Common symptoms of a defective graphics card include visual artifacts, distorted images, video playback problems, system crashes, and monitor blanking.
Visual artifacts: These are visible errors on the display that appear as random color patterns of pixels on the screen. They can look like static, flickering, multicolored lines, or they may be more complex patterns that scroll across the display. Visual artifacts are usually caused by incorrect signal interpretation of the graphics card.
Distorted images: If a graphics card is malfunctioning, it can cause images to appear distorted or blurry. This is often a sign of a failing card, especially if the distortion appears suddenly and without explanation.
Video playback problems: Poor video performance can be a symptom of a defective graphics card. Common issues include laggy video playback, stuttering, or choppy images.
System crashes: If a graphics card fails, it can cause the entire computer to crash or experience frequent blue screens of death.
Monitor blanking: Monitor blanking occurs when the display turns off even when the computer is still running. This can also be a sign of a defective graphics card, especially if the blanking occurs rapidly.
In addition to these symptoms, a defective graphics card may generate a loud fan noise due to overheating. The card may also overheat, leading to serious damage if left unchecked.