Help installing a new video card

[Vela]

Hi all

I've decided I want to upgrade my video card, I currently have a sapphire x1650 512, and I'm moving up to a 8800gt.

I just want to make sure I have this whole upgrading process worked out before I start. From the research I've done this seems to be the way to go.

1. Go to add/remove programs, uninstall ati software in the order of driver, ccc, ati software uninstall utility, and whatever other ati software might be left.
2. Reboot into safe mode after add/remove programs list is clear of ati stuff.
3. While in safe mode run driver cleaner free version.
4. Reboot into normal mode and run a registry cleaner(I have advanced system optimizer for that)
5. Reboot and make sure all ati related files are gone, then shut down the machine.
6. remove old card, install new card and boot up.
7. install new card drivers and software.

Did i get it right? at any point do I have to go to device manager and uninstall the card from there as well? Because I've seen some people suggest that, but others don't.

Thanks for helping a noob.

[amdalex]

That should work.

[Dave21]

Your steps are standard procedures.

[parabola]

So how does the story end? Were you successful in properly installing your 8800GT? Are you so busy playing Crysis that you neglected to get back and let us know how your install went? LOL.

By the way, I have the exact same card as you, the NVIDIA 8800GT 512MB, and it's due to arrive via UPS (I won an ebay auction, and got the card for a mere $193) by this Friday.

I have a question for you since you just recently installed the NVIDIA 8800 GT:

I'm really not sure if the card requires any power cables attached to it from the PSU in order for it to work. I hear I may need a 6 pin connector cable attached to the card from the CPU.

Did you have to use a 6 pin connector/power cable? Or did you just place the card into the bus and you were done with it like many cards such as the NVIDIA 8600GT?

I look forward to your reply as my card should be here soon! :cool:

Thank you,

[liambl]

The card does need a 6-pin PCI-Express power connector, howver it comes from the PSU, not the CPU.

[parabola]

The card does need a 6-pin PCI-Express power connector, howver it comes from the PSU, not the CPU.
Thanks for the reply with information. Good luck trying to connect to the CPU from the GFX eh? ...lol. As soon as I started re-reading my post I noticed I wrote CPU instead of PSU. Thanks for the heads up.

[Alaron]

Parabola, have you already upgraded your power supply? The stock unit in a Dell 531 is not going to be enough to power that card.

[parabola]

Parabola, have you already upgraded your power supply? The stock unit in a Dell 531 is not going to be enough to power that card.

C'mon, you got to be kidding me. My system has a 300 watt. i did some checking and you are right. I need a 400 watt minimum PSU, and a minimum of 450 to run SLI.

Thanks for the heads up!

[glc]

A Dell 531 cannot do SLI, it's only got one video card slot.

[Vela]

Right so I'm getting my new card today. I'm getting the BFG 8800gt OC or OC2. I have another question though. The OC has issues with it's fan sensor and a bios update fixes it, so should I flash the bios on the new card before or after installing the drivers? I'm thinking before but just want to be sure.

Thanks

[glc]

It shouldn't matter.