A graphics processing unit, commonly known as GPU, is a specialized electronic unit designed to alter and manipulate memory to accelerate the creation of images in a frame buffer meant for video display. These devices are used in mobile phones, embedded systems, game consoles, and personal computers.
So, how long does a GPU last? GPUs generally last between 3-5 years, depending on usage. If you overuse the GPU, it lasts shorter than three years. Poor maintenance will also cause early wearing out. However, proper use and care could see a GPU last for over seven years.
When buying a GPU, you will want it to last for as long as possible. Even though these devices can last for a considerably long time, how you use them could determine their durability. Therefore, one commonly asked question about GPUs is, can they wear out?
GPUs can wear out due to various reasons like overuse, exposing them to heat, throttle, and weighty loads for a long time. GPUs have a thermal paste that ages over time. As a result, the card’s temperature increases gradually and could break because it is an electronic device. There are several signs of a worn-out GPU, some of them include a crashed computer that won’t reboot, persistent graphic glitches while you play, abnormal fan noise or performance, stuttering, and artifacts.
One of the main signs of a worn-out GPU is your computer crashing and not being able to reboot. Your GPU could be running a high-graphic game without any hitches, then, after a few hours of playing, your computer shuts down abruptly, and the monitor loses signal. When you try to reboot it, you get a beeping noise as the motherboard indicates error codes.
All these are pointers of a damaged or worn-out GPU. In most cases, motherboards are built with sensors that detect damaged computer components immediately they become faulty. This is why the motherboard displays error codes showing the affected parts. You will need to replace your GPU when these signs show.
Another common indicator of a worn-out GPU is glitching while playing games. In some cases, when you are enjoying your video game, the GPU fails to render the graphics correctly. This mostly happens when the GPU can’t support the game’s software. However, when the card is worn out, it will start showing slight graphic defects over time.
As a result, you may notice strange screen glitches, screen flickering, and off-color pixelation in different areas of the screen. Screen glitches can be quite distractive, especially when playing high voltage games. They are frequently accompanied by sharp sound flukes that could be confused with those of a damaged CPU.
When you notice abnormal fan noise or performance, it could also indicate a worn-out GPU. In most cases, video cards have cooling fans designed to spin faster only when the GPU is overloaded. This is meant to prevent bearings in the cooling fans from early defections. Therefore, you don’t have to worry if one of your cooling fans remains inactive as you browse.
However, when playing games that your GPU isn’t designed to support, the bearings in its cooling fans will wear out at a faster rate. With time, the fans will stop working under load, and the GPU eventually dies.
When the cooling fan is damaged, it will produce abnormal sounds that can be noticed easily. Therefore, it is essential to replace your GPU right away after seeing these signs to avoid causing damage to your computer.
Stuttering is also another indicator of a worn-out GPU. This mostly happens when playing a game with high-quality graphics. Stuttering is basically a significant drop in frame rate. It is essential to understand that apart from a worn-out GPU, stuttering can also be caused by other things like software-based sources or hardware components. This is why it is essential to be thorough before settling on a worn-out GPU as the cause of stuttering. You should let a certified professional examine your machine to be sure.
Artifacts also indicate a damaged or worn-out GPU. They are similar to screen glitches. However, these appear like weird shapes that pop up randomly covering part, or the whole of your screen. They mainly occur when watching a video, playing a video game, or working on any project that relies on high-quality graphics. As much as restarting the video game or program could temporarily fix this problem, this is an indicator of a worn-out GPU. The artifacts will keep popping up after a short period of playing. Therefore, you will need to replace your GPU as soon as possible.
How Often Should You Replace Your GPU?
Given the vital role GPUs play, they can wear out faster when not taken good care of. Using a damaged GPU can not only worsen its condition but also pose a significant risk to your computer. This is why you need to replace it after a certain period.
It is recommended that you replace your GPU after 3-5 years, depending on its condition. However, you can replace your GPU even after two months due to damage or when it cannot support your game’s software.
In fact, the only thing that might stop you from replacing your GPU as often as possible is your budget. If money is not a problem, you can upgrade or replace your GPU after a few weeks, months, or years depending on what you want.
However, if you don’t have money to spend on getting new GPUs, you can hold on to your current one until it is time to get another. The first sign that you need to replace it is when it starts struggling with new games. Several factors can affect the performance of a GPU. Some of them include the amount of video RAM, 3D/open GL support, cooling rate, and maintenance.
Also, the amount of video RAM can affect your GPU’s performance. GPUs have a specific amount of RAM on their cards. The speed and amount of RAM exposed to the GPU can significantly affect its performance. The type of task at hand also determines the amount of RAM needed. For instance, typing documents in Word won’t require high-end GPUs with high amounts of RAM.
