Why Install Hardware?
- 1. Why Install? By Alexander Lilley
- 2. Why Install Hardware? There are several reasons why you may want to install additional hardware, and vary in their difficulty of installation. All require the cover of the computer to be removed, and basic precautions taken to prevent static damage. Modifying a computer may improve the performance of the computer depending on the installed components specification. It may also improve the specification by providing additional ports. Following are a few examples that show why you need to install a graphics card, USB 3.0 PCIe card and a Wi-Fi PCI card.
- 3. Graphics Card A graphics card is a piece of hardware that controls the video output, which is normally connected to a monitor or projector. Its specification can effect the performance of a game depending upon the specification of the card. Variations may include, graphic processor speed, memory, etc. A graphics card may be installed to specifically interact with certain software that is graphic intensive such as CAD-CAM, Photoshop or video games. There are some risks when installing a graphics card, for example Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) can be a real hazard if the user is not grounded by using an Anti- Static wrist strap or mat. You could also damage the card or the motherboard through incorrect insertion of the card damaging connections. You could also crash the computer through internal conflicts caused by an incompatible card. To prevent this the user must ensure that the card is compatible with the computer and the correct drivers are available for the operating system installed on the computer.
- 4. USB 3.0 PCIe Card A USB 3.0 card provides extra USB ports that may also be faster than existing USB ports. USB 3.0 has speeds of 5 Gbit/s (625 MB/s), while USB 2.0 has speeds of 480 Mbit/s (effective throughput up to 35 MB/s). If you have a lot of peripherals connected to your USB, including data intensive ones including scanners and digital cameras, then you may find that older legacy USB ports may be running too slowly, or even that you have simply run out of ports, as most peripherals are now supplied only as USB rather than older serial or parallel ports. USB cards are normally very easy to install and do not normally need additional drivers. Installation issues are normally limited to physical or static damage , and can be prevented through the use of antistatic straps and studying the layout before starting the job.
- 5. Wi-Fi PCI Card A computers use is massively extended when it is connected to a LAN or WAN. A computer may already come with a network port, but most desktop computers do not normally come with a Wi-Fi card. With the number of computers in a home increasing, it is becoming more important to network them, however homes rarely have network cables installed. One option is to fit a wireless PCI card, often a good option as most broadband routers also come with wireless functionality. Installation issues are similar to those of the graphics cards, including static and incorrect installation. These cards also normally require the correct drivers to be installed, depending on the operating system.