This will either be the first or second expansion slot on your motherboard. Unless you need to remove an existing GPU, you first need to locate the PCI-E x16 slot closest to the heat sink of your processor.
You install a graphics card into a PCI-E x16 slot on your computer's motherboard (the long, black slots in this picture.)
Be sure to turn off your PC and unplug it from the wall before you begin. Installing a graphics card is a straightforward process that requires three things: a new graphics card, your computer, and a Phillips-head screw driver. With all of those questions resolved, it’s time to get down to business.
You can find the physical dimensions for a graphics on its product page or on the manufacturer's website. Graphics cards can be drastically different sizes depending on the model and vendor.įinally, is there enough room inside of your case to fit your new graphics card? Some high-end graphics card can be over a foot long, and two or even three expansion slots wide. For more on multi-GPU SLI and CrossFireX setups, check out PCWorld’s guide to tricking out your PC with multiple graphics cards. Picking the right power supply is even more important if you’re upgrading to a multi-card configuration, because you’ll likely need to buy a power supply rated for one or more kilowatts. While you're there you can also identify how many 6-pin and 8-pin PCI-E connectors are available. To find out how much wattage your power supply pumps out, open your case and look for the standard identification sticker all power supplies have, which lists their basic info.
For example if you purchased the aforementioned GeForce GTX 1080 Ti-a video card that draws 250 watts-you should have a power supply that can provide at least 500 watts of power and has both 8-pin and 6-pin PCI-E power connectors.įurther reading: How to pick the best PC power supply As a rule of thumb, your power supply should be rated from double the power consumption of your graphics card. The most common problem that people run into is an inadequate power supply: Either it can't supply enough wattage, or it doesn't have enough available PCI-E power connectors. You're going to need a decent power supply if you want to get your game on. Next make sure your computer has the proper hardware to support your new card. While graphics card recommendations are outside the scope of this article, PCWorld’s massive graphics card buying guide can help you make an informed decision no matter how much money you have to spend. In general, you want the graphics card that offers the most bang for your buck, though you’ll also want to consider a card’s noise, heat, and power consumption. Simply deciding which graphics card you want is a complex and nuanced discussion, as both AMD and Nvidia offer choices for virtually every budget, from sub-$100 options like the Radeon RX 550 to the pricey and powerful GeForce GTX 1080 Ti, some of which sell for more than $700.