Any type of GPU supported by your OS can handle such tasks. However, for more complex roles like playing high-graphic video games, video editing, image manipulation, watching HDTV, or watching DVD movies, you will need faster and more RAM. Keep in mind that many video cards sold as gaming GPUs differ from other video cards that use similar chipsets.
The amount of RAM you need for video gaming is determined by the frame rate, function of the resolution, complexity of the raster, and color depth. The higher any of these factors are, the more RAM is needed. The video subsystem will be highly stretched and will need more processing power to display the images. When the amount of RAM is high, you could notice glitches on your screen due to improper processing.
Another factor affecting GPU performance is 3D and Open GL support. Only the low-quality GPUs don’t come with 3D and Open GL support. Open GL is the highest standard for high-quality video, supported by Mac, Windows, and Unix machines. It is also supported by several other specialized devices.
When your GPU’s open GL support is damaged, its performance will be affected significantly. Some of the signs of a damaged Open GL support are poor video processing and, in some cases, frequent breakage in the video display.
The cooling rate of a GPU device can also affect its performance. Most mid-range and high-end GPUs are equipped with onboard cooling fans. When using your computer for video gaming or any other graphics-intensive apps, adequate cooling will make a significant difference. Naturally, heat is one of the biggest threats to electronic devices.
This is why cooling is very important. If the GPS is not cooled regularly, it can overheat and crash. An overheated GPU will barely function, and you are more likely to have a blank screen. This is why it is very important to ensure that the cooling system is operating efficiently as expected.
Maintenance is also crucial in determining a GPU’s performance. Habits like overusing the GPU could make it wear out faster. How you store it is also important. Exposing your GPU to dirt could see dust particles settle on it and affect its performance. Furthermore, exposing the GPU to heavier loads than it can handle will affect its processing power. This will result in glitches and constant breakage in the video display.
How Can You Increase the Lifespan of Your GPU?
When buying a new GPU, most people think about how long it can serve them. As much as a GPU cannot serve you forever, there are several things you can do to improve its lifespan.
You can increase the durability of your GPU by decreasing the graphics feature and settings, not overclocking, decreasing resolutions, running it at lower frame rates, and keeping it cool at all times.
By decreasing the graphics feature and settings, you can help increase your GPU’s lifespan. This is because bad settings like adjusting the graphic sliders to maximum put excessive pressure on the GPU.
Doing that frequently will significantly reduce the device’s lifespan. Therefore, if you want it to last longer, reducing the graphics settings will help. However, don’t put the setting too low to the point that you can’t enjoy the game. It would help if you kept it at moderate points that can’t put excessive pressure on the GPU and let you enjoy the game.
Overclocking is one of the causes of GPU failure and will significantly reduce its lifespan. Therefore, you should avoid overclocking at all costs. Only do so when you must and understand the serious risks it poses. Instead of overclocking, get a professional to examine your machine and suggest safer methods of solving the problem.
Decreasing resolutions is also a good way of increasing the GPU lifespan. Playing at extremely high resolutions behind what your GPS can handle will significantly reduce its lifespan. Therefore, it is recommended that you lower the monitor’s resolution to achieve better gameplay. If you find out that the game is pixelated, you can opt for a high resolution and adjust the graphics.
Furthermore, running at lower frame rates will also help increase the GPU lifespan. As much as playing at high frame rates is compulsory, especially for competitive games, it can affect your GPU. This is because running at high frame rates will put additional stress on your GPU, significantly reducing its lifespan. Therefore, you should find ways to run at lower frame rates as much as possible.
It is also important to keep the GPU cool at all times. It is dangerous and risky to play games at high temperatures. This is because heat can reduce the GPU lifespan significantly. Therefore, you need to get a well-ventilated case for your GPU. It would help if you also went for a graphics card with dual fans that will keep it cool at all times. Cooling will also ensure the faster performance of the GPU, making your gameplay easier.
You can also opt to play 2D games if you want your GPU to last longer. However, this should be the last alternative. There are several 2D games that can be quite captivating as well. These games don’t have heavy graphics and will not overload your GPU. This will see it last for a longer period compared to when you see it with heavy-graphic games.
Wrap Up
A GPU is an important device that is designed to alter and manipulate memory in order to accelerate the creation of images in a frame buffer meant for video display. As a gamer, a GPU is very important because it determines the quality of your video display. Typically, a GPU lasts between 3-5 years, depending on usage.
There are several factors that affect the performance of a GPU. Some of them include the amount of video RAM, 3D/open GL support, cooling rate, and maintenance. It is important to take good care of your GPU to prevent hitches in functioning. If your GPU is worn out, there are several things you will notice, they include a crashed computer that won’t reboot, persistent graphic glitches while you play, abnormal fan noise or performance, stuttering, and artifacts.
