How to Check My Graphic Card

Since the 1990s, computers have become increasingly reliant on their graphics cards. Graphics cards are vital to the performance of high-definition video, games and a smooth desktop experience. Many graphics cards have onboard processors that are nearly as powerful as the central processor in a computer. Check your video card to ensure that it is working properly, and confirm that its level of performance is appropriate.

Instructions

Checking Functionality

1. Press the "Windows" and "R" keys on the keyboard simultaneously to show the "Run" dialog box.

2. Type "devmgmt.msc" into the dialog box (without quotations) and hit "Enter" to launch the Windows Device Manager.

3. Click the plus sign next to "Display Adapters." When the item expands, you should see your graphics card. Right click on it, and click "Properties." Under "Device Status," it should say "This device is working properly."

Checking Performance

1. Download and install the PassMark Performance Test. The Performance Test is a benchmarking program, which makes the computer run a series of operations in order to gauge its performance. Performance Test is free to use for 30 days. Launch the program.

2. Click "Tests," "3D Graphics," and "All." A series of short 3D video clips will run. After the tests are complete, your score will be shown on the screen under "3D Graphics Mark."

3. Click "Compare Results," then click "Download additional baseline files." In the screen that appears, type the model of your graphics card or the model of your computer, if it was purchased from a manufacturer such as Dell. Click "Search." Check the box next to the item that most closely resembles your hardware, and click "Download." Click "Exit," then click "Compare Results" again.

4. Locate the item that you just downloaded, and check the box next to it. Click "OK." The test results from that computer or graphics card will be shown as red lines next to your results, which will be shown as green lines. If the lines match up, or if your lines are not significantly shorter, your graphics card is functioning as it should.

Tips & Warnings

• The PassMark graphics card benchmark results database is compiled based on the benchmark results achieved by every computer that has ever benchmarked a particular graphics card. If your result is below average, consider whether there might be a reason for this aside from the video card. If your computer has insufficient memory or a very old processor, these components may be limiting your graphics card's potential.

Resources

• PassMark Performance Test
• Searchable Graphics Card Benchmark Results