Removing bits from a PC?

[Tacitus]

So today's the day I remove my 970, send it back, get refunded and consider my options from there (prices were slightly inflated anyway, if I bought another of the same card I'd profit about £20, may end up doing that, not a vram thing).

 

I've never worked in a PC with the exception of building my current one, which, obviously, had never before been powered on.

 

Before I turn it off and go delving inside of it is there anything I need to do to get rid of residual electricity stuff (charge, energy, I don't know)?

 

Also, should I uninstall drivers before, or after I remove it, or does it not matter? I've got a busy morning and might not have time to go poking around with files and other things I don't understand (I'm a bit of a technophobe).

 

Thanks guys

 

Chris

[Lolzious]

Alright, so first off, power down the machine, unplug the PSU, and try turning on the system (to disperse the power). Usually the fans will spin for a second, but if they don't it doesn't matter.

Make sure you're grounded properly, and get to work. Taking out a GPU is pretty simple, should only take you about 5 minutes. It doesn't matter when you un-install the drivers, so long as you fully un-install them before installing new drivers for your next card.

[Tacitus]

Alright, so first off, power down the machine, unplug the PSU, and try turning on the system (to disperse the power). Usually the fans will spin for a second, but if they don't it doesn't matter.

Make sure you're grounded properly, and get to work. Taking out a GPU is pretty simple, should only take you about 5 minutes. It doesn't matter when you un-install the drivers, so long as you fully un-install them before installing new drivers for your next card.

 

 

Uninstall drivers before removal. Best to do it in safe mode so no part of the driver skips the removal, and to avoid douche Windows Update automatically pulling a new driver off the web.

 

Also if you're going to physically remove a component, flip the PSU switch to let everything drain for ~10s, before taking the item out.

 

Ground yourself by touching any large metal object. Make sure hands are dry and never to rub them (or anything) on fabric while handling bare electronics.

 

Thanks a lot guys, but one final question. Do I need to use any software to remove drivers, or can I just do it through program uninstall in the control panel?

[LogicalDrm]

Thanks a lot guys, but one final question. Do I need to use any software to remove drivers, or can I just do it through program uninstall in the control panel?

 

If you stay with Nvidia, you don't need to do anything with drivers. Drivers need to be uninstalled only if you change brand.

 

As for unplugging stuff inside case, don't worry but be careful. Usually people tend to overreact on safety inside case. Removing GPU is among the easiest things to do. If you are using adapters (DVI-VGA or DVI-HDMI), remember to take those off. I have forgot them so many times it isn't even funny.

[asim1999]

Yeah, get at least a 290X or even a 980 to make it worthwhile removing the 970

[Tacitus]

Yeah, get at least a 290X or even a 980 to make it worthwhile removing the 970

 

That's the plan. Eyeing up a 290x, and I'll have an extra £100 in my pocket too!

[Tacitus]

If you stay with Nvidia, you don't need to do anything with drivers. Drivers need to be uninstalled only if you change brand.

 

As for unplugging stuff inside case, don't worry but be careful. Usually people tend to overreact on safety inside case. Removing GPU is among the easiest things to do. If you are using adapters (DVI-VGA or DVI-HDMI), remember to take those off. I have forgot them so many times it isn't even funny.

 

I almost forgot to take out the DP cables, but remembered at the last moment haha.

 

What I did forget to do is unscrew the screws securing it in place. I couldn't figure out why it wouldn't budge for a good few minutes!