How to change the video card on your computer

A step-by-step guide to replacing your PC graphics card yourself

You may need to replace the video card in your desktop computer if your old video adapter fails, or if you need to replace an outdated and slow video gas pedal, with a newer and more powerful model.

If you have never done this, then you may have problems with removal, installation and connection of video card. Below I detail the step by step steps to help you replace the video card yourself. There is nothing difficult. You just need to be careful and attentive.

Removing old drivers

A controversial point. Some people think it is necessary, others do not believe in it and ignore it. My opinion. it won’t be superfluous, especially since it takes a couple of minutes. The remnants of old drivers may not only slow down the system, but also conflict with the new drivers.

Open “Explorer” and type in “System” in the top address bar. Press Enter.

How to Replace a Graphics Card

First of all disconnect the monitor cable. Dismantle the old graphics card in the reverse order described in the previous paragraph.

Pay attention that to get it for replacement simply unscrewing the bolt and pulling the board will not work. it is fixed “foot” which clips the connector.

To remove the video card you need to press this “pin”.

You can push it like a finger, but it’s not convenient on all motherboards. We recommend careful use of a screwdriver.

On other motherboard models this fix can be arranged a bit more conveniently.

Once you have the new device installed, connect your monitor to it.

How to Replace a Graphics Card

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This guide will show you how to replace a graphics card; it may seem difficult, but it is very, very easy to do. Note that you will have more than one in case you have an integrated video card. To figure out the version of the integrated graphics card, search the internet for information; and also: if you live in the UK, visit aria.co.uk. This is a good site for software and components.

Static electricity can seriously damage components inside your computer. To avoid this, you should make sure you are grounded when working inside your computer. One way to do this. Purchase an anti-static wristband, which you should wear at all times. The anti-static wristband should be connected to the ground. An alternative is to touch a large metal surface (such as a radiator).

Uninstall all drivers associated with your current video card. Assuming you’re using Windows, this can be done using the Control Panel: directly in Add or Remove Programs (wording may vary, depending on the version of Windows).

Open the computer case. To get into the tower type system unit you will need to remove the panel that is on the right side when looking at the unit from the back. Open this side of the computer case by removing the screws in the back of the unit that hold it in place. Then simply slide the panel out.

Preparing to Replace a Graphics Card

The first thing to do before disassembling the PC is to completely disconnect the system unit. To do this, remove all plugs from the sockets. Once the system unit is de-energized, you can begin to disassemble it. Disconnect all cables from the back of the system unit so they do not interfere with your work.

In order to access the inside of the computer and to replace the graphics card you will need to remove the side cover of the system unit. On the back of the system unit remove the two screws that secure the left side cover of the system unit.

How to change the video card on your PC?

To change the video card on your computer will not be difficult if you know how to install it. Replacing the video card is usually done for two reasons, it’s to replace the failed graphics card or replace the video card for a more powerful. In this article we will consider some steps, following which it will be possible to make a correct replacement.

If you haven’t bought a video card yet, you shouldn’t hurry and gather all the necessary information to choose a new one first. You need to know what version of PCI-Express x16 is supported by your motherboard, how powerful your system unit power supply is, and how powerful your CPU is. And it is worth noting right away that modern integrated graphics cards are directly in the processors, and you can not replace the built-in video.

In the case of breakage of the old and the purchase of exactly the same discrete graphics card, all of the above items immediately fall away. You will only need to remove the old video card and install a new one.

If you will be buying a more powerful graphics card, it is better to clarify all of these parameters. A powerful graphic card will consume much more power from the power supply. In the characteristics of video cards are recommendations about the minimum power of the system unit, in which it will be installed. If your power supply corresponds to or even exceeds the recommended capacity, you can move on.

PCI-Express x16 bus can be version 2.0, 2.1 и 3.0. All versions are compatible with each other and only differ in speed, t.е. if you install a very powerful graphics card with bus version PCI-Express x16 3.0 into the PCI-Express x16 slot 2.0, there is a chance that your new graphics card will be limited in speed. But this data needs to be checked by comparing the maximum data transfer speed of your graphics card and the PCI-Express x16 bus 2.0 on the motherboard.

It remains to check the processor. If your computer has a dual-core processor, it is unlikely to allow the full potential of a powerful video card, which will eventually just idle. So when you buy a new powerful video card, it is worth thinking about replacing the processor with a more powerful.

When the new video card is bought, it’s just a matter of exchanging the video card in the computer for a new one. But before removing the old video card is recommended to remove its drivers. This step is not mandatory, but it is better to uninstall it. Drivers that are installed from official sites or from the disc can usually be found in the menu “Uninstall a program”, which you can enter through the “Control Panel. Find an installed driver in the list and uninstall it.

If for some reason the driver is not on the list, you can uninstall it via Device Manager. But if there is a Windows universal video driver installed in the system you should not remove it that way.

Then turn off your computer and for safety unplug the power cord of the system unit. Disconnect the cable from the video card and open the system unit. Loosen the fixing screws or squeeze the clips, unplug the power cord video card, if any, and unclicking the latch gently pull out the video card.

Installing the video card is done in reverse order, and after turning on the PC you should install the latest drivers.

Installing the new video card

Before replacing the video card on the PC, you need to remove the old drivers. Using the Start menu go to the Control Panel and remove unnecessary programs through the Uninstaller service.

Immediately before installing the video adapter, disconnect the computer from the network. Then you need to remove the video adapter plug, which connects the device with the monitor.

Carefully insert the card in its place, without applying additional force. Next, connect the connectors. Make sure that the wires do not get in the way and do not interfere with other components. Close the lid of the system unit and turn on the computer.

You will need to install new drivers for the device, which come with the video card. Usually they are on a separate boot disk. Also utilities can be downloaded from the Internet, preferably from the official website of the manufacturer. Don’t forget to update drivers periodically to keep your device stable!

How to install drivers

New video cards usually come with a driver disk, which must be installed in any case, if you connect this part to your computer for the first time. If there is no drive or the drive doesn’t work, or if you bought a second-hand video card and lost the drive, you can download and install the drivers from the developer’s website.