How to Upgrade Video Adapter Cards

Learn to install a new graphics card in your desktop computer.

Upgrading your video card allows your computer to process high-quality graphics and video at faster speeds. Video adapter cards or graphics cards are small circuit boards mounted to the back of your desktop computer. Video cards process video data generated by your desktop computer's software and send that data to your computer's monitor. Upgrading your video card requires that you partially dismantle the computer.

Things You'll Need

• Phillips screwdriver
• Device driver installation disc
• Antistatic wrist strap

Instructions

1. Turn off your desktop computer and unplug its power cable. Rotate the computer tower so the back panel is facing you.

2. Lay the computer on its left or right side,and remove the Phillips thumb screws fastening the right or left side access panel in place. Remove the side panel to reveal the inside of your computer.

3. Touch a metal surface to discharge static electricity from your body. Locate the graphics card attached to the computer tower's back panel. Loosen the single Phillips screw holding the graphics card in place.

4. Grasp the video card and pull straight up until its connectors disconnect from the motherboard. Remove the graphics card from the computer and store it in a static-free plastic bag.

5. Place the new graphics card inside the computer and line up the notches on the card with the alignment notches on the graphics motherboard connector. Align the screw hole on the graphics card with the screw hole on the back panel's graphics card slot. Attach the Phillips screw to the graphics card until it is firmly secured in place.

6. Replace the side access panel and its two retaining Phillips screws. Place the computer tower vertically and reconnect all cables and devices to the computer.

7. Turn on the computer and insert the installation disc that came with your video card into the CD/DVD drive. Follow the onscreen instructions to install the video card's device drivers.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have access to the video card's installation disc, most video card manufacturers make the drivers available for download from their support site.

• Wear an antistatic wrist strap while working inside your computer to prevent electrical damage to the motherboard.

References

• PC Mag: How to Upgrade a Graphics Card
• Foner Books: Installing a Video Card