[SOLVED] New graphics card installation

[VermillionStone]

Unsure on the process of replacing my graphics card. Currently have a Sapphire Pulse RX 560 in my computer. I just bought a Sapphire Pulse RX 5700 XT. My drivers are up to date and everything. My question is, what is the steps to switching out the cards? (Is it as simple as taking the old one out and putting the new one in.)

 

[Barty1884]

(Is it as simple as taking the old one out and putting the new one in.)

In theory yes... best practice, no.

Best practice:

• Download the 5700XT driver (before removing the 560). Do not install, just have it available to you.
• Download DDU and extract the files.
• Reboot to safe mode & run DDU - "remove and shut down".
• Once the system is shut down, switch off the PSU and hold the power button on the case to drain any residual power remaining
• Remove the RX560 and install the 5700XT
• Boot into Windows and install the driver downloaded earlier.

Also, what PSU do you have? I'm assuming you've confirmed it's up to the task of running the 5700XT?

 

[VermillionStone]

I have a 750W PSU. So what step should I take next? I'm completely new to this.

 

[Barty1884]

I have a 750W PSU. So what step should I take next? I'm completely new to this.

Which element(s) do you need more clarity on?

Best practice:

• Download the 5700XT driver (before removing the 560). Do not install, just have it available to you.
• Download DDU and extract the files.
• Reboot to safe mode & run DDU - "remove and shut down".
• Once the system is shut down, switch off the PSU and hold the power button on the case to drain any residual power remaining
• Remove the RX560 and install the 5700XT
• Boot into Windows and install the driver downloaded earlier.

 

[VermillionStone]

Downloading the 5700XT driver, does the Radeon Software not work for both?

 

[Barty1884]

Downloading the 5700XT driver, does the Radeon Software not work for both?

YEs, it can. Like I said, that's best practice. The adrenalin driver package applies to most (all?) modern AMD GPUs - but what it does in the background varies.

If you just proceed with the driver you already have installed... Windows would probably help out a bit and fill in any blanks - and it might work perfectly. But equally, may not.

Therefor, if you proceed with the best practice I detailed above, you shouldn't have any niggling issues that are a nightmare to diagnose.

I have a 750W PSU. So what step should I take next? I'm completely new to this.

Which "750W PSU" specifically?

 

[VermillionStone]

Okay I am going to follow the steps you provided. I have a Thermaltake Smart 750W PSU specifically.

 

[WildCard999]

You don't normally need to resort to DDU unless you run into issues. I'd recommend...

-Shut down the system.
-Power off PSU.
-Swap out GPU's.
-Power on PSU.
-Turn system back on.
-Install the newest drivers from AMD.
-During installation there will be a box that says "perform a clean installation of drivers". Check this box. What this does is uninstall the old drivers and then will install the newest drivers so there's no conflict or potential issues which is why I usually use this method over DDU (a bit easier as well imo). I use this same method when updating drivers.

 

[Barty1884]

You don't normally need to resort to DDU unless you run into issues.

Agreed, generally.

What this does is uninstall the old drivers and then will install the newest drivers so there's no conflict or potential issues which is why I usually use this method over DDU (a bit easier as well imo).

In theory, I completely agree.
In practice, the flakiness of "clean installation" options within driver packages is exactly why DDU continues to exist and I recommend it as a best practice, foolproof method. Most of the time, the "clean installation" will do exactly that. Just not 100% of the time, in my experience.