The images and videos we can see on our monitors are the work of a graphics card. The more powerful your graphics card is, the better result you are going to get from it.
Especially when you need to work with high graphical images, a high-quality graphics card is a must. Many people often change their graphics card to install something more reliable and advanced technology.
But art first, you need to remove the older one you already have on your PC. So, how to Remove Graphics Card? There are a lot of steps to that. The main thing is to get rid of all the connections around the card and then gently pull it out of the slot.
What is a Graphics Card?
A graphics card is something found in most computers that help to display graphical data while ensuring the right color, angle, clarity, definition, and appearance.
This card can offer you a high-quality visual display by executing and processing the graphical data with advanced graphical functions, techniques, and features.
You should know that the graphics card can also go by the graphics controller, graphics board, graphics adapter, and graphics accelerator.
How Graphics Card Works?
When you are going through the images on your monitors, you can see that they are made with tiny little dots called pixels. Now, a single image can be made with millions of pixels. It depends on the computer and how it uses each box to create something we want to see.
You can guess that the computer is not that smart to figure that out itself. It needs a translator that will convert the images into binary data understood by the CPU. This is where we need a graphics card.
A graphics card does a complex job. But as humans, it’s easier for us to know how it works and what the principles are.
Whenever we request an image from the computer, it sends the signal to the graphics card, which converts the data provided by us to the understandable language of the computer. After only that, the PC can start working on our request.
Generally, the graphics card decides the whole design of the pixels and how the computer should design it. Then, send the information to your monitor with the help of a cable.
Now, creating an image with binary data is a complicated process. It can also create 3D images, which requires a complex method.
Firstly, the card makes a wireframe with the help of straight lines. After that, it starts rasterizing the image and fills it with textures, lighting, and color.
When it comes to video games, your computer uses this method for every minute to offer you the best graphical interface without giving the card any time to make calculations.
The graphics card uses four different computer accessories to work properly:
- The motherboard provides the necessary data and power for connections
- It needs a processor to decide the designs of the pixel on your monitor screen
- Storage is what holds that information and stores it temporarily for your use
- Then, it sends the results to your monitor so that you can see the final result.
How to Remove Graphics Card from your Computer
With the world advancing so fast, technologies are also evolving day by day, so are the graphics card. You possibly can’t use a graphics card for a too long time since newer editions will make your one backdated pretty soon.
Also, if you are a frequent gamer or have to use your computer for advanced graphical work, you will need to exchange your graphics card with a more powerful one that can help your computer to get rid of the burden.
Now, to install any new graphics card into your PC, you will need to remove the previous one. You should know that this process can be tricky, considering that the graphics card is rather a sensitive part of the motherboard.
In this article, I am going to go through all the necessary steps so that you can remove the card easily without damaging the board, slot, or the card itself.
Step 1: Delete Any Graphics Card Software and Driver from Your Computer
Before installing or removing any graphics card from your computer, it’s important to uninstall or delete any of the previous graphic card software that you might be using. You can either delete the driver manually or use software for it.
Now, to uninstall the driver manually, you need to press “Windows icon + R” at the same time on your keyboard. You will get a ‘run box,” which is where you need to type “devmhmt.nmsc” and then select “OK”.
Locate your graphics driver from the list that shows and then press the “Uninstall” button on it. And that’s it! You can also use software like the “Display Driver Uninstaller” to help you get rid of the old graphics card driver.
To learn more about how to disable G-Sync, check out our detailed guide in this blog post.
Step 2: Take Out the Connections
Your next step will be taking out all the connections and power supply. Now, before you start pulling out the plugs, you need to make sure that there is no electricity flowing or any static electricity left in the PC.
You can be assured by switching off the power supply and the press as well as hold the power button for a few seconds. After that, you are free to unplug everything from your computer.
Also, it’s better to look for your safety matters too. You are recommended to wear an “ESD Wrist Strap,” also known as the “Anti-Static Wrist Strap,” which prevents static electricity from harming you.
Step 3: Locate the Graphics Card
Now that you have unplugged all the power supplies and cables from your computer, it’s time to take away the side panel of your PC’s case. This panel is most commonly secured with clamps or screws. You will need to unscrew them first.
You can locate the graphics card near the unit bottom in the motherboard’s PCI. Generally, the x16 slot is where the card is located, which is the longest PCI-e slot. However, it can often be found just near the CPU.
