I have a Dell Dimension E310, which has a PCI-E slot. Unfortunately, it is a x1 slot. I want to put in a card that needs an x16 slot. Is it possible to upgrade the slot? Can it be done by an amateur (me)?
Only if by ‘upgrade’, you mean ‘change the whole motherboard’. It is technically possible to have an x16 slot that is connected to an x1 infrastructure, but I don’t think you’d have any hope of retrofitting one to an existing motherboard. The performance would be that of an x1 slot anyway, so there would be no point.
Unless I’m mistaken, I’m afraid it’s not really possible. The only way to replace the slot would be to replace the motherboard, which is pretty much the biggest upgrade you can make to a computer, and it’s quite likely that much of your existing hardware won’t be compatible with the new motherboard.
<sigh> Damn computer games with graphics attitudes…