How hard is it to change a graphics card?

[AssaultRifle]

Okay, so I am not too great with computers, but I am purchasing this computer soon:

Newegg.com - iBUYPOWER Gamer Extreme 551D3 Phenom II X4 965(3.4GHz) 4GB DDR3 500GB ATI Radeon HD 5770 Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

I was wondering, how hard is it to change a graphics card? I am planning on changing the 5770 in this PC to a 5850 soon. Do I just take the card out of the motherboard and put in a new one? Or is it more difficult than that?

Also, does overclocking a GPU void your warrenty?

 

[Davidxtux]

It is very simple. What you do to take out the 5770 you apply in reverse for the 5850.. don't forget to plug in the power cord for the card! As far as overclocking your GPU voiding your warranty... it is a very debatable issue as most manufacturers give you the program to overclock. Though a stable system always runs at stock clocks.

 

[MK2]

Hi,

I think you need a second six pin pci-e power supply connector for the 5850.
In the specs of the computer you want to buy I see it has a 700w power supply,
so that's strong enough and I think should have several 6 pin connectors but better to check first.

If you have the (latest) drivers installed for the 5770 you can use them for the 5850 also.

Technically if you overclock you will void the warranty but I think it depends on the manufacturer and type of card, but it will be difficult for the manufacturer to prove you overclocked it.

MK2

 

[Reilly]

All you have to do : Open your Side of your case, unscrew and the old card and screw/place in the new one Good Luck

 

[Gilly]

It is very simple. What you do to take out the 5770 you apply in reverse for the 5850.. don't forget to plug in the power cord for the card! As far as overclocking your GPU voiding your warranty... it is a very debatable issue as most manufacturers give you the program to overclock. Though a stable system always runs at stock clocks.

it only voids it if you flash the bios of them doesn't it?
and i strongly disagree with ure last comment

 

[Zepher]

It is very simple. What you do to take out the 5770 you apply in reverse for the 5850.. don't forget to plug in the power cord for the card! As far as overclocking your GPU voiding your warranty... it is a very debatable issue as most manufacturers give you the program to overclock. Though a stable system always runs at stock clocks.

it only voids it if you flash the bios of them doesn't it?
and i strongly disagree with ure last comment

Why would you strongly disagree with the last statement?
You have more chance of instability when you overclock.

And you have to check with your card manufacturer, as some will void your warranty if you damage the card by overclocking it.

 

[thefabe]

It's very easy. Just remember to touch the side of the metal case to make sure you have grounded yourself to avoid any transfer of static to the card or other parts. Handle the card by the edges only, just take your time and be careful and don't force anything.
You'll also most likely find a little clip/tab at the rear end of the PCI-e slot that needs to be moved using your thumb towards the top of the case in order to release the card. This of course after removing either the screw at the back of the case holding it in place or whatever screw less mechanism the case may have come with. Fabe tab at back of PCI-e slot

 

[Gilly]

It is very simple. What you do to take out the 5770 you apply in reverse for the 5850.. don't forget to plug in the power cord for the card! As far as overclocking your GPU voiding your warranty... it is a very debatable issue as most manufacturers give you the program to overclock. Though a stable system always runs at stock clocks.

it only voids it if you flash the bios of them doesn't it?
and i strongly disagree with ure last comment

Why would you strongly disagree with the last statement?
You have more chance of instability when you overclock.

.

he said a stable system always runs @ stock speed
which clearly isnt true

 

[Davidxtux]

it only voids it if you flash the bios of them doesn't it?
and i strongly disagree with ure last comment

Why would you strongly disagree with the last statement?
You have more chance of instability when you overclock.

.

he said a stable system always runs @ stock speed
which clearly isnt true

It is absolutely true. You may achieve a state where the system will not crash but it is far from stable. If the component were to be stable at higher clocks/voltages the manufacturer would have built it as such. A stable system always runs at stock clocks.

 

[Gilly]

Why would you strongly disagree with the last statement?
You have more chance of instability when you overclock.

