How to Install a Video Card: 10 Steps

How to Install a Video Card: 10 Steps

So you've got that fancy new high performance video card ready to install and run the latest game. Before you can use your new hardware, you'll need to properly install and configure your video card. These instructions will work for computers running Windows.



Steps


1. Back up your current computer configuration if possible. Just in case something goes wrong, you want to have the ability to go back to the way things were.

• Depending on the brand, your computer may have come with specific manufacturer software that gives you the ability to save hardware configurations. Save your current configuration.
• If your computer does not have a separate system restore tool, on any Windows computer, you can use System Restore to set a restore point.

2. Shut down the computer and disconnect your mouse, keyboard, monitor and other peripherals. You're going to need to get at the interior of your computer and it'll be much easier to do this if you get the cables out of the way and move it to a surface you can work on.

• If your computer uses on-board or built-in video, you may need to disable an option in the computer BIOS before you can get your card to work. In this case, if you are able to install a new video card, you should choose the appropriate option in your computer BIOS to use the new video card instead of your computer built-in video at this point, before you turn your computer off and install the new card.

3. Remove the cover of the computer case. Your computer case may have a latch or release to press, particularly if it is newer.

• If there is no latch or release, look for a series of screws on the back of the computer case holding the cover in place.
• Some computers may require you to also remove the back of the case. In most computer cases this is unnecessary as the back of the chassis is used to anchor the side of the cards, but this is not always the case.

4. Take precautions to avoid discharging static electricity. You're about to start touching stuff inside the computer that can easily be damaged by a static electrical discharge.

• The easiest way to make sure that you are not discharging static electricity is simply to ground yourself by touching a metal part of the chassis.
• If possible, do the installation in an non-carpeted area to avoid static build-up and discharge.
• If you are working extensively on your computer, you may wish to wear a grounding strap.

5. Carefully remove the old video card. You will need to unscrew the back plate of the video card, press a lever and pull the card out.

• From here until you finish working inside your computer, it's wise to be careful about what you touch in general. Grab your video card by the edges as much as possible. Try to avoid touching the video card contacts (the gold striped part at the edge of the card where it plugs into the motherboard), the fan or any of the chips on the card or inside your machine.
• Look carefully for a small, usually brightly colored lever near the front (inside) part of your video card. Be careful pressing it - it is fragile and easily broken.

6. Install your new video card. Look carefully to find the correct slot and press your new video card gently into place until it engages the plastic clasp lever locking it in place. Rock it into position if necessary, but don't force it.

• Your video card may require a connection from your computer power supply. Look carefully on the top surface of your video card and you'll see a small power connector socket if this is the case.
• If you are upgrading from a PCI card to an ISA card, you'll need to find an open PCI slot. PCI and ISA slots look different, and cards that fit one do not fit the other.
• Your video card may require you to set specific jumpers, or small switches, in a particular order. Look carefully at your video card manual to make sure, and set them as necessary before installing the card.
• If you are installing a card into a slot that hasn't been used before, you may need to knock out or unscrew a small metal plate on the back of the computer case covering the port that your card will use.
• If you are installing a dual video card setup, you will need to install your second card, as well as a hardware bridge between the two cards. Check your user manual if this is the case.

7. Screw the card back plate into the back of the computer case and put the case cover back on. Make sure you didn't lose a screw from a previous step.

8. Reconnect your monitor, keyboard, mouse and any other peripherals and power on the computer. If your monitor displays properly, the card is working!

• If your monitor does not display any picture at all, you need to troubleshoot your installation. Check to make sure you have the card properly installed and connected.
• An irregular, jagged-looking or distorted picture might indicate a problem with your video card. Check that your card is properly installed before contacting the manufacturer.
• You may not be able to use all the options on your card until you have installed and updated the driver software.

9. Using the software that came with your video card, install the video card driver and any additional software. You will most likely need to update the driver that came with the card, so you'll need an Internet connection.

• If Windows doesn't prompt you, you may need to manually complete the installation using the Add New Hardware wizard. Click on Start, thenControl Panel, then Add New Hardware.

10. Use your new video card software to adjust your monitor and settings in the display control panel. You'll be given options to adjust the screen size, resolution and colors. You're all done!

Tips

• Some video cards are very wide and take up more than one slot worth of horizontal space. Use the slot with the most open space around it. Your video card will need a small amount of clearance in order for air to circulate.
• As with anything you do inside a computer case, move slowly and carefully. For maximum precision — like when you're pulling out your video card — keep your arms close to your body and arrange your task so your arms move laterally across the front of your body. This will allow you to use your chest and abdominal muscles as well as your arms to make fine adjustments.
• On PCs with a lot of complex, non-standard peripherals, you may need to make detailed changes to your computer hardware management options, in particular how it handles itsIRQ or interrupt request addresses. Installation on these systems will be much more complicated.
• Be aware that changing your computer video card may void your warranty. For most computers, especially ones that you build yourself, this will not be the case. You may not even be able to change the video card in other computers you use, like your computer at work or at school.
• If you do not understand these instructions or you lack good manual dexterity, have a qualified technician install the video card for you.