Fried Graphics Card(?)

[KSchrief]

Hello All.

So I think I fried my video card, but I wanted a second opinion before I go about trying to fix it.

This is the video card I have

Newegg.com - ASUS ENGTS450 DirectCU TOP/DI/1GD5 GeForce GTS 450 (Fermi) 1GB 128-bit DDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Support Video Card

I downloaded L.A. Noir yesterday afternoon. I was playing it at 1920x1080 with most things at low/medium quality. I played for about 3 hours over a 6-7 hour period, during which it seemed to run fine. Smooth, little to no jumps, etc. Eventually I let the machine go into sleep mode and went out for the night.

When I went to turn the machine back on this morning, it seemed to start up like normal, then everything shut down after a few seconds, turned back on after a few seconds more, in a cycle. I had to shut off the PSU to get it to stop, as the power/reset buttons weren't doing anything. I let it sit for 20 seconds, then turned the PSU back on, and then the machine. The fans began spinning, and it sounded like it normally would when booting up. However, nothing displayed on the monitor. I shut it down and restarted with the same result. The monitor indicated that there was no signal coming from the computer.

I haven't yet had the opportunity to open it up (I moved out of my dorm today and everything is en route to my house), but the computer was able to stay on without any other noises or indication that anything else was wrong, so I can only assume it's the GPU.

Also, if it is the GPU, and it's as simple as buying a new one, what would a good one be? If I did fry it, I want a better one so hopefully it won't happen again. I have a $450 budget. I'd like to not spend that much, but if it's worth it, I will.

Thank you all so much.

 

[essenbe]

For that money, if you think you need it, you could get an EVGA 015-P3-1580-AR GeForce GTX 580 $409 after rebate. or for $50 more than your budget an EVGA GTX 680 for $499, if they ever manage to keep them in stock.

 

[profdlp]

I'd beg, borrow, or steal an old card to stick in there just to be sure before I dropped that kind of dough. Your specs list a pretty good PSU, too, but I would also check that out.

 

[KSchrief]

^ That's what I was hoping for, but the only other PC I have around with a dedicated graphics card is an older Dell, and of course they made a special graphics card that only fits in a weird slot in only that machine.

So rather than spend money on a guess, I took it down to a local repair facility. I asked them to test everything. I heard back from them a few hours ago saying they were able to get output from the graphics card, so it may be the PSU. They mentioned it as well when I explained the symptoms.

 

[profdlp]

For your sake, I hope it's the PSU. It'll cost a lot less than $450. Of course, best case, it's a loose wire and won't cost anything.

Here's hoping.