Every gaming fan knows that updating the graphic card on your computer can make a world of difference. Most avid gamers upgrade their graphics cards every two or three years to support newer games. Although you can stretch your older graphics card for a longer period, changing it will enhance your gaming experience. 

In this article, we’ll explain in detail how to change graphic cards on PC. Following the proper steps will allow you to enjoy a better experience without affecting the overall performance of your computer. 

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Newer graphics cards have become more impressive and also easier to replace. Once you’ve made up your mind about replacing your graphics card, you can easily install it and have your PC ready to work in a few minutes. Here’s how to change your graphics card on PC.

There are different options regarding choosing the right graphics card. You can think of the budget and the power you can expect from your graphics card. Next, think of the games you like to play, and make sure that your graphics card is compatible with them. 

If you’re a hardcore gamer, you might be tempted to pay higher for better resolution and higher response. However, if you only like enjoying HD videos, a budget-friendly card will be more than enough. 

The memory bandwidth is another important factor to consider, and GDDR5 is enough to run the most demanding games. A more expensive card will allow you to enjoy 4K gaming. However, if you have an older CPU, you might need to upgrade it because an expensive and new graphics card won’t deliver the desired performance if the CPU is old. 

Now that you have chosen the right card, it’s time to remove the old one. 

Turn off the PC and disconnect it from the wall power supply.

Remove the side panel opposite the motherboard’s input/output panel to remove the old graphics card. 

Make sure that you’re properly grounded by touching a running tap before touching your computer. 

Examine the power supply to make sure that it can handle the requirements of your new graphics card. If the power supply is old, you will have to replace it.

If you’re using the motherboard’s graphics card, you won’t have to remove it. Pull out the card gently until it has been removed. If it feels stuck, you might have to work the latch, so you can remove the old card easily. 

Step 3: Check the Motherboard’s Compatibility

The motherboard on your PC should be compatible with your new graphics card; otherwise, you won’t be able to install or use it. Newer graphics cards run on the PCIe interface, and your computer will have one unless it’s ancient. 

If your PC is very old, the space you have for the graphics card might be too small for your new graphics card. Check the specifications of your graphics card and the space you have available. You might have to take up the width of 2 PCIe bays. 

Make sure that there are no cables stretched or obstructing the entrance where the new graphics card will be installed. Push it down into the PCIe slot until you hear it latch when it’s properly installed. Secure each bracket if the new graphics card is taking more than one bay. 

After inserting the graphics card into the right slot, you need to make sure that it is properly powered. Use a 6 or 8-pin connector from the power supply and connect it to the top of the graphics card. Unless your new graphics card is properly powered, your PC might not boot. 

It’s time to reattach the side panel. After this stage, you will be done with the hardware aspect of the installation process.

To test your new graphics card, you need to connect it to the monitor and see how it works. A new card might not work if your monitor is old. But in most cases, newer graphics cards come with adapters that allow you to connect an older monitor with no issues. 

You need to make sure that your computer is booting properly before you start installing the graphics card drivers. If you see error messages or if the computer is unable to start properly, there might be a problem with the way you inserted the graphics card into its slot. There could also be a problem with the power supply, so your graphics card won’t work properly. 

If everything has worked fine, wait for your PC to start and boot into a low-resolution mode. When this step is done, your PC will detect the new hardware. 

Uninstall the old drivers from the Control Panel if you’re moving from AMD/ATI to NVIDIA or the other way around. Even if you’re using a graphics card from the same manufacturer, it’s recommended to uninstall the old drivers and install them back. Follow the prompts and reboot the PC after removing the old drivers.

Although your graphics card might come with a CD, you should head to the manufacturer’s website to download the latest drivers. You can use the search tool to download the latest drivers that work for your card model. 

Follow the prompts to run the drivers on your computer. You might be asked to reboot your PC several times until the drivers have been properly installed. 

Restart your PC to give your graphics card a try. See if it’s compatible with your favorite game and check out its performance.


How To Upgrade Graphics Card on PC

Installing a new graphics card on your PC will improve how your favorite games load and work. Follow the steps in this detailed guide to remove your old card and replace it with a new compatible model. You will be impressed with the response and quality of your games. 

How To Upgrade Graphics Card on PC

How To Upgrade Graphics Card on PC

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