Hardware Installation

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1-5  Installing an Expansion Card

Read the following guidelines before you begin to install an expansion card:
•  Make sure the motherboard supports the expansion card. Carefully read the manual that came 

with your expansion card.

•  Always turn off the computer and unplug the power cord from the power outlet before installing 

an expansion card to prevent hardware damage.

Follow the steps below to correctly install your expansion card in the expansion slot.
1.  Locate an expansion slot that supports your card. Remove the metal slot cover from the chassis back panel.
2.  Align the card with the slot, and press down on the card until it is fully seated in the slot. 
3.  Make sure the metal contacts on the card are completely inserted into the slot.
4.  Secure the card’s metal bracket to the chassis back panel with a screw. 
5.  After installing all expansion cards, replace the chassis cover(s).
6.  Turn on your computer. If necessary, go to BIOS Setup to make any required BIOS changes for your 

expansion card(s).

7.  Install the driver provided with the expansion card in your operating system. 

Example: Installing and Removing a PCI Express Graphics Card:

PCI Slot

PCI Express x1 Slot

PCI Express x16 Slot (PCIEX16)

•  Installing a Graphics Card:
  Gently push down on the top edge of the card until 

it is fully inserted into the PCI Express slot. Make 
sure the card is securely seated in the slot and 
does not rock.

PCI Express x16 Slot (PCIEX4)

•  Removing the Card from 

the PCIEX16 Slot:

  Gently push back on the 

lever on the slot and then 
lift the card straight out 
from the slot. 

•  Removing the Card from 

the PCIEX4 Slot:

  Press the latch at the end 

of the PCI Express slot to 
release the card and then 
pull the card straight up 
from the slot.