How to Install a Computer Video Card
To properly install a video card in your computer, follow these recommended steps and precautions.
purchase tips and help
The steps on this page assume you have a new or used video card that you want to install.
before we start
Before installing, run the following checklist.
- write down important information from the top or bottom of the card, such as the model number, serial number, and specifications.
- make sure you are familiar with esd and its dangers potentials.
- When physically installing the video card, make sure the computer is turned off and unplugged.
- Finally, check that the motherboard of the computer has a pci express slot, agp or pci available for video card . If you plan to take out your old video card to install the new video card, please make sure the slot is compatible with your new video card. some older computer cases have a proprietary agp slot, which makes only certain video cards compatible with the computer.
install into expansion slot
Today, almost all video cards are installed in a pcie expansion slot. older video cards connected to a pci or agp expansion slot. Locate an available slot on the computer and gently push the card into the slot until it clicks into place. once inserted, place a screw at the top of the card to secure the card in position.
- how to install a computer expansion card.
connect a power cable
Some higher performance video cards require additional power to function properly. These video cards have a single or dual power connection, with each connection having 6 pins or 8 pins. The power connection is on the top-right edge of the card.
If the video card has a power connection, connect a power cable to the video card by inserting the power cable connector into the connection on the video card.
connect the computer monitor
after installing the video card and connecting a power cable, connect the monitor’s dvi, hdmi, or displayport cable to the new video card, from the back of the computer.
- how to connect a monitor to a computer.
bios or cmos configuration
once the video card is installed in the computer, replace the case on the computer and connect the power cable to the computer.
If your computer has an integrated video card, determine if the video card can be disabled through the cmos settings.
- You cannot add a video card to a computer with integrated video.
software configuration
after installing the card, your video card should have come with the software drivers for your operating system on a cd. install these drivers and any necessary video card software.
If your video card does not include drivers or the drivers do not seem to work, download the latest video card drivers from the video card manufacturer’s website.
troubleshooting
If you follow the steps above but your video card isn’t working, check out our support pages for steps that might help fix the problem.
- help and support for video cards.
