What are some signs that a PCI-E slot is faulty?

[TTD187]

I recently diagnosed one of my GPUs as being faulty, but it got me wondering if a faulty PCI-E slot could show similar symptoms or if it'd be completely different.

My GPU was exhibiting sound distortion, frame rates that would within a few seconds go from 60 down to 0, PC freezing (sometimes even in desktop with nothing intensive running) and the classic BSOD. Removing the GPU and placing another caused no issues, however, I am still curious.

Thank you.

 

[CountMike]

Yes, some of those symptoms can be attributed to bad PCIe slot, but since it's working with new GPU.....