Install and remove the graphics card – this is how you exchange your GPU in a few steps

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MeinMMO explains how you can install, remove or even exchange a graphics card. You can find everything you need to know about it in our article.

In our article we explain to you how to remove a graphics card from your computer and how you can install a new graphics card. If you just want to install a graphics card and not expand it, then jump directly to the second section:

A notice: All steps happen on your own responsibility and at your own risk. We assume no liability for damage to you on your hardware.

Remove a graphics card in 6 simple steps

If you want to install a new graphics card into your computer, you first have to remove your old graphics card. We explain to you step by step how you should proceed to remove a GPU from your PC.

  • Separate your computer from the power grid and best pull the cable out of the power supply. Then you should earth by grasping an unpainted area on a radiator, for example.
  • Next opens the side wall of your PC case. Here you either need a screwdriver or your hands are enough. It varies with every housing.
  • Remove all power cables connected to the graphics card. If the graphics card has no extra power connection, the step jumps.
  • Now open the locking of the PCIe slot of the main board. This is the long slot on the mainboard in which the graphics card is located. Depending on the size of your graphics card, the lock is partly below your graphics card. Press the bar completely down, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the graphics card when removing it.
  • Remove the screw (s) with a screwdriver, which hold the graphics card in the slot on the housing.
  • Now the graphics card can be removed. You should then put your graphics card into the original packaging or keep it safely in an antistatic bag.

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    Install and replace the graphics card

    Basically, installing a new graphics card is not very complicated. You need a graphics card, a computer and usually a cross -slot screwdriver for installation.

  • First separate your computer from the power grid! If you build a new computer together, make sure that the PC is also not connected to the power grid. Then you should earth, for example by taking an unpainted area on a radiator.
  • Open your housing and search for a long PCIe extension slot. Depending on the mainboard, you will either find one or two of them. You do not need the short slots for your graphics card. In the following picture you can see where they can be. Mainboards look different, but the arrangement is always identical.
    • The B550 Gaming Plus from MSI offers two PCIe connections (red and green marked).
  • In the next step you have to unlock the expansion area. To do this, press the lever down on the (normally) right side.
  • At the height of the expansion slot, you usually have to remove slot trends from your PC housing so that the graphics card can be installed. Depending on the size of the graphics card, you have to remove 1 to 3 slot trends.
  • Now push your graphics card vertically down into the PCIe slot of the main board until you can hear a click. The locking of the PCIe slot on the main board should automatically snap in, then the graphics card sits correctly in the slot.
  • If your graphics card has additional power connections, then combine these connections with the PCIe power connections of the power supply. These cables are usually labeled. Make sure that you connect the power cables correctly and that all pins are properly aligned, otherwise you face a short circuit!
  • If you have connected your graphics card so far, you should attach your graphics card to the housing. You do this with the screws of the slot cover that you dismantled and a cross slot screwdriver.
  • Now you can close your housing.
  • Finally, you have to connect your graphics card to your monitor either to an HDMI or DisplayPort cable. You also have to connect your computer to the power grid.
  • Start your computer now: In the best case, you get a picture immediately and you see Windows or your installed operating system. In this case, your graphics card was recognized correctly.

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    Graphics card installed – the next steps

    You should do that next: As soon as you have installed your graphics card, Windows automatically search for the standard driver after the first start so that your graphics card works.

    For a full range of functions and access to exclusive features, such as DLSS or FSR, we recommend that you install the official graphics map software. You can get this directly on the manufacturer’s website:

    Important: If you exchanged your graphics card and changed the manufacturer, for example from Nvidia to AMD or vice versa, then you have to uninstall the old software beforehand. The freeware DDU (“Display Driver Uninstaller”) is particularly recommended here.

    Are you looking for the best graphics card for Gaming 2025 or simply for a good upgrade for your gaming system? MeinMMO introduce you to the best and recommended graphics cards for players: The best graphics cards in gaming for each budget 2025 in ranking.

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