphics card and what does it do? Which one do i need?I is it easy to install?

A graphics card is what allows you to play games with high quality animations in one sense. Dont do it yourself, hire someone who knows what theyre doing because with a bad card or no card, even going on the internet looks weird. You need one compatible with your porcessor.. Look under your computer specifications by bringing up your start menu and click run then type in dxdiag and that will tell you what kind of card you have, your processor type, how much memory you have everything. this will indicate which card may be compatible with your computer

What is a graphics card and what does it do? Which one do i need?I is it easy to install?

If your new I would say leave well clear off upgrading.

Try what is.com for a definition web site

What is a graphics card and what does it do? Which one do i need?I is it easy to install?

Since you didn't list the model of your Toshiba Equium. It is hard to search out the Spec's for it to see if it is upgradeable. Your best bet is to contact Toshiba directly and ask about a video card upgrade, what is available for your specific model.

Laptops in general, were not made for the "Gammer" in mind. You might want to start thinking about a desktop system if you wish to play high-end games.

Good Luck

What is a graphics card and what does it do? Which one do i need?I is it easy to install?

take it to somewhere like pcworld lol