Want to Upgrade

[MasterAdnin]

Okay, I just want to know for future upgrades.

My computer is pretty new, yet it only has PCI slots. How do I get PCI-Express or AGP slots? Is this even possible?

Thanks in advance,
Adnan

[Incinerate_IV]

You need a new motherboard then

[MasterAdnin]

You need a new motherboard then

That's what I thought. I was looking around circuitcity, and best buy but couldn't find any. Also, if I did get a new motherboard, what would I have to do to get it working?

Peace,
Adnan

[NobleNick]

I am not a techie, but *just* got done upgrading MOBO and CPU, and learned a tidbit or two...

AGP is on the way out. Though successful, I had a hard time finding a board that would run my beloved-but-aging 9800 Pro. Everyone is going to PCI-express for the video card slot: It allows higher data throughput to/from the graphics card.

Although you didn't ask: If you want an AMD machine, the 32-bit Athlons are gone. You can only get 32-bits in stripped down CPUs (e.g., Sempron). If you want high end performance in AMD, you will be forced up to 64 bits, and I was unable to find AGP slots on these newer MOBOs. If you want to be prepared for the existing and newer high-end graphics cards, you need to get a MOBO with PCI-express (usually only one slot, the rest being PCI). And yes, they are out there in spades.

A new MOBO usually means a new CPU, which usually means a new CPU fan.
You will, of course, also need to procure a PCI-express video card. I can not help you here, other than to say you will need one. If you are just upgrading. If you are only trading up on MOBO/CPU/etc., check your power supply to make sure it is up to the power drain of the new equipment. Lots of wierd stuff can happen if it is not up to par.

Don't know what is happening in Pentium land, other than the new Centrino technology on my wife's laptop is really, really nice (but it is not a gaming machine).

[Incinerate_IV]

For computer parts, I suggest you stay away from retail stores. These are the place to go for all things PC:

www.newegg.com
www.zipzoomfly.com

I shop at both of them, and haven't had any problems with them yet. Also Zipzoomfly got free shipping on most of their items.

If you are upgrading a new mobo, you might have to get a new case, since some companies like Dell uses different case standards. Also, like NobleNick said, PCI-Express is the way to go. BTW, since your computer is new, you might not have to upgrade the CPU and memory.

How about some specs of your PC?

[MasterAdnin]

Thanks incinerate. Also, how do I set up dual monitors? My video card allows this, I have two 15" monitors, but the problem is I don't know how to set it up, nor do I know what parts I need.

Thanks,
Adnan

[Timmius]

MasterAdnin, maybe you should give some specs of the pc you currently have. Then it is much easier to give a good advice. Though I think it will come down to a completely new rig if you only have PCI anyway
Setting up dual monitor is pretty easy. But you graphics card does have to support it though obviously. You can check that on the back of you pc. Where the monitor cable enters your pc. If there's another entry point for a vga cable, you can connect two monitors. You can also check in your control panel. All the option for dual monitorring are there.

[MasterAdnin]

Okay new question, I want to get a PCI-Express motherboard, or one that supports PCI-Express.
Besides for changing to PCI-Express, what else would it do?

What else would it change?

Also, how would I install it?

Thanks,
Adnan

[Incinerate_IV]

It depends on what other parts you got on your computer.

If you are not sure, then this program should tell you:
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php

Its a simple program that tells you what kind of CPU you got, its socket, the kind of motherboard, type of memory.... and some other stuff.

[Roger_27]

newegg.com is all you need to know.