How to Replace your PC Video Card Yourself
Replacing the Video Card on your PC may need to be done for man y reasons. Whether you are simply upgrading to a better GPU for gaming reasons, or the card itself is broken, the process is the same.
When replacing a PC’s video card, you should first check to see which type of video card slot is on their motherboard. It will either be AGP, PCI, or PCI-Express.This information is readily available in your PC user manual, or you can go to the manufacturers website and find the specs based on your serial number.
Safety Considerations
Make sure when you are replacing a PC’s video card that you and your hardware are not on the carpet as that could build up static electricity and fry your video card. You can make sure you have grounded yourself by wearing an anti-static wristband or by touching the chassis every few moments.
Replacing your Video Card
Next, you would want to open up your computer and once you identify the video card, find where it is held in the expansion slot by a screw. In order to remove the video card you will need to take out the screw. Once that is done, the card will only be held in place by the slot on the motherboard. By pulling firmly the video card directly up and out of the slot.
Next you will want to get the video card that will be replacing the previous one, lining it up and making sure it’s directed the correct way, and gently push it downward into the slot. In order to keep the card in place, you will need to take the screw from earlier and tighten it in between the corresponding holes on the video card and the expansion slot.
Finally, you will have to check your video card to see if there are any other connectors needed. Higher end video cards will require 4-pin power connectors while others require 6-pin. If necessary, these will be plugged in on the side of the video card farthest from the back of the case. Most power supplies have extra connectors for hardware like this, but if you are missing a certain cable your video card packaging will have a splitter going from a 4-pin to a 6-pin in order to power your video card.
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