Just A Simple Video Card Question

I want to install a new video card. I go to my device manager, and it says my old video card is on PCI Bus 1. Where exactly is a PCI Bus? Is it the same as a PCI Slot? Because it says my modem is located on PCI Slot 1, so I don't think that's it. BTW, there is nothing in my AGP slot. If someone could tell me where the PCI Bus is, it would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

your PCI bus is where your PCI slots are connected to your motherboard.
On most boards PCI slot 1 is the top one ( the one closest to the cpu.)

 

See attached image:

 

Oh. So when the device manager says my video card is in PCI Bus 1, does that mean that my video card is built-into my motherboard?

 

Usually if your Video Adapter says its connected to "PCI Bus 1" its in your VGA slot.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v626/laxstud120/SiSCard.jpg

Yes I know that most graphic cards, are supposed to be in the VGA slot, or the AGP slot whatever, but on my computer, there is nothing inserted. I think it's one of those onboard graphic cards, but I'm not sure.

 

Yeah, looks to me you have a integrated video card.

 

...Ugh. But it's easy to install a new graphics card right? All I have to do is disable the video card on that window (At the bottom it says Enabled, I can Disable it.) Then I install my drivers and insert my new video card into my VGA slot? I hope that's as complicated as it gets.

 

To install a new graphics card, just shut down the computer. Take off the cover, insert the card into the slot you intend to use and put it back together and power on. If you have a graphics card installed it will automaticaly send video there, no need to disable anything. If drivers do not load then use your disk and load them. Windows XP should load the drivers for you but if not just use the cd that came with it.

 

So that means I can simply have 2 cards? (The onboard card, and the AGP card) Because I've read on some site, that you have to disable your old graphic card from running since it's integrated, before you can install the new one.

 

Yes, you can have more than one graphics card BUT you will only get video from ONE. If you have a card in the AGP slot you will get your video there. The onboard will not work if you have a card installed. You do not have to disable anything.

 

Thank you very much! I'm going to run to the store today and purchase my ATI RADEON 9550 256MB DDR 8x AGP Video Card.

 

Ohhh nice card, good luck

If you have ANY problems just let me know, If im not online just send me a private message and I will be back ASAP. Thanks!

 

Turn the power switch on the back of your case off first, and unplug the power feed...

 

Hey, Just checking up on your video card install, let me know if you run into any problems. Thanks!