Knowing find out how to take away a graphics card is a type of issues that is virtually certain to come in useful at some point in case you personal a desktop PC.
It would not matter you probably have the greatest graphics card on the planet or one of the best low-cost graphics card you would discover, there’ll come a day while you’ll wish to clear it, improve it, or troubleshoot it. However, given the truth that some GPUs are very costly, eradicating them out of your PC case can really feel like a fairly intimidating course of at first.
Don’t fear—eradicating a graphics card is fairly straightforward and usually would not require any particular instruments, but it surely’s essential to take action safely to guard your PC. Fortunately, I’ve been constructing PCs for a few years, and I’m right here to indicate you find out how to take away a GPU out of your PC safely and confidently.
TOOLS & REQUIREMENTS
- A PC with a discrete graphics card (not a laptop computer or all-in-one PC)
- Anti-static wrist strap (non-compulsory, however really helpful)
- A Phillips-head screwdriver (dimension #2 is often supreme)
- A clear, flat workspace (not a carpet)
Quick steps for find out how to take away a graphics card
- Power down your PC and unplug all of the cables.
- Ground your self by touching a steel a part of your PC case. If attainable, put on an anti-static wrist strap to maintain your PC secure from damaging static discharges.
- Place the PC on a steady floor. Remove the facet panel of your case. Some instances would require a screwdriver, however most trendy instances have thumbscrews or latches.
- Locate the GPU. Take observe of its positioning, any latches, brackets, screws, and cables holding it in place.
- Disconnect all of the cables from the GPU. Be light.
- Unscrew the help bracket from the backplate close to the monitor ports.
- Look for the PCIe slot launch close to the tip of the PCIe connector in your motherboard—it is often a small plastic latch or tab. Press it down or slide it to launch the cardboard.
- Grip the GPU by its edges and gently take away it from the case. Don’t seize it by the fan blades.
Step-by-step information
1. Turn off your PC
This ought to come as no shock—you may must flip off your PC so as to take away the graphics card. Turn it off in Windows after which use the change in the back of the case to totally energy it down.
2. Unplug every part
Unplug each single cable that is related to your PC. Most importantly, be sure that the facility cable connecting your PC to the wall outlet or energy strip is unplugged.
Be cautious with a few of them. Most are straightforward, however you may must press down on the DisplayPort and Ethernet cables in case you’re utilizing one, and DVI must be unscrewed as a substitute of being yanked out (uncommon on newer PCs).
3. Remove the facet panel
(Image: © Future / Monica J. White)
Pick up the PC and place it on a flat, clear, non-static, safe floor, such because the desk.
Next, floor your self by urgent your fingers towards the steel a part of the case. Better but, use an anti-static wrist strap.
Remove the facet panel by unscrewing thumbscrews or common screws, or urgent a latch—test your case. Set the PC down on the opposite facet.
4. Find your GPU
(Image: © Future / Monica J. White)
In most instances, the GPU will probably be not possible to overlook. It’s huge and connected to the PCIe slot in your motherboard.
Note its energy cables, bracket screw, and PCIe latch location (usually a small, black piece of plastic beneath the GPU).
5. Disconnect every part
(Image: © Future / Monica J. White)
One by one, disconnect every part that is related to your GPU. This consists of the 6-pin, 8-pin, or 12-pin connector from the facility provide. Gently press the clip and pull it straight out.
If there’s extra cabling, akin to RGB cables or custom-loop liquid cooling tubes, these must be disconnected too.
6. Unscrew the bracket
(Image: © Future / Monica J. White)
Your GPU sits within the PCIe slot in your motherboard and is screwed to the case through a particular bracket. It’s time to take away it.
Grab your Phillips screwdriver and unscrew the bracket securing the GPU to the case. It’ll be a minimum of one, possibly two, relying in your GPU, and it will be close to the monitor ports in the back of the PC case. Remember: The screws will be both inside or exterior of the case, relying on the case’s design.
Tip: High-end GPUs usually include an anti-sag bracket. You could must unscrew or unclip that too, often close to the cardboard’s far finish.
7. Remove the cardboard from the PCIe slot
(Image: © Future / Monica J. White)
Find the PCIe slot the place your card sits. There’ll be a small, 99% of the time black, plastic latch or tab. This is the important thing to eradicating your graphics card.
Press or slide it (motherboard model-dependent) to free the GPU.
Be very light.
8. Pull out the GPU
(Image: © Future / Monica J. White)
Carefully raise the cardboard straight up and out of the PCIe slot and maintain it regular. Do not seize it by the fan blades and be careful; some GPUs are surprisingly heavy.
Set the cardboard down on a clear, non-static floor. Better but, put it in an anti-static bag if you’ll be storing it.
Final ideas
Given the usually excessive value of graphics playing cards at present, it’s very comprehensible to be concerned if that you must take away a graphics card out of your PC. After all, no person needs to spoil an important PC element that might value a considerable sum to interchange.
With that mentioned, now that you’ve got realized find out how to take away a graphics card safely, you may discover that it isn’t almost as tough or difficult because it might sound, supplying you with the flexibility to scrub or improve your GPU as wanted with confidence.
