How to Replace Video Card

Balance budget and needs. The graphics card can easily be the most expensive component in a computer, but it doesn’t have to be. If cleverly using the budget, the mid-range card can still deliver stable performance depending on demand. If you are a game fanatic and want to play new games with the highest possible configuration, consider high-end and expensive video cards. If you’re new to gaming occasionally, care little about new releases, or don’t mind cutting down on some graphics configurations, you can save quite a bit of money on a mid-range video card. If you just need to watch HD videos or play some 2D games, then the cheapest graphics card in the budget should be enough.

• Find out before you buy. Websites like Tinhte.vn and vozforums.com regularly test and compare new and upcoming video cards. The results of these tests can help you quickly compare your options to find the best video card for you.
• Don’t worry about the memory (RAM) of the video card. This parameter is often used to make poor quality graphics cards worth buying. However, the memory bandwidth is the important factor. This is the speed at which memory can send and receive data from the computer. When it comes to this factor, GDDR5 is currently the top choice with 4x better performance than the old GDDR3 memory. ^[1]
• If your current CPU is mid-range, you probably won’t be able to use the full potential of a high-end video card. The video card is an important factor in performance, but for the game to run smoothly, it also has to rely on all components with different capacities in the machine such as CPU, RAM system and read / write speed of the drive. hard disk.
• 4K games are increasingly popular, but to play games at this resolution requires you to use one (or even two) of the best graphics cards to meet the performance. In addition, a 4K monitor is also a necessary peripheral if you intend to play 4K games.

Remove the case cover. Before buying a video card, you need to check a few parameters by looking inside the case or the accompanying documentation. The case side visor is usually fixed to the back with a pink earring or a Phillips screw, which you can screw to remove. Usually, the side cover that you remove will be across from the motherboard input/output controls on the back of the computer.

• We cannot upgrade laptop graphics cards, except in rare cases. Refer to your laptop’s documentation to learn how to upgrade the video card (if possible).
• During the process of removing the case and working inside the computer, you must know how to ground yourself. This will help prevent static electricity from damaging the internal components of the machine. You can ground yourself by wearing an antistatic ring, or by touching a running faucet before you begin.

Check the power supply. The video card is one of the most power consuming parts, so you need to check to make sure that the current power supply can meet the graphics card’s capacity requirements. Each type of graphics card has different input power, so before buying, you need to compare the specifications of the video card with the power supply on your computer.

• There are many online power wattage calculators, you can enter all the components and see the minimum recommended wattage in watts (W). It is recommended that you use slightly more than the minimum power capacity to limit future effects on the computer. Another general rule that you can apply to calculate the power required is to double the number of watts required by the graphics card.
• If you plan to install multiple graphics cards in a single computer, the minimum power output will be 1 kW.
• There is no way to determine the power supply capacity other than by direct observation. No software can accurately report this parameter. Most power supplies have a specification label on the side. Usually you just need to remove the cover on the side of the case and look at the specs on the sticker.
• Many more powerful graphics cards require one or two 6-pin power connectors (PCIe). Most power supplies today have these cables, but older models don’t. In this case, you can buy an additional adapter to connect, or change to a more modern power supply.

Estimate the space the new video card will need. The graphics card takes up a lot of space, so you will have a hard time or even not being able to install the selected video card if the computer case is small and tight. Use a tape measure to measure where the video card is installed and compare it to the specifications of the graphics card you’re buying. Remember to watch the width carefully because the more powerful the graphics card, the larger the size will be.

• The graphics card only needs to be plugged into one PCIe slot, but can actually take up the space of two slots.

Check motherboard compatibility. Nearly every new graphics card uses the PCIe interface to replace the old AGP method. If the computer was purchased/installed in the last 10 years, it most likely uses the PCIe method. With computers that are so outdated, you will probably have to work with the AGP interface (unless the motherboard is upgraded).

• The PCIe and AGP slots are different colors on the motherboard. AGP is usually dark (such as brown), while PCIe is usually white, yellow, or blue. However, there are no specific standards for these colors, so you should consult your motherboard’s documentation or look in the label next to the slots.
• On motherboards, the PCIe slots are usually located closest to the CPU.