Persistent GPU problems can be addressed by your local computer repair store. Your new GPU will be able to operate without dedicated drivers installed, but you will need to get drivers as soon as possible to get the best performance out of your new graphics card. Both AMD and Nvidia offer driver downloads on their websites.
As you can see, the GPU installation process is a simple one. Most people are capable of carrying out a job like this, and it will be well worth it to enjoy the enhanced performance a new graphics card can bring. You just need to make sure that you follow these steps carefully to get the best results.
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PCI Express 6. Wordle Scams. T-Mobile iCloud Private Relay. Avira Antivirus Crypto Miner. Linux PinePhone Pro. Google Green Messages. Use Your iPhone as a Webcam. Hide Private Photos on iPhone. Installing a PCI card is one of the easier upgrades you can perform on a computer, and you can have the entire process finished in just a few minutes. See Step 1 below to learn how. Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers.
Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Unplug your computer. Power down your computer and then unplug the power cable and all the other cables that are connected to the back. Press Power button once to discharge any static charge present.
If you were recently using your computer, wait a few minutes for it to cool before proceeding. Note: Some PCI cards may require you to install drivers before installing the card, but these are rare. Always read the card's documentation before installing. Open your computer.
PCI cards need to be installed onto your Computer's motherboard. To do this, you will need to open your computer so that you can access the insides. Lay the case on your table or workbench, with the connectors on the back closest to the work surface. This will ensure that when you remove the side panel, you will have access to the motherboard. Most cases use thumbscrews which can be loosened by hand, though some may require a Phillips screwdriver.
Avoid laying the computer on carpet. Friction from the carpet is more likely to generate static electricity, which could then result in an electrostatic discharge. Identify the PCI slot s. You will see rectangular slots on your motherboard that correspond with bays on the back of the case. There are usually one or two PCIe slots closest to the processor, used for graphics cards , followed by one or more PCI slots.
You may have expansion cards installed here already, or they may be empty. If you are having difficulty locating your PCI slots, refer to your motherboard's documentation.
They are typically located closest to the processor in the row of PCI slots. If you don't have any PCI-E slots, you may need to install a new motherboard if you want to upgrade your graphics card. This will help you identify where the PCI-E slots are located. Installing a new motherboard will require that you reinstall your operating system. Note: Most laptops do not allow you to upgrade the graphics card. Make sure that the card will fit.
Lots of modern graphics cards are quite large, and many will take the space of two PCI slots in the computer. They can also be fairly tall and long, so you'll need to make sure that there is enough vertical and horizontal clearance. Use a tape measure to note both the vertical and horizontal clearance that you have available. Nearly all cards will have their dimensions listed in their product descriptions, allowing you to ensure that it will fit before you purchase it.
Strike a balance between price and power. Graphics cards can get expensive. Obscenely expensive. At a certain point, the average user won't be gaining any benefits from the increased cost of higher-end cards. Examine the applications you intend to use your card with and find a card that gives you the best power and reliability for your buck.
Be sure to read as many reviews as possible before deciding on a card. There are lots of resources online for finding the best performance for your budget. Sites such as Tom's Hardware will publish comparison charts ranking the current most popular cards in all price ranges, and customer reviews on sites such as Newegg can provide insight into the average person's experience with the card. Check the system requirements for your favorite games. See what graphics card is recommended to get the best performance out of the games you love, and also keep in mind the needs of future games.
Find cards that are recommended for your interests. Different cards are best suited for different applications, though most cards excel at being jack-of-all-trades. Nvidia GTX - This is one of the best high-end cards at the moment that can handle pretty much anything you throw at it at p.
If you are focused on graphic design, look for cards with more onboard memory, such as 3 or 4 GB. These will be more expensive, but will increase your rendering and encoding speeds. Look at the display capabilities of the card. As display technology improves, so do the number of options available on graphics cards. Check what your monitor uses to connect, and purchase your card accordingly.
If you want to run multiple monitors, ensure that the graphics card can support multiple monitors with quality ports. Part 2. Uninstall your old drivers. One of the biggest potentials for errors and problems stems from driver incompatibility. Before installing your new card, it is highly recommended that you uninstall the drivers that Windows is currently using to display graphics.
Once in the Device Manager, expand the Display Adapters section. Right click on your current display adapter and click Uninstall. Follow the prompts to remove the driver from your computer. Your display will likely revert to low quality, with large icons and blurry text. Power down your computer after uninstalling the drivers. Ground yourself. Whenever working with sensitive computer components, you should always ensure that you are properly grounded.
Electrostatic discharge can damage or destroy your components, rendering them useless. Preferably you will be using an anti-static wrist strap attached to exposed metal in your case. If you don't have one, you can ground yourself by touching a metal water tap. Make sure that the open computer is not resting on carpet, and that you are standing on tile or linoleum when working inside the computer. Make sure that the computer is unplugged from the wall before you begin working on the insides.
Identify the old card. Most graphics cards are fairly large, and will likely be the largest card installed in your system. They often have fans and heatsinks attached to them. If your computer was using integrated graphics before your monitor was connected directly to the motherboard , then there will be no card to remove. Remove your existing card. If you are upgrading graphics cards, you will want to remove the old card before installing the new one.
Unscrew the screw that is connecting the card to the chassis. Most newer cards have a tab underneath near the back of the PCI slot that will need to be released in order to pull the card out. When removing the card, pull it straight up so that you don't damage the PCI slot. Make sure to disconnect any displayed plugged into the old card before removing it. Clean out any dust. With the old card out, this would be a great time to clean out some of the dust that's accumulated.
Use compressed air to clear the dust from the crevices around the PCI slot. Dust can build up and cause your components to overheat, so staying on top of cleaning will help your computer run for a long time. Insert the new card.
Gently remove the card from its antistatic bag, avoiding touching any of the contacts or circuitry.
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