How to check if graphics card is dying?

[ajd112]

OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x64
CPU: AMD Athlon 7750 x2
RAM: 4GB
GPU: Nvidia GeForce 9500gt
HDD: Seagate 1TB

Hi guys.
Lately my pc had been repeatedly showing display driver nvlddmkm error. So I uninstalled all the nvidia drivers and took out the graphics card also. Today I plugged it again and has been running it using the microsoft drivers that came with windows. So far no problem has occurred. So is it the driver that is faulty or is it the card that is dying? Is there any way I can test it other than plugging in another card? I had the latest drivers when the display driver errors started to occur.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Layback Bear]

New drivers don't always work with card. Just because they are new doesn't mean you need them. If it continues to work as it should I would think it was the driver or the connection the video card had with the motherboard.
You could run FurMark to test.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/100356-video-card-stress-test-furmark.html

 

[ajd112]

Hi Layback Bear. Thanks for the reply. Actually the problem first started when I had the earlier version of the driver. So I downloaded the latest driver. But that also was of no use. If anything the problem got worse. But the driver that I had when the problem started was one that I had been using for quite some time. Isn't it a bit strange that it will suddenly start to create problems? Btw. I had been playing Assassins Creed 3 for the past 2.5 hours using the Microsoft drivers. No problem so far. On some sites I saw that furmark can crash my card while running the test. Do you think I should go on with it or just wait and see if the problem recurs?

 

[Layback Bear]

I would just use the computer as it is now. If no problem occurs be happy.
Go into device manager and get the driver number and wright it down and save. That way you can always go back to it.
Watch you Windows Updates. Windows might try to update the driver.

 

[ajd112]

Thanks a lot. One more thing. I am planning to buy a nvidia gtx 650 card. On their site it says I need 400w power supply and the power consumption of the card is 65w. I have a 450w power supply. Should I upgrade it or will the current power supply suffice?

 

[Layback Bear]

Your power supply would be iffy at best.
I would stick with a Antec, Corsair or Seasonic, they are quality.
650W Gold or higher. Modular is much nicer to work with and neater.
Just getting by is not good when it comes to power supplies.
You can look at my specs and you will see what I have chose for a power supply with my video card.
If I had the card you are planing on getting this is what I would be looking for.
1. 650w Gold or higher.
2. 12 + volt 50 amps or higher
3. Two 6 pin connectors for my card.
4. Modular. Once you use a modular power supply you will never go back to the old style.
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I hope this helps.