How do I test my GPU?

American197

New Member
Hey all,

I'm having system instability (computer keeps freezing up with a WSOD after I benchmark with 3dmark vantage and let it sit for a while) and I want to see if my video card is the problem. How do I test the video card to see if its defective? Are there any programs like MEMTEST86 for graphics cards?

Thanks,

Sal
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    Intel i7 920 @ 2.6 (no OC)
    Motherboard
    Asus P6T Deluxe
    Memory
    Corsair 6GB 1333Mz DDR3 Tri-Channel (3x2GB)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA Geforce 260 Core 216 OC (factory overclock)
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung T260HD
    Screen Resolution
    1900x1200
    Hard Drives
    (2) Western Digital 500GB [32MB] 7200 Caviar Blacks in RAID 0 (1) Western Digital 1TB [32MG] 7200 Caviar Black
    PSU
    Ultra X3 1000w fully modular
    Case
    Coolermaster HAF
    Cooling
    Stock HAF with 4 Channel Kaze Master Fan Controller
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
I would check your power supply specs and make sure you keep the slot next to the video card fan open. Add/remove the drivers and use a driver cleaner to remove all old ATI and Nvidia drivers. Reboot and reinstall clean drivers. Make sure your video card is clocked properly. Use software to set the video card fan to 100%. Use a multimeter to check the 12V rail voltage when running 3D tests. Make sure your 12V rail does not drop below 12V.

If your power supply is causing the problem, it could be something is sharing on the circuit. Most 1000W power supplies require a separate 20A circuit. Your power supply uses 13A @ 120V to make 1000W. So you need a 20A circuit. You don't use more than 80% of a circuit. So 13A / .80 = 16.25A. If you want to use the full 1000W, you need 20A circuit for 16A load. I have a PC Power and Cooling 1000W power supply. It uses a 20A circuit, 20A 2400W Tripp Lite Line Conditioner, and 20A cord.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    pair of Intel E5430 quad core 2.66 GHz Xeons
    Motherboard
    Supermicro X7DWA-N server board
    Memory
    16GB DDR667
    Graphics card(s)
    eVGA 8800 GTS 640 MB video card
    Hard Drives
    SAS RAID
Wow, thanks for the info man!

The slot near the GPU is indeed open.

I imagine I can just Google and find a multimeter to check my voltage and software to up my GPU fan...but are there any particular programs you recommend?

One question: how do I get a 20A circuit? I don't have to buy another PS, do I?

Thanks for taking the time to help
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    Intel i7 920 @ 2.6 (no OC)
    Motherboard
    Asus P6T Deluxe
    Memory
    Corsair 6GB 1333Mz DDR3 Tri-Channel (3x2GB)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA Geforce 260 Core 216 OC (factory overclock)
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung T260HD
    Screen Resolution
    1900x1200
    Hard Drives
    (2) Western Digital 500GB [32MB] 7200 Caviar Blacks in RAID 0 (1) Western Digital 1TB [32MG] 7200 Caviar Black
    PSU
    Ultra X3 1000w fully modular
    Case
    Coolermaster HAF
    Cooling
    Stock HAF with 4 Channel Kaze Master Fan Controller
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
Radio Shack has cheap multimeters. Call an electrician to wire a 20A circuit. You just want the power supply on it. I had them bring a $1500 60A service panel to the attic. I split a 20A double pole to 2 x 20A @ 120V. One for power supply and other for printer, monitor, etc. I would get a multimeter first and connect it to the yellow and black of one of the PCIe video connections.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    pair of Intel E5430 quad core 2.66 GHz Xeons
    Motherboard
    Supermicro X7DWA-N server board
    Memory
    16GB DDR667
    Graphics card(s)
    eVGA 8800 GTS 640 MB video card
    Hard Drives
    SAS RAID
Oh wow, I was totally off...20A (amp?) circuits are dealing with wall outlets, correct? I had no idea...my PS/Computer (along with my speakers, monitor, router, etc) is simply plugged into a powerstrip (battery backup) that I purchased a long time ago, which is subsequently plugged into a wall socket with very old wiring. I don't even think it's grounded. That may seem silly, but I didn't even think about giving my computer a seperate circuit. I have a family friend who is an electrician...should I get a seperate plug installed simply for the computer?

