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What is a good method of checking a video card to see if it may be going bad. I had a hard time a week ago with Nvidia drivers. Tried to do a custom install to do a clean install. Well, it removed my drivers and then failed the install. Windows didn't detect my card till I updated it using device manager. After a few days I finally got updated drivers to install using the same device manager. By the way, geforce experience crashed and would not install. Now I have geforce experience installed and got updated drivers through the program and the installs worked without a hitch. What should I be concerned about?
I ran Heaven benchmark, 3dmark demo ran at about 2 FPS and I wasn't waiting for that.
Unigine Heaven Benchmark 4.0
FPS: 19.1
Score: 480
Min FPS: 13.7
Max FPS: 36.9
System Platform: Windows NT 6.2 (build 9200) 64bit
CPU model: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4460 CPU @ 3.20GHz (3192MHz) x4
GPU model: NVIDIA GeForce GT 720 21.21.13.7254 (2048MB) x1
Settings Render: Direct3D11
Mode: 1280x720 2xAA fullscreen
Preset Custom
Quality High
Tessellation: Disabled

lol

I did a benchmark at preset 720p, image results.



I ran the stress test for about 2 min and temp went up to 63c, I think. No glitches, but the video image stuttered as it flowed a bit. I stopped it then ran the benchmark. All at default settings.
Anything particular I should do and/or watch for?
I did download that un-installer. Will give it a try if I have the problem again.

I don't think the GPU is bad (although it may be going bad)
but there could be a lot going on here.

Your power supply could be flaking, and dipping voltages down a bit
which could cause the system to be unstable. Not all components
show effects on an equal level. Normally the things to show the biggest/first
signs are those that use a lot of power or those that have very small tolerance
for fluctuation.

The card itself "could" be going bad.

I think the culprit is most likely the card overheating. Either because of dust build
up in the heatsinks and or the fan not running/not running as well as it used too.
This can also be an effect of the case itself being hotter than normal, due to exhaust
or intake fans being dirty, clogged or inoperable. Same for the processor heatsink and
fan. Make sure the heat sink is clear and the fan is running normally.

I don't know if you regularly clean the inside of you computer, or how, but take an air
compressor and blow the system out making sure to blow out the power supply (do not
remove the cover) and blow out all heat sinks and fans. Spray air directly into the exhaust
vent of the graphics card. Spray everywhere. If have access to a compressor with a line
drier, that's the best way. Normally if you use a decent amount of air pressure you shouldn't have
much issues with moisture coming out in the air. But if you want to be safe, use a line drier or
a shop vac that can blow air out. If you have that setup, try to use an attachment that really
reduces the size of the opening, like a crevice cleaning tool, to increase air pressure.

I think it's most likely a heat issue.

I would need more then a one time video driver issue to warrant a new PS, but I will keep that in mind.
It could be heat. It's been a while since I took a can of air to my cases insides. My CPU temps seem to run normal but I will clean the inside. I do not have an air compressor. I have always used can air with no issues. I should make that one of my weekend tasks.
I take it my results being in red is not good. I will rerun the test when I clean out my machine.
Great suggestions from you both.

There was a lot of dust in my case.

I feel like... having the OS/drivers not recognize your video card (and crash), are not something caused by heat. Otherwise, your post would have sounded more like "it seems fine when I first boot up, then it goes to shit."

My suspicion is that Windows 10 had a period of time where they broke compatibility with nVidia software. After all, you can't disable updates in Windows 10, and it's not like their updates haven't been breaking stuff (http://arstechnica.com/information-tech ... 0-testing/).
Stuff probably started working for you once Windows updated itself with fixes.

I do still have issues with 1 or 2 devices being compatible with Windows 10. My printer doesn't have all its functionality it should with Windows 10. I think that might be the issue.

Very true about the windows 10 part, but I wouldn't necessarily say that the system would be fine at bootup
and then get worse. Without putting much of a load on it, it could maintain tolerable temps even if its ability
to cool has been compromised.

I guess I assumed he blamed the drivers without them really being the cause. I figured the card probably started
acting flakey, and he assumed it was the drivers. Otherwise yes, nothing he posted is a strong indication of
overheating

I cleaned the inside. If maximum temp for GT720 is about 98 I think its current temp of about 40 is ok. I'll prob get a new card first chance I can swing it.

Do these numbers look OK? I guess I should start with, does anyone use/trust the Windows Experience Index?
The Graphics @ 5.1 and Gaming Graphics @ 9.9 seems to be a rather large gap in-between.
Been thinking about upgrading some or all of my components. How would any of you recommend my priorities list of upgrades?

lol

As soon as the price becomes more manageable I will be all over that.

lol

The SSD will hands down be the biggest bang for your buck upgrade.

After that, probably upgrade that GPU. There are a lot of attractive options
in the $200 "ish" range. If you game at 1080p, you can get a pretty powerful
upgrade for not a lot of money.

I can recommend the crucial MX300 525GB. At $119 it offer very solid performance
and a lot of storage space for the cost of the upgrade.

The GPU is only an upgrade if you feel that the game you play, if any, aren't performing
as well as you'd like.

The SSD is a no questions asked, do it now, upgrade.... it's a serious booster shot to your
PC's performance.