Installing a new graphics card...

[TheDaddie]

Hello!

I'm about to purchase a new graphics card, namely the ASUS nVidia GTX 750Ti, and I am confused on two levels: firstly, do I need to power it with a PSU, and how? And secondly, do I need to download and install the drivers before I turn off onboard graphics and install the card?

Many thanks,
Jack

 

[rmockett7]

that graphics card requires a maximum of 150w extra power and uses a 6 pin cable to power it, if u open your computer up and look at your powersupply check if u have a spare 6pin lead and enough wattage for it, if not you'll either need to buy a new psu or if u got 2 molex leads spare u can buy a 2molex to 1 6pin converter lead.

do not turn off your onboard graphics the card will work when you plug it in and then install your drivers

 

[Robert Cook]

it should boot with the card in, but the resolutions my be bad, once online download the drivers, that is often how I get it to work. once the drivers are in the resolution can be fixed. you power supply should have a cable labeled VGA, you will want to plug it into the port on the back of the card if you have one. if it only wants 6 pins, then plug in the six, and then leave the 2 off to the side.

 

[alichowdry]

Hi, yes of course any graphics cards in 2015 need to be powered by a psu, so make sure you have a strong enough psu, and personally I was using my onboard graphics for a while till I could afford my gpu, i didnt do anything in preparation at all, I just installed my new gpu first then deleted the old drivers then installed the new drivers, but there no harm deleting your old drivers before putting the card in but NEVER INSTALL DRIVERS INTENDED FOR A CARD THAT ISN'T ALREADY INSTALLED IN YOUR PC

 

[Grimwinder]

It depends on the exact model, the STRIX version does not require a 6-pin power plug from the PSU and draws it's power directly from the PCI slot--
http://www.asus.com/Graphics_Cards/STRIXGTX750TIOC2GD5/specifications/

 

[Robert Cook]

^ yeah there are a few out there, having used one, I really think that is neat to have a fair a mount of power with no extra cables needed.