There are several methods that can be used to check the health of a graphics card in Windows. Before attempting any of the following steps, it is important to make sure that the card is properly installed, and the most up-to-date drivers are installed on your system.
1. Using the Device Manager
The Device Manager is a tool included in Windows that can be used to review the status of any hardware installed on the system. To open the Device Manager, you can type ‘Device Manager’ into the search box at the bottom left of the screen and select it from the list of results. Alternately, you can also open the Run dialogue (by pressing the Windows key + R), and typing in ‘devmgmt.msc’.
Once the Device Manager is open, you can navigate to the Display Adapters section, where you can view the adapter or adapters installed on your system. If the device is functioning correctly, it should not have an exclamation point next to it or say that it is not working properly. If you do see an error message or icon, it could indicate an issue with the card itself or the device drivers.
2. Using the System Information Tool
The System Information tool is another built-in Windows feature that provides detailed information about the installed hardware and software on your computer. This tool can be used to view additional information about the graphics card connected to the system, including the model number, driver version, and other aspects of the card’s functionality.
To open the System Information tool, you can type ‘System Information’ into the search box at the bottom left of the screen and select it from the list of results. Alternately, you can also open the Run dialogue (by pressing the Windows key + R), and typing in ‘msinfo32’.
Once the System Information window is open, you can navigate to the Components section, and expand the Display tree. Here, you can view the details of the graphics card connected to the system, as well as any other devices that may be installed.
3. Testing the Graphics Card with FurMark
FurMark is a free, open-source benchmarking tool designed to test and stress the capabilities of modern GPUs. This tool can be used to stress the graphics card and determine whether it is operating correctly.
To use FurMark, you will first need to download and install the program on your system. Once it has been installed, you can launch the application and begin running tests. FurMark will display a graphical representation of the GPU’s performance, which can be used to determine whether it is within the normal range for the model.
4. Running Diagnostic Tests with MSI Afterburner
MSI Afterburner is a utility developed by MSI that can be used to monitor and tweak the settings of video cards from AMD and NVIDIA. This tool can also be used to run diagnostic tests to determine the health of the GPU, as well as its temperature and clock speeds.
To use this tool, you will need to download and install it on your system. Once it has been installed, you can launch the application and select the ‘Tools’ tab at the top of the window. In this tab, you can find the diagnostic tests that can be run on the graphics card connected to the system.
5. Checking the Power Supply
Another important factor to consider when troubleshooting a potential issue with the graphics card is to make sure that the power supply is capable of providing enough power to the card. If the power supply is not able to provide the necessary power, it could cause the card to malfunction, or even damage the card itself.
To check the power supply, you can open up the case and locate the power supply unit. On the side of the power supply, there should be a label indicating the wattage and amperage of the unit. The wattage should be compared to the recommended power requirement of the graphics card. If the wattage is too low, you may need to purchase a higher wattage power supply for the system.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several methods that can be used to check the health of a graphics card in Windows. These include using the Device Manager, the System Information tool, FurMark, MSI Afterburner, and checking the power supply. By using these methods, you can identify any issues with the graphics card and take steps to address them.