Skip to content Skip to sidebar Skip to footer
Home / How to Update a Graphics Card

How to Update a Graphics Card

Posted by Anonymous Post a Comment
Graphics-heavy applications, such as video games, will often require you to keep your computer’s graphics card up to date to ensure programs run as efficiently as possible. On Windows PCs, graphics cards can be updated by installing the latest drivers from the graphics card manufacturer’s website. On Mac OS X, graphics cards can only be updated by upgrading to the latest operating system available from Apple.

1
Windows 8 / Windows 7 / Windows Vista

  1. Image titled Update a Graphics Card Step 1
    1
    Click on the “Start” menu and type “dxdiag” into the search field.
  2. Image titled Update a Graphics Card Step 2
    2
    Press “Enter,” then click on “Yes” when asked if you want DxDiag to check whether your drivers are digitally signed. DxDiag is the DirectX Diagnostic Tool by Windows, which is a tool that helps identify the manufacturer and model of your computer's graphics card.
  3. Image titled Update a Graphics Card Step 3
    3
    Click on the “Display” tab in the DirectX Diagnostic Tool.
  4. Image titled Update a Graphics Card Step 4
    4
    Take note of the information displayed next to “Name” in the “Device” section. This information will provide you with the manufacturer and model of your graphics card.Close the DirectX Diagnostic Tool and all other open applications on your computer.
  5. Image titled Update a Graphics Card Step 6
    6
    Launch your web browser, and navigate to the website for the manufacturer of your graphics card.
  6. Image titled Update a Graphics Card Step 7
    7
    Click on “Support” or “Downloads” on the manufacturer’s website, and search for the latest driver updates based on the model of your graphics card.
  7. Image titled Update a Graphics Card Step 8
    8
    Select the option to download and install the latest graphics card drivers. When selecting an update, choose the latest driver version available, and avoid installing any “beta” drivers.
  8. Image titled Update a Graphics Card Step 9
    9
    Save the installer file to your Windows desktop, then double-click on the installer file to launch the driver update installation wizard.
  9. Image titled Update a Graphics Card Step 10
    10
    Follow the on-screen prompts in the installer wizard to update your graphics card, then restart your computer. Your graphics card will now be updated.[1]

2
Windows XP

  1. Image titled Update a Graphics Card Step 11
    1
    Right-click on your desktop and select “Properties.” The Properties dialog box will open and display on-screen.
  2. Image titled Update a Graphics Card Step 12
    2
    Click on the “Settings” tab, then click on “Advanced.”
  3. Image titled Update a Graphics Card Step 13
    3
    Click on the “Adapter” tab, then click on “Properties.”
  4. Image titled Update a Graphics Card Step 14
    4
    Click on the “Driver” tab, then click on “Update Driver.” The latest updates for your graphic card will now be installed on your computer.[2]
    • If the “Update Driver” option is grayed out, your graphics card may be outdated or no longer supported by the manufacturer. In this case, attempt to install the latest drivers for your graphics card using the steps outlined in Method One for later versions of Windows.

3
Mac OS X

  1. 1
    Click on the Apple menu and select “About This Mac.”
  2. 2
    Take note of your current version of Mac OS X. At this time, the latest operating system available from Apple is OS X Yosemite 10.10. If you’re running OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard and later, your OS is compatible to run OS X Yosemite.
  3. 3
    Back up all data on your Mac using Time Machine, Time Capsule, iCloud, or CDs. Upgrading OS X will not erase your personal data, but backing up your data can help protect your information in the event the upgrade fails to complete for any reason.
  4. 4
    Open the Applications folder and launch “App Store.” Yosemite is available for free from the Apple App Store.
  5. 5
    Click on “Updates,” then select the option to upgrade to OS X Yosemite.
  6. 6
    Follow the on-screen instructions to allow Apple to upgrade your operating system. The process may take up to several hours to complete based on your Internet speed and computer. When the upgrade is complete, your graphics card will be updated.[3]

Tips

  • Update your computer’s graphics card if you are unable to view images in certain applications, or if menus and other interface elements remain on the screen after moving or closing them. Updating the graphics card can often resolve ongoing problems related to images and graphics.
  • Try searching for graphics card drivers on the computer manufacturer's website if you are unable to locate updates on the graphics card manufacturer’s website, or if using a Windows notebook or laptop. In some cases, graphics card updates may only be available from Dell, Hewlett-Packard, or the computer’s manufacturer.
  • Most graphics cards are updated automatically through Windows Update. Follow these steps to enable automatic updates for Windows to ensure your graphics card has the latest drivers installed at all times.
Location:

Post a Comment for "How to Update a Graphics Card"