Install Video and Audio Card

Now that your motherboard is in place and you have properly connected the chassis wires and drives, you can install other cards such as the video and audio card. This step is quite simple, but make sure to ground yourself before handling any card. The large slots on your motherboard should line up with the long narrow slots on the back of your computer; if they don't, then either you installed the motherboard in the wrong position or the motherboard doesn't fit the case.

Install Video Card

If you have an AGP (Advanced Graphics Port) card you will install the card into the AGP riser on your motherboard, otherwise it will go in a PCI slot (unless you are using an extremely old motherboard and video card). The AGP riser can be distinguished from the PCI slots by color; PCI slots are white (or off-white) whereas the AGP riser should be brown or black. Whether you are installing an AGP or PCI video card, remove the corresponding metal piece at the rear of the case so that the ports on the video card can peek out the back. Insert the card by pushing the card into the slot - it only really fits one way and it should be fairly obvious upon inspection - rock it slowly back and forth while applying pressure until it is all the way in the slot. Secure the card to the case by screwing down the metal piece at the back edge of the card using a single screw; some cases are constructed so that getting a screwdriver at an angle sufficient to grip these screws is very difficult so this step can actually be quite frustrating. On my last case I had to use my fingers to start the process and then with the additional space was able to get a screwdriver in there to tighten it. In any case, once the card is installed you can plug it to the monitor now for testing and again later when you put your case back together. It should be obvious which connection to use and in which orientation by examining the shape and pin layout of your monitor, tv or s-video connection.

Install Audio Card

If your motherboard doesn't have integral (onboard) sound or you have decided to purchase an audio card, now is the time to install it. The card is inserted in exactly the same way you would insert a PCI video card, so follow the directions listed above, obviously skipping the part about hooking up your monitor. The speakers will be one of the last things you hook up, so we'll leave them disconnected for now. You should, however, attach any necessary wires such as CD or DVD audio input and any other features; consult your audio card's manual for details and also keep your motherboard manual handy. Either of these should be available for download at the manufacturer's website if you don't have them.

Install any additional cards you may have purchased and then there is just one last step before turning on your computer.