The graphics card of a computer is one of the components that must support most of the workload during data processing, especially in the case of intensive use of video games. Avid gamers should update their computer's video card every 2-3 years, even if the normal life of such a peripheral is longer than this time. Over the years, the process of replacing a video card has become easier and easier and the installation of its drivers has now become a fully automatic procedure. Once you've chosen and purchased your new peripheral and opened your PC case, installation should only take a few minutes.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choose a Video Card
Step 1. Find a trade-off between cost and performance
Without a well-founded reason, video cards can become the most expensive component of a computer. Depending on the needs of use, even many of the graphics cards included in a medium-low price range are able to guarantee excellent performance. If you are an avid gamer who wants to take advantage of the latest title available with the maximum graphic detail, you must necessarily orient yourself on the most powerful (and expensive) video cards on the market. If, on the other hand, you only use your computer for occasional gaming or if you are willing to sacrifice some graphics, then you can invest your money better by purchasing a mid-range graphics card. Whether you use your computer to only watch high-resolution videos or play 2D video games, most budget graphics cards will suit your needs perfectly.
- Do your research before investing your money. The "Tom's Hardware" (tomshardware.com) and "PCWorld" (pcworld.com) websites regularly test all new video cards on the market, providing a thorough review of the results and allowing you to compare multiple devices to help you choose the one you want. offers the most options at the lowest price.
- Don't worry about the amount of memory (RAM) installed on the video card. Often large amounts of memory are used only to make a video card more attractive and palatable. The really important data, however, is the bandwidth that it is able to manage, that is the speed with which the memory is able to transfer data to and from the other peripherals in the computer. Currently the GDDR5 memories are the best performing on the market and guarantee 4 times higher performance than the old GDDR3 memories.
- If your computer is equipped with a mid-range CPU, it makes no sense to install the most powerful graphics card on the market right now. Video cards certainly play an important role in terms of a video game's performance, but the overall result is based on each of the components in the computer, including processor (CPU), system RAM, and hard drive data rate.
- 4K video games guarantee an almost realistic graphic rendering, but, in order to satisfy the demand for hardware resources at such high resolutions, they require the use of an extremely expensive and powerful video card (sometimes even two). Also note that in this case you will be forced to purchase a monitor capable of supporting 4K resolutions as well.
Step 2. Open the computer case
Before purchasing a new graphics card, you need to check some features of your computer's architecture. To do this, you can consult the instruction manual or physically observe the internal components. Remove the side panel of the case. Unscrew the fixing screws on the back using your hands or a screwdriver. Normally, the removable panel is the one on the side opposite the one where the motherboard and I / O ports are installed.
- With a few rare exceptions, it is not possible to replace a laptop graphics card. Read the instruction manual to determine whether or not this opportunity exists.
- When working with the internal components of a computer, always make sure to discharge any static electricity in your body to the ground. This will prevent electrostatic discharges by avoiding damaging the delicate components of your computer. Wear an antistatic wristband or touch the metal faucet in the bathroom or kitchen before coming into contact with the inside of the computer.
Step 3. Check your computer's power supply
Video cards are the peripherals that require more power from the computer's power supply, so make sure that the power supplied is sufficient to power all the systems in the machine. To work correctly, different video cards require different powers, so refer to the technical specifications of the device and the power supply to see if they are compatible.
- Based on the components installed in your computer, there are numerous tools available on the web that can calculate the minimum recommended power delivered by the power supply to ensure proper operation of the entire system. In order to carry out future hardware upgrades, it will also be necessary to purchase a power supply capable of delivering a slightly higher power than the minimum required. Alternatively, you can follow the general example and opt for a power supply that delivers double the power required by your future video card.
- If you have decided to install multiple graphics cards, you need to purchase a power supply capable of delivering at least 1 kW of power.
- Knowing the power delivered by a power supply without physically viewing it is not possible - there are no programs capable of detecting this data. Almost all power supplies have an adhesive label on which all operating specifications are indicated. To find out the power of your power supply, normally you simply have to remove the side panel of the case and read the data on its adhesive label.
- To be powered, many of the more powerful graphics cards require one or two 6-pin PCIe connectors. Unlike older power supplies, most new power supplies on the market should have the required connectors. In spite of the existence of adapters able to connect the connectors of the old power supplies to the new ones, it is almost always advisable to completely replace an outdated power supply.
Step 4. Check the space available in the new graphics card slot
Compared to the previous ones, the latest generation video cards have larger dimensions, therefore, if your computer case is a mini-tower model or if the space available is scarce, installing the peripheral of your interest could be difficult (in extreme cases could be completely impossible). Use a tape measure to measure the space available for installation. Compare the measurements taken with the technical specifications of the card of your interest. Also pay attention to the width, as many of the more powerful graphics cards are much wider than normal.
A latest generation graphics card could easily occupy the physical space dedicated to two PCIe slots, even though it is intended for installation in only one slot
Step 5. Check the compatibility of the motherboard
Almost all modern graphics cards adopt the PCIe connection interface, a new standard that replaces the old AGP. If your computer has been built or purchased in the past 10 years, it may already be using the PCIe slot. If you want to replace the graphics card on a very old computer, you need to buy a peripheral that still adopts an AGP slot, unless you want to replace the motherboard as well.
- The PCIe and AGP slots are characterized by different colors. AGP slots are typically dark in color, for example brown, while PCIe slots typically are white, yellow, or blue. However, there is no standard coding, therefore, to identify the type of slots on your computer motherboard, always refer to the instruction manual. Alternatively, check the labels next to each slot.
- PCIe slots are usually placed very close to the CPU.
