CAUTION: Before you begin any of the procedures in this section, follow the safety instructions in the Product Information Guide.
Your Dell™ computer provides the following slots for PCI and PCI Express cards:
Two PCI Express x16 card slots (can be used in a dual-graphics configuration)
One PCI Express x8 card slot
One PCI Express x1 card slot
Two PCI card slots
NOTE: If a graphics card is installed in each of the PCI Express x16 card slots in the dual-graphics configuration, the PCI Express x1 and one PCI card slot are not accessible for use.
1
PCI card
2
PCI Express x16 card
3
PCI Express x16 card slot
4
PCI Express x8 card
5
PCI Express x8 card slot
6
PCI Express x1 card
7
PCI Express x1 card slot
Removing PCI and PCI Express Cards
NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge and damage to internal components, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
Press down the release tab on the top of the card retainer at the
appropriate card slot and pivot the card retainer back through the chassis
wall.
Remove the screw that secures the card to the chassis.
NOTE: If the card is full-length, pull back on the alignment guide release tab to release the alignment guide from the fan cage.
1
release tab
2
card retainer
3
screw
4
alignment guide
5
fan cage
6
alignment guide release tab
Press the securing tab (if present) on the system board connector as you
grasp the card by its top corners, and then ease the card out of the
connector.
NOTICE: Installing filler brackets over empty card-slot openings is necessary to maintain FCC certification of the computer. The brackets also keep dust and dirt out of your computer.
NOTICE: Do not route card cables over or behind the cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause damage to the equipment.
Replace the screw that secures the filler bracket to the chassis.
NOTE: If you removed the alignment guide, replace the alignment guide on the card fan cage; push the alignment guide until it clicks into place.
Push the card retainer back into its original position; push its tip so that its
tab clicks into place.
NOTICE: To avoid electrostatic discharge and damage to internal components, ground yourself by using a wrist grounding strap or by periodically touching an unpainted metal surface on the computer chassis.
See the documentation that came with the card for information on configuring the card, making internal connections, or otherwise customizing it for your computer.
NOTE: If the card is full-length, pull back on the alignment guide release tab to remove the alignment guide from the card fan cage.
Position the card so that it is aligned with the slot and the securing tab (if
present).
NOTE: If the card is full-length, insert the card guide into the alignment slot on the card fan cage.
1
PCI Express x16 card
2
securing tab
3
PCI Express x16 card slot
NOTICE: Ensure that you release the securing tab to seat the card. If the card is not installed correctly, you may damage the system board.
Gently pull the securing tab (if present) and place the card in the
connector. Press down firmly and ensure that the card is fully seated in the
slot.
NOTE: If you removed the alignment guide, replace the alignment guide on the card fan cage; push the alignment guide until it clicks into place.
1
card connector (seated)
2
card connector (not seated)
3
filler bracket properly aligned within the slot
4
filler bracket improperly aligned outside the slot
5
alignment bar
6
alignment guide
NOTICE: Do not route card cables over or behind the cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause damage to the equipment.
NOTICE: An incorrectly attached graphics power cable may result in degraded graphics performance.
Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
See the documentation that came with the card for information about the card's cable connections.
Replace the screw to secure the card to the chassis.
NOTICE: Before pushing the card retainer back into place, ensure that the tops of all cards and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar and the notch in the top of each card or filler bracket fits around the alignment guide.
Rotate the card retainer back into its original position; push its tip so that
its tab clicks into place.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network port or device and then plug the cable into the computer.
Removing a PCI Express Graphics Card From a
Dual Configuration
NOTE: Follow the steps described in this section to remove PCI Express x16 graphics cards in dual configuration only. For removal of any other type of PCI or PCI Express cards, see Removing PCI and PCI Express Cards.
Gently securing both graphics cards with one hand, remove the graphics
card bridge (if present) with your other hand by pulling it up and away
from the computer. Set it aside.
NOTE: The graphics card bridge may not be present in all dual-graphics configurations and is not necessary in a single-graphics card configuration.
