I'm a bit rusty... Enlighten me again on installing gpu.

[Chronobodi]

i just got my GTX 470, however... last time i fiddled around with my GPU was to press the CMOS button because i screwed up some settings in my attempt to unlock my phenom ii tri core. (i updated BIOS later, unlock was successful, but it was unstable...)


Anyway... what i do first? install new GPU or install new drivers?

i forgot what that little lever does at the end of the PCI-E x16 lane on my Gigabyte mobo. Do i have to fiddle with it, or do i just press down on my new GPU?


and the power connectors... i got the 6-pin and 6+2 pin, do i just pull them out or do you have to squeeze then pull out?

 

[shadow187]

Uninstall old drivers, run driver sweeper, restart, install nVidia drivers, restart + install card, enjoy.

 

[Truhls]

Yep exactly what shadow said. Run Drivesweeper in Safe mode for best results btw.

 

[jyjjy]

Shouldn't you install the card before the drivers? That's how I've always done it anyway. Probably doesn't actually matter.

 

[shadow187]

I've heard it done so many ways jyjjy. I think it didn't work well with XP because the windows drivers weren't as good as vista/7. When I put my 7600GT in for Vista, I just plopped the card in, though I was using drivers for my integrated 7050 anyways...

I did my described method above for my HD4650 though, minus driver sweeper.

 

[jyjjy]

I've done card then drivers on XP a number of times. Never had a problem. I think they were all Nvidia cards though if that might matter.

 

[Chronobodi]

eh, do the old drivers work before i install the new ones? and what's with the flipper/lever thing at the end of the PCI-E x16 slot?

 

[jyjjy]

Yeah, definitely uninstall the old drivers and run driver sweeper in safe mode before installing the new card/drivers.
The little lever thing is just to help lock the card in place.

 

[Chronobodi]

yea... about those levers... i know i'm being anal here but...

am i supposed to lift or push the lever when i remove old card?

THEN

Are you supposed to put the newcard in, then lift or push the lever?

 

[jyjjy]

You push it down when removing. Just inserting the card should return it to its proper position.

 

[shadow187]

It's akin to install RAM.

 

[Chronobodi]

Best answer selected by ChronoBodi.