Video Card problem how do I know it needs replacing or its something else?

Hi



I run 2 monitors off my Nvidia Video card, I have had no issues for 2 years but now sometimes I get flickering lines across one of the screens and if I bang the op of the Sony Vaio PC the computer shuts down, same too if I move the PC on my desk sometimes it will turn off. A few days ago it would not power up and just beeped 8 times, (this is a video card fault apparently)



How can I tell its the video card that needs replacing and not something else.



Any tips on a good video card with outputs for 2 screens a DVI and a normal output.



I don't use the PC for gaming so don't need a super duper video card.



Thanks|||It sounds more like a power supply issue to me, since when you bang on it, the computer shuts down. This probably indicates a bad power supply unit. What you can do, is open the computer and re seat the video card and if the problem continues by banging on it, you know it is the psu. I hate to say, "bang on it," but this would be a way. The only other way to determine if it is a problem with the video card is to install it on another computer and see if the problem replicates.|||I believe it was in Jurassic Park that Jeff Goldblum's character said "technology and violence, not good bedfellows". Start with shutting it down and disconnecting the power. Then remove the video card and check it for any defects like a capacitor that's bubbling up. Also check the motherboard for the same. Put the card back in, reconnect the power and fire it up. Try swapping the monitors between the 2 ports to verify it's not the monitor. I agree with the other answers, you should try removing this video card and put another one in.|||Well test the video card out on somebody elses computer and see if the same thing keeps happening, while you test a videocard in your computer and see if that solves the problem.|||Vision Teck X850XT ; google it and find the lowest price. I paid $73.99 for mine. It has an RV520 GPU. Ati Technologies.|||Well that sounds like a video card error to me, it may be loose and banging on it is not the best solution, you should have reset the card into the slot and made sure you have it in the right PCIE slot not just in your VGA slot as you may have.

Your motherboard may well be damaged and have a cracked mounting slot for the card, if you have recently dropped the PC or it fell over and bumped the card it could have cracked the casing around the card slot or the board causing a defect in the card or the board.

The only real way to tell is close examination and testing with means you do not have. A tech would have to check the terminals of the VGA or PCIE slot or visibly inspect the board around the area.



As for a replacement, the motherboard is easy to replace it is cheap too depending on what type you have and the size, the card is just as easy to replace and can be done for little more than $150-$220 depending on what features you want.



http://www.pricewatch.com



Now if you are the tech type you can find all your parts here and do it yourself, or buy the parts and take them to a tech.



I would go with a Radeon 4000 or better series rather than an NVIDIA make, this is because nVidia for a long time has been on the list as a loser in competition in the graphics market, ATI has led the field in sales, accessibility, performance and overall customer satisfaction for the past few years.