My GPU fan for my first generation Nvidia GeForce 256 graphics card died over 3 months ago. I only realised it when I was moving house, and when I was reassembling the components in my PC case. I noticed that the fan wasn't spinning even though the power cable was still connected.
Only recently, random crashes made me realise that the error signs were somewhat related to the video card, eg 'Windows XP has recovered from a device failure', or even when booting up, strange foreign characters showed up during the BIOS/RAMcheck/hard drive checl screen.
Since my GPU fan died, everything ran fine - giving me the reason that my graphics card really didn't need the fan anyways and works fine. But now the crashes have been getting worse and really affecting my other hardware drivers. Does this mean I really have to get a new graphics card now?
I'd like advice on which video card I should get. I only have a Pentium 3 - 500 Mhz, 256 SDRAM. I'd like to buy one that'll be a good investment for the future as I'll be upgrading my mobo/CPU next year. Should I go for the top range eg. ATI Radeon 9700 PRO, or just stick to something cheaper/slower? Or should I wait for the GeForce FX even?
Also, since this incident, I'm concern if I do get a new video card, that the new GPU fan will suffer the same consequences. Can I buy a new GPU fan if it does fail in the future? How long is a GPU fan's life expectancy? Will I be able to predict when will the fan die? Will it destroy my GPU?
Thanks for all your answers and advice!
Only recently, random crashes made me realise that the error signs were somewhat related to the video card, eg 'Windows XP has recovered from a device failure', or even when booting up, strange foreign characters showed up during the BIOS/RAMcheck/hard drive checl screen.
Since my GPU fan died, everything ran fine - giving me the reason that my graphics card really didn't need the fan anyways and works fine. But now the crashes have been getting worse and really affecting my other hardware drivers. Does this mean I really have to get a new graphics card now?
I'd like advice on which video card I should get. I only have a Pentium 3 - 500 Mhz, 256 SDRAM. I'd like to buy one that'll be a good investment for the future as I'll be upgrading my mobo/CPU next year. Should I go for the top range eg. ATI Radeon 9700 PRO, or just stick to something cheaper/slower? Or should I wait for the GeForce FX even?
Also, since this incident, I'm concern if I do get a new video card, that the new GPU fan will suffer the same consequences. Can I buy a new GPU fan if it does fail in the future? How long is a GPU fan's life expectancy? Will I be able to predict when will the fan die? Will it destroy my GPU?
Thanks for all your answers and advice!
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