How to test your GPU?

How to Test Your GPU: A Step-by-Step Guide

Hardware Requirements

Before you can test your GPU, you need to have the following hardware in place:

  • A modern computer with a compatible motherboard (most modern motherboards have built-in GPU control)
  • A compatible power supply unit (PSU)
  • A few hundred dollars to spend on some basic diagnostic tools
  • A quiet and distraction-free workspace

Step 1: Identify Your GPU

Before you can test your GPU, you need to identify it. Here are the steps to follow:

  • Identify the GPU type: Check your motherboard manual or online documentation to see what type of GPU you have. Most modern motherboards use PCIe 3.0 or later, which means your GPU is likely a PCIe 3.0 or later X16 or X16+ card.
  • Check the GPU label: Check the back of your GPU case or driver folder to see what type of GPU it is. Most modern GPUs are labeled as:

    • NVIDIA GeForce (e.g. GeForce GTX 1660)
    • AMD Radeon (e.g. Radeon RX 5600 XT)
  • Check the GPU model: Check your motherboard manual or online documentation to see what specific GPU model you have.

Step 2: Shut Down Your Computer

Shutting down your computer is essential before you can test your GPU. Here are the steps to follow:

  • Unplug the power cord: Unplug the power cord from your computer and any other devices that are connected to it.
  • Unplug any other cables: Unplug any other cables, such as the HDMI cable or any USB ports.
  • Remove any unnecessary peripherals: Remove any unnecessary peripherals, such as the keyboard and mouse.
  • Turn off your computer: Turn off your computer and wait for a few seconds to allow the power to cycle down.

Step 3: Identify the GPU Power Plan

Most modern motherboards have a built-in power plan that allows you to select the power plan for your GPU. Here are the steps to follow:

  • Check your motherboard manual: Check your motherboard manual to see what power plan you have selected. Most motherboards use a power plan of "PCie1" or "EVGACLUBLC6".
  • Check your BIOS settings: Check your BIOS settings to see what power plan you have selected. You can do this by pressing F2, F12, or Del during boot-up.
  • Identify the power plan: Identify the power plan you have selected and note the power draw of your GPU.

Step 4: Run a Stress Test

A stress test is an essential part of testing your GPU. Here are the steps to follow:

  • Choose a stress test tool: Choose a stress test tool, such as:

    • NVIDIA’s GPU Fan Control: This tool allows you to control the fan speed of your GPU in real-time.
    • AMD’s Wattman: This tool allows you to monitor the power draw of your GPU and adjust the power plan as needed.
  • Run the stress test: Run the stress test tool and follow the on-screen instructions to control the fan speed of your GPU.

Step 5: Run a Benchmark Test

A benchmark test is an essential part of testing your GPU. Here are the steps to follow:

  • Choose a benchmark test: Choose a benchmark test, such as:

    • 3DMark: This is a popular benchmark test that measures the performance of your GPU.
    • Unigine Heaven: This is a popular benchmark test that measures the performance of your GPU.
  • Run the benchmark test: Run the benchmark test and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the test.

Step 6: Monitor Your GPU Temperatures

Your GPU temperatures can be a key indicator of your GPU’s health. Here are the steps to follow:

  • Check your GPU temperatures: Check your GPU temperatures using a tool such as:

    • GPU-Z: This is a free tool that allows you to monitor your GPU temperatures and other system parameters.
    • MSI Afterburner: This is a free tool that allows you to monitor your GPU temperatures and other system parameters.
  • Check your GPU temperatures: Check your GPU temperatures regularly to identify any issues.

Step 7: Run a Memory Test

Memory testing is an essential part of testing your GPU. Here are the steps to follow:

  • Choose a memory test tool: Choose a memory test tool, such as:

    • CPU-Memory-Test: This is a free tool that allows you to test your CPU and memory.
    • MemTest86+: This is a free tool that allows you to test your RAM.
  • Run the memory test: Run the memory test tool and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the test.

Step 8: Run a Power Plan Test

A power plan test is an essential part of testing your GPU. Here are the steps to follow:

  • Choose a power plan test tool: Choose a power plan test tool, such as:

    • GPU-Z: This is a free tool that allows you to test your GPU power plan.
    • MSI Afterburner: This is a free tool that allows you to test your GPU power plan.
  • Run the power plan test: Run the power plan test tool and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the test.

Conclusion

Testing your GPU is an essential part of ensuring that your computer is running smoothly and efficiently. By following these steps, you can identify your GPU, test its performance, and monitor its temperatures and power draw. Remember to regularly test your GPU to ensure that it’s working properly and that you’re not running into any issues.

Important Note

  • Always turn off your computer before testing your GPU: Turning off your computer is essential to prevent any data loss or damage to your system.
  • Use the correct power plan: Using the correct power plan is essential to ensure that your GPU is running at its best performance.
  • Monitor your GPU temperatures: Monitoring your GPU temperatures is essential to ensure that your GPU is not overheating or malfunctioning.

Table: GPU Power Plans

GPU Model PCie1 EVGACLUBLC6 AVX
GeForce GTX 1660 300W 240W 350W
GeForce RTX 2060 320W 280W 380W
Radeon RX 5600 XT 300W 250W 350W

Table: GPU Temperatures

GPU Model GPU-Z MSI Afterburner CPU-Memory-Test
GeForce GTX 1660 100°C 105°C 110°C
GeForce RTX 2060 120°C 125°C 130°C
Radeon RX 5600 XT 110°C 115°C 120°C

Table: GPU Power Plan Tests

GPU Model GPU-Z MSI Afterburner CPU-Memory-Test
GeForce GTX 1660 300W 280W 250W
GeForce RTX 2060 320W 300W 280W
Radeon RX 5600 XT 300W 280W 250W

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