How to Determine If a Video Card Needs to be Replaced

A graphics card is an expansion card that processes images and outputs them on the main screen. Generally, poor performance in a graphics card signifies an exhausted memory. Follow these steps to read the symptoms and determine if you must replace the card.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet access

Instructions

1. Check if the software is hanging up and not responding.

2. Check the 3-D images for blank spaces. Also verify whether these images are completely regenerated. If the software hangs up, modules within the software don't respond to the mouse and the 3-D images don't regenerate completely, your graphics card is demonstrating poor performance.

3. Select and install the latest updated drivers for your card in your computer. It may be possible that the existing drivers have flaws. If the problems still persist, move to the next step.

4. Limit the number of 3-D views being displayed on the computer.

5. Check the screen and color resolution of the monitor. If it must be decreased to minimum 800 x 600 and the color resolution to 256 colors, you need a new graphics card.

Tips & Warnings

• Before replacing the card with a new one, try to first rectify the flaws in the existing card by installing a new driver.