This article shows you how to test the performance of a computer's graphics card or video card to troubleshoot or find limitations. To perform this type of test, you need to use a special program which, after having carried out several checks, will assign a score to the device. At this point you can compare this value with those of other peripherals on the market.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Prepare the Test
Step 1. Place your computer in the environment where you use it most often
When performing this type of test, to obtain the most realistic data possible, it is always best to recreate the same conditions in which you normally use the computer including ambient temperature, location and precise position of the machine.
For example, if you normally use your computer while in bed, you should run the test in the same situation in order to get the most accurate data
Step 2. Open any programs you normally use
Again, to ensure that the test gives the most accurate results, make sure that all the programs you normally use are running.
For example, if you usually use iTunes and a browser while you work, make sure those programs are running before testing
Step 3. Log in to the Novabench program website
Paste the URL https://novabench.com/ into your browser's address bar.
Novabench is a program that offers some free features including that of assigning a score at the end of the test that you can compare with that of other video cards on the market to understand at what level your peripheral is
Step 4. Press the Download for Free button
It is green in color and is positioned at the top of the page.
Step 5. Choose the Personal Use option
It is located on the left side of the newly appeared page.
Step 6. Select the operating system installed on the computer you will use for the test
Below the section Personal Use choose the version of the program to use based on the operating system installed on the computer to be tested. The installation file will be downloaded to your computer.
Depending on your internet browser settings, you may need to select the destination folder and press the button OK or Save before the file in question is actually saved locally on the computer.
Step 7. Install Novabench
Double-click the icon of the file you just downloaded, then follow the on-screen instructions to complete the program installation procedure.
If you are using a Mac, drag the Novabench program icon onto the "Applications" folder to start the installation process
Part 2 of 3: Calculate the GPU Score
Step 1. Start Novabench
Double-click the program icon with a speedometer on a dark blue background.
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Alternatively, type the novabench keyword in the "Start" menu
Windowsstart (on Windows) or in the "Spotlight" field
Macspotlight (on Mac), then select the program icon Novabench appeared in the list of results.
- The program may start automatically at the end of the installation procedure.
Step 2. Find the name of your video card
This information is shown on the right of the "Graphics" item visible in the center of the Novabench window.
This section also shows the temperature of the GPU (from English "Graphics Process Unit"). Keep an eye on this during the test, if you notice spikes in the card's working temperature, it could be a sign of inadequate ventilation or a cooling system problem
Step 3. Press the Start Tests button
It is placed in the center of the window.
Step 4. Wait for Novabench to run all tests
Several checks will be performed before the GPU test starts.
Step 5. Pay attention to the value indicated by the item "FPS" (frames per second)
During the video card test, which involves playing animations created in 3D, the "FPS" number will be displayed in the upper left corner of the screen.
- If the FPS number is less than 30, it means that the computer's graphics card is unable to render all the frames required by the test.
- An FPS value of less than 60 indicates that your computer cannot handle the high-resolution graphics of certain modern video games.
Step 6. Review the score obtained by the video card
At the end of the test, under the heading "GPU", you will see a number consisting of three digits. This is the score your graphics card achieved during the test. Now that you have this information you can use it to compare your GPU with those entered in the Novabench website database.
A score below 400 or 500 indicates that your video card is not suitable for very intense tasks such as editing HD video, rendering high resolution video games, and so on
Part 3 of 3: Compare Test Results
Step 1. Take note of the score your GPU got during the test and the model
In order to locate the video card within the Novabench site, you need to know what the full name is. You also need to know the score achieved in the test in order to compare it with the average score obtained by other similar graphics cards.
Step 2. Go to the Novabench website page relating to test scores
Paste the URL https://novabench.com/parts/gpu into your browser's address bar.
Step 3. Select the link (show all)
It is located above the search bar at the top of the page.
Step 4. Use the "Find" function of your internet browser
In most cases you can activate this feature by pressing the key combination Ctrl + F (on Windows) or ⌘ Command + F (on Mac). A search bar will appear at the top right of the browser window.
Before continuing you may need to click on the text field that appeared
Step 5. Enter the full name of the video card
Type the name of the GPU installed on your computer, and specified by Novabench, in the search bar that appears.
Step 6. Press the Enter key
In this way the GPU will be automatically identified within the scores page of the Novabench site.
In some cases, typing the full name of the video card in the search bar of the Novabench site will directly display the average score. In this case you will not need to press the Enter key
Step 7. Examine the average score of your GPU
To the right of the video card name is the associated score. In the ideal case, the score of the test performed on your computer should be equal to or higher than that indicated on the page in question.
- For example, if your GPU score is higher than that indicated on the Novabench website, it means that the device is above average.
- If the score achieved by your GPU is much lower than that indicated on the Novabench website, it means that you have performed the test with too many programs running or that the video card has problems.
Advice
- Video game users often confuse sound card issues with video card issues. While you are playing, try disabling the audio to see if the problem persists or goes away. If the problem is resolved, the cause is the computer sound card and not the video card.
- The causes of the problem you're blaming the video card for could actually be the monitor or connecting cables. Try connecting your computer to a different monitor or using different cables to undoubtedly pinpoint the cause of the problem.
- If you noticed that your computer's graphics card was overheating during testing, check that the cooling system fans are not clogged with dust. If the fans are clean, try taking your computer to a repair center where they can examine the video card and fix the problem.
- Other programs widely used by users to test the performance of their GPUs include Unigine Heaven and CPU-Z. To get a more complete report regarding the status of your video card you could also use one of the two programs indicated in addition to Novabench.
- The appearance of problems related to the computer's video card could be a symptom of the need to update its drivers.
