My Super PC

Build A PC - Build Your Own Computer

Computer Assembly - How To Assemble A PC

The Video Card

For high performance video cards, the NVIDIA line has nudged out the ATI models for top honors. For an overview of computer video cards and which ones I think are best, see my How to build a computer like My Super PC - Video Card page. The one I chose is the NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB DDR3 video card.

How To Assemble A Computer - PC Assembly Guide, eVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB DDR3 Video Card Retail Box
The contents of the retail box includes a CD which contains the video card drivers and a y-split power connector for connecting the video card directly to the power supply. Not all video cards need this direct connection to the power supply to operate effectively, but most high-end video cards do.

How To Assemble A Computer - PC Assembly Guide, eVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB DDR3 Video Card Retail Box Contents
A close-up of the video card. Nearly the entire face of the video card is covered by cooling components, such as the fan.
How To Assemble A Computer - PC Assembly Guide, eVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB DDR3 Video Card Retail Box
Inspect the video card. Too often I've seen my retail boxed video card arrive with the issue circled in yellow in the picture below, in spite of being protected and held securely in place inside the retail box with molded plastic. Namely the slot cover of the video card is bent as shown. It should be straight. You should be able to straighten it reasonably well with just your hands.
How To Assemble A Computer - PC Assembly Guide, eVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB DDR3 Video Card With Bent Slot Cover
A second issue is to check whether the fan is covered by a thin, transparent, plastic film. This film is very easy to miss. In this picture, you don't really notice it.
How To Assemble A Computer - PC Assembly Guide, eVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB DDR3 Video Card Film Cover
But it's there! Peel it back and remove it. It gets pretty hot inside the PC, and this thin plastic film doesn't look like it would hold up too well under heat. It certainly wouldn't be good if it got into the fan vents or other computer components.
How To Assemble A Computer - PC Assembly Guide, eVGA GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB DDR3 Video Card Film Cover Peeled Back



My complete recommendations for building a computer with quality components at unbeatable prices is on my home page at Build A Computer Like My Super PC - Cost To Build A Computer. Here again are the recommendations for a video card!
Description Where I Would Get It Today Today's Price Comments
eVGA GeForce GTX 960 2GB DDR5
Amazon
$209.99 Free shipping! Retail box. Clicking the link takes you directly to it. A GeForce GTX 960 video card like this one is great for demanding graphics environments, including digital video and top-tier gaming, without spending too much. Very quiet and powerful. DirectX 11 support built-in. PCI-E 3.0 compliant. SLI compatible. Fast DDR5 memory. Power supply of 400-watts or better recommended. Does use an extra slot. Uses one 6-pin power connectors from the power supply (the Antec Sonata III comes with this).



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How To Build A Computer. Step By Step Instructions To Assemble. Skip To Any Assembly Step.

  Parts List
  Tools
  Computer Case and Power Supply
  Motherboard
  Processor, CPU Cooler and Thermal Compound
  RAM - System Memory
  Video Card
  Monitor
  Keyboard and Mouse
  Hard Drive
  DVD RW
  Sound Card and Speakers
  Modem
  Install the Processor onto the Motherboard
  Install the CPU Cooler
  Install the RAM - System Memory
  Install the Motherboard into the Computer Case
  Install the Video Card
  Connect the Power Supply to the Motherboard
  Connect the System Panel Cables
  Ready the Monitor
  Ready the Keyboard and Mouse
  First Boot
  First Boot Common Problems
  Install the DVD RW Drive
  Install the SATA Hard Drive
  Connect the Speakers (if using built-in sound)
  Second Boot
  Configure the BIOS Parameter Settings
  Test The Hard Drive
  Install the Operating System - Windows XP
  Install the Operating System - Windows Vista
  Driver Installation


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