For gamers, graphic designers, streamers, and of course those working in the field of cryptocurrency mining, the importance of the graphics card, or GPU, surpasses the importance of all other computer components. Monitoring the performance and temperature of this pivotal component is routine and indisputable. Unfortunately, there is an exception to this rule, where a significant number of users do not give the necessary importance to checking the condition of the graphics card. So, let us try to convince you of the importance of continuously checking the condition of the graphics card, as well as provide you with 5 practical ways to do so easily if you are a Windows user.
How to Ensure the Safety of Your Graphics Card
First: Why Should You Check the Condition of the Graphics Card?
The first issue that any person faces when buying used hardware is its expected lifespan, and of course the graphics card is no exception. If you are on a somewhat limited budget and want to buy a used GPU, you must inspect its condition first before completing the purchase; ask the owner of the graphics card to do so (we will know how shortly), and if they refuse, do not proceed with the deal.
Another reason to continuously check the condition of the graphics card is to ensure its safety and make sure there are no problems with it, so that you do not face a technical issue while working on an important project or editing a heavy video, not to mention disappointing during live streams. These issues can waste a lot of time and effort that cannot be described.
As for the third reason that necessitates checking the condition of the graphics card regularly, it is to ensure that there is no need to replace it or even repair any issues with it.
Second: How to Check the Condition of the Graphics Card?
1- Using Task Manager
With the Task Manager tool in Windows, you can get a quick idea of the graphics card’s condition easily. Start by pressing “Ctrl + Shift + Esc” on your keyboard to bring up the Task Manager window, then go to the Performance tab and click on the “GPU” section in the sidebar – if you have more than one graphics card in your device, choose the most active one – to view the processor usage indicator in real-time in the form of a graphical chart. Look at the bottom section for important information such as “Driver version,” “Driver date,” “DirectX version,” and finally the Physical location. If the data for these measurements is missing or not correct, showing the word “Unknown,” this indicates a problem with the graphics card.
You can also see the temperature of the graphics card from the same window, specifically under GPU Temperature. The temperature should range from 20 to 25 degrees Celsius (room temperature) if you are not playing any games or using the graphics card in general. Otherwise, if the temperature is higher, it may indicate a problem with the cooling system that will affect the graphics card.
You may be interested: What is the normal temperature of a graphics card and how to measure it?
2- Using DirectX Diagnostic Tool
The DX Diagnostic Tool is a hidden tool in Windows designed to provide information about the graphics card, its properties, the version of DirectX on your device, as well as other information such as the computer’s model and brand, BIOS version, RAM size, motherboard model, etc. You can also rely on this tool to find out if there are any faults detected by the Windows system in the graphics card used. To start, open the Run window (by pressing Win + R) and type the command [dxdiag] and then press Enter. In the window that appears, go to the Display tab at the top and check the information listed under Device, which you can find on the manufacturer’s website.
Under the Device section, you will find the “DirectX Feature” section, which displays 4 basic pieces of information: “DirectX Acceleration,” “Direct3D Acceleration,” “AGP Texture Acceleration,” and finally “DirectX 12 Ultimate.” If you do not see this information or find the phrase “Not Available,” this means there is a problem with the graphics card drivers or the graphics card itself; update the drivers and re-check until you get “No problems found” in the “Notes” section.
3- Checking the Device Status from Windows Settings
The third way to check the condition of the graphics card is by checking the status indicator in the graphics card driver properties window, where this indicator is supposed to display any issues detected between the connection of the graphics card and the computer. To begin, open the Windows Settings app by pressing Win + I, then go to System, click on Display, and scroll down until you find Advanced Display, click on it. You will see a line that says: “…Display adapter properties,” click on it and then click on the “Properties” button. In the Device Status section, if you find the message “This device Is working properly,” then the graphics card is in good condition. However, if you see an error message of any kind, then unfortunately there is a problem with the graphics card’s condition that you need to resolve.
4- Using Geeks3D FurMark Tool
All the methods shared so far present the condition of the graphics card in a general way without giving specific numbers. To obtain these precise and advanced measurements regarding the graphics card’s condition, you can use an external tool like Geeks3D FurMark, which can be downloaded for free via the Geeks3D website. So far, the tool is only compatible with devices running Windows, and dealing with it is very easy; after downloading it, run it, then click on the Settings button, and from the settings window that appears, enable the “GPU temperature alarm” option and set it to 90 degrees Celsius, then click “OK” so that the program ensures not to exceed the maximum temperature of the graphics card during the test.
Next, go to the “GPU benchmarks” section and choose any preset option, then click “GO.” A warning screen will pop up, and you will be presented with animated 3D graphics for about a minute. Pay attention to its performance; if you find the number of frames displayed per second (FPS) is low and the temperature is high, then you know the graphics card’s condition is not satisfactory. At the end of the test, the tool will display the efficiency score of the graphics card. Compare it with the reference results on the official FurMark page to know the condition of your GPU.
5- Take a Close Look at the Graphics Card
The fifth and final way to check the condition of the graphics card is by doing a manual inspection, by opening the computer case – after disconnecting the power, of course – and taking a comprehensive look at the graphics processor. In the case of laptops, do not even think about opening the device; leave this task to a professional. Even in the case of PCs, you must be familiar with the internal components of the device. After opening the case and removing the graphics card – gently – first clean it if there is dust, then make sure the heatsink is properly installed, the fans are not obstructed, and they spin smoothly, and do not forget about the thermal paste and ensure it is present in the form of a powder or “paste.”
By following these methods, you will have covered all possible ways to check the condition of the graphics card on your computer, starting from general methods to more specialized and precise methods in terms of numbers and everything, and finally by confirming its condition manually.
