1. Uninstall your present graphics card’s drivers

Earlier than you improve your graphics card, you may have to take away the present drivers in order that they do not trigger any points together with your new GPU.

The simplest manner to do that is to go to Gadget Supervisor, discover ‘Show adapters’ from the drop-down record, after which right-click to ‘uninstall system’, which is able to depart issues clear.

2. Take away your previous graphics card

With the previous drivers uninstalled, flip off your pc both from the Begin Menu or with the facility button (if wanted). With the pc shut off, disconnect all of the cables within the again (in addition to the highest/entrance if wanted).

Take away your PC case’s aspect panel, after which rigorously unplug the PCIe connectors from the GPU. If it is an AMD or Intel graphics card, it may have a single or two PCIe 8-pin connectors; an Nvidia GPU could have a 16-pin (or a 12-pin for the RTX 30 sequence) connector, which can want an adapter of as much as 4 PCIe 8-pin connectors to accommodate.

Utilizing a Phillips #1 screwdriver, unscrew the graphics card from the rear PCIe mount behind the case, maintain a hand on the GPU to forestall sag, after which elevate it off the PCIe x16 port with two fingers, equally distributing the load. Set it to 1 aspect and prepare for the following GPU.

3. Verify your PSU’s energy connectors

Relying on the TDP (and connector) of your new graphics card, chances are you’ll have to run an additional PCIe energy connector (or two) out of your PSU.

If you happen to’re upgrading from an entry-level card to a midrange or high-end one, chances are you’ll have to improve your PSU. You will have, little question, finished the analysis in your new GPU’s TDP earlier than investing, so it’s best to meet the facility necessities, supplied you’ve got run the correct quantity of energy connectors from the brick to the video card.

4. Set up your new graphics card

Floor your self by touching the metallic a part of your pc’s case, after which plug your new graphics card into your motherboard’s PCIe x16 slot, ensuring you might have correct clearance with out blocking any M.2 ports, getting tangled on cables, knocking into any consumption followers, and so on.

As soon as the brand new graphics card is secured, maintain a hand on it to forestall it from sagging on the bracket, and use your different hand to screw the GPU in on the rear bracket. As soon as its weight is supported, use one other screw (if relevant) to maintain the graphics card in place. In case your mannequin got here with an anti-sag bracket (akin to a triple-slot GPU), make sure to use it.

If it is an Intel or AMD GPU, plug the one to a few PCIe energy connectors instantly into the graphics card. For newer Nvidia playing cards, plug the 16-pin (or 12-pin) adapter in after which insert the facility connectors into the opposite finish of the adapter; it could possibly be two or as much as 4 connectors, relying on whether or not you’ve got obtained the likes of the RTX 5070 or one thing higher-end just like the RTX 5080 or RTX 5090.

5. Set up your new graphics card drivers

Together with your new graphics card safely put in and your PC powered again on, you are prepared to put in the most recent drivers for the very best gaming efficiency. You possibly can both obtain the devoted Nvidia app, AMD Software program, or the Intel Graphics Software program hub, which is able to streamline the set up course of.

Alternatively, you possibly can manually seek for your graphics card drivers from their respective web sites: Nvidia drivers, AMD drivers, and Intel drivers.

6. Check your upgraded graphics card

Now for the enjoyable half. Boot up certainly one of your favourite video games on the likes of Steam, Epic Video games, Ubisoft Join, or GOG Galaxy. Lots of the greatest PC video games embrace a built-in benchmarking instrument from the graphics menu, which might precisely how your improved common FPS. If you happen to’re seeking to bump up from 1080p to 1440p, or as much as 4K, chances are you’ll need to allow the likes of DLSS/FSR and Body Technology for the very best quantity of efficiency potential.