Is my video card broken? Looking for ways to ascertain if it is.

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archvince

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Dec 2, 2011
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Last Friday, my computer suddenly started flickering followed by an autorestart, then it started showing artifacts (from the UEFI screen, Windows Logo splash, and up to the Windows log-in screen) the artifacts seem to appear more and more gradually, up to the point where I can't even log in to windows any more. It only takes me to the Windows log in screen and if I try to log in it just shows a black screen for a few seconds followed by an auto restart.

I have tried uninstalling drivers, using DriverSweeper/Fusion to clean drivers, and install drivers from 13.12 up to the latest 15.7.1 but to no avail. I've also tried removing my ram sticks (one at a time), using a different monitor, but the problem still persists.

I can however log in to safemode using Standard VGA Adapters

Is it safe to assume I should just get a new GPU?

P.S.
My current GPU (that's causing problems, I assume) is a Sapphire HD7870

My pc specs are as follows:
i3-2100
ASUS P8z77V-LK
2 x 4gb Avexir Core Rams
FSP Epsilon 80+ 600w

Any help/opinions would gladly be appreciated. Thanks!
 
Solution
techgeek
When you say you've removed the GPU, does that mean you are using onboard graphics?

If yes, the PSU is looking less likely, but not completely eliminated. If your PSU is borderline, the removal of the GPU will lessen the load on the PSU (because the onboard graphics will use much less power) allowing your system to function.

However it's more likely the GPU is at fault. There is only really two ways to test this. Either try the suspect GPU in another system, or try a new PSU in your system. Obviously if you try the questionable GPU in another system and it still has issues then the GPU is the problem. If you try another PSU in your system and the problem remains, again this is a GPU issue.
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sang29

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I pretty much have a similar problem, except mine freezes. See my description: http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2818929/ssd-failing.html

I also can get to the windows login screen, then my screen goes teal/black and sometimes restarts or sometimes just stays there frozen. Like you though, I can also boot to safe mode without issue. My motherboard has a VGA port, but it doesn't have onboard video so I'm not sure disconnecting my video card will be a useful test.
 
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techgeek

techgeek

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Apr 11, 2004
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If you are seeing artifacts in the UEFI (that weren't there before) that eliminates OS and driver issues. That leaves only hardware. Most like culprit is the GPU itself, however if your PSU were failing, it could cause similar issues. Do you have another PSU you can try, this will eliminate that possibility.
 
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archvince

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I just tried removing the gpu itself and sure enough, the artifacts did go away. Is there a surefire way to ascertain if it's the gpu or the psu that's causing the problems? they are both 4 yrs old and both have been used extensively. Although I only play MOBAs, i tend to keep my pc on for 2-3 days at times to keep downloads running
 
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techgeek

techgeek

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Apr 11, 2004
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When you say you've removed the GPU, does that mean you are using onboard graphics?

If yes, the PSU is looking less likely, but not completely eliminated. If your PSU is borderline, the removal of the GPU will lessen the load on the PSU (because the onboard graphics will use much less power) allowing your system to function.

However it's more likely the GPU is at fault. There is only really two ways to test this. Either try the suspect GPU in another system, or try a new PSU in your system. Obviously if you try the questionable GPU in another system and it still has issues then the GPU is the problem. If you try another PSU in your system and the problem remains, again this is a GPU issue.
 
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Solution
techgeek

techgeek

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Apr 11, 2004
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Do you have access to another system? Maybe a friends or family members? This would be the easiest solution.

If you go this route, be cautious in testing. You don't want to just go into that systems UEFI and if there are no artifacts, assume that the GPU is OK. However if they are there, no further testing would be necessary.
 
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archvince

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Oh crap, I do experience random shutdowns sometimes (but very rarely) and then ASUS shows me a message saying it ASUS Antisurge has protected my system.. and so on.

This makes things even harder now, oh well.. Looks like I'll just bring my rig to the nearest computer repair shop and ask them to take a look at both the PSU and the GPU.

Thanks guys
 
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techgeek

techgeek

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Apr 11, 2004
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Take it to a shop that you trust. Computer stores don't have a very good reputation when it comes to things like this. They're kind of like most auto repair shops, they'll tell you something is broken just to sell you something. It's fairly obvious that something in your system isn't working up to par, but they could try and convince you that there is more wrong than there is.

Wish you were here, I'd have it narrowed down in 10 minutes. I hate the idea of anyone having to spend money just to determine what is wrong.
 
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archvince

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@techgeek: Kind of a bummer, I don't really know which "trustworthy" shops are in this city as I am fairly new (been here for only 3 months) to this city as well as I only came here due to a work reassignment. I guess, I'll just have to try my luck then. Well, anyways thank you so much for your time! Hope I can figure this out somehow.
 
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