Do the games on your monitor screen not look as good as on other people's screens? Have you ever looked at a stunning screenshot and thought, "If only my computer could be like that…"? All of this often starts with the right video card. Replacing a video card with a more powerful one may sound like a hassle, especially given the large selection of video cards available. However, by setting a budget for your video card and capitalizing on a screwdriver, you can install a powerful new video card in no time. Start with Step 1 below to find out how.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Choosing a Video Card
Step 1. Uncover the computer
To locate the old video card, identify the power supply, and install a new card, you must unscrew the computer. Most modern shrouds have screws on the back of the shroud so you can easily remove the side panels, but you may need a screwdriver to unscrew the screws on older shrouds.
- Disconnect the power cord and all peripherals before removing the side panel.
- Remove the panel to the opposite side of the motherboard (motherboard). If you look at the back of the computer, you will see a panel on one side that contains various ports (ports), including USB, Ethernet, display ports and more. This is the motherboard I/O panel, and will help you see which side the motherboard is on. You can lay the computer on this side and remove the opposite panel for easy access to the motherboard.
Step 2. Make sure your power supply can support the video card
A powerful video card requires the necessary power supply support. If you have an old power supply, or many other components that also require power, your power supply may not be able to. If this is the case, also upgrade the power supply when you upgrade the video card.
- There are various sites online that help in calculating power requirements by analyzing all the hardware that has been installed or will be installed. Look for "power supply calculator" on the internet.
- The power supply also requires a PCI-E connector. This is usually not a problem if your power supply is new, but power supplies older than 10 years may not have the appropriate connectors.
- The maximum wattage of the power supply is usually listed on a sticker affixed to the power supply. You may have to remove the power supply to find it.
Step 3. Make sure your motherboard supports the video card
Almost all modern video cards are PCI-E, so you should make sure you have at least one of these slots. This slot is usually located closest to the processor in a row of PCI slots. If no PCI-E slot is available, you will need to replace the motherboard to be able to upgrade the video card.
- Refer to the motherboard documentation for a layout diagram. This will help you identify which slot PCI-E is in.
- Installing a new motherboard means having to reinstall the operating system on the computer.
- Note: Most laptops do not allow you to upgrade the video card.
Step 4. Make sure the new video card will fit
Many modern video cards are quite large in size and will take up two PCI slots on a computer. The size can also be tall and long, so make sure there is enough space both vertically and horizontally.
Use a tape measure to record both the available vertical and horizontal space distances. Most video cards include their size dimensions in their description, so you can make sure that the card will fit before you buy it
Step 5. Balance between the price and power of the card
A video card can be expensive, even very expensive. At some point, regular users won't get the benefit of upgrading to a higher card. Check all the computer programs you will be using, and find the video card that will give you the best power and reliability within your budget.
- More expensive cards are usually reserved for overclockers (users who enable additional video card speed) and users who want to use a dual-card or quad-card configuration.
- Be sure to read as many reviews as possible before deciding on a card. There are many sources of information on the internet to find the best performance within your budget. Sites like Tom Hardware will publish a comparison chart of the current most popular cards ranking across all price ranges. Customer reviews on websites like Newegg can provide insight into the average user's experience with a particular card.
- Check the system requirements of your favorite game. See which video card is recommended for best performance, as well as which video card is recommended for future gaming needs.
Step 6. Find the recommended card
Each card will be optimal for a particular application, although most cards can excel in many applications. Below are some of the more popular video cards in 2015:
- AMD Radeon R9 290X - This is an all-in-one video card that can run most games on Ultra settings without "sweating". This card sells for around IDR 3,750,000-4,000,000. Similar types, namely Nvidia GeForce GTX 970, are sold more expensive at around Rp. 625,000, but use lower power.
- AMD Radeon R7 260X - This is an inexpensive video card that can handle most games on Medium-High settings. You can buy this card for less than IDR 1,600,000. The same type, Nvidia GeForce GTX 750 Ti can be purchased more expensive for around Rp. 375,000, but it uses lower power, and does not require a PCIe power connector (recommended for PCs with low PSU).
- Nvidia GTX 980 - This is one of the best state-of-the-art video cards out there, and it can handle a fair amount of computer programs displayed at 1440p resolution. The price is around IDR 6,875,000 for the EVGA ACX 2.0 and IDR 8,500,000 for the Classified edition.
- If you focus on graphic design, look for a card with more onboard memory, such as 3 or 4 GB. They are more expensive, but will increase rendering and encoding speeds.
Step 7. Check the display capabilities of your card
Display technology is evolving, and so are the number of options available on video cards. Your new card might support HDMI, DVI, DisplayPort, VGA, or a combination thereof. Check what your monitor is connecting to, then buy the appropriate card.
- For best quality, you should connect via HDMI or DisplayPort.
- If you want to run multiple monitors, make sure your video card can support multiple monitors with quality ports. Do not use one HDMI monitor and one VGA monitor, as VGA monitors have a low resolution and look ugly when next to an HDMI monitor.
Part 2 of 3: Card Installation
Step 1. Uninstall the old driver
One of the biggest potential problems stems from video card driver incompatibility. Before installing a new card, it is highly recommended that you remove the video driver that Windows is currently using to display graphics.
