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Let’s go over a process you’ll have to experience a bunch of times, especially if you’re a gamer: removing a graphics card from your PC. If you’re not a seasoned tech-head you’re probably overwhelmed any time you take a look at the inside of a computer, be it your own or someone else’s. These incredibly elaborate devices — which consist of many smaller components — sure can seem daunting to the uninitiated. Fortunately, there’s no need to fret. Everything inside a computer has a very concrete purpose, regardless if you’re aware of it or not. Computers are streamlined tools that have been aiding us in our personal and professional endeavors for decades and, odds are, they’ll continue to be an integral part of our lives for many more years and decades to come. Is It Complicated to Open a PC Case?Not at all! Depending on the components you have and the way everything was initially set up, your PC’s interior will either be clean and minimalistic or, conversely, an absolute mess. We’re talking cables sticking out, dust everywhere, certain things you don’t know the origin of and a bunch of pointy objects that may or may not be the reason why your index finger is already in a bad shape. PC building is a beautiful thing and a hobby that can (and most probably will) entertain you for the years to come, but it can also be a pretty painful experience — and we mean that in the most literal way. Most things are sharp, there are many screws involved, and you often need to apply a bit of force as well. And, well, things get even more challenging if you opt for a smaller case. For this piece, specifically, we’ll try to be as direct as possible. It’s better to cover all bases than to assume you know something by default and then leave you without all the information you might actually need! So, for the purpose of this article, we’ll assume you’ve only now embarked on your PC tinkering journey (congrats, by the way) and have opened up your computer for the very first time with a clear goal in mind: to remove/replace your graphics card! How to Remove a Graphics Card from Your ComputerGraphics cards (or GPUs, for short) are easy to spot as they all follow a very similar form factor and are always located in the exact same spot. In other words: you can’t miss ‘em. Down below, we’ll go over why it’s located where it is and what’s the use/importance of everything surrounding it. A Step-by-Step GuideYour graphics card is always plugged directly into your motherboard. It specifically goes into the PCIe x16 slot. This particular connector has sixteen data lanes (hence the x16 suffix) and can therefore secure the absolute highest data throughput out of any port on your motherboard. To safely remove your graphics card, you’ll have to do the following:
That wasn’t so bad, right? It only seems daunting at first, but the whole process is actually as simple and straightforward as it gets! Here’s all of this in an easy to follow video, in case you’re more of a visual learner: FAQCan a graphics card be removed?It sure can! You’ll have to remove it if you happen to buy a more powerful one further down the line or, Heaven forbid, your existing one happens to malfunction. Your graphics card is just one of many components inside your computer, and it, too, can be changed and upgraded, and tinkered with in many different ways. Can all graphics cards be removed?Indeed they can! Well, at least regular ones that are connected to your motherboard via the PCIe slot. Their outward appearance doesn’t affect anything in this regard — your GPU can be removed regardless of the way it looks. Triple fan designs sure can seem daunting, but don’t let their looks intimidate you; they, too, can be taken out whenever you so desire! What happens if I remove my graphics card?Well, nothing serious or harmful. The main purpose of a graphics card is to send out a video signal to your monitor and, by doing so, allow you to interface with your computer. Without it, you won’t be able to use your PC unless your processor has an integrated graphics card (or iGPU, for short). Can I break my PC when opening it up?You can, unfortunately, but only if you’re reckless. If you follow our step-by-step guide there’s really no way for you to cause any damage to your components or for things to go awry. Just be careful, patient, and don’t apply too much force. Your hardware is actually a lot more delicate than it might seem, and that’s definitely something you need to keep in mind. My graphics card is stuck, what do I do?The first thing you need to do is find out why it’s stuck. Fortunately, there’s a limited number of possible reasons, so the process itself shouldn’t be too hard.
If you’ve covered all of the above, then you’ll probably have to apply a bit more force to get it out. Just keep in mind that your graphics card is perpendicular to your motherboard, so if you’re taking it out make sure to maintain its angle. If you skew it in any other direction you’ll run the risk of damaging it. Building a PC is the easier part; taking things out and disassembling them often requires a lot more force and finesse (a strange pairing, we know) than one would expect. Over to youDo you remember the first time you had to remove your graphics card? What was that experience like? Let us know in the comment section down below and in case you need any assistance, make sure to head over to our expert forum! CGDirector is Reader-supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. How do I safely remove a graphics card?Once the graphics card is disconnected from the case itself, the card will still be slotted into a PCIe slot. Looking down at where the card is slotted into the motherboard, there will be a small clip holding the card in place to the motherboard. Push down on the clip to release the card.
How do I remove my graphics card slot?How to Remove a Graphics Card. Remove Existing GPU Drivers with Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) ... . Shut Down Your PC. ... . Unplug Your PC's Wires and Prep Your Workstation. ... . Remember to Ground Yourself Before Starting Work. ... . Remove Your PC's Side Panel. ... . Unplug the PCI Express (PCIe / PCI-E) Cables. ... . Unscrew the GPU from the PC Case.. Can you pull a graphics card out of a laptop?Know that most laptop video cards cannot be swapped out.
That means that in order to get a new video card for you computer you'd need to get a new processor, which is expensive enough that a new laptop is often the better buy. You need a PCI or MXM slot to upgrade your video card.
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