How to Install a PCI Express 2.0 16X Graphics Card

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: First make sure to wash your hands to remove any grease or foreign substances which may interfere with the installation of circuitry of your graphics card or any components which you may touch inside your computer.

   These will typically be star or flat head screws.
   
   To locate the graphics card it will generally be in the fourth slot from the very bottom of the motherboard or directly underneath the CPU chip. ,, Generally speaking with this type of graphics card you will have to have at least a 450 watt power supply and there will be two 6 bit connectors that are usually black. , Slowly and firmly remove these two plastic brackets by pushing downwards on them. , Be sure not to grab any of the components or circuitry so you do not damage it, grab onto pieces of the aluminum or plastic frame and not the actual board of the graphics card. , This will be the exact same one you just removed the previous graphics card from, if you have an integrated graphics card and didn't have to remove it, then the slot will look like it has about a
   0.5 inch (1.3 cm) height and approx a 6 inch (15.2 cm) length, with a small divide in between the entire 6 inches (15.2 cm) vertically with a break of 1 inch (2.5 cm) to the remaining 5 inches (12.7 cm). , You may need to use a bit of force to get it to fit in but do not use excessive force as the circuitry is very sensitive.
   
   It should fit firmly and snug into the slot and line up with the video input ports facing the back of the computer tower. ,,,
2. 2

   Step 2: Also make sure to "ground" yourself

3. 3

   Step 3: (no this doesn't mean you need to send yourself to your room) What this means

4. 4

   Step 4: is that you will have to get rid of any static electricity which all humans conduct

5. 5

   Step 5: so in order to do so simply grab hold of a metal object which is touching the ground to discharge any static electricity you may have conducted.

6. 6

   Step 6: Now if you currently have a graphics card installed you may have to unscrew the mounts holding it

7. 7

   Step 7: which usually include the back screws and possibly one inside the motherboard.

8. 8

   Step 8: Once you have located the stock graphics card and removed the screw or mounts holding it

9. 9

   Step 9: then you must disconnect the IDE cables which is the very long

10. 10

    Step 10: thin and wide

11. 11

    Step 11: ribbon-like cable that will be crossing over the top of your stock graphics card.

12. 12

    Step 12: remove power supply cables which will run from the square box unit either at the top or bottom of your computer tower.

13. 13

    Step 13: In most computer motherboard's

14. 14

    Step 14: the stock graphics card will be tightly secured in by plastic clips

15. 15

    Step 15: which will be located on both side left and right horizontally of the graphics card.

16. 16

    Step 16: Once you have pushed down on the securing brackets on the motherboard securing the graphics card you can now attempt to slowly and firmly remove the stock graphics card.

17. 17

    Step 17: Now you should be able to take the new graphics card and line it up to the connectors on the motherboard in the PCI Express 2.0 16X slot.

18. 18

    Step 18: Make sure to line up the gold foil connectors as you see the connectors in the PCI Express 2.0 slot.

19. 19

    Step 19: reconnect your IDE cable back into the motherboard and make sure to apply firm force and to distribute it evenly so that the connectors are in place.

20. 20

    Step 20: Now plug in the two 6 pin power connectors into the front of the graphics card and screw in the remaining screws and mounts.

21. 21

    Step 21: The installation is all complete now and all that should be left is to run the display and video drives which should come with the graphics card and now your ready to enjoy some premium graphics.

Detailed Guide

About the Author