How to install the GTX680

[Guest]

I bought my custom computer from a friend so I don't really know how to build them. Right now I'm trying to figure out how to install the GTX 680 I recently ordered. The cables are all in sleeves but my 480 has 2 6 pin connectors plugged into it already (I think), which should be the same things that are required for the 680. Do I just take my graphics card out, plug the new one in, and put those 2 6 pin connectors into the new one?

Here is what my 480 looks like

https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2NjrRgir_Vg/T3aI1YnycCI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/oy1YBIKDDk0/s724/IMG_20120331_003128-1.jpg

And does that little black thing sticking out do anything? It looks like it just has 2 holes, and it's coming out of one of the 6 pin adapters it looks like.

Also, my motherboard is apparently a pci 2.0, will that work with the 680?

 

[ko888]

I would make sure that the latest NVIDIA GeForce driver is installed before swapping the cards.

The PCI Express supplementary power connectors won't be side by side like your current graphics card. One will be in front of the other like the following:

 

[Guest]

I would make sure that the latest NVIDIA GeForce driver is installed before swapping the cards.

The PCI Express supplementary power connectors won't be side by side like your current graphics card. One will be in front of the other like the following:
http://tpucdn.com/reviews/NVIDIA/GeForce_GTX_680/images/power_small.jpg

Ok, so the things plugged into PCI-E on mine will just go in those 2 slots?

 

[ko888]

Ok, so the things plugged into PCI-E on mine will just go in those 2 slots?

That's correct.

Also the PCIe 2.0 x16 motherboard slot will work fine with the GeForce GTX 680.

 

[trogdor796]

Take your card out, unplugging both 6-pin power connectors.

Put the 680 in the slot, and insert the 2 6pin power connectors into it.

Done.

As for "the little black thing sticking out", I believe you are referring to a 6 pin power connector with an additional 2 pins, to form an 8pin connector? Like this:

http://lian-li.com/v2/tw/product/upload/image/pss/psu%20pcie%206%202pin.jpg

If so, the additional 2 pins are used for cards that require more than a 6pin power plug. The 680, however, only requires 2 6 pin connectors.

PCI is backwards compatible, so cards made with 3.0 in mind will work in 2.0 slots, and vice versa. Don't worry about bottlenecking from a 2.0 port or anything, not even the most powerful graphics cards out there, such as the 680, can utilize all of 2.0's bandwidth right now.

Some other things to keep in mind when installing your new 680 is to be sure to not build up static electricity. Either wear an anti-static wrist strap, or touch your case while installing. Static electricity/ESD can destroy components, even if you don't feel the charge.

Congratulations on the purchase of your GTX 680 though! I hope you have a beast of a system to support it! Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[Guest]

Take your card out, unplugging both 6-pin power connectors.

Put the 680 in the slot, and insert the 2 6pin power connectors into it.

Done.

As for "the little black thing sticking out", I believe you are referring to a 6 pin power connector with an additional 2 pins, to form an 8pin connector? Like this:

http://lian-li.com/v2/tw/product/upload/image/pss/psu%20pcie%206%202pin.jpg

If so, the additional 2 pins are used for cards that require more than a 6pin power plug. The 680, however, only requires 2 6 pin connectors.

PCI is backwards compatible, so cards made with 3.0 in mind will work in 2.0 slots, and vice versa. Don't worry about bottlenecking from a 2.0 port or anything, not even the most powerful graphics cards out there, such as the 680, can utilize all of 2.0's bandwidth right now.

Some other things to keep in mind when installing your new 680 is to be sure to not build up static electricity. Either wear an anti-static wrist strap, or touch your case while installing. Static electricity/ESD can destroy components, even if you don't feel the charge.

Congratulations on the purchase of your GTX 680 though! I hope you have a beast of a system to support it! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thank you! And yes, I bought an antistatic wristband a few days ago

 

[Guest]

Best answer selected by travisdanielson.

 

[Maziar]

This topic has been closed by Maziar