PrivateSolutions

Hardware and setup

How to set up a DMA card, step by step

This is an overview of a DMA card setup from start to finish, so you know what to expect. You don't have to do it alone: we walk you through every step in a Discord ticket, or do it for you over remote desktop.

Updated October 31, 2026 · By the Private Solutions team

Before you start

  • A free PCIe slot in your gaming PC.
  • Access to your BIOS settings.
  • A second PC with a free USB port.
  • Your motherboard and CPU model, so we can check they fit before you buy.

The steps

  • Check your PC: send your parts in a Discord ticket and we confirm the card and firmware fit.
  • Flash the firmware: the firmware is loaded onto the card. We do this with you or tell you exactly how.
  • Install the card: power off, put the card in a free PCIe slot of the gaming PC and connect its USB cable to the second PC.
  • BIOS settings: depending on your firmware, settings such as IOMMU or Kernel DMA Protection may need changing. We tell you which.
  • Install the software on the second PC and activate your license key.
  • Optional extras: connect a fuser to see everything on one monitor, or an input device such as a Makcu.
  • Test, then keep firmware and software up to date. The status page shows when a product is updating.

Want us to do it?

Remote setup starts at $15 per session: we connect to your PC and set it up with you. Bigger jobs, such as a full two-PC setup or flashing, are priced in your ticket first. See remote setup.

Questions

How long does a DMA setup take?

It depends on your PC. Flashing firmware and BIOS changes take the most time, so we give you a time estimate in your ticket.

Can I set it up without a fuser?

Yes. You can watch the second PC on its own monitor instead. A fuser just puts both pictures on one screen.

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