Graphics card issues

[Bernard Badran]

Okay, so to start off from the beginning, my PC had been giving off a strong whirring sound for quite some time. I didn't really pay attention to it. But after a while my graphics card crashed from overheating because as it turns out, my GPU's fan wasn't functioning properly. After the crash my PC wouldn't boot. But then it did, my monitor was giving off these strange red lines and artifacts. So, what's really bothering me is the fact that these artifacts would sometime go away and my PC would return to normal on restart. Later that day everything was working fine and I thought the malfunction was just the aftermath of overheating. The next day, the artifacts returned and wouldn't go away for two days, so I figured my graphics card is probably dead and started searching for a new one. Yesterday though, I was listening to some music and I left my PC on standby to go and do something, and when I returned the artifacts and red lines were gone. I was happy because I knew my card isn't dead. But naturally today, it isn't working anymore
So I'm wondering what could be the problem, I've reseated the card and RAM, I've looked up every possible thread and case on the internet for solutions. I have the latest driver for my card, which is an Nvidia GeForce 9800 GT. My fan is properly oiled now and is working properly, my PC gives off virtually no sound. If you need any PC specs inform me but I don't think they are relevant.
So to sum it all up, my graphics card is blocked by windows (error 43), but occasionally it works fine. I would like to know what the problem might be and how I can fix it.
Thanks.

 

[hklt0110]

Error Code 43 is a Device Manager error that means the following:
Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)

Change your Graphics card.

 

[siked]

Do you have a spare graphics card are so that you can test to see if the graphics card has given up? That would be where I would start.

 

[Bernard Badran]

I don't have a spare one, and I have already considered buying a new one and was going to go through with it, but seeing as the card occasionally works I'd like to know if there is anyway of fixing it, or atleast get it to work when I want it to.

 

[siked]

I don't have a spare one, and I have already considered buying a new one and was going to go through with it, but seeing as the card occasionally works I'd like to know if there is anyway of fixing it, or atleast get it to work when I want it to.

By the sounds of it you have fried the chip, and thus no way of fixing it... I did it myself years ago and had a very similar situation where it would work on occasion.

 

[mrmez]

The worst thing with these sorts of problems is that they are intermittent.
If it worked, or didn't work 100% of the time it would be easy.

Even though cpu's and gpu's have thermal throttling to prevent damage from overheating, this isn't a guarantee, just a last resort.

You have definitely damaged your card. Nobody knows how it will work. If your'e lucky, the artefacts could disappear and the card could work fine for the next decade (games excluded). If ur unlucky, the next time you turn on your pc the card won't display anything and never will.

 

[Bernard Badran]

Thank you all for your answers. The card is definitely damaged and it's my fault for not checking the fan. I guess a new card is the only option I have, though it would've been easier if it hadn't worked at all, that glimmer of hope is irritating.
Do you recommend the Nvidia GeForce GTX 650 Ti Boost?
And how does it compare to an AMD sapphire series card in the same price group?