Upgrading a Graphics Card 20 Must-Know Tips

Maybe there are statistics, maybe there aren't, but we're willing to bet that in the computer enthusiast space, the most-upgraded part of any self-respecting system is the graphics card. That's probably doubly-true when it comes to geeks like the ExtremeTech staff that have at least one computer built especially for gaming—which means we upgrade graphics cards religiously.

The graphics market is ever-evolving, and our computers evolve right along with it. There are few feelings worse than that sense of desolate jealousy you get when you drop a brand-new video card into your system only to read—usually the very next day—an announcement of a newer, better card.

Not long ago, we presented you with a big batch of hints for when the inevitable time comes that you have to swap out your computer's motherboard. Now it's time for a similar piece, but this time we're focusing on upgrading the graphics card for your system.

The rules are the same: This is not a tutorial, a how-to, or a here's-exactly-what-you-do. The Internet is chock full of such articles. Rather, this is a collection of handy tips that to compliment such tutorials and make them that much easier.

Choosing the Right Card

Before you even begin to upgrade your computer's graphics card, you have to procure its replacement. Thus, our first set of tips is about choosing the perfect card for your impending upgrade. Remember, this isn't a step-by-step, so here, in no particular order, are our tips.

• Depending on the age of your current system, be prepared for the worst. If your computer hasn't been upgraded in several years, you might need to upgrade lots of other parts simply to facilitate a graphics card upgrade. While there are a few AGP cards still available on the market, you'll likely want to upgrade to a PCI Express graphics card. If your motherboard doesn't have a PCI Express X16 expansion slot, you'll have to upgrade the motherboard—and therefore, the CPU and very likely the memory as well.
• Set a budget before you pick out a graphics card. That way, you won't get carried away and spend more money than you actually have. The budget should take into account the current state of your finances, and also what level of graphics prowess constitutes an upgrade for you. If your last video card cost $100, you might be able to spend a similar amount for a performance boost; if your last one cost $600, get ready to spend a bundle.
• With a budget set, get the most powerful GPU, with the largest amount of onboard memory, you possibly can. The more muscle you get now, the longer you can wait before your next upgrade.
• Factory overclocked cards can be nice, but are sometimes overrated. They're generally more expensive than cards that run at performance specifications. Do lots of research to ensure that any cost difference is worth it in terms of a performance boost.
• Brand should be your last consideration, in most cases. Unless you've had terrible luck with a particular brand and wish to avoid it, go with the brand that offers the best price for the particular GPU you wish to add to your system.

Preparing to Remove the Old Graphics Card

The tips that follow assume you have a graphics card on that you're planning to insert into your system, after removing the currently-installed card. There are always some steps you should take before you actually perform the physical upgrade, and doing so will make the whole process go more smoothly.

• Download the latest drivers for your new graphics card's GPU. Save the file somewhere to which it's easy to navigate (the desktop, or the Downloads folder in your user directory).
• If you're interested in before and after performance scores, run a few benchmarks before you pop the old card out. While the proof is in the pudding and the biggest indicator of your new card's performance will be how fast it runs current games with detail settings cranked up, it's still nice to be able to quantify the boost in performance.
• Uninstall the current drivers before you power down the system to remove the old card. Purging the system of old drivers will help keep bloat to a minimum.
• Remove any overclocks before you remove the old card. Set the CPU, FSB, RAM and graphics subsystems to run at spec. If you wish to overclock your system, do it after you've installed the fresh hardware.

Performing the Physical Swap

Now it's time to actually open up the computer and swap out the old hardware for the new. Here are some hints to make your efforts more successful.

• Power down the computer and unplug the power cord before you proceed. That way, if you accidentally brush up against the power button while you're working inside the case, you won't turn on the computer. That would be a bad thing—you don't want to be digging around inside the computer on a live motherboard.
• Get the cables out of the way before you remove the old card. Lots of current PC cases feature the power supply mounts on the bottom of the enclosure, and the CPU power cable might run right atop the graphics card. Unplug it and tuck it in somewhere. Unplug the PCI Express power cables from the old card and get them out of the way, too.
• Don't forget: Lots of motherboards have locking clips on their PCI Express X16 slots. There's a release lever somewhere along the slot (usually on the side opposite the expansion bracket). Don't force the old card out of the computer or you can break the locking clip; trip the release and remove the old card gently.
• Store the old card in a safe place, preferably in an antistatic bag. Save it as an emergency backup card in case the new one arrived broken or dies before its time.
• Sometimes it's easier to connect PCI Express power cable(s) to the new card before you actually insert the new card into its expansion slot.
• Dress any cables safely away so that they don't block the new card's fan from spinning. If you're installing multiple cards, check all the fans to ensure all cables are clear.
• Power up the computer and observe the new card's fan before you close the case. Make sure it runs freely.

Completing the Process

You're almost done, but there are still a few steps left in the process and, therefore, we have a few more tips to give.

• After you power the system on and the OS loads, cease any automated driver installation routines. Launch the driver installation file you downloaded before you made the physical swap.
• After you've installed the drivers, go into the driver applet and make any settings you wish. For example, be sure to enable CrossFireX/SLI, if applicable, and tweak any performance settings you wish.
• We tend to leave most of the settings such as antialiasing and anisotripic filtering up to application settings, but that's up to you. Force any settings you feel like forcing, but remember any tweaks you make so that you can reverse them if something goes awry.
  

  click on image for full view
• Check the GPU temperature within the driver applet's appropriate page. Ideal temperatures vary from one GPU to the next, so do your research and see what the GPU should read at idle and make sure it's not overheating.
  

  click on image for full view
• Finally, burn in the new graphics card before you start playing games. Grab 3DMark Vantage (or 3DMark06 if you're running a pre-Vista Windows OS) and set it to loop a demo. Observe it periodically, allowing it to run for at least an hour, and watch for any unwanted graphics artifacts. Another good burn-in program is Furmark

If all seems well, launch your favorite games and blast away! See how high you can set their detail levels and still achieve a playable experience. You'll enjoy playing your old games with new graphical splendor—have at it!