Introduction
How to replace a graphics card
Regardless of how powerful your PC is, there’s no way it can play modern games without a dedicated graphics processing unit (GPU). The GPU is responsible for rendering the images onscreen and houses the powerful processing muscle needed to handle high frame rates and intense graphics required by modern titles.
Things to consider when replacing a graphics card
Newer graphics cards often require more power than older versions. Before buying a new graphics card, it’s crucial to check whether your power supply (PSU) has enough output to support it. Keep in mind that all the other components are also drawing power from your PSU.
High-performance graphics cards can also be bulkier than past generations and can take up multiple slots. Ensure there’s enough free space available in the case before purchasing the graphics card.
If the PC is quite old, it’s worth checking to see if it has enough processing power and RAM to handle the new graphics card. Despite the high performance offered by modern graphics cards, they still need a fast enough CPU to tell them what to render and RAM to process tasks faster. If the RAM and CPU are too old, it may create a bottleneck and reduce performance.
If the PC starts beeping or doesn’t boot up after installing the new graphics card, try reseating it and ensuring all the cables are attached securely.
- Will it fit inside the PC?
- Make sure that the new desired graphics card will be able to physically fit inside the PC, some are bigger than others.
- Check for enough power connectors available from the power supply
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Power off the PC, and disconnect the power cable from the tower.
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Open the side panel on the PC.
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Remove the screw(s) holding the graphics card into the slot.
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Unclip and remove any power cables connected to the GPU.
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Release the PCI-e slot tabs that hold the GPU in place.
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Place the card in the slot, and press down gently until it locks into place.
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Secure the new GPU to the slot with the screw(s) that was removed earlier.
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Reconnect the power cables to the graphics card and power supply.
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Startup the PC.
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When the PC starts up for the first time after installing a new graphics card, it will search for the drivers.
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It’s always worth using the latest drivers to ensure the best functionality and compatibility with the latest games.
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Once the new GPU is working, it’s advisable to remove any redundant drivers and software used for the old graphics card.
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To reassemble your device, follow these instructions in reverse order.
