Troubleshooting a Dead Graphics Card: Confirming the Culprit

Introduction

When troubleshooting a malfunctioning PC, it can be frustrating to pinpoint the exact cause of the problem. Recently, I faced this challenge when my wife’s computer stubbornly refused to turn on. After conducting some preliminary tests, I discovered that the graphics card might be the root of the issue. However, I wanted to ensure that I exhausted other possibilities before declaring the GPU dead. Here’s how I approached the situation and what I learned along the way.

The Initial Problem

One day, my wife’s PC unexpectedly shut down and would not power back on. Whenever I pressed the power button, the machine would light up momentarily before shutting off again, leaving it completely unresponsive. After a bit of troubleshooting, I decided to remove the dedicated graphics card, an EVGA GTX 950, and switch to the integrated graphics on the motherboard. To my relief, the system booted up without any issues, indicating that something was definitely wrong with the original GPU.

Testing the GPU

After observing that the PC worked fine with the integrated graphics, I reconnected the GTX 950, anticipating that it might work again. Unfortunately, the computer went dead once more. My instinct was telling me that the graphics card was the likely culprit, but I wanted to remain thorough before making any conclusions.

I carefully inspected the GPU for any visible signs of damage, such as burn marks or blown capacitors. However, as I am not an expert in hardware diagnostics, this step didn’t provide me with any definitive answers. Therefore, I realized that other components could potentially be at fault, including the PCI-E slot or the power supply, specifically the 12V rail.

Further Troubleshooting Steps

To ensure that my diagnosis of the GPU as the issue was accurate, I sought additional methods to confirm its condition. Here are some steps I considered:

Inspect the Power Supply: Verifying the power supply unit (PSU) can be crucial. If the unit is failing to provide adequate power, it could manifest as GPU issues. Testing with a known good PSU could rule this out.
Try a Different PCI-E Slot: Sometimes, the PCI-E slot itself may be damaged. If your motherboard has multiple slots, try inserting the GPU into a different one to see if it powers up.
Test the GPU in Another System: If you have access to another working PC, try running

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