I want to upgrade my graphics card from GeForce 6600

I highly recommend Scan UK for computer related purchases. eBuyer and OverClockers UK are two other reputable examples. There is of course Amazon but I've never been able to bring myself to purchase computer components from there myself.

GhostRyder It shouldn't make any difference at all -- it certainly doesn't with the newer hardware but I guess it could well have been an issue in the past. I personally don't think the OP will have any problem at all.
 
GhostRyder Leeky

can't seem to find the DDR5 GT630 on any of those links - only the DDR3 - so I may go ahead with the XOSA link

are we sure the DDR5 is fine on my PC as the DDR3 would be?

by un-install, is it via all programmes or add/remove in control panel - and I guess I would then go on to switch off/unplug etc - then it should be a straight forward swap?

am I completely uninstalling GeForce?
 
Jonat

Aye, swapping the GPU is simple enough:
  1. Remove the video software drivers and associated GPU software installed alongside it
  2. Turn off computer and remove cables at rear
  3. Remove side cover to gain access to GPU. As a bare minimum earth yourself against the case chassis by touching it, before proceeding
  4. Unscrew rear panel retaining screw
  5. Move plastic retaining tab and pull up to remove from PCI-Express slot
  6. Ensure wires are free from area and install new GPU by lining up with slot and pushing down until it locks in place
  7. Fit screw to rear panel to lock GPU in place
  8. Fit power supply cables as required, check fan area is free from obstructions like cables
  9. Fit side panel and connect computer up, then boot it
  10. Head to nVidia's or AMD's website to get the latest drivers, then download them.
  11. Install drivers and then reboot to finish.
 
You probably won't benefit too much from ddr5 with your current system, but if you can get it go for it.

Uninstall the GeForce drivers, once that's gone, shut down the system, slap the new card in, and install the drivers.
 
What precisely are you talking about? Every card listed above that is GDDR5 is 128-bit.
IIRC, you'd have a very hard time finding 64-bit GDDR5 cards. From memory I can think of nothing higher specced than the HD 6450 (or HD 7470 OEM) that is 64-bit GDDR5. 64-bit usually goes hand-in-hand with DDR3 as a general rule. Cheap GPUs don't often get paired with expensive (by comparison) memory IC's.

Probably depends on which geographic distribution area you are under. Personally I have no problem with Sapphire ( their support communication from head office is very good), whilst Asus's support is near non-existent, and XFX's quality and support can be somewhat lacking

Right! When he said that the GT 630 had GDDR5, I automatically thought 64bit.

As for installing drivers, you can probably just pop out the old car, pop in the new one, boot up and just clean install the drivers.
 
...do you mean uninstall the current stuff, then install the latest then swap cards?
Download the new driver to have it ready (that's download, not install), uninstall the old driver, shut down, swap graphics cards and then install the new graphics driver.
 
So install the latest driver before I remove anything? dividebyzero JC713
or do you mean uninstall the current stuff, then install the latest then swap cards?
Download the latest driver (320.18) for your OS before swapping the cards over. If you have the latest correct driver on hand when you do the swap you can install as soon as you've completed the change over. Otherwise, if you swap cards, you'll be stuck with the generic Windows driver until you download the newest Nvidia driver. Don't bother installing the driver on the CD you'll get with the GT 630 - it will be outdated, and you'll just have to install the latest driver afterwards in any case.

/ninja'ed by mailpup
 
Make sure you clean install. Chose the "Custom Install" option during the installer, then check the box that says "Clean Install". You should be good to go. You have to be cautious when switching from AMD to nVidia or vise versa, but that is not the case here so it is all good.
 
Ok, I'll download (not install) the latest driver - and when installed after the GT630 is in, is that all for drivers etc - nothing more needs to be downloaded etc?


what will the PC screen look like in between having uninstalled the 6600 and installing GT630?
 
Ok, I'll download (not install) the latest driver - and when installed after the GT630 is in, is that all for drivers etc - nothing more needs to be downloaded etc?


what will the PC screen look like in between having uninstalled the 6600 and installing GT630?

You have to shut down the PC in order to remove the 6600 and install the 630. The PC will either boot up with the default VGA driver if I am not mistaken or the latest driver for your 6600. I am not sure.
 
Just remember this and follow these steps:

Uninstall drivers for the 6600

Shut down the machine

Take out the 6600 and put the 630 in

The screen will probably be on 800x600

Install new drivers and restart

Voila.
 
Just remember this and follow these steps:

Uninstall drivers for the 6600

Shut down the machine

Take out the 6600 and put the 630 in

The screen will probably be on 800x600

Install new drivers and restart

Voila.

He can just install the driver when the new card is in since he isnt coming from AMD.
 
For anti-static etc, I have an anti static bracelet with a crocodile clip.

Does this mean I leave all plugs in, but turn switch off on the main socket on the wall and then attach the crocodile clip to the PC case?
 
When swapping components, keep the psu unplugged. Just hook that crocodile tip on any metal part of the case to ground it, it's not picky.
 
When swapping components, keep the psu unplugged. Just hook that crocodile tip on any metal part of the case to ground it, it's not picky.


do you mean take the black cable out from the PSU?

someone told me to keep that in but switch off (not unplug) at the main wall - so to have the case grounded
 
someone told me to keep that in but switch off (not unplug) at the main wall - so to have the case grounded
Would you also replace a saw blade while the saw is still plugged up? Unplugging devices before you intend on servicing them, is always the best practice. Besides the idea is not to keep the device grounded, but more along the lines of keeping the technician grounded with the device. While effectively killing any, and all power sources.

If you want to make sure devices are grounded, you can do so without keeping power on them. Although this process is usually not taken, simply unplugging the device is usually adequate.
 
Ok, I'll unplug it all

So clip onto any part of the metal case (unpainted?)

I read 'Press your PSU with 4 fingers to ground yourself completely.' - so do this once or a few times?
 
Even painted is fine so long as its metal. Honestly unless I'm doing some serious hardware work while constantly touching the internals. Normally just touching the case every minute is enough as long as you are not shuffling your feet on carpet (if your paranoid like me of course).
 
Even painted is fine so long as its metal.
Paint will create an insulated barrier between contacts, rendering the armband useless. If you are going to use the armband, you might as well use it correctly.

I personally have never used an armband, but then I don't have a bad static problem either. Even though I do not use an armband, I would never try to talk anyone out of using them. If I was to work in IT, I think I would make it a habit to safe guard myself as much as possible.
 
I personally have never used an armband, but then I don't have a bad static problem either.
Me either- on both counts. As long as you take some basic precautions - don't (dis)assemble on carpet, try to avoid wearing that funky nylon shirt which went out of fashion in 1986, and stop the cat from using the system as a scratching post. Other than that it's all generally good.
Even grounding yourself is something you would find hard not to do when preparing a system for a component swap-out. The only real precaution I tend to take is to press the power on button a few times while the system is off at the wall just to discharge any residual charge held in the motherboard capacitors. I have actually seen someone get a small shock by accidentally brushing against an unpowered motherboard whilst trying to extricate an EPS12V cable.
 
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