.

he said a stable system always runs @ stock speed
which clearly isnt true

It is absolutely true. You may achieve a state where the system will not crash but it is far from stable. If the component were to be stable at higher clocks/voltages the manufacturer would have built it as such. A stable system always runs at stock clocks.

just because the builders of the components set the speeds to a certain number doesnt mean they cant run at higher speeds STABLE
my 5770's are running
core clock 942 and memory 1350
stock voltages rock solid stable
cpu @3.8 ghz stock voltages passes all cpu stresses i can also get it too 4.0ghz STABLE but needs a hefty voltage boost
so i have a overclocked STABLE SYSTEM

 

[Mellon Head]

just because the builders of the components set the speeds to a certain number doesnt mean they cant run at higher speeds STABLE

Uh, the usual reason that a component is rated for a certain voltage and speed is that it's a trade off between performance, heat generation, longevity, and economics.

The manufacturer sets the spec with the intent that if you run it at the recommended settings, you should see it perform error free throughout the length of the warranty period and beyond. That doesn't always happen, of course. A "better performing" component in the same product line may use a lot of the same electronic components, but in the case of a graphics card, for example, it may have better cooling, RAM heat sinks... Stuff that costs a little more. With better cooling, you can push it harder, so they can sell it with higher specs.

That's a generalization, but it's the basic concept in most electronic designs, and in manufacturing companies, including the one I work and design for.

 

[Davidxtux]

he said a stable system always runs @ stock speed
which clearly isnt true

It is absolutely true. You may achieve a state where the system will not crash but it is far from stable. If the component were to be stable at higher clocks/voltages the manufacturer would have built it as such. A stable system always runs at stock clocks.

just because the builders of the components set the speeds to a certain number doesnt mean they cant run at higher speeds STABLE
my 5770's are running
core clock 942 and memory 1350
stock voltages rock solid stable
cpu @3.8 ghz stock voltages passes all cpu stresses i can also get it too 4.0ghz STABLE but needs a hefty voltage boost
so i have a overclocked STABLE SYSTEM

In your experience you are saying it is stable but unless you are the designer of said equipment it is impossible to say for a fact it is stable. This is true for all electronics. As Mellon Head stated, the manufacturer does set it at settings which provide stability. Bringing it out of stock settings removes the stability the manufacturer guarantees. Don't start a debate with opinions. The statement " A stable system always runs at stock clocks." is derived from the statement "Every task has an intended tool and every tool has an intended task." What this means in a computer sense is only use components as they are intended to be used. Now I'm not saying not to overclock as I am an overclocker myself. (I mean come on, who's never turned a screwdriver into a hammer?) But, what I am saying is if you are looking for stability ; keep your system at stock clocks.

 

[Gilly]

just because the builders of the components set the speeds to a certain number doesnt mean they cant run at higher speeds STABLE

Uh, the usual reason that a component is rated for a certain voltage and speed is that it's a trade off between performance, heat generation, longevity, and economics.

The manufacturer sets the spec with the intent that if you run it at the recommended settings, you should see it perform error free throughout the length of the warranty period and beyond. That doesn't always happen, of course. A "better performing" component in the same product line may use a lot of the same electronic components, but in the case of a graphics card, for example, it may have better cooling, RAM heat sinks... Stuff that costs a little more. With better cooling, you can push it harder, so they can sell it with higher specs.

That's a generalization, but it's the basic concept in most electronic designs, and in manufacturing companies, including the one I work and design for.

what you talking about
all i said is a component can be ran faster than stock clocks and be stable
nothing more nothing less

and @ above poster
no basically you said if ure pc is overclocked its unstable.
maybe you should rephrase it to "theres more chance of instability if you overclock"

 

[Mellon Head]

what you talking about
all i said is a component can be ran faster than stock clocks and be stable
nothing more nothing less

I was clearing up some confusion based on some previous posts.

Frex...

he said a stable system always runs @ stock speed
which clearly isnt true

It is absolutely true. You may achieve a state where the system will not crash but it is far from stable. If the component were to be stable at higher clocks/voltages the manufacturer would have built it as such. A stable system always runs at stock clocks.

just because the builders of the components set the speeds to a certain number doesnt mean they cant run at higher speeds STABLE
my 5770's are running
core clock 942 and memory 1350
stock voltages rock solid stable
cpu @3.8 ghz stock voltages passes all cpu stresses i can also get it too 4.0ghz STABLE but needs a hefty voltage boost
so i have a overclocked STABLE SYSTEM

The two bolded parts are at odds with each other. You both are correct, and you make the point that your system is stable at overclock. Not every system is actually stable at OC, and Davidxtux's point is well made. I simply gave a supporting reason from a designer's perspective. That's all.