# Help figuring out a replacement video card **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 18, 2015, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-figuring-out-a-replacement-video-card/728140 "2015-08-18T03:13:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rainy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-figuring-out-a-replacement-video-card/728140/1 "2015-08-18T03:13:46Z")
Apparently I can’t figure this out myself…grrrrr. Computer is an HP Slimline Desktop Model no. s5603w Product No. BT434AA#ABA Serial No. 3CR0430KQG I thought this card would work based on Googling around > **[Amazon.com: MSI ATI Radeon HD6450 1 GB DDR3 VGA/DVI/HDMI Low Profile PCI-Express...](https://www.amazon.com/MSI-Profile-PCI-Express-R6450-MD1GD3-LP/dp/B004X6ABTM)** > > Buy MSI ATI Radeon HD6450 1 GB DDR3 VGA/DVI/HDMI Low Profile PCI-Express Video Card R6450-MD1GD3/LP: Graphics Cards - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases MSI ATI Radeon HD6450 low profile. But the tabs will not allow it to fit in the case. Any help is appreciated. And I can supply pictures if necessary. Thanks -rainy ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-figuring-out-a-replacement-video-card/728140/2 "2015-08-18T04:36:02Z")
A picture of the inside of the case would be helpful. Which tabs are you talking about? Some chassis require a half-height backplate, and some low-profile cards come with a replacement backplate of the right size. But maybe you mean something else. ---
**Author:** ![rainy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-figuring-out-a-replacement-video-card/728140/3 "2015-08-18T15:22:43Z")
I am not familiar with what the backplate is. The card I bought has three different ports, is the backplate the metal strip the ports are mounted in? Here is card I bought [https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/d\_5lBfh\_XQPfTbWqbZiAQNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink](https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/d_5lBfh_XQPfTbWqbZiAQNMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink) ---
**Author:** ![rainy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-figuring-out-a-replacement-video-card/728140/4 "2015-08-18T15:24:56Z")
Also the inside of the box [https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9eXvco2ZlUj39olYtijIvtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink](https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/9eXvco2ZlUj39olYtijIvtMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink) And the area of the pci expansion slot [https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NaGLoYUryzTz-jvF6qFKKdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink](https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/NaGLoYUryzTz-jvF6qFKKdMTjNZETYmyPJy0liipFm0?feat=directlink) ---
**Author:** ![rainy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-figuring-out-a-replacement-video-card/728140/5 "2015-08-18T16:36:21Z")
Okay…understanding is dawning…just checked the box where there are two smaller backplates. So I can use those to replace the plate that is too wide? I didn’t realize you could do that. I assumed the mounting hardware was welded onto that plate. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-figuring-out-a-replacement-video-card/728140/6 "2015-08-18T17:11:52Z")
> [@rainy](#): > > Okay…understanding is dawning…just checked the box where there are two smaller backplates. So I can use those to replace the plate that is too wide? I didn’t realize you could do that. I assumed the mounting hardware was welded onto that plate. The “hardware” (angle bracket) is usually formed into the backplate, but it attaches to the circuit board itself either with something analogous to rivets (if meant to be permanently attached) or screws (if interchangeable with other backplates, as in this case). You detach the entire backplate from the video circuit board itself by unscrewing the fasteners that hold the board to the backplate (if there are any) and then unscrewing any [jackscrew sockets](https://www.google.com/search?q=jackscrew+socket&safe=active&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0CD0QsARqFQoTCKyqi-CPs8cCFYWPDQodcnIBog&biw=1024&bih=1160) holding connectors (like a VGA 15-pin D-sub) to the backplate as well. AFAIR, if you buy a low-profile video card with interchangeable (low-profile-compatible) backplate, the instructions will actually explain how to interchange the backplates. ---
**Author:** ![Quartz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quartz/32/267_2.png) [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-figuring-out-a-replacement-video-card/728140/7 "2015-08-18T18:24:01Z")
> [@rainy](#): > > Okay…understanding is dawning…just checked the box where there are two smaller backplates. So I can use those to replace the plate that is too wide? Exactly right. Use a pair of pliers to carefully unscrew the hex bolts (don’t lose them!) on the large backplate. Then screw on the smaller backplates. But that’s not a very good graphics card; for what are you going to be using it? If games are on the menu then you should look at a [low profile GTX 750 Ti](http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gigabyte-GeForce-Graphics-Express-5400GHz/dp/B00NM3BTVG/ref=sr_1_7?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1439921946&sr=1-7&keywords=low+profile+graphics+card). ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-figuring-out-a-replacement-video-card/728140/8 "2015-08-18T20:45:29Z")
I don’t have much to add beyond what **gnoitall** and **Quartz** said. The backplate is screwed into place and should be easy to swap with the shorter replacement. You’ll lose the VGA connector, since there’s no room, but the DVI port (white) should double as VGA if you really need that. The VGA connector connects to the PCB though a ribbon cable and then a black connector hooked to a pin header. You can just pull the black connector away from the PCB and it will slide off. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [August 18, 2015, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-figuring-out-a-replacement-video-card/728140/9 "2015-08-18T20:55:54Z")
> [@rainy](#): > > Okay…understanding is dawning…just checked the box where there are two smaller backplates. So I can use those to replace the plate that is too wide? I didn’t realize you could do that. I assumed the mounting hardware was welded onto that plate. > [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > I don’t have much to add beyond what **gnoitall** and **Quartz** said. The backplate is screwed into place and should be easy to swap with the shorter replacement. You’ll lose the VGA connector, since there’s no room, but the DVI port (white) should double as VGA if you really need that. The VGA connector connects to the PCB though a ribbon cable and then a black connector hooked to a pin header. You can just pull the black connector away from the PCB and it will slide off. Was going to add, but got outside of edit window, but the OP mentioned “two smaller backplates”. I bet the second one has only a cutout for the VGA connector, and is intended to be slotted into an empty backplane cutout next to the video card… the connector on a cable would have enough reach and flexibility to go next to the video card as well as above it. Assuming you need that VGA connector, like you still use a VGA analog only monitor. ---
**Author:** ![rainy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2015, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-figuring-out-a-replacement-video-card/728140/10 "2015-08-19T00:52:23Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > Was going to add, but got outside of edit window, but the OP mentioned “two smaller backplates”. > > I bet the second one has only a cutout for the VGA connector, and is intended to be slotted into an empty backplane cutout next to the video card… Looks like that is the exactly the case. ---
**Author:** ![rainy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Post date:** [August 19, 2015, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-figuring-out-a-replacement-video-card/728140/11 "2015-08-19T00:55:56Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Exactly right. Use a pair of pliers to carefully unscrew the hex bolts (don’t lose them!) on the large backplate. Then screw on the smaller backplates. > > But that’s not a very good graphics card; for what are you going to be using it? If games are on the menu then you should look at a [low profile GTX 750 Ti](http://www.amazon.co.uk/Gigabyte-GeForce-Graphics-Express-5400GHz/dp/B00NM3BTVG/ref=sr_1_7?s=computers&ie=UTF8&qid=1439921946&sr=1-7&keywords=low+profile+graphics+card). This is my eldest brother’s computer so no games, just web surfing. ---
**Author:** ![rainy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-figuring-out-a-replacement-video-card/728140/12 "2015-08-20T14:35:08Z")
Thanks to everyone for talking me through this. New card is in and working.