Installing new PCI Express card

Hi gang.....

Since you guys are so good at this....thought I'd get some guidence before I open up my PC for surgery here. I've got my new EVGA card and I've been told by folks both on the Dell forums and the tech guy that sold it to me, that it should go pretty smoothly and I wouldn't need any PSU upgrade. But....the card comes with adapters and while the basic installation looks simple enough....I'm a bit hesitant to to get started until I know a little more. Given the info that I have is correct....are these extra apapters and chords something I can ignore?? Any techie advice is mucho appreciated, thanks.

If there is a power slot on the back of the card it needs to be plugged in.. Those adapters are there in case the power supply does not have the right connector for the card. If the power supply does have the correct PCIe power plug then just use it and ignore the adapters. If it does not then use the adapter to plug in the card.

Ah.....ok....didn't see an obvious connection to it. I have the card installed....and I have the adpaters all set for the moniter (it needed that) but internally I didn't see where the PSU plug in would be. The nVidia card had did not have a PSU plug in. So.....gonna go take another look. Good thing I got my old Dell so I could get on and get tech support, hehe

Doh...p12.....there it is LOL Got it....it was just all too neatly coiled in the corner....didn't even notice it. So yes, it had the right power plug in.

Look along back edge and outer edge of the card. Somewhere, usually near the back outer corner, you'll see either a black 6-pin socket or a white 4-pin socket. Since your card is new, it's probably a 6-pin, or possibly even two 6-pins, but it could go either way.

Here's a picture of an 8800GT, already mounted on a motherboard:


Now here it is with the card's power socket circled:


If your PSU does not have 6-pin connectors on it, hopefully you've got an adapter that will work. Do NOT try to run the card without proper power or it will break. If you're in any doubt, take some photos of your wiring, and post them here, before you turn that computer on. If the pictures are clear, we should be able to tell you if you've got everything right.


EDIT: Sounds like you figured it out while I was typing this.

Drivers can be an issue also. For example if you previoulsy had an ATI card, you should make sure all ATI drivers are removed from your system if placing a new NVidia card, or vice versa.

Despite what you see on the board, make sure you check the manual! There are many makers of these cards and they often have different power requirements and connectors. If the card says you need 400W and you only have 350W, don't chance it, too many things can suffer. If you're not sure check the Dell website for the tech specs. And like stated above, uninstall all video drivers first if you can!

I did it....peice of cake. It's done.....updated to the latest drivers....runs nice and quiet and I logged in world....everything is hunky dory. Of course...now we're getting thunder storms so I'll probably have to abstain my pc activity until they pass LOL

Thanks you guys! I'm turning out to be a pretty good techie here.... even had a beer while did it LOL

when you switch from beer to the hard stuff...like Mt. Dew...there's no
turning back.

glad it worked out for ya.

LOL Vamp...yeah....that reminds me...I gotta run out and get groceries now.

As for the matter of the shady repair place....I have been advised on that and it probably wont be long before his bad behavior catches up with him and bites him in the a$$. And if that doesn't happen.....well.....my fiance said he's going to take him on a one way moon light fishing trip when he gets home LOL