How do I know if my Windows graphics card is working correctly?

There are a few ways to determine if your Windows graphics card is working correctly. The first step is to check the Device Manager and make sure the graphics card is listed as an active device. To do this, press the Windows + R keys together and type devmgmt.msc into the Run box. When the Device Manager loads, check the Display Adapters category; if your graphics card is listed there, then it is installed correctly and is functioning properly.

If it is not listed, then it may not be connected or might not be working properly. In this case, you should check to make sure that the cable connecting the graphics card to the motherboard is firmly connected. If it is connected, then the card might not have been seated properly in the slot. You can open up the computer’s case and ensure that the graphics card is securely inserted in the corresponding slot.

Once your graphics card is listed in the Device Manager, you can use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool to test its performance. To do this, press the Windows + R keys together and type dxdiag into the Run box. Once the DirectX Diagnostic Tool opens, click “Display”, and then select the type of adapter that is installed on your system. You should see information about your GPU, including its name, driver version, and other details. If all the information listed here is correct and matches the information from the manufacturer’s website or documentation, then the graphics card is likely functioning correctly.

If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool does not list any information about your GPU or if it does not respond correctly to several tests, then it could indicate that your graphics card is not working correctly. In this case, it is advised to uninstall the existing driver and reinstall the latest version available from the manufacturer’s website.

In addition to checking your GPU’s performance with the DirectX Diagnostic Tool, you should also test it by running a benchmarking application. This will compare your GPU’s performance with other devices in a certain benchmark and can be used to determine if your GPU is functioning correctly. Some popular benchmarking applications include 3DMark, Passmark, and Unigine Heaven.

Finally, you can also visually check your GPU to make sure that the fans, heat sinks, and other components are free of dust and debris. This will ensure that the cooling mechanism of your GPU is working correctly and will allow it to run at peak performance.

In conclusion, determining if your Windows graphics card is working correctly is relatively straightforward. You should first check the Device Manager to make sure the graphics card is recognized by the system, then use the DirectX Diagnostic Tool to verify its information, run benchmarking tests to measure its performance, and finally, clean the GPU for optimal performance. With these steps, you should be able to make sure that your graphics card is functioning properly.