How to Upgrade Your Desktop Graphics Card for Better Gaming Performance
If you’re looking to upgrade your desktop graphics card, there are quite a few things to consider before choosing which one to buy and whether or not it will be effective in your current setup, as well as if it will be compatible with any future upgrades you might be considering. If you want better gaming performance but aren’t sure how to choose the best desktop graphics card for your needs, check out these essential tips from our tech experts!
Introduction
The graphics card is one of the most important components in a computer. It is not only responsible for displaying images on your screen, but it also helps with video and photo editing. If you are looking to upgrade your desktop graphic card, there are a few things that you need to consider before making your purchase.
Firstly, you need to identify which type of graphics card will fit in with your needs.
Secondly, you need to understand what your current system is capable of. This will give you an idea of how much processing power and RAM you can add with a new graphics card.
Lastly, you need to have a budget in place. It is important that you set a maximum limit for your graphics card purchase so you don’t overspend or take on a debt.
Thankfully, we’ve done some of that research for you. In our buyer’s guide below, you will find out more about how a graphics card works, what type to choose and what features are worth paying extra money for. If you are in a rush and just want our top recommendations, scroll down to find out more about our #1 pick!
We hope that our guide helps you understand what a graphics card does, and how it can improve your computer’s performance. Without further ado, let’s begin!
## What is a graphics card? The graphics card is a computer component that displays everything that you see on your screen. It also helps with video and photo editing, and gaming. While there are computers on sale with integrated graphics cards, most users will want to buy a separate one so they can upgrade their computer’s performance at a later date.
Things You’ll Need
-A screwdriver with a Phillips head
-The graphics card you want to install
-The video card’s driver disc or the driver download from the manufacturer’s website
-An additional power supply (if your computer is not equipped with one)
-The computer case open
Step One: Research
Before you begin the upgrade process, research the graphics card that you would like to purchase. You should consider what games and programs you will be using the card for and your budget. Once you have found a graphics card that suits your needs, look at the specifications of that card and compare it with your current graphics card. This will help you make sure that it is compatible with your system before purchasing.
The next thing you should do is check your power supply. This will help ensure that your computer has enough power to run a new graphics card. In addition, you may need to upgrade your video card drivers, which can be found on your manufacturer’s website. Lastly, you should decide whether or not you want an internal or external graphics card. Internal means it will be inside of your computer and external means it will connect through a USB port.
The last thing you will need to do is make sure your computer case has enough room for a new graphics card. If it does not, you may need to replace your case with one that is bigger. In addition, you should also clean out any dust from inside of your case as excess dust can damage a new graphics card.
Step Two: Preparing for the Upgrade
Once you’ve picked out a graphics card, it’s time to actually start the upgrade. First, backup your data just in case anything goes wrong during the process. Once that’s done, if you have an extra power supply laying around, now would be a good time to plug it in and turn it on. If not, make sure your computer is plugged into the power outlet. Make sure your PC is turned off before trying any of these steps!
Next, open your computer case. Every computer is different, so you may need a screwdriver to remove a few screws. If you’re not sure how to do that, check out a video on YouTube or ask an expert at a local store like Frys or MicroCenter. Once you get your case open and lay eyes on your old graphics card, you’ll notice there are two ribbon cables attached to it.
You’ll need to remove these cables before you can install your new graphics card. In most cases, these are just plugged in – no screws or anything holding them down. They may stick out of your video card at an angle, so it’s best to take a second look at them and make sure you’re unplugging each of them from your motherboard properly.
Now that you’ve gotten your new graphics card ready, it’s time to install it. You’re going to plug one of those two ribbon cables into a PCIe x16 slot on your motherboard. PCIe stands for Peripheral Component Interconnect Express, and 16 represents how many lanes are in each connection (the lanes connect your video card with your motherboard).
Step Three: Installing the New Graphics Card
Now that you have your new graphics card, it’s time to install it. For AMD cards, be sure you install the drivers before installing the card itself. If you’re running a Windows operating system, this should be done automatically. For Linux-based systems, you’ll need to download and install the appropriate driver manually. Simply insert your new card into an available PCI-E slot on your motherboard and secure it with the thumb screw or clamp that came with your purchase.
For Nvidia cards, you’ll need to download and install your drivers manually after you’ve installed your card itself. Once again, if your operating system is Windows-based, these should be installed automatically. If you’re running a Linux-based operating system, however, you’ll need to take more steps.
Once you have your drivers installed and your card physically inserted into a PCI-E slot, reboot your system. After that, you’ll be ready to install any games or graphics-intensive applications with ease!
Step Four: Testing the New Graphics Card
Once you’ve put the new graphics card in your desktop, it’s time to test it. You’ll want to run some of your favourite games at various levels of detail and resolutions to see how they perform and if any issues arise.
If you’re not sure where to start, try running some of your favourite games at various levels of detail and resolutions. It may be a good idea to test games that are relatively new and use advanced graphics techniques, as well as those that are less demanding. You can even test out multiple different games if you have time.
You should keep a record of your tests so that you can compare performance before and after upgrading. If you notice a significant improvement in performance, then consider yourself fortunate—you’ve just upgraded your graphics card. Enjoy!