Upgrading graphics on a computer with Integrated Graphics

This may sound like a dumb question but how do I go about upgrading the
graphics on a computer with integrated graphics? I want to add a better
graphics card to a Dell Dimension E521 AMD Athlon with NVIDIA GeForce
6150 LE Integrated Graphics. If I simply add another graphics card how
will that interact with the integrated graphics already installed?

First question, does the motherboard even have an AGP or PCI Express socket?

Sometimes, you can't upgrade such computers. Period.

Sometimes, if you plug in graphics card, the onboard port is either
disable or becomes a secondary video card (dual monitors).

Sometimes, you have to configure this in the BIOS.


sharonf wrote:
> This may sound like a dumb question but how do I go about upgrading the
> graphics on a computer with integrated graphics? I want to add a better
> graphics card to a Dell Dimension E521 AMD Athlon with NVIDIA GeForce
> 6150 LE Integrated Graphics. If I simply add another graphics card how
> will that interact with the integrated graphics already installed?

"sharonf" <> wrote in message
news:460830b3$0$6439$...
> This may sound like a dumb question but how do I go about upgrading
> the graphics on a computer with integrated graphics? I want to add a
> better graphics card to a Dell Dimension E521 AMD Athlon with
> NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE Integrated Graphics. If I simply add another
> graphics card how will that interact with the integrated graphics
> already installed?


When you start the computer press F2 immediately and enter setup.
In the BIOS setup under the video setting, put it on AUTO. Save
settings and restart.

"sharonf" <> wrote in message
news:460830b3$0$6439$...
> This may sound like a dumb question but how do I go about upgrading the
> graphics on a computer with integrated graphics? I want to add a better
> graphics card to a Dell Dimension E521 AMD Athlon with NVIDIA GeForce
> 6150 LE Integrated Graphics. If I simply add another graphics card how
> will that interact with the integrated graphics already installed?

Based on the questions you ask, I would suggest that you not attempt this
upgrade yourself. Find someone that's familiar with pc hardware to do the
upgrade for you or assist you in doing it.

BR549 wrote:
> "sharonf" <> wrote in message
> news:460830b3$0$6439$...
>> This may sound like a dumb question but how do I go about upgrading the
>> graphics on a computer with integrated graphics? I want to add a better
>> graphics card to a Dell Dimension E521 AMD Athlon with NVIDIA GeForce
>> 6150 LE Integrated Graphics. If I simply add another graphics card how
>> will that interact with the integrated graphics already installed?
>
> Based on the questions you ask, I would suggest that you not attempt this
> upgrade yourself. Find someone that's familiar with pc hardware to do the
> upgrade for you or assist you in doing it.
>
>
Why is that? I have installed a new video card before. I was just
wondering about doing that with a computer with integrated graphics.

"sharonf" <> wrote in message
news:46088f2a$0$23931$...
> BR549 wrote:
>> "sharonf" <> wrote in message
>> news:460830b3$0$6439$...
>>> This may sound like a dumb question but how do I go about upgrading the
>>> graphics on a computer with integrated graphics? I want to add a better
>>> graphics card to a Dell Dimension E521 AMD Athlon with NVIDIA GeForce
>>> 6150 LE Integrated Graphics. If I simply add another graphics card how
>>> will that interact with the integrated graphics already installed?
>>
>> Based on the questions you ask, I would suggest that you not attempt this
>> upgrade yourself. Find someone that's familiar with pc hardware to do
>> the upgrade for you or assist you in doing it.
> Why is that? I have installed a new video card before. I was just
> wondering about doing that with a computer with integrated graphics.

On most Dells, just install the card but leave the monitor connected to the
integrated video (or connect two temporarily). Boot the machine and install
the drivers for the new card. Go into System manager and disable the on
board graphics. Reboot with the monitor connected to the card.

On some models, the integrated is automatically disabled. If you don't see
anything on the monitor on the first boot, move the cable to the new card.
It should show up there. Some will even warn you that it is connected in
the wrong place.

No need to touch the BIOS on any Dell that I have done this one (which is
many).

Tom Scales wrote:
> "sharonf" <> wrote in message
> news:46088f2a$0$23931$...
>> BR549 wrote:
>>> "sharonf" <> wrote in message
>>> news:460830b3$0$6439$...
>>>> This may sound like a dumb question but how do I go about upgrading the
>>>> graphics on a computer with integrated graphics? I want to add a better
>>>> graphics card to a Dell Dimension E521 AMD Athlon with NVIDIA GeForce
>>>> 6150 LE Integrated Graphics. If I simply add another graphics card how
>>>> will that interact with the integrated graphics already installed?
>>> Based on the questions you ask, I would suggest that you not attempt this
>>> upgrade yourself. Find someone that's familiar with pc hardware to do
>>> the upgrade for you or assist you in doing it.
>> Why is that? I have installed a new video card before. I was just
>> wondering about doing that with a computer with integrated graphics.
>
> On most Dells, just install the card but leave the monitor connected to the
> integrated video (or connect two temporarily). Boot the machine and install
> the drivers for the new card. Go into System manager and disable the on
> board graphics. Reboot with the monitor connected to the card.
>
> On some models, the integrated is automatically disabled. If you don't see
> anything on the monitor on the first boot, move the cable to the new card.
> It should show up there. Some will even warn you that it is connected in
> the wrong place.
>
> No need to touch the BIOS on any Dell that I have done this one (which is
> many).
>
>
>
Thanks so much!
That is the information that I'm looking for.