To install a graphics card, power off and unplug the PC, remove the slot covers, push the card into the top PCIe x16 slot until it clicks, connect the PCIe power cables, and screw the bracket to the case. Plug your monitor into the card’s ports, then install the latest driver.
- Use the top PCIe x16 slot, and push until it clicks.
- Connect the PCIe power cables, or the PC may not boot.
- Plug your monitor into the card, not the motherboard.
- Install the latest driver afterward.
Before You Start
You need a Phillips-head screwdriver and the card. It also helps to work on a hard, non-carpeted surface and to keep the card in its anti-static bag until you’re ready to fit it. Before you buy or begin, check four things:
- Power supply: it must meet the card’s recommended wattage and have enough PCIe power connectors. PCWorld’s example: a 350W card needs a 750W supply at minimum, with the right 8-pin connectors.
- Case clearance: high-end cards can pass a foot in length and take two or three slots, so measure the space from the back slot to the front of the case.
- Slot: nearly every modern card uses a PCIe x16 slot. A card still works in an older or newer PCIe generation, at the speed the slower side supports.
- Neighboring parts: make sure a thick cooler won’t block an M.2 drive or another expansion slot you plan to use.
Also check which power connectors the card needs. Each connector supplies a fixed amount of power, and the card’s total need is the sum of what it draws from the slot and its cables.
| Connector | Power it can deliver |
|---|---|
| PCIe x16 slot | Up to 75W |
| 6-pin PCIe | Up to 75W |
| 8-pin PCIe | Up to 150W |
| 12VHPWR (16-pin) | Up to 600W |
Wondering what the box includes? See whether graphics cards come with power cables.
Step by Step
1. Power down and discharge static
Shut the PC down from Windows, switch off the power supply at the back, and unplug the power cable. Press the case’s power button once to drain any leftover charge, then touch a bare metal part of the case to discharge static from your hands. Hold the card by its edges or metal bracket from here on, and avoid touching the gold contacts or the circuit board.
2. Open the case and find the slot
Remove the side panel, usually held by two thumbscrews or screws at the back. Look for the long PCIe x16 slot, almost always the top one, closest to the CPU. If you’re not sure, see where the GPU sits in a PC. Some boards have several long slots, and the top one is normally wired for full speed.
3. Remove the old card, if there is one
Unplug the power cables from the old card, unscrew the bracket screws at the back of the case, and press or flip the latch at the end of the slot. Then lift the card straight out. Don’t pull at an angle, since that can chip the slot.
4. Take off the slot covers
Remove the metal covers on the back of the case that line up with the card. A card that takes two slots needs two covers removed, and some take three. Keep the screws, because you’ll use them to hold the card in.
5. Seat the card in the slot
Line the card’s contacts up with the slot, with the ports facing the back of the case. Press down firmly and evenly until the latch clicks and the bracket sits flush against the case. It takes more force than most people expect, but it should never need a hard shove. If it won’t go, check that the latch is open and nothing is blocking the slot.
6. Connect the power cables
Plug the 6-pin, 8-pin, or 12-pin power cables from the power supply into the card. Use a separate cable for each socket where you can, instead of splitting one cable across two. Push each plug in fully until the clip locks. For a 16-pin connector, make sure it sits flush with no gap, since a partly inserted plug is a known cause of overheating.
7. Secure the bracket
Screw the card’s bracket to the case. This stops the card from moving and takes the strain off the slot. Heavy cards can sag over time, so if yours is large, make sure it’s held firmly at the back and, if you can, supported at the far end.
8. Close up and connect the monitor
Refit the side panel, plug the power cable back in, and switch the power supply on. Plug your monitor into the ports on the graphics card, then power on. If the monitor is still plugged into the motherboard, the PC will use integrated graphics and the new card will sit unused.
Warning: don’t skip the power cables. Without them the card won’t work properly, and the PC may not boot at all. Also plug your monitor into the card, not the motherboard’s ports, or the card will sit unused.
Install the Driver
Windows will usually give the card a basic driver and a low resolution, which is enough to get to the desktop but not enough for gaming. Download the latest driver from Nvidia or AMD and run the installer, following our guide to updating GPU drivers. The screen may flicker or go black for a moment during the install, which is normal.
If you’re staying with the same maker, you can usually install the new driver over the old one. If you’re switching between Nvidia and AMD, uninstall the old driver and restart before installing the new one to avoid conflicts. See how to uninstall GPU drivers cleanly.
Check That It Worked
Open Task Manager, go to the Performance tab, and confirm the new card is listed, with the right model name and its full amount of video memory. Then run a demanding game or benchmark and check that GPU usage rises, which proves the card is doing the work. If the card isn’t listed, work through why a GPU is not showing in Task Manager.
If there’s no picture at all, power off and go through the basics: confirm the monitor cable is in the card, reseat the card until the latch clicks, check every power cable is fully in, and try a different cable or port. A fan that doesn’t spin at idle is normal on many cards, so a still fan alone isn’t a fault. Beginners also often ask about the slot itself, and the PCI-SIG defines the PCIe standard the card plugs into.
On the CPU side: how to install a CPU.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which slot does a graphics card go in?
The top PCIe x16 slot on the motherboard, the long one closest to the CPU. It’s usually the first or second expansion slot.
Do I need to connect power cables to my GPU?
Most gaming cards do. Connect every power socket on the card, or it won’t run properly and the PC may fail to boot.
Where do I plug in my monitor after installing a GPU?
Into the ports on the graphics card. Plugging it into the motherboard’s ports means the PC uses integrated graphics.
Do I need to uninstall the old driver first?
If you’re staying with the same maker, you can usually install the new driver over it. If you’re switching between Nvidia and AMD, uninstall the old one and restart first.
