Upgrading Graphics & USB ports

[Baron Von Alders]

ok, I'm an accountant hence what happens within computers is a bit of a dark art.

Whilst my current computer has enough processor speed & memory to run the latest games the grahics card seems to be limiting factor. Is it just a matter of unplugging the old one & inserting a new one following some simple idiot instructions that come with it or should I get someone in to do it?

Also, can I do something similar to update my USB ports form 1.1 to 2?

Ta in advance.

[Podie]

Yes and Yes.

You need to make sure the connections for the graphics cards are the correct type (there are several)... then installing the drivers on the CD.

As for the USB, yet, it's a case of buying a card.

[bigdods]

Does depend on how expensive the machine was to start with. Modern cheapy (but still quite quick) pc'S usually have graphics integrated into the motherboard chipset rather than a seperate card. And often they dont have an upgrade slot, if thats the cas then you are a bit stuck. Older machines will have an AGP slot of some description (as may newer ones), decent mid/high end machines will have PCI Express which is the fastest at the moment.

Best bet is to run a utility like PC Tools (not sure if thats the name have to check when I get home) that can be had from www.download.com for free trial. Most PC utilities will be able to tell you what graphics capability is installed in your PC (or you can check your system configuration via start/control panel/system/hardware/device manager in windows ) and the name of the card. A quick google will then tell you what type of card interface that card uses.

[10 Pence Short]

If your computer is old enough to have standard USB1 rather than USB2 ports it's probably your entire system preventing you from running the latest games!