ADD A GRAPHICS CARD
Why you should upgrade your PC’S graphics card
The most common reason for upgrading a graphics card is to improve a PC’S performance when playing games, but there are many non-gaming advantages, too. A graphics card may give you video connections you need but don’t have, for example, such as HDMI or dual-monitor outputs. It could also provide more power when working with high-resolution photos, graphics and video files.
In some cases, a new graphics card can provide an overall performance boost. This is because some PCS don’t have a dedicated graphics card at all – instead, they use an integrated chip on the motherboard to handle video-related tasks. Integrated (or ‘onboard’) graphics don’t have their own dedicated video memory, so they use a portion of your system memory instead. Installing a graphics card with its own memory can free up RAM and other resources that your PC can then use for other tasks.
Buying a new graphics card
Graphics cards are full-size expansion cards that slot directly into your PC’S motherboard. Sadly, this rules out the possibility of upgrading a laptop and many all-in-one PCS.
Start by running the free tool GPU-Z ( www.techpowerup.com/gpuz). If the device listed under Name is made by Intel, or if your Bus Interface is listed as N/A (see screenshot on page 56), your PC is probably using an integrated graphics chip rather than a dedicated card. You can also use CPU-Z to find out your motherboard model (as described in the Processor section on page 56), including which expansion slots it has. Look for something called a Pci-express (PCI-E) slot – specifically one with an x16 speed. If your motherboard has one of these, you can install a graphics card. Refer to the manufacturer’s website if you’re not sure.
Graphics card makers are notorious for releasing lots of different products and listing tons of confusing specs. Unless
you’re a serious gamer, you can safely ignore these and choose a card based largely on price. We recommend the MSI Nvidia Geforce GT 710 (£35 from Amazon www.snipca.com/28989). It has 1GB of dedicated memory, an HDMI output and dual-monitor support, providing a modest but useful upgrade for PCS with older integrated graphics.
How to install a new graphics card
Switch off your PC, then open the case. Look for a motherboard slot labelled PCI-E x16 - it will be one of the longer slots. To remove an existing card, unplug the monitor cable, then remove the screw or clip that holds the card’s metal backplate in place. Pull the old card straight out of the slot.
If you’re installing a new card into a PC with integrated graphics, the PCI-E x16 slot will be empty. There will probably be a blanking plate at the back of the case that covers the slot for the card’s ports (see picture below left). Unscrew or unclip this and remove it.
Now carefully line up your graphics card with the slot on the motherboard and press down firmly until it’s in place (see picture below). Reattach the screw or clip that held the blanking plate or old card in position to secure the new card.
Connect the monitor cable to your new graphics card’s outputs and start your PC. Your computer should recognise that you’re using a new card and switch to it automatically. If you’re upgrading from an integrated graphics chip, you may need to disable it – right-click Start, select Device Manager, then locate your old graphics device under ‘Display adapters’. Right-click it and select ‘Disable device’.
You may need to disable integrated graphics in your PC’S BIOS. Precise instructions will depend on your PC but, in most cases, you need to tap a key (usually F2 or Del) during start-up, then use the arrow keys to navigate to the integrated graphics setting and disable it.