Adding a new graphics card to a computer in your office takes just a few minutes. Installing the card is the easy part. Making sure that the card will work with the computer's current motherboard often requires a great deal of research. Some resellers call them graphics cards, while others call them video cards, or even GPUs, which stands for Graphics Processing Unit. Whether you're adding a second card to a computer or replacing the current card, you need to know the card is compatible with the computer's motherboard and case before you purchase it.
Checking BasicGraphics Card Compatibility
Motherboards have specific types of slots for connecting additional components. Almost all modern computers use PCI Express 3.0 slots, which means a video card can go into any open slot. If your computer uses PCI Express 2.0 or another version of PCI Express, a newer card should be backward-compatible with it. Ancient computers may have AGP slots for graphics cards, which are a different shape and size and won't be compatible with modern cards. In most cases, you need a PCI-e x16 slot, which should be the longest slot on the motherboard.
In addition to the slot on the motherboard, most graphics cards need to be connected for power, which requires either a 6-pin or 8-pin connector. Exceptionally high-powered cards require two connectors instead of one. If you're not certain which type of graphics card connectors your computer motherboard uses, check its technical specifications or open the case after the computer has been unplugged, remove the current graphics card, and count the pin connectors.
Measure the Case
Having an available connector on the motherboard is just the first sizing requirement to consider before buying a new card. It must also physically fit inside the case and alongside any other components already on the motherboard. A slim computer case may not be able to accommodate a large card. If you're buying a powerful card that has its own fan, for example, you may need to measure for headroom inside the case first. Physically measure the height, width and length of the space you have and compare these measurements to the card's size, which should be listed in its specifications.
Check for Power
The amount of energy the computer's power supply unit, or PSU, can send to the computer's components is a limited resource, so you need to confirm it has enough power to support a new graphics card. A standard graphics card needs between 100W to 300W, but a high-powered card may need 600W. Check the computer's specifications to see how many watts the PSU can provide, over and above what it is already doing and then compare this to the graphics card's requirements. If the PSU doesn't have enough power, your computer may shut down unexpectedly or fail to turn on.
Check the BIOS
Every motherboard has a built-in BIOS chip that controls how the operating system accesses the computer's hardware. In some cases, you may need to manually change the BIOS, which stands for Basic Input/Output System, before it will accept a new card. Worse, some manufacturers of prebuilt PCs lock the BIOS, preventing you from tweaking it, which means that if the BIOS doesn't automatically detect and accept the new card, it will be impossible for you to change it.
Checking for Video Card Compatibility
Most manufacturers and computer resellers can tell you whether a graphics card is compatible with your computer. This information is often listed online and in the computer's technical specifications or the card's specifications. If you can't find this information, a phone call to a technical representative will usually result in an answer. If you're still unsure, check the store or reseller's return policy on graphics cards to make sure you can return or exchange the card if it's not compatible with your system.
FAQs
1 Check the specifications
How to choose a graphics card for a motherboard? ›
You need to make sure you have room in your case for your card. Look at the length, height, and thickness. Most modern graphics cards only come in full height form, and use two or more slots — some may even occupy four slots. The length of a card will typically range from a minimum of around 230mm to as long as 360mm.
How do I choose a compatible GPU? ›
Compatibility: Make sure that the GPU is compatible with your system. This includes checking that it will fit in your motherboard and that your power supply has enough wattage to support it.
How do I check my motherboard compatibility? ›
You can check your motherboard either by using a RAM compatibility checker, or by visually checking the motherboard slots. SODIMM slots are approximately 2.66 inches long, while DIMM slots are roughly 5.25 inches long.
Is my GPU not compatible with my motherboard? ›
Basically any CPU/Motherboard is compatible with any GPU.
There are three standards we need to know about. And those are PCI, AGP, and PCIE. The latter being really the only one we need to worry about. So PCI is the predecessor to PCIE, and there were and are graphics card made for it, and the same is true for AGP.
Can any graphics card fit in a motherboard? ›
Generally speaking, most GPU's are compatible with most motherboards. If they're from the same manufacturer, they should work just fine together. Most brands also generally speaking, also work just fine with other brands (ie MSI MB + Asus GPU, etc....).
Do all graphics cards fit all motherboards? ›
While there is a wide range of graphics cards available in the market, not all of them are universally compatible with any motherboard. Compatibility depends on various factors such as the form factor, slot type, power requirements, and the motherboard's support for the specific graphics card interface.
How do I know if a CPU is compatible with my GPU? ›
3 CPU-GPU compatibility
You need a CPU and a motherboard that have the same socket type, such as LGA 1200 or AM4. The second thing to check is the chipset, which is the controller that connects the CPU with other components. You need a chipset that supports your CPU features, such as overclocking or PCIe 4.0.
Can you use any graphics card with any CPU? ›
Any modern (PCI-Express) grphics card will work with any modern CPU an motherboard combo.
Does my GPU have to match my CPU? ›
Matching compatible PC components such as a motherboard and processor is crucial as you'll encounter instability issues or hardware damage. When purchasing a new PC altogether, it's equally important to match the right CPU with the right GPU.
Are all motherboards compatible with the RTX 3060? Technically, any motherboard that supports PCIe 4.0 on its 16X slot is compatible with the RTX 3060. However, even if the motherboard is restricted to PCIe gen 3.
How to tell if PCIe is compatible with motherboard? ›
Find the computer manufacturer site or specification sheet for your motherboard and identify the supported PCIe generation on the website or specification sheet.
Which graphics card is compatible with my PC? ›
How to check if your Graphics Card is compatible on Windows
- Press the Windows Key.
- Type “dxdiag” and press enter (wait for the window to open)
- Click on the “Display” tab (or “Display 1” if you have multiple monitors)
- Look at the “Feature Levels” on the right side under Drivers.
The base frames per second (fps) that a graphics card should be able to produce is 60 fps, but the higher the number, the better. Some graphics cards can push 120 fps and more, even when taxed by the most demanding titles.
Are graphics cards universal to motherboards? ›
No, certain graphics cards cannot fit inside of EVERY computer. Graphics cards do have some universal features; however, some have features (size, card slot, etc.) that make them incompatible with certain computers.
How do I match my CPU GPU and motherboard? ›
Start with the CPU socket
An AMD processor will not physically fit on an Intel socket and vice-versa. By checking your motherboard manual or model for online assistance, it's possible to check which socket is on the PCB. Intel 12th, 13th, and 14th-gen processors use the Intel LGA 1700 socket, for example.
What is the best GPU slot on a motherboard? ›
The top slot on your motherboard will typically be the best place to mount your graphics card, as this is most often the slot that runs at the full 16x speed (with the full x16 lanes), but to make sure, it's worth checking your motherboard's manual.