NOTICE: Installing filler brackets over empty card-slot openings is necessary to maintain FCC certification of the computer. The brackets also keep dust and dirt out of your computer.
NOTICE: Before pushing the card retainer back into place, ensure that the tops of all cards and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar and the notch in the top of each card or filler bracket fits around the alignment guide.
NOTICE: Do not route card cables over or behind the cards. Cables routed over the cards can prevent the computer cover from closing properly or cause damage to the equipment.
Push the card retainer back into its original position; push its tip so that its
tab clicks into place.
Replace the screw that secures the filler bracket or card to the chassis.
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network port or device and then plug the cable into the computer.
Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn
them on.
Installing a PCI Express Graphics Card in a Dual
Configuration
NOTE: To upgrade to or downgrade from a dual-graphics configuration, you will need additional parts that can be ordered from Dell (see "Contacting Dell" in your Owner's Manual).
This section pertains to dual PCI Express graphics card configurations only. For installation of other types of PCI or PCI Express cards, see Installing PCI and PCI Express Cards.
The PCI Express x1 card slot is not available for use if a graphics card is installed in each of the PCI Express x16 card slots in a dual-graphics card configuration. If you are upgrading from a single graphics card to a dual-graphics card configuration, you will need to remove any card installed in the PCI Express x1 card slot (see System Board Components to locate the PCI Express x1 card slot). To remove a PCI Express card, see Removing PCI and PCI Express Cards.
NOTICE: For information about upgrading your system to use Nvidia Scalable Link Interface (SLI) dual-graphics technology, see the Dell Support website at support.dell.com.
To learn more about dual-graphics technology, see "Understanding Dual Graphics Technology" in your Owner's Manual.
NOTE: If you are upgrading to a dual-graphics card configuration and have a card installed in the PCI Express x1 card slot, remove the card (see Removing PCI and PCI Express Cards).
See the documentation that came with the card for information on configuring the card, making internal connections, or otherwise customizing it for your computer.
NOTICE: An incorrectly attached graphics power cable may result in degraded graphics performance.
Connect any cables that should be attached to the card.
See the documentation that came with the card for information about the card's cable connections.
NOTICE: Before pushing the card retainer back into place, ensure that the tops of all cards and filler brackets are flush with the alignment bar and the notch in the top of each card or filler bracket fits around the alignment guide.
Rotate the card retainer back into its original position; push its tip so that
its tab clicks into place.
Attach the graphics card bridge (if required for your dual-graphics
configuration), pressing firmly so that it completely covers the
connector tabs.
1
graphics card bridge (not present on some dual-graphics card configurations)
2
power connectors (2)
3
dual-PCI Express graphics cards
NOTICE: To connect a network cable, first plug the cable into the network port or device and then plug the cable into the computer.
If present, lower the card-retention device that lies over the installed cards
and snap it into place.
Connect your computer and devices to electrical outlets, and then turn
them on.
Network Adapter and Sound Card Settings
If you have installed a sound card:
Disconnect the FP_AUDIO cable from the system board (see System
Board Components) and connect it to the internal audio connector on
your sound card.
Connect external audio devices to the sound card connectors. Do not
connect external audio devices to the microphone, speaker/headphone, or
line-in connectors on the back panel.
Enter system setup (see "Entering System Setup" in your Owner's
Manual), select Integrated Audio Controller, and then change the setting
to Off.
If you have removed a sound card:
Enter system setup (see "Entering System Setup" in your Owner's
Manual), select Integrated Audio Controller, and then change the setting
to On.
Connect external audio devices to the audio connectors on the back panel
of the computer.
If you have installed an add-in network adapter and want to disable the integrated network adapter:
Enter system setup (see "Entering System Setup" in your Owner's
Manual), select Integrated NIC Controller, and then change the setting
to Off.
Connect the network cable to the add-in network adapter connectors.
Do not connect the network cable to the integrated connector on the back
panel.
If you have removed an add-in network connector:
Enter system setup (see "Entering System Setup" in your Owner's
Manual), select Integrated NIC Controller, and then change the setting
to On.
Connect the network cable to the integrated connector on the back panel
of the computer.
