Does your computer slow down dramatically as soon as you load a video? When you pop in a CD for the least graphics-intensive game you have? Well, you probably need to upgrade your graphics card. Here's how.
Go to your local computer hardware store (Intrex, Tigerdirect, Best Buy etc.), and find the section with the graphics cards. If you are to be using your computer for movies, videos and low-end gaming, I would reccomend buying an XFX 8600 GT (XXX edition if they have it). If you think you will be doing some gaming, I would reccomend an XFX 8800 GT (Again, XXX edition if they have it).
These are really good cards for their price to performance ratio; the 8600 will run you up about $80, the 8800 about $160.
If you have an older computer, then you may have a different graphics card 'port' in your computer. Before you go to the store, see if you can find out what type of motherboard you have, or what computer model you have if you can't figure out the mobo. Then, when you go to the store, tell them what type of motherboard / computer you have, and they should be able to tell what graphics card 'port' you have. If you do not have PCI Express 2.0, then let an expert at the store pick you out a graphics card.
Now, once you get back with your brand new card, you need to open up your case (The case is the metal box that holds the insides of the computer). This is fairly easy. First unplug ALL of the wires coming in and out of the case, and then remove the two large screws in the back of the case. After this, you will need to give the side of the case a good shove backwards (away from the front). You will now have your case open.
At first glance, the inside of the computer looks pretty intimidating.
A typical Computer with case opened (Image Source)
If you can see, below the fan and they light-grey heat sink there is something sticking out from the Motherboard. That is the graphics card. You are going to need to unscrew this with a phillips-head screwdriver.
Here is a close up of a graphics card (Different picture, different card).
Image Source
Do you see the screw in the red box? That is what you are going to need to unscrew.
Now that you have unscrewed the card, look around the port that the card is in. If you see any little levers, raise these to unlock the card. Now, just gently pull it out.
You will need to put in the new card now. Basically, repeat the instructions to remove your card, backwards. Place the card in the slot, push the lever back down (If there is one), and screw it into it's slot.
We're almost done! Now you just need to install the drivers, and then you're ready to go.
Close up your case and re-plug all of the wires. Then press the 'On' button on your computer. At this point your computer might 'freak out' a little bit. It all of a sudden has this brand new graphics card running everything without the proper driver. Starting up might take a little bit of time, but don't worry because installing the driver is quick and painless. Once you have booted up and logged on, you need to fish out the driver CD that came with your graphics card and insert it into your CD drive. Then just follow the instructions on the disk to install it. After this, just restart your computer.
Well Done! You've replaced your graphics card, and you can start playing games or watching movies as soon as you want!
I hope you've found this guide informative and easy to read. Please drop a comment below!