Since you are already inside your device, it’s a wise decision to give it a quick cleanup. The PC can get really dusty over time, which can be a great deal for your computer’s overall performance.
Step 4: Pulling the Card Out
As I mentioned earlier, the Graphics card is generally plugged into a PCI-e slot that can be removed easily from the motherboard.
But some of the modern cards are carefully secured in the slot with screws in its outside metal panel to the computer’s case.
In these cases, you will need to unscrew the screws first, which will partially release the graphics card and, in some cases, release it completely.
Some of these screws can be found under the plastic panel. So, make sure you have unscrewed all of them before pulling the card.
After that, you should start looking for all the power cables around the card. Modern cards need a lot of power to work efficiently, and some of them can take up to 110 to 270 watts of power. The lower-end ones can work perfectly with 75 watts of power.
Sometimes, the fully loaded higher-end cards can take the same amount of power as all the other computer accessories take together.
Most graphics cards come with a 6-pin or an 8-pin power connector, which is usually located on the top of the card. Generally, they are secured into slots using small plastic clips.
While trying to get the wire connectors out, you will need to push the clips with your thumb and then pull the connectors out of the card most carefully.
Older cards can have other cables plugged in too. So, make sure you have removed them all. Lastly, you need to push down the release tab, which can be found at the end of the PCI express slot. The tab is what holds the card into the slot.
When you get to the plastic tab, it’s usually fixed at the bottom of the card on the board. If your card is larger, it’s most likely to cover the tab completely.
So, in case you can’t reach it with your fingers, use other plastic things like a pen to push the tab downwards. You need to hold the card in one of your hands and push down the tab with the other slightly until you hear a clicking sound.
After that, slowly take the card away from the bard while still holding the tab down with the other hand. Be cautious while pulling out the card. Ripping it out can cause internal damages to the slot.
FAQ
Is it necessary to uninstall the graphics card driver before removing the physical card?
Yes, it is recommended to uninstall the graphics card driver before removing the card. This helps ensure that there are no conflicts or issues when you install a new graphics card and its corresponding drivers. Uninstalling the driver can be done manually through the Device Manager or by using dedicated software like Display Driver Uninstaller.
Can I damage my graphics card or motherboard if I’m not careful while removing the card?
Yes, if you don’t follow the proper steps or use excessive force while removing the graphics card, you may risk damaging the card, the motherboard, or the PCIe slot. It’s important to be gentle and patient during the removal process, making sure all connections and screws are properly disconnected before attempting to pull the card out.
How can I prevent static electricity from damaging my graphics card or other components when removing it?
To minimize the risk of static electricity damage, you can use an ESD wrist strap (also known as an anti-static wrist strap) when working on your computer. This strap helps to ground you, preventing static electricity buildup that could potentially harm sensitive electronic components.
How do I know which graphics card is compatible with my motherboard and system?
To ensure compatibility, you should check your motherboard’s specifications, which can be found in the user manual or on the manufacturer’s website. Look for the type of PCIe slot available (e.g., PCIe x16) and any power supply requirements for the graphics card. Additionally, make sure your computer’s power supply unit (PSU) can provide sufficient wattage for the new card.
Can I use integrated graphics alongside a dedicated graphics card?
Yes, in some cases, you can use integrated graphics (the graphics processor built into your CPU) along with a dedicated graphics card. This can be helpful for tasks that don’t require high graphical performance or for troubleshooting purposes. However, for gaming or other graphics-intensive tasks, it’s generally better to use a dedicated graphics card for optimal performance. To switch between integrated and dedicated graphics, you may need to adjust settings in your computer’s BIOS or operating system.
Will I void my computer’s warranty by removing or replacing the graphics card?
In most cases, removing or replacing a graphics card will not void your computer’s warranty. However, it’s always a good idea to check with the manufacturer’s warranty terms and conditions to ensure you don’t inadvertently void the warranty. If you’re unsure or uncomfortable with the process, it’s best to consult a professional or contact the manufacturer’s support team for assistance.
Conclusion
So, I hope that you got a clear idea of how to remove graphics Card. You should always keep in mind that the graphics card is really sensitive as well as an important component of the motherboard.
Whenever you are trying to remove it from the slot, be extra careful since the card is usually placed in there really securely.
After you have removed the card, make sure that you preserve it in an anti-static bag before selling it or giving it to someone to avoid having static electricity in it.
