Which types of video cards do I need to have for troubleshooting?

[Encrypted Existence]

Hello all. I am looking to purchase one of each type of commonly seen video card for troubleshooting. I already have PCIe card. Which other types should I purchase? I was thinking AGP and PCI. I would like to know what kind of working video cards you guys (and gals) keep for troubleshooting purposes. The last thing that I want to do is go and buy video cards that I will never use. Any thoughts will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Vicenarian]

Basically, one PCI-E, and one PCI for older machines.

I prefer Nvidia cards for PCI-E, because they seem to have better compatibility with some machines. Just my opinion.

 

[Xander]

Don't forget an AGP for also-older machines.

Bottom-line answer: At least one of each type.

 

[PCX]

Having cards to swap out are only good if the original is dead or is displaying artifacts. You need something to actually test the graphics. The graphics card can work and display something on the screen, but that does not tell you if there are other issues that could be causing problems like BSOD.

 

[TLE]

Having cards to swap out are only good if the original is dead or is displaying artifacts. You need something to actually test the graphics. The graphics card can work and display something on the screen, but that does not tell you if there are other issues that could be causing problems like BSOD.

Whilst I agree in what you are saying, rather than just pointing out what he should be doing, may be you could give some examples of how you would go about testing GPU's.

I personally tend to run Video Memory Stress Test, Video Card Stability Test + 3D Benchmark + 3D Screensaver. I also monitor temps during the tests.

I am open to any other programs or techniques for testing GPU's.

 

[PCX]

Whilst I agree in what you are saying, rather than just pointing out what he should be doing, may be you could give some examples of how you would go about testing GPU's.

I personally tend to run Video Memory Stress Test, Video Card Stability Test + 3D Benchmark + 3D Screensaver. I also monitor temps during the tests.

I am open to any other programs or techniques for testing GPU's.

If you are interested in what I use for GPU diagnostics, feel free to PM me.

 

[RichmondTech]

Hello all. I am looking to purchase one of each type of commonly seen video card for troubleshooting. I already have PCIe card. Which other types should I purchase? I was thinking AGP and PCI.

You thought right!

Seriously I wonder how some of these threads get started. I wouldn't be concerned with purchasing them as you'll accumulate them over time and there's no sense in spending a lot of money on something that you'll only use occasionally.

 

[Cambridge PC Support]

Yep, one of each. And maybe two of the PCI-E, especially the ones with the optional low profile bracket.

You'll probably sell the PCI-E ones quite a bit, and the others hardly at all, but they are cheap enough.

 

[RedFoxComp]

One of each.

Don't buy them though, go to an electronics recycler and grab 2 of each card and perform a full test on all of them so they are known working. It will cost you 1/10 the price. Try to pull passively cooled cards so you don't have to deal with failing GPU fans.

I got my cards from abandoned systems.

 

[Encrypted Existence]

Yep, one of each. And maybe two of the PCI-E, especially the ones with the optional low profile bracket.

You'll probably sell the PCI-E ones quite a bit, and the others hardly at all, but they are cheap enough.

So an AGP card,a PCI card, and possible both of the varieties of PCIe cards that you noted should cover it? Do I need anything even older like an ISA card? Thanks.

 

[RedFoxComp]

So an AGP card,a PCI card, and possible both of the varieties of PCIe cards that you noted should cover it? Do I need anything even older like an ISA card? Thanks.

Not unless you own a time machine.

 

[Mr.Mike]

So an AGP card,a PCI card, and possible both of the varieties of PCIe cards that you noted should cover it? Do I need anything even older like an ISA card? Thanks.

I use a ATI Diamond Stealth PCI card that seems to work well with even 6-8 year old computers, especially Dells. I've used it for about three years and it seems pretty good. It doesn't need alot of power and I can run 3-D benchmark with it.