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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.