Why do I need to replace the video card in stationary personal computers and laptops? This process is performed for several different reasons. Let's look at them and all those actions that should be performed.
Reasons for replacing a video card
Computer and laptop users may need to replace the graphics adapter for several reasons:
- hangs, friezes and delays in games;
- lack of computing power for working with graphics;
- outdated and non-working video card with new programs;
- breakage.
Cases of breakdowns of graphics cards are not uncommon. There are a couple of reasons for the failure of this not too cheap detail. The first and most common cause is hardware malfunctions. What is it? Any mechanical damage, overheating, or moisture can cause a hardware malfunction. At the same time, some of the breakdowns are "treated" by heating the board with a blow dryer, soldering those parts that are out of order. But to carry out such manipulations with a damaged video card without proper dexterity and knowledge is not recommended. This can lead to a complete failure of the video card, as well as to a fire.
The second reason for the need to replace the video card is software malfunctions. This is about software. Software such as new drivers or any performance optimizers can harm your computer, so you should think twice about installing new software on your PC. In the case of a software malfunction, you should either perform a system restore or reinstall the drivers. But the easiest and most correct way to go for help to service centers.
General rules
In the case of a stationary PC, replacing a video card is easy and effortless. It is necessary to choose a graphics adapter to the necessary requirements and, after doing a couple of manipulations, change the old part to a new one. Then you need to install the drivers. You can download them on the official website of the manufacturer.
On installing drivers, as a rule, replacing a card on a stationary PC ends. In the case of a laptop, everything is a little more complicated. Let's look at the course of action.
Laptop replacement
In laptops, the video card can be integrated into the processor or discrete. The last of them can be replaced by doing some manipulations with the technique. But with the integrated, nothing can be done. Users are advised only to remember that such a video card does not have its own memory, so it takes it from the laptop’s RAM. From this the conclusion suggests itself: the RAM should be of sufficient volume. It is also important to know that the speed of the graphics adapter depends on the speed of RAM.
If the laptop has an integrated AMD graphics card, then in this case you can arrange dancing with a tambourine and try to increase the power of the integrated graphics card using a discrete AMD graphics card and Dual Graphics technology. For example, we have an AMD A10-8700P processor with integrated RADEON R7 M365 graphics. By choosing a discrete graphics card for it (for example, the RADEON R8 M370DX) and using the Dual Graphics technology, you can increase the performance of the video card.
Some laptops are equipped with both discrete and integrated graphics. Often the user cannot understand how switching between video cards is carried out. In this case, you can only advise reading the manual on this laptop or contact the service center.
If you decide to replace a discrete type of video card in a laptop, please be patient. First of all, you need to disconnect the device from the network, remove the battery, unscrew all the screws and separate the laptop case, remove the cooling system from the processor and video card, remove the old part and replace it with a new one. After the completed manipulations, we collect everything in the reverse order and go to install the software in the form of drivers. Do not forget to connect all cables and loops when assembling the laptop. If you forget to connect something, then you have to disassemble the device a second time in a row.
PC Replacement
What if, for example, a new Asus graphics card was purchased? First of all, you need to replace the old graphics adapter with a new one. Replacing an Asus graphics card is very simple. If this is a stationary PC, then turn off the computer, disconnect all the cables and look for a screwdriver with the slot we need. Unscrew the side cover of the housing. At the same time, it would be nice to clean the computer case and all the insides. With a motherboard, RAM, power supply, you need to be careful so as not to damage them.
We remove the old video card and put the new one in the same PCI-e slot. If the video card is more powerful, then it may need additional power. She will receive it from the power supply. We collect everything in the reverse order and turn on the PC. After replacing the video card, we look for drivers on the official website of the manufacturer of this product and install everything according to the instructions.
Video card differences
The graphics adapter, as a rule, has several ports for displaying images on the monitor screen - VGA, DVI, HDMI. The outputs of the integrated (integrated) video cards are available immediately on the computer's motherboard. The outputs of discrete graphics are soldered on the video card itself.
Built-in graphics consumes RAM, and discrete has its own memory. The heating temperature of integrated graphics is much lower than the discrete temperature. This is explained by the power, volume and time of processing the information required at a given second. In the end, integrated graphics are recommended only for simple tasks. A discrete graphics card is designed to process a large amount of information (games, graphics).
User Tips
Having bought a personal computer or laptop, the user is obliged to look after his equipment, wipe off the dust, monitor and update the software. If you have any problems working with the graphics adapter or in games, when watching a video, you need to immediately figure out what is the reason for such an unstable PC.
If the reason lies in the video card, then take it to a service center. If you see a lot of friezes and delays when installing a new version of a program or game, replace the video card with a more powerful one.