Thanks again,

Sal
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    Intel i7 920 @ 2.6 (no OC)
    Motherboard
    Asus P6T Deluxe
    Memory
    Corsair 6GB 1333Mz DDR3 Tri-Channel (3x2GB)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA Geforce 260 Core 216 OC (factory overclock)
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung T260HD
    Screen Resolution
    1900x1200
    Hard Drives
    (2) Western Digital 500GB [32MB] 7200 Caviar Blacks in RAID 0 (1) Western Digital 1TB [32MG] 7200 Caviar Black
    PSU
    Ultra X3 1000w fully modular
    Case
    Coolermaster HAF
    Cooling
    Stock HAF with 4 Channel Kaze Master Fan Controller
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
Not grounded? Not a good idea. Syrge suppressors don't work without a ground. It could cause power issues with spikes. I always recommend a clean separated grounded circuit for a computer.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    pair of Intel E5430 quad core 2.66 GHz Xeons
    Motherboard
    Supermicro X7DWA-N server board
    Memory
    16GB DDR667
    Graphics card(s)
    eVGA 8800 GTS 640 MB video card
    Hard Drives
    SAS RAID
Yeah, I know...due to my living situation, it's what's available. However, I'm having somebody come out this week to fix the situation. Thanks for all of your advice, I'll have this thing on it's own circuit in no time.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    Intel i7 920 @ 2.6 (no OC)
    Motherboard
    Asus P6T Deluxe
    Memory
    Corsair 6GB 1333Mz DDR3 Tri-Channel (3x2GB)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA Geforce 260 Core 216 OC (factory overclock)
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung T260HD
    Screen Resolution
    1900x1200
    Hard Drives
    (2) Western Digital 500GB [32MB] 7200 Caviar Blacks in RAID 0 (1) Western Digital 1TB [32MG] 7200 Caviar Black
    PSU
    Ultra X3 1000w fully modular
    Case
    Coolermaster HAF
    Cooling
    Stock HAF with 4 Channel Kaze Master Fan Controller
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
Hey American197,

If I could add to this for you, I do realize that you are having an electrician friend come to separate a circuit so this comment may be redundant, but my place had some old wiring in it as well. Some were updated and some outlets that were not grounded. I set up my computer room in a room that had two outlets and unluckily for me neither were grounded. I bought a powerbar that had a ground indicator on it and it was a good thing I did because my first thought was to just ground the outlet locally at the receptacle (I know bad electrical practices), but the point is that the ground indicator did not come on by doing this. So don't let your electirician try that either. For me, I was lucky to have a junction box in the basement that went to a baseboard heater that was removed, so I had a grounded circuit sititng under that room not used. I just rewired the outlet with that line so my computer is on its own cicuit now as well.
Like I said, problably a mute point, but maybe I can save you a step.
 

My Computer

System One

  • CPU
    Quad Core Q9550
    Memory
    4 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    ATI 4850
Honestly, any advice/technical suggestions will not be a bad thing for me...I'm completely in over my head when it comes to these issues, lol...I mean, I thought if I plugged my computer into any random socket that it would work! (Even I knew that not having it grounded was stupid, but I couldn't remedy that right away). :confused:

However, even though I am a bit ignorant (an American? Ignorant? LOL) when it comes to this stuff, I have no problem with putting the effort forth and learning! So, thanks for your advice, I'll make sure we don't cut corners over here. :geek:
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Me
    CPU
    Intel i7 920 @ 2.6 (no OC)
    Motherboard
    Asus P6T Deluxe
    Memory
    Corsair 6GB 1333Mz DDR3 Tri-Channel (3x2GB)
    Graphics card(s)
    EVGA Geforce 260 Core 216 OC (factory overclock)
    Sound Card
    onboard
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung T260HD
    Screen Resolution
    1900x1200
    Hard Drives
    (2) Western Digital 500GB [32MB] 7200 Caviar Blacks in RAID 0 (1) Western Digital 1TB [32MG] 7200 Caviar Black
    PSU
    Ultra X3 1000w fully modular
    Case
    Coolermaster HAF
    Cooling
    Stock HAF with 4 Channel Kaze Master Fan Controller
    Mouse
    Logitech G9 Laser
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
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