Best way(s) to install new system hardware - video card & power supply

trinaz · 13 Nov 2019

Hello all.....l o n g time since I have posted so hope this request for help is OK......have to replace both power supply and graphics card in my system. Have a multi monitor system so I have a new card with dual DVI ports and one HDMI port which run my three monitors

Question is does it matter in what order I install and launch these two components.....can/should I simply install both items and start up.....or should I 1) install new power supply and then 2) turn power off and install the new graphics card and re-power on....

Since system is down can not post current specs but pretty much the same as in my specs minus the 2 new replacement cards

I would think it would be fine to install both and just power up.....but any guidance will be much appreciated

Thanks.....TRinAz (p.s. - my system specs are the same with exception of 2 new to be installed cards above) I am running most current Win 10 64bit version - since PC is down can't verify current version but believe it's up to date

bobkn · 13 Nov 2019

I suggest that you install both at the same time.

I have never owned a power supply that had any real communication with the system; the motherboard won't detect that you have changed PSUs.

bro67 · 14 Nov 2019

bobkn said:

I suggest that you install both at the same time.

I have never owned a power supply that had any real communication with the system; the motherboard won't detect that you have changed PSUs.

The newer Digital PSU’s have a USB connection to feed data back through a USB port on the motherboard. NZXT is the leader in that area. You are going to start seeing where your PSU is going to be seen by the OS as hardware in the future for what it watches for changes to the system.

Why You Should Try a Digital Power Supply for Your Next PC

CountMike · 14 Nov 2019

I would install PSU first and check if all is running well. Than I would use DDU Display Driver Uninstaller Download version 18.0.1.9 to uninstall old GPU drivers, shut it down (there's an option just for that) and than change GPU.

swarfega · 14 Nov 2019

I agree with Mike on this. Always best to play it safe with power supplies.

The other thing is to make sure the PSU is off when you connect the main power cable to it otherwise they can sometimes crackle.

bobkn · 14 Nov 2019

bro67 said:

The newer Digital PSU’s have a USB connection to feed data back through a USB port on the motherboard. NZXT is the leader in that area. You are going to start seeing where your PSU is going to be seen by the OS as hardware in the future for what it watches for changes to the system.

Why You Should Try a Digital Power Supply for Your Next PC

That's cool.

I repeat that I have never owned a PSU with a data connection. I wonder whether the OP has one.

I have a preferred ritual for replacing graphics cards, similar to what "CountMike" recommends, but that would have required that the PC be running. If the PC is down due a failed PSU, the installing the PSU on its own as a check is probably a good idea. (It would also allow removing the old card's drivers.)

Note that I have sometimes had to clear the CMOS on the motherboard after swapping graphics cards. It has been a while, and maybe it would never be needed with a more recent motherboard, but it's no big deal if needed.

CountMike · 14 Nov 2019

bobkn said:

That's cool.

I repeat that I have never owned a PSU with a data connection. I wonder whether the OP has one.

I have a preferred ritual for replacing graphics cards, similar to what "CountMike" recommends, but that would have required that the PC be running. If the PC is down due a failed PSU, the installing the PSU on its own as a check is probably a good idea. (It would also allow removing the old card's drivers.)

Note that I have sometimes had to clear the CMOS on the motherboard after swapping graphics cards. It has been a while, and maybe it would never be needed with a more recent motherboard, but it's no big deal if needed.

Some times replacing/upgrading PSU has to be first thing as when upgrading GPU may also produce need for stronger PSU which also tend to loose some power over time, mostly because of capacitors. I for instance would have to upgrade PSU for next up GPU because although it has 660W it' also has two 12v branches which can provide only 24A each. Lots of things to watch about when upgrading.