Is my video card dead?

[aetherh4cker]

I have a two year-old video card, an EVGA 8800GTS 640 MB. I recently started experiencing artifacts and system crashes. I updated my drivers all the way and Windows Vista 32-bit to service pack 1, but the problem persists.

I'm starting to not think it is software related. I am seeing the artifacts even during system boot before Windows loads. Even while running Memtest80+ I see random characters on the screen. Memtest86+ shouldn't use Window's drivers, right? That would suggest a hardware problem, right?

Just want to make sure it's the video card before I send it back.


Also, how is EVGA's return service? I bought this PC from PC Club a couple years ago, but it seems they closed all their stores last year, so I assume there is no one there to take it back.

 

[veg1992]

Sounds like the GPU is dying, or the memory on the GPU is crapping (common issue with that card g80 GTS, Oreo had this problem a while back)

eVGA is really nice about stuff, ask for an RMA and they'll be really good about it... get their contact number online, and they'll probably give you a G92 GTS or 9800GTX or +

 

[aetherh4cker]

They wouldn't RMA it...

Because it wasn't registered within 30 days of purchase, I didn't get any warranty.

Can anyone recommend any other brands? Preferably ones that back up their products without weird conditions...

 

[philbar71]

well to get the warranty you must register within a certain num of days, same thing with my xfx i had to register with in 60 days of purchase. but evga and xfx are very good brands. what is your budget?

 

[aetherh4cker]

I ended up going going with an XFX 9800 GT. Yeah, their policy is the same, but it just felt weird giving more money to EVGA after being declined.