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In some very rare instances, when a desktop PC is handled, particularly through shipping, due to it's inherent size and weight, some of the internal components can become dislodged from their locations. Re-seating them as a form of troubleshooting is simple and easy to do, even with no prior knowledge, and generally can be carried out with basic hand tools that you likely already have at home.
In the above video, we'll guide you through installing and uninstalling your graphics card (GPU). Although some computer systems may support either horizontal or vertical mounting, for the purpose of this video, we will be focusing on the most common horizontal mounting configuration.
Uninstallation
Prepare your workspace
You will need a clean workspace where you will be able to gently place your PC for un-installation of the GPU. Please also prepare a Philips head screwdriver. This will be required to remove the side panel from the computer, and unscrewing the GPU from the chassis. For both your own safety and to protect your hardware from possible electrical damage, always remember to turn your PC off and unplug all cables before continuing.
Remove the side panel and locate the GPU
Our Scorptec Ready to Run PCs ship with internal packaging to protect them in transit. The first thing you are advised to do when you receive a PC from Scorptec, is to open the side panel and remove the internal packaging from inside the system. In a similar manner, the first step to gain access to the GPU is to open the side panel, and identify the GPU on the motherboard. The graphics card is typically one of the largest components in your PC. It is installed directly into the motherboard and is usually positioned under your CPU or CPU cooler. In a typical horizontal installation, it runs horizontally from the back of the case at around half the depth of the chassis.
Some graphics cards installed vertically may have the fans facing towards you, but all cards are fastened to the case in the same way.Identify and release the power cable from the GPU
Before you can remove the graphics card from the PC, you must first disconnect it completely. Most graphics card have power cables linking it to the power supply, though these are not present on entry level systems. These cables will be plugged either into the front or the side of the unit. It is imperative to confirm your PC is turned off and is unplugged before proceeding.
To remove each cable, locate the release tab on the head of each plug. While pressing firmly on the tab, gently wiggle the connector loose and then pull it from the socket.Unscrew the GPU from the chassis back plane
You will then need to remove the screws that secure your graphics card to the PC. There are generally two or three screws that securely mount the graphics card to the back plane of the case. Some cases have these screws internal to the case, and can only be unscrewed from inside, while others will have these screws on the outside. If you have trouble locating these screws, first identify the external ports of the graphics card, and then look rightwards from the ports. Once removed, be sure to store these safely for later.
Remove the GPU from the motherboard
Finally, with the screws and all cables removed, you now need to release the locking tab that holds your graphics card in the motherboard slot. While supporting the GPU with your other hand, reducing the risk of any accidental damage, push firmly down on the tab until the card lifts from the socket. With it now unlocked, you can gently remove it from the motherboard.
Note that some motherboards feature different locking mechanisms, and if in doubt, please consult your motherboard manual for specifics to your system.
Congratulations, you have followed all these steps, you should have the graphics card removed from the chassis and in your hands.
Reinstallation
Identifying the correct PCIe lane, and slotting the card in
If you are performing a new installation of a graphics card, or could not recall which lane an existing install was originally installed in, it is important to read your motherboard's instruction manual to identify the correct slot into which it should be installed. It's important to recognise that not every slot in your motherboard has the same capability, and that installing into the wrong slot may still allow the graphics card to display, but performance may be degraded.
Slot the card into the motherboard
Once you have identified the correct slot, ensure the corresponding locking tab is in the unlocked position, which can be confirmed by pushing down on the tab, or sliding the tab depending on the design of the motherboard.
To insert your graphics card, you must align both the connector with the slot on the motherboard and the metal bracket on the chassis, which corresponds with that slot. Now, carefully push your card into the slot until you feel the locking tab click into place.Screw the GPU into the chassis back plane
Once seated, replace the screws that fix the graphics card to the chassis. Your GPU should be fixed to the chassis with two or three screws. If you are installing a GPU for the first time, the screws should be included with the case.
Reconnect the power PCIe power cable
With the card now secured in the case, it is time to reconnect the PCIe power cables to your card. Note that some entry level cards do not require PCIe power, and would not have a connector on the side of the card. Each PCIe power connector could be configured as a single six pin connector, a single eight pin connector, a split 6 + 2 pin connector, or a 12pin connector.
To insert each connector, push the plug into the corresponding socket firmly until the locking tab on the connector head clicks into place. If you are installing a 6 plus two pin cable, you must plug the two pin connector into the socket first, followed by the six pin to ensure a correct fit. When seated correctly, there should be no visible gap between the connector head and the socket body. If there is, remove the plug and reinsert it until it is flush and there is no gap.
Now that your graphics card is installed, you can replace your side panels and reconnect any cables or devices. If completed correctly, your PC should now post successfully and boot into your operating system. Note that new graphics card installations would require the installation of driver software, and if performing an upgrade of an existing PC, you may need to uninstall existing drivers for previous graphics cards.