The graphics card is arguably the single most important component for gamers – it’s not the racing streaks on the best gaming chair that makes your frame rate faster. A simple GPU upgrade can breathe new life into your system, and make your system look good enough to sit on top of the best gaming desk. Fortunately, you don’t need to be a tech savvy to learn how to install a graphics card nowadays, as it’s one of the simplest and safest things you can do when building the best gaming PC.
Unless you are starting to build a new version, the first step is to know when to upgrade. New graphics cards aren’t cheap — especially given current stock issues — and it’s not always the GPU’s fault that you’re stuttering in the game.
The best way to find out is to run MSI Afterburner and look at the GPU and CPU loads. If your processor is reaching its peak levels of 90-100% while the GPU is below 80%, it is better that you upgrade the CPU than do the wrong part. You might also benefit from a BIOS update or investing in the best gaming RAM – the minimum we recommend is 16GB nowadays.
If you are sure that the latest and best from Nvidia or AMD is what you need, there are a few things to consider before choosing the best graphics card for you.
Knowing your current graphics card model is half the battle. You can find out by pressing Win + R and typing “dxdiag” in the run field. Once the window appears, go to the Display tab to see the name of your graphics card and compare it with others in the market.
When all you want to do is boost your frames per second, you don’t want to hit any obstacles along the way, and that’s where we come in. If you’ve already done your due diligence, feel free to skip to the next step, but if not, here’s how to prepare for your next graphics card.
1. Compatibility check
First, let’s talk about the PCI Express slot. It’s important to plug your primary graphics card into the x16 slot, which is usually the closest to your CPU, although there may be more than one on the best gamepad. There are currently four different types, but backward compatibility means you’ll be able to use your GPU without problems. It’s worth noting that using a PCIe 4.0 graphics card in a PCIe 3.0 slot comes as a sacrifice of some performance, however, be careful if this is important to you.
The real compatibility issues come from the size of the graphics card you’re monitoring, and whether your power supply can handle them. It would be a shame to wait for how Nvidia feels forever to restock the RTX 3080s and 3090, just so they don’t fit into your case or refuse to work with the rest of your system. For example, the RTX 3090 is particularly chubby, earning its nickname “BFGPU” due to its massive size and 750W recommendation.
On the flip side, if you plan to use a low-end graphics card, like the GTX 1050 Ti, you’ll be able to power the GPU through the motherboard’s PCIe slot. This is a great option for anyone aiming to build a smaller, lower spec platform with a lighter power supply. Unfortunately, cards with a TPC of 75 watts and less are becoming less common, as Nvidia’s RTX 3050 Ti desktop variant allegedly requires 90 watts.
Therefore, if you are planning to build a stylish gaming PC, you may want to carefully consider your choice of power supply. Of course, if you’re looking to build something with a very small footprint, you’ll want to choose the modular SFX PSU, as its smaller size will help maximize space on even the smallest of Mini-ITX cases. However, if you plan to cram a platform into the Sega Dreamcast, you may have to be a bit more creative when it comes to parts.
Mount your computer against the wall and, with a tape measure at hand, remove the side panel. You will need to measure the inside of your computer horizontally, from the top PCIe slot to the front of the case. Sometimes a hard drive cage will block your path, which you can remove if it’s not occupied to make more space. If you can’t get this out, stop measuring before hitting the cage.
Since the graphics card will likely add the most additional wattage to your computer’s overall power draw, you can also take a look at what the power supply has to offer as you research your case. This will usually be indicated by the number in your power supply name, but no one will blame you if you don’t remember it. It’s easier to just check the label on the side instead.
Make sure your CPU won’t get in the way of your new GPU
While not necessarily incompatible, you will need to make sure you have one of the best CPUs for gaming, so that your powerful new graphics card isn’t choked by a sub-par CPU.
Now that you have both the measurement and the wattage of your power supply, you can compare it to your desired graphics card length and upper intake limit. If it’s too big or takes a lot of power, you can either choose another graphics card or upgrade to the best PC and PSU case – don’t worry, we give you how to install a power supply too.
2. Clear your graphics drivers
This step is not appropriate for new installs and not very important for those upgrading to the same manufacturer (although having a clean slate is always great), but if you’re jumping from AMD to Nvidia or vice versa, you should clean the system of any existing graphics drivers .
Unfortunately, it’s not the same as uninstalling a program because uninstalling a standard driver can leave traces, and Windows configuration files and the operating system registry can often interfere with competing programs.
Instead of delving into the operating system registry, which can be an intimidating place, we recommend using Display Driver Uninstaller to automate the process. It’s a simple program that will save you hours of head scratches, and does the complete removal of AMD, Nvidia and even Intel drivers, if desired.
Simply install and launch DDU and follow the onscreen instructions. It will first prompt you to restart your system to safe mode, and then offer you a few options once the restart has finished. Select the existing drivers you want to get rid of and hit the “Clean and Shut Down” button when you’re ready. Thats all about it!
3. Install your graphics card
Got your screwdriver ready? Good, because now we get to the fun part. Installing a graphics card is actually safer than ever, but there are a few precautions to take so you don’t damage any of your components. It’s all electric, after all.
First, shut down your computer at the power source and unplug anything that comes out of the back of the case. Then press the power button to discharge any remaining power that is floating around. Make sure your computer is on a non-conductive surface, such as wood, and that you’re not walking around on the carpet (if you are, wear a rubber sole). You can also use an anti-static wrist strap that clips onto your case if you want to be absolutely sure that you’re not causing any build-up of static.
Pop the side panel off and then it’s time to get into the thick of it. If you’re upgrading, you’ll need to remove the old graphics card before putting the new one in. Unscrew the retaining bracket and make sure to leave the loose screw somewhere you won’t lose it – they are quite fiddly. Don’t just yank the graphics card out, as it’s still secured in by a clasp you’ll need to pull or flip to the side. Carefully unseat the component and keep it close by as a backup, just in case.
Now is the perfect time to give your motherboard a quick dust before sliding your new graphics card into the now-empty PCIe slot. This shouldn’t take a great deal of force to secure and don’t panic if you hear an audible click – this is just the click re-securing itself. Screw the bracket back on so it doesn’t move, and you’re almost done.
4. Play with your new graphics card
If all goes well, pressing the power button for the first time with a new graphics card will feel incredibly satisfying. The sounds of crowds starting to work and the Windows login screen appearing on your screen are all great signs that things are working as they should.
Don’t worry if your graphics card fan starts and stops intermittently when turned on or idle, as many modern GPUs use 0dB coolers to reduce noise and power consumption. This should start spinning continuously when you’re playing a game and the temperatures exceed a certain point.
Make sure you have the latest drivers installed for your graphics card
To fix the twisted resolution that you will notice when you first log in, you will need to download the relevant drivers. If you’ve got an Nvidia graphics card yourself, GeForce Experience can help update your drivers automatically if you don’t want to download them directly from the website, while AMD Radeon users can use Adrenalin for the same hands-out experience.
While installing these drivers, don’t panic if your screen flickers and changes resolution. This is completely normal because your GPU matches your monitor’s default settings. You will likely be prompted to restart your system to finish installing the new driver, but after that, it’s time to launch the game.
If you want more frames when running the fps counter in Steam Overlay, check out How to Overclock Your CPU and GPU. If you encounter any issues without overclocking, try reinstalling your graphics card or reinstalling the original one while you sort things out with the manufacturer.