Things to consider

So can you upgrade to an add-on video card that will allow you to play the latest games? MOST motherboards that feature integrated graphics do also feature an AGP slot so that you can override the onboards graphics solution and install a video card. It's really only older (4+ years old) integrated boards that don't. Please note that if you have a brand PC, upgrading, in fact even taking the side off your PC will void probably your warranty. If you're concerned about that, there might be options to get an official upgrade through the distributor of the PC instead of doing it yourself. Usually if your system has been built based on an integrated graphics motherboard, you may find that the power supply and cooling in the case is not designed for high-end graphics cards. If you intend on getting the latest graphics card, you may also need to upgrade your power supply and/or the cooling in the case.

The difference between a high-end and mid-range graphics card can usually be determined by the cost and how elaborate the cooling system is on the video card itself. The position of the card in that particular brand of cards is also a good guide. For example an X800XT Radeon with 256MB of RAM would be a bad idea in an older all-in one system. But installing a 9600 would not cause any problems. You can also usually tell what level the card is if it requires external power to the card (ie. power from the powers supply to the video card). If you read the specifications of games you want to play and video cards you would like and can afford and find that you are in fact considering upgrading to the high-end graphics card solution then you should prepare for a full upgrade, rather than upgrading only the video card in a system that overall, is not likely to cope with an uber video card.

The upgrade itself

Firstly, get the drivers ready. Video cards come with drivers, but visit the manufacturer's web site and get the latest version drivers. ATI drivers can be found here, Nvidia drivers here and S3 Graphics drivers here. Save the drivers to your PC where ever you normally put drivers. Do not install the drivers yet. Turn off the power to the PC. Take the side off the PC. At the back of the PC at the bottom you will notice several metal covers. The section of the video card with the plug sticks out the back there. You just need to remove one of those metal covers to make room for the video card. Have a look across to the motherboard. You will notice several plastic slots on the motherboard. The AGP slot is slightly larger than the others and is normally brown on plainish integrated boards. The AGP slot, unlike the other slots that will be in a neat row may also have a small bracket on each end. You need to remove the metal cover at the back of the case that aligns with the AGP slot and then insert the video card.

This image shows all four metal covers at the back of the PC still in place. Three blue PCI slots can be seen below one thorn-colored AGP slot (left). The image on the right shows the top metal cover removed that aligns with the AGP slot.

Insert the video card (left) and screw it in (right).

Now plug power back into the PC and connect the monitor to the video card, not the integrated graphics port like it was before (see above). Now turn on the PC. Modern Microsoft operating systems will detect the presence of new hardware and will automatically run the hardware wizard. It will scan your PC for the drivers, install them and ask you to reboot the PC. Finished! Now you can not only actually read the Call of Duty menu, you can play the game too !!!