super noobi question: how do you install a graphics card?

I have a dell e510 and I have no idea how to install a card into it.

I know it has a pci express and I can install the 7900 series and so forth. i also realize i need to upgrade my psu....but I have no idea how to install the card.

lets say i buy the 7900 gt 512MB, how do i install it? i mean do you guys know of a site that shows pictures and gives instructions step by step? this is my first time doing these things so im a bit at a loss...i kno everything about the cards just not how to install them! such a shame...

this link... http://support.dell.com/support/ed [...] #wp1384755 gives instructions on installing it but i cant make head to tail of it...can someone help? THANKS!

Graphics cards are pretty straight forward. First take off the side panel of your case. Locate the pci express slot. These are what they look like.

http://images.tigerdirect.com/SKUi [...] -main2.jpg
Thats if you dont have an sli mobo. The pci express slot is the long yellow one with the white dongle at the end of it.

http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/MSI [...] d_Plus.gif
That is what the pci express slots will look like in an sli mobo. In this pic they are the 2 long white slots with the 2 pci express x1 slots between them.

When you handle your graphics card and/or other components you want to make sure you are grounded as to not shock a pretty new 7900gt with static electricity. You'll then want to place your card into the pci express slot (the top one if you have an sli mobo). With the 7900 gt you'll have to connect a 12v power cable from your power supply as the pci express slot doesnt offer enough power (75w i believe is the max for the slot). Also make sure your power supply has the pci express power connector. If it doesnt then there are adapters to turn a 12v molex into the pci express connector.

http://www.pconline.com.cn/diy/gra [...] pic-01.jpg
This is an image of the power connector on the graphics card.

http://www.pcstats.com/articleimag [...] G5_psu.jpg
This is a picture of what the power leed looks like coming from the psu.

After installing the card into the slot, connecting the corresponding power connector, and securing the card inside the case it is time to boot. Now turn on your computer and let it load until you're in windows. It is now time to instal the video drivers. Unless you get an oem graphics card then it should be supplied with a cd containing drivers for your card. You can either use those drivers or you can download the lastest ones from nvidia's website here
http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp

I would highly reccomend downloading the latest ones.
After downloading the drivers its time for install. To install the drivers you want to make sure that there are no previous graphics card drivers installed on your computer. Then just install the drivers as prompted and then it'll ask you for a reboot and then reboot and you then will be good to go.
Hopefully this will help some. Have fun with the install and enjoy the new card, whichever one you decide to purchase.

Step by Step:

A) Close Internet Explorer
B) Shut Down Computer
C) Unplug all connections from computer
D) Never touch any of it ever again

One thing to look for that wasnt mentioned. Whenever you're inside the case, you should never ever have to use much force to do anything. The components are weak and can break under heavy physical stress.

That being said, the video card sometimes has a little physical "clip" holding it into the mobo. Be sure to use that when you take the old card out instead of just grabbing and yanking.

For slots, yes. For a CPU no.

if he was using onboard video then he will have to disable the onboard vidoe in bios

He pm'd me. He has a radeon x600 installed. Good point with the clips. Agp systems dont have clips while pci express slots do. Thank you.

Sorry, yea agp mobos do have clips. I dont know what i was smoking there. As my mobo even has one. wtf mate.