Assessment 7.3 Upgrading Graphics Card, Network Card and RAM

Upgrading Graphics Card, RAM and Network Card

Overview

This blog post is a tutorial about how to install a Graphics card, Network card and RAM. The tutorial includes 2 photo stories one on the Graphics card and the other on the Network card and RAM, as well as the specifications of the new components their prices and reasons why you would upgrade. Also the benefits price wise of upgrading, the blog also includes 3 technical logs with specific details about what I did and how I done it. Please enjoy. 

Graphics Card install video tutorial

Network Card and RAM install video tutorial

Graphics Card Specifications

VTX3D Radeon HD 6450 ZG121200Z977

1GB DDR3 HDMI CRT DVI Directx 11

PCI Exp 2.1

£36.75

Network Card Specifications

TP-Link Model no. TL-WN951N

300mbps 2.4 GHz

£18.98

Ram Specifications

Corsair Twin2x2048-8500cs

560MB DDR2-1066/PC2-8500

£7.50

Reason for upgrade

RAM

The first upgrade to the system was the RAM, the computer system before installation was slow and sometimes unresponsive. The RAM upgrade would boost the systems speed and performance as well as allow for multiple programs to be opened simultaneously.

Network Card

The next component installed was the network card, before the installation there was no way to connect to the internet. The card allows the user to wirelessly connect to nearby routers to allow access to the internet without having to use an Ethernet cable.

Graphics Card

The final component installed was the graphics card; the system was using the on-board graphics on the motherboard for visual output so installing a new graphics card would significantly improve the image quality as well as for example; experiencing games more smoothly and in higher quality.

Price advantage

It is more cost effective to purchase the components and install them yourself than to buy a new computer. The components all together cost £63.23 which is far more cheaper than getting a new system which could cost well over £200.

Workstation No/ID:N1

Type and Serial No: Novatech BB16104C

Hardware Details: Intel Celeron CPU G180 2.7GHz 3.15GB RAM 465GB HDD XP Pro

                                                                                                        Task

Task description: The task was to install a new graphics card into the system.

Description of any faults or error messages encountered (if none write N/A) N/A

                                                                 Solution to task and/or faults encountered

Describe the settings, commands used and actions taken I started by making sure my work area was clean and tidy and that I had my tool kit and component before starting. I then checked the Graphic cards packaging for any damage. I also checked the systems cables for any sign of damage. Making sure the system was powered off I unplugged all cables. Before taking the computer apart I put on a anti static wrist band to avoid electrostatic discharge. I then took off the cases side panel revealing the inside. Then I took the GPU and carefully matched up which PCi port to install it in and then unscrewed the relevant back plating. Once the back plating was unscrewed I then firmly slotted in the GPU making sure to match up the grooves with the PCi  port. I then secured the GPU by screwing it to the case. Now that the GPU was installed I screwed the side panel back on to the case. I then plugged in the cables making sure to put the VGA cable in the new GPU port. Then I took the anti static wrist band off. I then turned on the computer. When the system booted up I performed a dxdiag test to check if the GPU was properly installed on the system as well as checking the system hardware in my computer. With the GPU installed correctly It was time to install its driver. The GPU came with a CD-ROM containing the driver so I placed the disk in the drive and followed the on screen instructions. The GPU and its Driver are now installed properly on the system.

                                                                                                   Testing

Describe all final testing procedures carried out and their results. A dxdiag test was done to confirm the installation of the GPU. A check of the systems hardware was also done to confirm installation.

                                                                                                 Comments

Comment on any further information

                                                                                                      Safety

Comment on any further information Anti Static Wrist Band. Anti Static Mat. Checked for any damage on the cables and component. Health and Safety awareness.

I certify that safe working practices were correctly observed

Candidate signature:	Date:
Assessor signature:	Date:

Please attach all diagrams and printouts to this form

 

Workstation No/ID:A08310

Type and Serial No: Powermate NEC VL4flex

Hardware Details: Windows XP Professional Celeron CPU 2.80 GHz 248MB RAM 40GB HDD

  

                                                                                                     Task

Task description: The task was to install a Network  Card

Description of any faults or error messages encountered (if none write N/A) N/A

                                                                      Solution to task and/or faults encountered

Describe the settings, commands used and actions taken I started by making sure my work area was clean and tidy and that I had my tool kit and component before starting. I then checked the Network cards packaging for any damage. I also checked the systems cables for any sign of damage. Making sure the system was powered off I unplugged all cables. Before taking the computer apart I put on an anti static wrist band to avoid electrostatic discharge. I then took off the cases top panel revealing the inside. Then I took the Network Card and carefully matched up which PCi port to install it in and then unscrewed the relevant back plating. Once the back plating was unscrewed I then firmly slotted in the Network Card making sure to match up the grooves with the PCi port. I then secured the Network Card by screwing it to the case. I then screwed in the Network Cards aerials into the card. Now that the Network Card was installed I screwed the top panel back on to the case. I then plugged in all the cables. Then I took the anti static wrist band off. I then turned on the computer. When the system booted up I performed a dxdiag test to check if the Network Card was properly installed on the system as well as checking the system hardware in my computer. With the Network Card installed correctly It was time to install its driver. The Network Card came with a CD-ROM containing the driver so I placed the disk in the drive and followed the on screen instructions. The Network Card could now connect to different networks. The Network Card and its Driver are now installed properly on the system.

                                                                                                     Testing

Describe all final testing procedures carried out and their results. A dxdiag test was done to confirm the installation of the Network Card. A check of the systems hardware was also done to confirm installation I also searched for Networks to connect to.

                                                                                                           Comments

Comment on any further information

                                                                                                                  Safety

Comment on any further information Anti Static Wrist Band. Anti Static Mat. Checked for any damage on the cables and component. Health and Safety awareness.

I certify that safe working practices were correctly observed

Candidate signature:	Date:
Assessor signature:	Date:

Please attach all diagrams and printouts to this form

 

Workstation No/ID: A08310

Type and Serial No: Powermate NEC VL4flex

Hardware Details: Windows XP Professional Celeron CPU 2.80 GHz 248MB RAM 40GB HDD

                                                                                                    Task

Task description: The task was to install extra RAM

Description of any faults or error messages encountered (if none write N/A) N/A

                                                                            Solution to task and/or faults encountered

Describe the settings, commands used and actions taken I started by making sure my work area was clean and tidy and that I had my tool kit and component before starting. I then checked the RAM packaging for any damage. I also checked the systems cables for any sign of damage. Making sure the system was powered off I unplugged all cables. Before taking the computer apart I put on an anti static wrist band to avoid electrostatic discharge. I then took off the cases top panel revealing the inside. I then detached the front of the computer moving the disk drive out of the way of the motherboards DDR2 slots. With the DDR2 slots clear I firmly slotted in the ram making sure that the clips on the sides of the port clicked into to place securing the RAM. I then reattached the disk drive to the casing and also screwed the top panel back into place. I then plugged in all the cables. Then I took the anti static wrist band off. I then turned on the computer. With the computer on I ran dxdiag to confirm installation, I also went into system information to check if the amount of RAM had changed. The RAM was installed properly.

                                                                                                     Testing

Describe all final testing procedures carried out and their results. A dxdiag test was done to confirm the installation of the RAM. A check of the systems Information was also done to confirm installation

 Comments

Comment on any further information

Safety

Comment on any further information Anti Static Wrist Band. Anti Static Mat. Checked for any damage on the cables and component. Health and Safety awareness.

I certify that safe working practices were correctly observed

Candidate signature:	Date:
Assessor signature:	Date:

Please attach all diagrams and printouts to this form