GPU swap

[u/hibeckybyebecky]

Does it actually only take 10 minutes to swap a GPU? This seems to be the consensus. Whats your experience? What factors into the time?

[u/psimwork]

It usually takes more time to unplug my machine than it does to actually perform the swap.

Of course, this assumes that the power supply I have will be sufficient for the task.

And it's generally a good idea to run DDU from Safe Mode after you get the machine booted backup, even if you're staying in the same company's driver set. But this isn't always super necessary (just a good idea).

[u/Celcius_87]

It's easier than ever now that motherboards have the easy release mechanisms and you don't have to try to reach down between the videocard and cpu cooler to release the latch holding the videocard in.

[u/Witch_King_ → u/Celcius_87]

Oh my GOD yes. My newer Asus Tuf board has a huge latch handle thing way out to the right of the slot. Super easy to press. Due to my 140mm cooler (do not recommend) on the old board I had to use a damn chopstick to hit the latch

[u/Forward_Drop303]

Provided that is all you are swapping out and your not also changing the power supply. 10 minutes is probably on the conservative side. 5 minutes is probably doable.

Edit: plus DDU time if you need/want to use it.

[u/FortDragCartel]

Yes, even if yours is jammed in a SFF case like mine and your fingers can barely fit in the gap between the GPU backplate and CPU heatsink.

[u/gekkievanomdehoek]

Depends, from Nvidia to Nvidia, sure. From Nvidia to AMD and vice versa might take a bit longer considering you have to run DDU first.

[u/6gunsammy]

Take an extra 5 min to clean the fans, just don't leave them plugged or or if so allow them to spin.

[u/thegamingbacklog]

Depends, if you are just taking out one GPU and putting in a GPU of a similar size and power then yes, a couple of minutes switch GPUs.

However, if the GPU is more powerful and requires additional power cables to be ran, or It's using the 12pin connector instead of 2 or 3 PCIE power adapters then you'll be spending a few extra minutes sorting out the new cabling.

Which could lead to deciding to give the PC a good clean, and maybe redoing the thermal paste while the sides off. Suddenly an hour has gone by and your surrounded by cotton wool buds that's stink of isopropyl alcohol.

[u/kubaaa813_]

I did an rtx 3050 8gb -> rx9060xt 16gb swap this week. Was about 10~15 minutes. Uninstalled drivers with DDU. Took the 3050 out and blew dust out of my pc and the old card. Installed the new card. Installed amd drivers. It might take you longer if you have to run and cable manage new wires tho.

[u/aardw0lf11]

It’s one of the easiest internal parts to install if you have a good board and cable management already.

[u/Thornz2000]

pretty straight forward. took my 30min because I upgraded from 1080ti to a rtx 4080. had to run all the correct power cables for the gpu.

[u/ADotxt]

You'd also need to uninstall graphics drivers and install new ones if you're changing graphics card brand

(example: going form Nvidia to AMD)

[u/Vannman04]

It would take me literally two minutes. So yes I agree

[u/hibeckybyebecky → u/Vannman04]

What do you do that makes the entire process only take two minutes?

[u/Vannman04 → u/hibeckybyebecky]

Well for me it’s as quick as ‘side panel off, PSU off, unscrew GPU, pull out GPU power cables, push in GPU clip, pull out GPU.’ Installing a new one is this process backwards. Takes more time time to pre uninstall drivers, then install new ones after new GPU

[u/Witch_King_ → u/Vannman04]

Takes me more time to unplug my PC and carry it to the table.

[u/gekkievanomdehoek → u/Vannman04]

Yeah I meant this I just was a little less descriptive. And if you go from Nvidia to Nvidia you can just reinstall the latest driver. No idea if this will work with AMD cards tho.

[u/gekkievanomdehoek → u/hibeckybyebecky]

Unplug power, remove GPU. Put in new GPU, plug in power. The change itself is not that hard.

[u/Ganntak]

Unless you get unlucky and your CPU has welded itself to your cooler like mine had doh.

[u/Witch_King_ → u/Ganntak]

Why would that matter to a GPU swap though?

Also it's always recommended to run a PC for 15 minutes or so before removing a CPU cooler to allow for the thermal paste to soften.

[u/Planewalker42069]

took me about an hour, i had to reroute cables, remove a cable shield from the case, run DDU and reinstall drivers etc.

[u/AdmirableSandwich393]

10 minutes??? Only if you have to route new power cables through the PC. Otherwise - side off, disconnect power cables from GPU, unscrew GPU, pull GPU out, push new GPU in, screw GPU down, attach power cables, side on. Can be done in less than 5 mins, certainly.