Video Hardware Error!

[Relatively New]

Hello everyone!,

Recently, I built my first gaming PC, and these are it's specs:

>Intel i5 2500 @ 3.3 Ghz
>4 GB Corsair RAM
>Gigabyte P67A-UD4-B3 Motherboard
>Gigabyte AMD Radeon HD 6950 1GB Graphics
>Cooler Master 700W PSU
>1TB Seagate HDD

At first, it all seemed very well, but after installing and playing a couple of games, I noticed some crashing to the desktop (Portal 2, HAWX), failing to respond, and some even hard froze my computer (Crysis 2).

I have tried uninstalling-reinstalling the games that have displayed these problems, I have updated both drivers and patches, but to no avail; the problems are still there.

So, I began targeting hardware. I suspected the RAM at first, but after running Memtest86 for a while, with no issues, I started to look elsewhere. Being that these issues only occur in games, I began to look at my graphics card.

Looking at Events manager and Reliability monitor, only then did I realise there is a reoccurring warning, that is linked with every crash/issue with my computer:

"Video Hardware Error"

Does this mean my HD 6950 is defective and needs to be sent away to be repaired/replaced? (It should be under warranty) I know this may state the obvious, but I just want to get some confirmation and advice!

Any explanations and/or advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Ben95]

If this is happening all the time then send it in... thats what warranties are for.

 

[casualbuilder]

id get the gpu replaced. definately something buggy on it. You don't have it OC'd do you?

 

[Gman450]

Video hardware error means that there's a problem with your GPU. Send it for repairs.

 

[Relatively New]

Well thanks for the advice! My graphics card is indeed an over clocked model, it's a Gigabyte AMD Radeon HD 6950, stock overclocked to 870MHz, from 800MHz

I'm having another go at completely reinstalling the drivers at the moment, but it is probably a physical defect...

 

[casualbuilder]

you could always try to downclock it using msi afterburner as well.

 

[Pyree]

^just send it in to get replace. No point paying for a factory oc card but have to use it in default clock (you are not getting what your money is worth).

 

[casualbuilder]

i agree...it was more of a check. If the OC is just unstable, and not the card persay, it would at least work properly until you sent it in for the rma.

Either way, which i wasn't clear on, the card is bad. Im just curious as to why...lol

 

[Relatively New]

Well after uninstalling and re installing the display drivers, I'm still getting issues! The only thing I have not done is update the chipset drivers and BIOS. Apart from that, the only other clear cause is a defective card...

But again, thanks for all the quick responses and advice!