Video Card Possibly Dead?

CorcoranCadet

I hate to post the same question that was asked earlier, but I am having slightly different symptoms. Problem started a few days ago. Basically, I can get into games but inevitably after about 4-5 minutes the screen will lock up and will look very pixelated with odd colors that shouldn't be there. (You all know what I mean) Outside of any games or 3d environments everything runs fine. The graphics card feels rather hot to the touch even when I haven't been playing any games (since I can't) I have dusted everything off and the fan on the card still works. Drivers have been updated. I thought maybe it could be a heat issue but I have never had this problem in roughly 4 years and the system seems pretty cool inside aside from the video card. The card also fails in 3d tests.

Any hints on what it might be? Since I've narrowed it down to the video card somewhat a better question might be.. is this a sign the card is dead or could it be corrected?

Vista Business
Gigabyte P31-DS3L
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750
Nvidia 8800GT
3G RAM

Raern

Given what you describe, and eliminating overheating, I'd give a 95% chance the card is just dead. Four years is a long time for a card to be heating up and cooling down, it does put some stress on it.

Effef

8800GT? Its likely dead. These cards and their relatives seem to have longevity issues, something in them just breaks after a while. Its especially bad on the early 8800GT and 9600GT.

CorcoranCadet

Thanks for the quick replies guys. I figured as much but wanted to get some other opinions before I go out and get a new one.

Hevach

Had the exact problem with an 8600 GT about two months ago, leading up to it for a couple days blue colors would dither in strange patterns all over the place, usually followed by the game crashing (but usually not the system until things progressed). Dead card. My case was bad memory, wouldn't be surprised if it's the same for you. It's a fairly old card, not a bad time to let go.

I picked up a Galaxy 430 for mine... Not a great card and slower memory than most 430's, but it was under $80 off Newegg and it was a pretty substantial upgrade (a smaller upgrade from an 8800). Galaxy has some other dirty cheap cards, but they all have the slow DDR3 memory speeds, but if you're on a budget take a look before shelling out.