Can You Put a New Graphics Card in an Old Computer?
Here’s how to upgrade a graphics card and give new life to your gaming PC.
Ground yourself in some way, because even a small ‘shock’ can damage some internal PC parts.
Turn off your setup and disconnect it from power.
Remove all wired connections and move the PC to a clean, stable, flat workspace with good lighting.
Open your box’s case.
Disconnect the PCI-e power connectors from the existing graphics card.
Remove the old graphics card from its PCI-e slot.
Remove the screw and press the lever, then gently remove the card.
Pre-built PCs from large manufacturers, like Dell and HP, often include extra support for the graphics card.
Refer to your PC’s manual for instructions on removing these supports.
set up the upgraded graphics card in the PCI-e slot.
Connect your power supply’s PCI-e connectors to the upgraded graphics card.
Close your gear’s case and return it to where you normally use it.
Reconnect power and all wired peripherals.
Double-check all power and peripheral connections.
A loose or disconnected wire is the most common cause of installation issues.
Start your PC and drop in the appropriate drivers.
Modern video cards don’t come with drivers in the box.
Here’s what to consider before you get started.
As the saying goes, “measure twice, cut once.”
There’s nothing worse than discovering your new graphics card isn’t compatible with your PC.
Graphics cards are especially prone to this because of their size and power requirements.
Enjoy the new card’s power!
Should you encounter problems, however, these fixes could sort out the issue.
Are you still having an issue?
like read our guide totroubleshooting a computer that turns on but doesn’t display video.
On Windows 10, openDevice Managerand look underDisplay Adapters.
On a Mac, open theApple menuand selectAbout This Mac.
It will give an overview of your setup’s specs, including the GPU.
Lifewire recommends the Nvidia RTX 3080 or the MSI GeForce RTX 2080 overall.
A good “budget” pick is the Sapphire RX580.
The easiest way to tune up your graphics card drivers is via the manufacturer’s software.
