How to change the video card in a personal computer

Still there are people who do not suspect that the iron box, called the system unit, is not a computer and, especially, a processor, in the full sense of the word. By removing the side cover, you can see many different electronic cards inside - they all have the capacious name "accessories". Just from them, as from cubes of the children's designer, and the computer is going to. TV tuner, sound card, video card - this is not a complete list of "residents" of the system unit. Components that can be replaced by newer models are called discrete. For example, the ASUS Xonar sound card is discrete, but the popular solution on the low-cost Realtek High Definition Audio codec is built-in, that is, it is represented by a chip soldered directly to the motherboard. The same can be said about the built-in video - it can be turned off and use a discrete graphics card, but not replaced.

Since discrete components are always several times more productive and better than their built-in counterparts, users often carry out self-upgrades themselves, sometimes called "upgrades". That is why many forums ask a completely logical question: how can I change the video card myself? In fact, nothing complicated in this. By doing everything, as will be said below, everyone will be able to understand how to replace a video card easily and simply.

Remember the cartridges from 8-bit set-top boxes? Connecting a discrete graphics card to the motherboard follows the same principle: the sliding contacts on the card enter a special connector connected to the internal data bus. All modern graphics cards are designed for PCI-Express x16 bus. Although it is still possible to meet models designed to work with classic PCI or even undeserved AGP. To understand how to change the graphics card, you need to take the instruction to the motherboard and carefully read the technical data: if there is PCI-Express x16 (sometimes written as PCI-E), then upgrade is reduced to a trip to the nearest computer store and buying a new card. Otherwise, you will have to look for a map under existing tires.

We will assume that the user is lucky and his computer has a PCI-E connector. How to change the video card in this case? The new card is bought, carefully removed from the box and lies on the table next to the system unit. Please note: static discharge from the human body can damage sensitive electronic components, so the card should only be kept from the ends of the textolite without touching the soldering. We turn off the computer, pull out the power cord: it's not enough to turn off the button on the extension cord, because very few people know what it is tearing - zero or phase. We disconnect from the system block the wire going to the monitor, and remember to which board in the case it was connected. We unscrew the bolts on the back of the computer case and remove the side cover.

To determine how to change the graphics card, look inside. Sometimes a flashlight really helps out. Here it is - the old map. Holds in the case with a screw or a special lock (in more expensive models of cases). The card needs to be removed from the connector, so we unscrew the bolt (unlock the lock). Sometimes the connector itself has a plastic protrusion, which additionally keeps the card from falling out. If this is the case, then gently pull it and retrieve the previous card. By the way, if the card is built-in, then you do not need to extract it (and it is impossible).

We take a new one and attach the contacts to the connector. Then we make a small focus: first press one side of the card until the contacts enter the connector, and then the other. We check that the contacts are firmly connected and are on the same level. We fix the card. It remains to connect to it the wire from the monitor, return the power cord to the computer and assemble the case. We include, boot, install drivers from the disk. Now you know how to change the graphics card.