Everything you need to know when upgrading or replacing your PC graphics card

🧰 Difficulty: ★★★★☆ (Looks easy, hides surprises)

⏱ Time involved: 30–60 minutes, longer if it fights back

⚠️ Risk level: High—static discharge or a wrong connection can fry your GPU or motherboard

💡 Pro insight: We’ve seen plenty of “simple” GPU swaps end with bent pins, driver conflicts, and melted ports—especially when the power supply isn’t up to the task

⚙️ Protect your build—visit your nearest uBreakiFix® by Asurion for a professional graphics card upgrade or installation

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If you go to play Fortnite and it looks like something from 1993, it might be time for a better graphics card. But where exactly do you start? Don't worry, we've got you covered.

At Asurion, we provide support for all of your tech care needs—from protection to repairs and performance boosts for your device. Here's a guide from our experts on everything you need to know before attempting to replace or upgrade your computer’s graphics card.

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Things to consider before you buy a new graphics card

Whether you're an avid gamer or a video editor, a powerful graphics card can have a big impact on your computer. When you start a game or movie, data is sent over from your computer's processor. That data is passed through a graphics card and turned into what you see on screen. The better the card, the better the visuals you'll get.

Before you look for a Phillips head screwdriver and try to replace the graphics card in your PC, here are a few things you should consider.

Can your computer support a new graphics card?

When upgrading your PC graphics card, you could run into a common problem: an inadequate power supply. Modern graphics cards require robust electrical pipelines from your power supply unit (PSU):

• Standard PCIe Wires: Older or mid-range graphics cards utilize traditional 6-pin or 8-pin cubes plugged directly into the top edge of the card.
• The 16-Pin Smart Cable (12V-2x6 / 12VHPWR): High-end enthusiast graphics cards use a single, compact 16-pin power interface designed to feed up to 600 watts of power down a single lane. If your power supply doesn't natively feature this cable, you must use the multi-plug adapter bundled inside your new graphics card's box. Ensure this adapter cable snaps firmly into your card with absolutely zero gap, as a loose connection can cause severe thermal damage.

Your computer's power supply should at least meet the requirements recommended by the graphics card manufacturer. If you built your PC yourself, you should have an idea of what kind of power supply you're working with.

If you didn't, you can open your case and look for the standard identification sticker that lists its wattage information. While you've got that case open, take a peek at how many PCI-e power connectors you have available as well.

Does your computer have enough processing power?

If your computer is on the older side, it's worth checking to see whether its processor has enough power to handle the new graphics card. A high-end graphics card can't do much if the processor isn't fast enough to keep up. Instead of increasing performance, it might reduce it instead.

You can find out how much RAM your PC has by opening the Start menu, typing “About your PC" into the taskbar, and scrolling to the installed RAM information. 16 Gigabytes of RAM is the recommended amount for playing most online games.

Check out our guide to get an idea of just how much RAM your computer needs.

Will the new graphics card fit inside your computer?

Depending on the manufacturer, some graphics cards can be significantly larger than what your PC can hold. Before committing to a graphics card, look for the physical dimensions of a card on its product page or on the manufacturer's website—a larger fan shroud or heatsink could mean that you need more than one slot to accommodate your new card.

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How to remove your old graphics card

Replacing your computer's graphics card may sound like an easy DIY project, but it can be difficult if you're not familiar with the parts that make up your computer or if you don't have the right equipment. If you don't have experience repairing electronics, we highly recommend you reach out to a computer repair expert. A graphics card is one of the most expensive components in a PC, so it's better to ask questions than risk damaging the hardware.

Before you get started:

If you are changing graphics brands, download a free execution tool called DDU (Display Driver Uninstaller). Boot your computer into Windows Safe Mode, open DDU, and choose Clean and shutdown. This wipes out lingering software code blocks, prepping your system for a completely clean boot sequence, and powers the PC down automatically.

Then, you can get into the physical steps:

1. Start by powering off the PC and disconnecting the power cable from the tower. Discharge any static by tapping the side of the PC case or wear an anti-static wrist strap. Grounding yourself prevents your body from acting as a static electricity source, which could damage your components.
2. Open the side panel on the PC case. Some panels have clips that are easy to unlatch, and others have screws that need to be removed.
3. Remove any power cables connected to the graphics card. Press on the little plastic clip or latch on the side and proceed by pulling out the PCI-e cable. Higher-end computers may have more than one PCI-e power connector.
4. Using a screwdriver, remove the screw(s) holding the graphics card into the slot.
5. Before you can remove the graphics card, you'll have to release the PCI-e slot tabs that hold the graphics card in place. The tabs are located underneath the graphics card, on the back side of the PCI-e slot. Press on the protruding part of the tab to release it.
6. Now, you can remove the graphics card. If you plan to keep the old card, be sure to put it in an antistatic bag for safe storage.

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How to install your new graphics card

1. Place the card in the slot, and press down gently until it locks into place. Make sure it fits into the slot with both sides sitting flush. When it's in correctly, the tab on the slot will hold it in place.
2. Secure the new graphics card to the slot with the screws that were removed earlier.
3. Connect the power cables to the graphics card.
4. Close the PC case.
5. Reconnect the power supply and startup the PC.
6. When the PC starts up for the first time after installing a new graphics card, it'll search for the drivers—the files needed for communication between the graphics card and the computer's operating system. To get the most use out of the new graphics card, opt for using the latest drivers.

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FAQ

Why does my monitor display a black screen after installing my new graphics card?

This usually comes down to one of a few things: the graphics card isn't fully seated in the PCIe slot, the power cables aren't connected properly, or the monitor is plugged into the motherboard instead of the graphics card. Double-check all connections and make sure the card is getting power before assuming the card itself is defective.

Can I run a new graphics card on an older motherboard slot?

Usually, yes. Most modern graphics cards use PCIe and are backward compatible with older PCIe slots. The card may run at a lower speed if the motherboard uses an older PCIe generation, but it should still work as long as your power supply and case can support it.

Do I need to uninstall old graphics drivers before installing a new card?

It's not always required, but it's a good idea—especially when switching between brands like NVIDIA and AMD. Removing old drivers can help prevent software conflicts and performance issues.

How long does it take to replace a graphics card?

For someone comfortable working inside a PC, the process usually takes 15–30 minutes. First-time upgrades may take a little longer, especially if cable management or driver installation is involved.