How to Upgrade a Graphics Card

Boost your PC's gaming performance or Vista speed by installing a new graphics board.

If you want games, graphics, and other multimedia programs to run faster, upgrading to a more powerful graphics card should be your first priority. And Microsoft's Windows Vista, with its 3D-accelerated Aero interface, gives you another reason to upgrade. To run Aero, you'll need a DirectX-9-capable graphics chip and at least 128MB of dedicated memory.

If you want to play the latest games, get the best card you can afford. Serious gamers with big budgets will want a dual graphics card setup using either NVidia's SLI or ATI's Crossfire technology and should expect to pay premium prices for both the graphics cards and a new SLI- or Crossfire-compatible motherboard.

Budget-minded users don't need to spend big money for better graphics. Even midrange graphic cards can deliver a substantial performance boost over older graphics cards--especially if you're adding a card to a budget system with integrated graphics. For more advice on what features to look for on a new graphics card, read "How to Buy a Graphics Card."

You can browse our Top 5 charts for good candidates: Value Graphics Cards, Mainstream Graphics Boards, and Power Graphics Cards.

Make sure you know what kind of card will work in your PC before you go shopping. You can still wring a bit of performance out of some older PCs with AGP connectors, but for the most part, any PC worth upgrading will use a PCI Express x16 slot for its graphics board.

Many of today's high-end graphics cards connect directly to the power supply. Make sure you have a connector and any necessary adapters available. Also check to see if you PC's power supply has the wattage to support your new card, because some of today's fastest cards can pull well over 100 watts. Overheating is also a concern when adding powerful cards; make sure your PC has adequate case cooling. And you'll need sufficient room in the case: The cooling system on a high-end graphics card usually takes up the space of two expansion slots.

If you're adding a new card to a budget system with integrated graphics, and especially if the PC uses its RAM for both graphics and normal processing duties, check the computer manual or the manufacturer's online support site to confirm that the system will accept the new graphics card you've selected.

Tools: In addition to the graphics card, you'll need a small, nonmagnetic Phillips screwdriver and a simple antistatic grounding strap that attaches to your wrist. Look for one at your local computer store for less than $15.

Drivers: Have the CD with the driver and installation software readily available. It's also a good idea to download the latest version of the drivers from the graphics card manufacturer's Web site; graphics cards are notorious for shipping with not-ready-for-prime-time drivers.

1: Uninstall the old drivers. Start by uninstalling your old card's drivers in Windows. Right-click My Computer, select Properties, and under the Hardware tab click on Device Manager. Double-click the name of your current graphics card, listed under Display Adapter, and under the Driver tab, click the Uninstall button. Then uninstall any other software used to manage your current card by running Add or Remove Programs in the Windows Control Panel (available in the Start menu). Typically these programs will be listed under ATI, NVIDIA, or the model name of your graphics card. Shut down your PC once you've taken care of the software.

2: Open the case. Unplug your PC and position it so that you can comfortably reach into the case's interior. If you have a tower case, you'll find it easier to install a graphics card if you lay the case on its side. Remove the cover.

3: Ground yourself. Protect your PC's delicate circuits from static electric charges on your body by properly grounding yourself. If you don't have a grounding strap, at least ground your body by touching a metal faucet, pipe, or even a metal part on the outside of your PC's case before touching the inside of your PC or any component.

4: Remove your current graphics card. First, remove the small screw that secures the card to the computer chassis. Then remove the card by grabbing its edges and pulling it upward with an even force while opening the small clip at the end of the card slot. If the card seems stuck, try gently rocking it lengthwise.

5: Install the new card. Remove the card from its packaging. Avoid touching the chips or circuits on the face of the card; hold the card by the edges only. Align the card's connector with the expansion slot and gently but firmly push down on the top edge with even pressure until the card is securely seated. Secure the card to the chassis with the existing screw or another clamping mechanism. If applicable, connect any power connectors.

6. Install the new drivers. Reassemble the PC case, power up the system, and install the graphics card drivers. Click Cancel to ignore the Windows prompt to run the installation wizard, then run the installation program that came with your graphics card.

If you have only the card's drivers and no installation program, you can manually install the new card by selecting Add Hardware from the Windows Control Panel. The program will walk you through the installation process and ask for the location of the driver files, which will be either on CD or on your hard drive, if you downloaded them.

Note: For a visual tutorial on installing a graphics card, watch our video.

Kirk Steers

Kirk Steers is a PC World contributing editor and the author of PC Upgrading and Troubleshooting QuickSteps from McGraw-Hill, Osborne Press.