How to Test a Video Card

This wikiHow teaches you how to test your computer's video card (also known as a 'graphics card') for performance errors and limitations. You can do this by using a benchmark test to score your video card and then comparing that score to...

Part 1 of 3:

Preparing to Test Your GPU

Place your computer in the environment in which you use it most. When testing your video card, it's best to recreate the circumstances under which you use your computer, including the temperature, location, and position.
1. For example, if you usually use your computer while seated in bed, you should test the video card under those circumstances for the most accurate results.
How to Test a Video Card Picture 1
Open programs you commonly use. In the theme of testing your video card as accurately as possible, make sure any programs you frequently use are open.
1. For example, if you usually have iTunes and a web browser open while working, open those programs before you run your benchmark test.
How to Test a Video Card Picture 2
Open the Novabench website. Go to https://novabench.com/ in your computer's web browser.
1. Novabench is a program that has some free aspects, one of which includes assigning to your video card a score that you can use to compare your video card's performance to the ideal score.
How to Test a Video Card Picture 3

Click Download for Free. It's a green button near the top of the page.
How to Test a Video Card Picture 4

Click Personal Use. This is on the left side of the page.
How to Test a Video Card Picture 5
Select your operating system. Below the Personal Use, click the operating system for which you want to download the installer. This will prompt the installer file to begin downloading onto your computer.
1. You may need to specify a save location or click Save File before the file will download.
How to Test a Video Card Picture 6
Install Novabench. Double-click the downloaded file, then click through the on-screen prompts until you've installed Novabench.
1. On a Mac, you'll drag the Novabench app icon onto the "Applications" folder icon to begin the installation process.

Part 2 of 3:

Finding Your GPU Score

How to Test a Video Card Picture 7
Open Novabench. Click or double-click the Novabench app icon, which resembles a speedometer on a dark-blue background.
1. You can also type novabench into Start
  How to Test a Video Card Picture 8
  (Windows) or Spotlight
  How to Test a Video Card Picture 9
  (Mac) and then click or double-click Novabench in the search results.
2. Novabench may open automatically after the installation completes.
How to Test a Video Card Picture 10
Review your video card's name. You'll find your video card to the right of the "Graphics" heading in the middle of the Novabench window.
1. You'll also see your video card's temperature here. Keep an eye on this—if you notice a huge spike in temperature during the benchmark test, your video card may be inadequately ventilated or cooled.
How to Test a Video Card Picture 11

Click Start Tests. This button is in the middle of the window.
How to Test a Video Card Picture 12

Allow Novabench to run tests on your computer. Novabench will run a few diagnostic tests before proceeding to the GPU (video card) test.
How to Test a Video Card Picture 13
Pay attention to the FPS value. During the GPU test—which resembles a 3D animated scene playing out—look at the "FPS" number in the upper-left side of the window.
1. If the FPS is below 30, your computer's video card is struggling to render the test.
2. An FPS value below 60 indicates that your computer won't handle some high-resolution video games.
How to Test a Video Card Picture 14
Review your video card's score. Below the "GPU" heading, you'll see a three-digit score. This is your video card's current score under your computer's current circumstances. Now that you have the score, you can compare your video card to the video card's average score on Novabench's website.
1. A score of below 400 to 500 indicates that your video card can't handle hefty operations such as intensive HD video editing, high-quality gaming, and so on.

Part 3 of 3:

Comparing Your Score

How to Test a Video Card Picture 15

Remember your video card's name and score. You'll need to know your video card's full name in order to find it on Novabench's score page, and you should remember the score your video card received to compare it with the average score for your video card.
How to Test a Video Card Picture 16

Open Novabench's score page. Go to https://novabench.com/parts/gpu in your computer's web browser.
How to Test a Video Card Picture 17

Click (show all). This link is just above the search box near the top of the page.
How to Test a Video Card Picture 18
Bring up the "Find" search bar. In most web browsers, you can press Ctrl+F (Windows) or ⌘ Command+F (Mac) to open the page search text box in the upper-right side of the page.
1. You may have to click the text box before proceeding.
How to Test a Video Card Picture 19

Enter your video card's name. Type in the name of your video card as specified by Novabench.
How to Test a Video Card Picture 20
Press ↵ Enter. Doing so will locate your video card on the Novabench page.
1. In some cases, typing in the full name of your video card will take you to that result on this page. If so, you don't need to press ↵ Enter.
How to Test a Video Card Picture 21
Review the GPU's score on the benchmark page. You'll see the score to the right of the video card's name. Ideally, your computer's benchmark score will be at or above this score.
1. For example, if your GPU's score is higher than the one noted on Novabench's page, your video card is running above average.
2. If your GPU's score is significantly lower than the one noted on Novabench's page, you are either running too many programs at once or your video card is beginning to fail.

video card novabench score

Lesley Montoya

Update 24 March 2020

You should read it

Maybe you are interested