- The fastest way to remove a driver is to open Device Manager and uninstall it from there. To open Device Manager, search for it in the Start menu or press Win+X and select it from the menu (for Windows 8).
- Once in the Device Manager, expand the Display Adapters section. Right click on the current display adapter and click Uninstall. Follow the instructions to uninstall the driver on your computer. The screen may return to low quality with large icons and blurry text. Shut down the computer after the video card driver has been successfully uninstalled.
Step 2. Perform grounding (grounding)
Make sure you are grounded whenever working with sensitive computer components. An electric shock can damage or destroy components, rendering them useless. We recommend that you use an antistatic wrist strap that attaches to the metal exposure in the computer case. If this is not available, you can ground yourself by touching the metal water tap.
- Make sure the exposed computer is not lying on the carpet, and that you are standing on tile or linoleum while working inside the computer.
- Make sure the computer is unplugged from the wall before you start working on the inside.
Step 3. Get to know the old video card
You can find old video cards in the PCI-E or AGP slots on the motherboard (AGP cards are usually found on older computers). Most video cards are fairly large, and will likely be the largest card installed in the system. Most cards have a fan and heatsink attached to the card.
If your previous computer used an integrated graphics card (monitor connected directly to the motherboard), there will be no card to remove
Step 4. Remove the old video card
To upgrade a video card, remove the old card before installing the new card. Remove the screw that connects the card to the chassis. Most new cards have a tab at the bottom near the back of the PCI slot that needs to be freed to pull the card out.
- When removing the card, pull it straight up so you don't damage the PCI slot.
- Make sure to disconnect anything plugged into the old card before removing it.
Step 5. Remove any dust
Once the old cards are removed, this is a good time to clean up the accumulated dust. Use compressed air to clean dust from the crevices around the PCI slots. Dust can build up and cause your components to overheat, so keeping them clean will help your computer run longer.
Step 6. Insert a new card
Gently remove the video card from its antistatic pouch, and avoid touching any contacts or circuits. Insert it directly into the empty PCI-e slot and apply pressure on it until the card is fully seated. If there is a clip in your PCI-E slot, you will hear a click indicating the card is installed.
- You may need to remove the side panels if your video card is two panels wide.
- Make sure that there are no cables or other components in the way before the card is completely inserted.
Step 7. Secure the video card
Use the shroud screws to secure the video card to the chassis. If the video card is two panels wide, secure it with two screws, one for each bay area opening. Make sure the card is fully inserted before securing the screws.
Step 8. Connect the video card to the power supply
Most modern cards have a port power supply connector built into the back of the card. You'll need to connect one or two PCI-E connectors from the power supply, which is usually a 6-pin cable. This video card will not work if it is not connected to a power supply.
Many video cards come with an adapter that converts the data supply connector into a connector for connecting to a video card
Step 9. Replace the computer case
After making sure that the card is properly installed, secured, and connected to a power source, you can close the computer case. Be sure to connect the display to the new video card. If you used onboard video before, the monitor may be connected to the motherboard. To take advantage of the new card, connect it with the screen.
For best results, use the HDMI or DisplayPort port to connect the display to the video card. If your monitor or card doesn't support HDMI or DisplayPort, use a DVI, or VGA port
Part 3 of 3: Installing Drivers and Testing Video Cards
Step 1. Turn on the computer
The operating system will most likely detect a new card and attempt to adjust the display so that it uses the optimal resolution and color depth. Accept the changes and enter the operating system.
- If the monitor does not display an image at all, troubleshoot the video card installation. Check if the card is installed and connected.
- An irregular, jagged or distorted image may indicate a problem with the video card. Check that the card is properly inserted before contacting the manufacturer.
Step 2. Insert a disc drive or download a card driver
If the video card has a disc drive, insert it now to start the driver setup process. If your card doesn't come with a disc, or you want to use the latest driver release, you can download it directly from Nvidia or AMD (depending on the brand of card you have).
Step 3. Install the card driver
The driver installation process is mostly automatic, although you may be asked if you want to install additional video card management applications. These additional apps are optional, but can help ensure that your drivers stay up-to-date. Your screen will most likely flicker and reset itself during the installation process.
Most of the drivers on disc are out of date when purchased, so you will most likely be prompted to update your drivers after installing them
Step 4. Run the game
Remember, the reason you buy cards is to be able to play the latest and greatest games. So use this method for the best test of your new video card! Before starting to play, browse the game settings menu. Change all settings as high as possible, then run the game. If the game goes well, all is well!
- When setting the resolution, you should always use your monitor's resolution. Most flat-screen monitors have a resolution of 1920 x 1080, although newer monitors generally have higher resolutions than that.
- If the game looks bumpy or performs poorly, start lowering the game settings one by one. Don't worry too much if your card can't run Ultra settings; sometimes a game can't run optimally on any card!
- The performance of a game is affected by more than just the video card. Processor, RAM, and even hard disk speed play a role in the performance of a game.
Tips
- Whatever you do inside the computer case, do it slowly and carefully. For maximum precision - for example when pulling out an old video card - keep your arms close to your body, and keep your arms moving sideways in front of your body. This allows you to use your chest, abdominal and arm muscles to make fine adjustments.
- Be aware that replacing your computer's video card will void its warranty. On most computers, especially those you build yourself, this is not the case. You also probably shouldn't replace the video card in another computer you use, such as a computer at work or school.
