Installing Video Card and PSU

[Dan Morera]

Hey guys, thanks to the advice of some of you I bought a 8800 gts 320mb and a 600+ PSU, (plus some ram).

I'm getting the package today, and will install both things this weekend, I have never built a computer nor have I any experience installing a video card and PSU.

So, I ask for your help with tips, things to keep in mind, big no nos, does and don't of this kind of install

Thanks for your help in advance
Dan

[waspiflab]

Just a case of plugging it all in from your psu you'll get plenty of molex plugs.
Graphics card just slots in and plug a molex plug or however many the 8800 needs.
Ram just slots in, can be tight but give it a good push and make sure the clips on both sides are locked down.
Do you mind me asking how much you paid for the 8800gts 320mb??

[Dan Morera]

HOW DARE YOU?!!.................Just kidding  :D $279.00 at newegg

[Dan Morera]

$279.00 8800gts
$90.00  PSU
$95.00  RAM

30fps in fs9 priceless  ;)

[MWISimmer]

Just a case of plugging it all in from your psu you'll get plenty of molex plugs.
Graphics card just slots in and plug a molex plug or however many the 8800 needs.
Ram just slots in, can be tight but give it a good push and make sure the clips on both sides are locked down.
Do you mind me asking how much you paid for the 8800gts 320mb??

Whilst a simple process, it's not quite that simple. The old graphics drivers need to be uninstalled before putting the new card in and the new one installed when prompted after installing the new card (will be on the disk that came with it).

Good luck with it Dan, let us know how you get on

[Dan Morera]

Uninstalled like:

computer/properties/hardware/device manager/display adapters/uninstall

and uninstall the little program that ATI has the "catalyst" something something

like that?

[MWISimmer]

Uninstalled like:

computer/properties/hardware/device manager/display adapters/DRIVER/uninstall

That's about it.. a driver cleaning program may help you.

[machineman9]

heres my how to (actually, im upgrading my PSU to a 570W tomorow, and putting in my 8600GTS hehe)

first uninstall your current display drivers. for me and my ATi ones i was able to whack the uninstall button that i found lurking in my program files list somewhere

shut down the computer

turn off at the wall

unplug the system power cable (i leave for about 10secs atleast after the first step... power may be remaining and you will find out about it if not careful)

unplug the rest of the system (all the cables)

take computer to a clean workspace. i like a wooden table with my feet up to help prevent earthing anything

hold down the power button for a second to discharge power

apparently touching the metal in the current PSU (where the cable goes) gets rid of your static too

open the case and always keep a bit of your body touching it... or wear a static bracelet.

if it helps, photograph or write down or make note of which componants take which cable. disk drives and hardrives take the red,yellow,black one i believe... changes for other componants though

unplug these cables... from the plastic female connector bit

unscrew the PSU and remove it/destroy and laugh at because you upgraded. mhawaaw

screw in the new one and connect the power to the right componants

unlock (if you need to) the metal PCI slots and you may have to press a plastic lock bit on the mobo to release your current graphics card. burn that too whilst laughing at it because you just upgraded... mhawawa

put in the new graphics card taking care because its shiny new and you dont want it trashing. lock it into place the same way you unlocked it. connect and PCI-E power cables there may be (some like mine need a 2x3pin brown cable set for extra card power)

snap the case back on ensuring everything is firmly in place. plug in (i turn power off again, then turn on when i am ready to switch on)

boot the computer up and insert any driver disk you may have, or install your new display drivers. done



that was certainly a page stretcher! and the destruction bit is of course not compulsary  ;D (im just sick in the head when it comes to getting revenge on hardware)

the RAM is easy enough to do. unlock the slot next to your current RAM and put in the RAM with firm pressure until the locks close on it... they will close when it is in enough.

[Dan Morera]

Thanks machineman9, made note of it

laughing at it because you just upgraded... mhawawa

Now I'm going to have that stuck in my head