How to Build Your Own PC - Save A Buck And Learn A Lot  9  Chapter 7: Installing AGP and PCI Cards

Securing the Video Card to the Case 1 Finding a PCI Card Slot and Removing the Slot Cover

Next, we’ll install any PCI expansion cards you have.

If your system doesn’t have built-in sound, you’ll probably have a PCI sound card. If your system doesn’t have built-in networking, you might want to install a PCI network card to connect your computers together.

There are many PCI cards that add functionality to your PC, from video input and output cards for home video producers (see videoguys.com for example) to special cards that interface to external mechanical devices.

For example, many experiments at universities are computer controlled, where the computer might control various optics or other mechanical devices, such as spectrometers or gas chromatography equipment. Such control is usually through a PCI card. Other cards might allow your PC to control a home security system.

Securing the Video Card to the Case 1 Finding a PCI Card Slot and Removing the Slot Cover