Diagnosing a GPU Failure: A Personal Experience

Every once in a while, technology lets us down. Recently, my wife’s computer had a significant issue that prompted me to dive into some troubleshooting. After her PC suddenly powered off and refused to turn back on, I found myself on a quest to determine whether the graphics card was truly at fault. Here’s a breakdown of what happened and how I confirmed the issue.

The Initial Problem

My wife’s computer unexpectedly shut down one day without any warning. When I attempted to power it up, it would briefly show signs of life—fans spinning, lights flickering—only to shut down again almost instantly. It was as if the system was trying to tell me something was wrong but couldn’t sustain itself.

Troubleshooting Steps

First, I decided to eliminate the graphics card (an EVGA GTX 950) from the equation. I switched to the integrated graphics processor (IGPU) on the motherboard, and to my relief, the system booted up without any issues. This was a promising sign, but I still needed to pinpoint the root cause.

After reattaching the GPU and trying to boot the system again, I was faced with the same problem: nothing but silence and darkness. At this point, my instinct led me to believe that the GPU was the likely culprit. However, I knew I should examine all possibilities.

I inspected the graphics card for any visible signs of damage. While I looked for telltale signs like burnt-out areas or capacitors that appeared to be bulging, I admitted that I wasn’t an expert and could easily overlook something. I also considered that the issue could stem from other components, such as the PCI-E slot on the motherboard or even a failing power supply’s 12V rail.

Seeking Confirmation

While my gut urged me to consider the GPU as the primary suspect, I wanted a second opinion—preferably a method to confirm my hypothesis without jumping to conclusions. Seeking advice from my fellow tech enthusiasts, I outlined my findings and asked for additional troubleshooting steps. Could I test the GPU on a different system? Were there any other indicators I should have been on the lookout for?

The Verdict

In a twist of fate, I decided to test the GPU in my own PC, which comprised reliable and known good components. Unfortunately, when I pressed the power button, the GPU failed catastrophically, indeed confirming that it was the source of the problem. Thankfully, my PC remained unsc