5 Ways to Check GPU Health in Windows 11
The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is an unsung hero of the Windows operating system. It ensures that you may enjoy stunning and vibrant visuals on your system. However, like any other component, it requires regular checkups to ensure it continues to offer optimal performance.
So, we’ll share five quick ways to check the status of your GPU in Windows 11. By following this guide, you can identify any ongoing issues with your GPU, enabling you to take proactive measures to address them.
1. Using the Settings App
The quickest and easiest way to check your GPU health is via the Windows Settings app. All you need to do is access the Advanced display settings and check the Device status section. Let’s check out these steps in detail:
The Device status section will display any ongoing issue with your GPU using an error code or warning. If no problem is found, you’ll see the ‘This device is working properly’ message.
2. Using the Device Manager
The Device Manager is a Windows tool that provides comprehensive management capabilities for all hardware components installed on your computer. It enables you toupdate Windows drivers, enable or disable devices, and perform various other tasks.
Additionally, you can use the Device Manager to check the status of your GPU. Here’s how:
3. Using the Task Manager
Another quick way to check your GPU health is by using the Windows Task Manager. Here’s how:
Here you’ll get detailed information about the real-time usage of your GPU. The graphs provide insights into shared memory usage, video encoding, and high-priority computing. Right-clicking on each graph allows you to access additional related information.
At the bottom of the screen, you’ll find essential details like utilization, GPU temperature, and GPU memory consumption, which are vital indicators of GPU health. If any section show concerning data, it’s time to troubleshoot your GPU.
For instance, the GPU temperature should ideally not exceed 50°C during regular usage and 85°C during gaming. If the temperature surpasses these thresholds, it indicatesoverheating issues with your GPU.
4. Using the DirectX Diagnostic Tool
The DirectX Diagnostic Tool, or dxdiag, provides valuable information about the DirectX components and hardware installed on your computer. To check the GPU health status using dxdiag, follow these steps:
Here, check theNotessection. If there are any issues with your GPU, the DirectX Diagnostic Tool will display them in this section. However, if everything functions correctly, you will see the reassuring message of ‘No problems found.’
5. Using a GPU Benchmarking Tool
The tools we have explored thus far provide a snapshot of your GPU health, but GPU benchmarking tools are highly recommended for more comprehensive solutions. Among the numerous options available, MSI Afterburner stands out as a popular choice and is one ofthe best free benchmarking programs for Windows. This benchmarking tool is compatible with all graphics cards and offers features beyond health monitoring.
In addition to checking GPU health, it enables issue resolution and facilitates GPU tweaks. Check out more about it in our detailedguide on using MSI Afterburner.
GPU Health Is PC Wealth
The GPU is a vital component of your system, requiring an ideal state to deliver its peak performance. However, factors such as sudden shutdowns, compatibility issues, problems with the heatsink, or even rusting can cause the GPU to malfunction.
Thankfully, you can utilize the methods discussed above to check the health of your GPU and solve any issues found.
Graphics cards, like any other PC component, can die down the road. Learning to spot the signs can help you plan accordingly.
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