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    Is there a way to test the GPU?

    Discussion in 'Gaming (Software and Graphics Cards)' started by jujube, Nov 22, 2007.

  1. jujube

    jujube Notebook Deity

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    Is there a way to test to see if the graphics card is functioning properly or whether it's malfunctioning? TIA
     
    jujube, Nov 22, 2007
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  2. icecubez189

    icecubez189 Notebook Deity

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    well if it's malfunctioning, you probably wouldn't be able to see anything on your display. you could run 3DMark06 gpu benchmark, and depending on what score you get, everything should be OK.
     
    icecubez189, Nov 22, 2007
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  3. StormEffect

    StormEffect Lazer. *pew pew*

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    If your videocard is malfunctioning, you'll notice visual problems when playing 3D games. These visual problems are known as 'artifacts' and can take many forms. For some, they are missing or distorted textures on objects (rocks that are all colored black, or grass that is checkerboard, for example), fuzzy colored dots all over your screen, or even randomly appearing lines.

    Usually accompanying a malfunction will be overheating issues.

    A somewhat simple way to test is to download the free version of 3DMark06 from futuremark.com and run the benchmark all of the way through. If anything looks like it is 'artifacting' then you may have a problem.

    It is easier to tell if things are going wrong by playing a game you are familiar with so that you can tell if things don't look normal.

    It is usually very obvious when your videocard stops functioning properly because 3D applications are the ones affected with visual problems or crashes.
     
    StormEffect, Nov 22, 2007
    #3