how to install graphic card on hp 4000 slimline pc

These are basically external boxes into which you can plug a PCI-E graphics card. If you can’t upgrade your motherboard, power supply, or case to work with the specific graphics card you want, or you’re using a laptop and you want more power than is available, you also have the option of using an external graphics card enclosure. If your monitor doesn’t use any of those, adapter cables are cheap and plentiful. This usually isn’t a big deal-most new cards come with at least one DisplayPort, HDMI, and DVI connection. Of course, you’ll need a monitor that can actually accept the video output of your new card. Make Sure You Can Connect a Card to Your Monitor There are also splitters (like these that can split a single 8-pin plug into two 6- or 8-pin plugs). If you don’t see the right types of plugs, but your power supply is otherwise powerful enough for your card, you may be able to find adapters (like these 6-pin to 8-pin adapters).

You’ll need enough power coming from the power supply unit to feed the the new graphics card, in addition to all of your current computer components.

You’ll usually need an extra half inch of so of clearance for this plug, in addition to the dimensions of the card itself.Īnd speaking of power… Make Sure Your Power Supply Can Handle the Card’s Power Requirements The plug for this cable is either on the top of the card, or on the end of it (the side opposite the monitor connections). Mid- and high-end cards require a dedicated electrical connection to the computer’s power supply. There’s also one more factor to consider: the card’s power inputs. This Cooler Master Mini-ITX case can only accept short graphics cards (left), but it’s compatible with dual-slot designs (right). When you’re shopping online for cards, the specifications should list the measurements of the card. The easiest way to handle all this is to pop open your case and measure the space you have available.

And in some cases your available space might be further limited by where hard drives are installed, where cables are plugged into your motherboard, and how power cables are run.Īlso some very small PC cases might limit the height of the card you can use. While low-end and mid-tier cards are generally short enough to fit most cases, more powerful cards tend to be much longer.

How to install graphic card on hp 4000 slimline pc