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Installing a PCIe Card in Windows: A Comprehensive Guide

Summary: Learn to install a PCIe card in a Windows system. Find tips on PCIe slots, adapter options, and easy, step-by-step installation instructions

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.

Instructions

If you want to add a PCIe card in your Dell system, follow the below steps to complete the installation.

  1. Remove your side cover. If you do not know how to remove it, see the Dell Support page to get your system document.
  2. A PCIe card is added to the PCIe Slot. (See Figure 1)

    PCIe Slot

    (Figure 1 - PCIe Slot)

  3. Once the PCIe card ID is added. You need a Display Port to Display Port cable to plug in from the PCIe Card Display Port to the Graphics Card Display Port. (See Figure.2)

    DP to DP Cable

    (Figure 2 - DP to DP Cable)

  4. Once the card has been installed, if it is a Thunderbolt PCIe card you must update the latest Thunderbolt Controller Driver. Go to our Drivers Site to search for the matching driver for your system. Thunderbolt Controller Driver can be found under "Chipset." (See Figure 3)

    Dell Driver Category

    (Figure 3 - Dell Driver Category)

After completion of this driver installation and a reboot of the system, PCIe card functionality should now be capable of using the PCIe slot.

Additional Information

Affected Products

OptiPlex, Fixed Workstations
Article Properties
Article Number: 000126038
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 03 Apr 2024
Version:  8
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