Part 2 of 3: Install a Video Card
Step 1. Turn off your computer
Before accessing the internal components, make sure the machine is completely turned off. After shutting down the system, unplug the power cord from the electrical outlet.
Step 2. Disconnect the monitor cable
Most likely your monitor is connected to the video card you need to uninstall, so before proceeding, unplug its cable from the video port on the back of your computer.
Step 3. Connect your body to the ground
Whenever you have to work on the internal components of a computer, you have to discharge your body to the ground to eliminate all traces of static electricity. The easiest way to do this is to wear an antistatic wristband and connect the cable to a metal part of the case. Alternatively, you can touch the metal faucet in the bathroom or kitchen while the water flows.
Step 4. Uninstall the old graphics card (if needed)
If you are modernizing your system by installing a new video card, you must first remove the old one. If, on the other hand, you are using a computer with an integrated video card on the motherboard, you can go directly to the next step.
- Use a Phillips (Phillips) screwdriver to unscrew the captive screw that locks the card in place.
- Disconnect all cables connecting the video card to other peripherals.
- Open the latch located near either end of the slot where the card is installed (PCIe). This is a safety catch that locks the card in place, so before you can remove it, you need to open it.
- Gently pull the old video card out of its slot. Do this by making an even and firm motion, but without applying excessive force. If you are unable to remove the card, make sure the safety latch is open and the retaining screw has been removed from the metal bracket.
Step 5. Remove the back covers of the device bays (if necessary)
Many of the most modern graphics cards require the use of two slots, so if they are still present, in order to install the new peripheral and make it accessible from the outside, you may need to remove a cover or two from the back of the computer case. Normally these protective panels are easily removed by applying light pressure, but the correct procedure varies based on the model of the case in use.
Step 6. Insert the new card
Make sure there are no cables obstructing access to the new card slot or straining excessively from either side of the peripheral printed circuit board. Push the card firmly into the PCIe slot until you hear the safety latch snap and the device fits snugly into the slot. Secure the video card bracket to the case using a Phillips pattern screwdriver (most cards come with two fixing screws). If the new card uses multiple slots, be sure to secure all the brackets present.
Step 7. Connect the power
Most new video cards require the use of at least one 6-8 pin power connector provided by the computer's power supply. Normally the connection port is located along the top of the video card. Make sure to connect all necessary power cables, otherwise, if the video card is not properly powered, the computer will not be able to start.
Due to their design, you will only be able to insert the mating connectors into the relevant port in one direction. Don't apply too much pressure, but make sure each link is tight
Step 8. Reassemble the case
After you have successfully installed the graphics card and made all connections, you can reassemble the case panel and proceed with the software installation.
Step 9. Connect the monitor to the new graphics card
Restoring all connections, be sure to connect the monitor cable to one of the ports for the new video card. In the case of an older monitor and a new generation graphics card, you may need to purchase an adapter to connect. Most new peripherals already come with these adapters.
Part 3 of 3: Install the Drivers
Step 1. Start the Windows operating system
Before proceeding with the installation of the new drivers, make sure that your computer boots correctly without difficulty. If the system is unable to boot or if error messages are generated during POST, there is a good chance that the card is not installed or powered correctly.
Windows will most likely start with a low resolution graphics configuration, as the video card does not yet have its own drivers. For now, ignore the message that new hardware devices have been detected
Step 2. Uninstall the old drivers
If your old graphics card is an AMD / ATI and you have switched to a new NVIDIA, or vice versa, the best thing to do is to remove the old drivers and all software related to the previous card. By doing so, you will avoid conflicts between the related programs. Even if the two cards, the old one and the new one, are built by the same manufacturer, it is better to uninstall the previous drivers. You can do this directly from the "Control Panel".
- Access the "Control Panel" and select the "Programs and Features" item or the "Uninstall a program" link. If you are using a Windows XP system, choose the "Add or Remove Programs" icon.
- In the list that appears, relating to the programs installed on your computer, locate the old drivers. In the case of an "NVIDIA" video card, a label similar to the following "NVIDIA Graphics Driver XXX. XX" will normally be available. For an AMD / ATI card, look for "AMD Catalyst Installation Manager" instead.
- To uninstall the software, follow the instructions that appear on the screen. In the case of an NVIDIA card, select the drivers, press the Uninstall button and follow the instructions. If it is an AMD card, select the item "AMD Catalyst Installation Manager" and press the Edit button, then, in the next window, choose the option "Remove AMD software components" and, again, follow the instructions appeared.
- After the uninstall is complete, restart your computer. This step completes the uninstallation procedure.
Step 3. Download the latest driver version directly from the card manufacturer's website
Now that the old software has been removed, you can proceed to install the drivers for the new video card. Do not install the drivers on the CD-ROM / DVD included in the device package, as this will most likely be an outdated version. Depending on your graphics card manufacturer, go to the AMD or NVIDIA website and search for the model. Then download the latest available version of the card drivers in your possession.
The installation file is quite large (around 300MB), so the download phase may take a few minutes, depending on the speed of your internet connection
Step 4. Launch the New Driver Installation Wizard
To proceed with the installation, follow the instructions that appear on the screen. Most users will be able to select the "Recommended" or "Express" installation option. During installation it is likely that the monitor will flicker slightly and that the adopted resolution automatically changes to one more suitable for the hardware in use.
In order for the changes to take effect, you will likely be prompted to reboot your system after the installation is complete
Step 5. Start taking advantage of your new video card
After installing the new drivers, you are ready to harness the full power of your new peripheral. Start the video game you love most or the graphics program you use the most and test the performance of your new jewel!
