6 Signs You Need To Change Your Graphic Card

The graphics card is an integral component of any PC as it is what displays data on the monitor.

22:09 18 May 2021

The better the graphic card is, the smoother the images or data it displays on the monitor. When a graphic card fails, you are likely to experience visual distortions or your PC may become unusable.

 

In such instances, it is important to figure out if it is really the graphics card that is responsible for the issues before you get a new one. So, how do you tell if it is the right time to change your graphics card? Well, here are the top 6 tell-tale signs you should be on the lookout for:

 

1. Blue Screen

 

There are several potential causes of blue screen errors, including a bad RAM module, failing hard drive, and failing graphics card among others. To be certain that your graphics card may be the issue, trying running a GPU-demanding game or task. If the blue screen of death error occurs, the graphics card is the problem.

 

2. Screen Glitches

 

This is when you see weird colours or shapes all over your screen when playing games. The colours may disappear after you restart your PC. But this is not the solution as the problem may come back from time to time. The persistence of screen glitches is a clear sign that your graphics card needs immediate attention. 

 

3. Presence Of Artifacts

 

Like screen glitches, artefacts are weird shapes that may appear randomly on your screen when playing a game or running tasks that heavily rely on graphics. The shapes may cover part or whole of the screen. The appearance of artefacts is an indication that your PC has a lot of dust buildup, overheating or a graphics issue.

 

In most cases, graphics is the issue. Restarting your computer may temporarily make the shapes go away, but if they continue reappearing, consider changing your graphics card.

 

4. Shuttering

 

For starters, shuttering simply refers to a high drop in your frame rate. Like blue screen, shuttering can be caused by a lot of issues such as software-based sources or hardware components. According to Boots Hardware, the easiest way to tell if your graphics card is the issue is to change the types of games you are playing.

 

If you are playing graphics-intensive games like Cyberpunk 2077, then the GPU will carry a great load. And if you experience shuttering, the issue may be your graphics. On the other hand, if you are playing simulation games like Cities: Skylines and you experience shuttering, it could be a sign that your RAM needs an upgrade.

 

5. Fan Noise

 

Although fan noise is not directly related to malfunctioning GPU, it can also be due to a failing graphic card. In particular, if the fan servicing the graphics card is the one producing the loud noise, it could be a clear sign that your graphics card isn’t in good shape. It is an indication that your graphics card is overheating which is never a good sign.

 

6. Inability To Play The Latest Games

 

Finally, one of the most obvious signs that you need a graphics card upgrade is when your PC struggles to play some of the latest games. This is especially true if your graphics card is more than 3-5 years old.

 

To be sure that your graphics card is the issue, try dropping your game’s settings to a lower graphic preset. If you get better results, you should automatically know that the graphics card is the issue. However, if your PC still struggles to play the games, it is a sign that the graphics card is already gone and you need to change it.

 

Although it can be scary knowing that you need to upgrade your graphics card, especially if you are on a tight budget, it is worth it if you consider what you ultimately stand to gain. For instance, a good graphics card allows you to run more powerful games with better image qualities. Upgrading your graphics also help with video editing, playing high-resolution videos, and image modification.