How can I tell whether my GPU is failing?

I have been receiving random crashes to the point where my screen just freezes and there is just a vibrating noise coming from my speakers. I am going back to factory drivers and hoping that is the problem. I changed to the newest Nvidia drivers in discrete mode and it started happening every 3 hours. It could be a coincidence. But then i switched to the 260.99 and it happened again but less frequently (couple days later) I am going back to the hybrid drivers provided now and hoping that fixes it. I don't know what this could be but I was told it could be the sign of a failing GPU. I have only had the system for about 5-6months. Already failing? I do not have my GPU overclocked.

Are there any other possibilities? Its not overheating either because it is under 60C.

 

Have you ever overclocked it? I toasted a 6800GT on my first attempt. After that it would still play games to some extent (when back to stock speed), but I would get random crashes, memory dumps, and visual artifacts. It was just a bad chip because the replacement card OC'd like a dream.

In summary, I wouldn't rule out a bad chip. Do some stress testing (ie/with Furmark). If the tests fail at stock speeds, call in your warranty.

 

You are going down the correct path. Go back to the hybrid driver if you are running the R1. The non hybrid drivers are a bit tricky on the R1 to begin with. Run a bunch of benches at stock speed and make sure you can fly.. If you crash, do what Roxxor states. Call in the warranty.

 

Can't furmark further exacerbate damage?

 

There have been documented occasions in which furmark has permanently damaged overclocked cards, yes. But there's debate as to whether it was due to user error (insufficient cooling) or to Furmark. It is a well known fact that Furmark stresses VRMs on PCBs particularly hard - which has led some people to believe it's the principle reason for card failure.

I probably wouldn't do a 24hr test with it, but 1-2 hours should be ok.

 

Read the post in the link. It wont kill it but prolonged exposure MAY degrade performance.

 

I have overclocked. But found the improvements didnt outweigh the loss in battery life so I returned to my old settings. I have reverted to the original drivers. If it crashes over the next week I will stress test it slightly and see.


P.S. thanks for the additional feedback. I hope it is just weird event. I would hate to lose my main work computer for 2 weeks.