how do i check the health of my GPU or other system parts?

Understanding and Diagnosing System Hardware Health: A Guide for PC Users

Experiencing persistent issues with your PC can be frustrating, especially when the root cause isn’t immediately clear. Common problems such as game crashes, system freezes, sluggish performance, or display anomalies often point to underlying hardware or software concerns. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of methods to check the health of your GPU and other critical system components, helping you identify potential issues and maintain optimal system performance.

Recognizing Symptoms of Hardware Issues

Before diving into diagnostics, it’s important to identify signs indicative of hardware health problems:

Game crashes and freezing: Repeated crashes or system freezes during gaming sessions can signal GPU or RAM issues.
System slowdowns: Unexplained sluggishness may suggest memory or storage bottlenecks.
Application anomalies: Strange behaviors like freezing of specific software or graphical glitches.
Display problems: Monitor flickering, color distortions, or flashing can be related to GPU or display hardware.
Basic Troubleshooting Steps

Start with fundamental checks that might resolve common issues:

Update Device Drivers: Ensure your GPU drivers are current by downloading the latest versions from the manufacturer’s website or using Windows Update.
Verify Hardware Connections: Confirm that all cables and components are properly seated and connected.
Check for Software Conflicts: Remove or disable unnecessary background applications that may interfere with system performance.
Monitoring Hardware Health

To accurately diagnose hardware status, utilize specialized tools to monitor different components:

A. GPU Health Monitoring

GPU Temperature: Use tools like MSI Afterburner, HWMonitor, or GPU-Z to track real-time temperature readings. Typical operating temperatures vary but generally stay below 85°C under load.
Clock Speeds and Utilization: Assess if your GPU clock speeds are consistent and utilization is within expected ranges during gaming or heavy tasks.
Error Detection: Look for artifacts, graphical glitches, or crashes during stress tests or gaming sessions.

B. RAM Testing

Memory Diagnostics: Windows includes a built-in Memory Diagnostic Tool accessible via typing ‘Windows Memory Diagnostic’ in the Start menu. Run the tool to scan for memory errors.
Third-Party Tools: MemTest86 provides more comprehensive testing for RAM integrity. Use a bootable USB drive for thorough analysis.

C. Storage and System Health