Yes, absolutely, GPUs do have a lifespan. Wondering how long the GPU should last you? You are not alone because the actual answer is usually quite vague, depending on the source.
Whether you’re thinking about the GPU’s age or wondering how long before it became inferior technology, we’ve got you hidden with this quick guide.
- Average GPU Lifespan
- Symptoms of a Dying GPU
- How to Check Your GPU’s Health
- How to Keep Your GPU Healthy
- Which GPUS Last the Longest?
- Will Overclocking Impact GPU Lifespan?
- Is Used GPUs Worth It?
1. What is the Average GPU Lifespan
As a rule, the average age of a GPU can be around 5 years with high usage or up to 7+ years with moderate use.
High-demand gaming wears on cards more than normal computing. The biggest problem is the obsolete, inferior technology of the GPU, which can happen in 3-5 years.
For how many years? “Sorry, guy, but I’ve got it!” is the only message that shows up from your GPU.
Not, but there are some signs (we’ll tell you about them in the next section) that will start to appear when your system is about to end.
Often, getting old and obsolete is a bigger problem than a complete GPU failure.
Five years is a long time to develop the tech industry (especially gaming) and technology. To show you how big this space can be, think of the graphics from Dragon Age: Inquisition (2014) to Red Dead Redemption (2018). While Dragon Age:
- Inquisition is a beautiful game with some charming effects.
- The characters are a bit wooden.
- The facial features are a bit flat.
- The animation animations look pretty “video game.”
It’s easy to line up love with the world and characters of Red Dead Redemption 2 because of how lifelike they can be.
They walk, talk, and move like real people. The graphical differences between these two ideal games are so great that you will be amazed that a GPU can handle this leap.
Considering these simple comparisons and the GPUs that run them, it should make more sense to understand that GPUs often hit their limits sooner rather than later.
2. Symptoms of a Dying GPU
A dying GPU shows up slowly instead of showing negative symptoms simultaneously. It starts small, like one or two glitches in a game that went smoothly, but eventually, things worsen.
Color glitches on your home screen, tearing of the screen in the game, overheating of the fans, etc. The whole system may start to run slower than you used to.
When things reach Defcon 1, you’ll hear the beeping as you reboot your computer, with error codes flashing across the screen. Computers usually tell you when something goes wrong, and your GPU is happy to say it to you.
So, you seem to have a dying GPU; what can you do? Is anyone ok Do you buy a new one? There are absolutely ways to fix a GPU and improve its health, so even if you start to see some of these annoying symptoms, it doesn’t always mean all hope is gone.
3. How to Check Your GPU’s Health
As much as we weep the loss of something as delicate and expensive as a desktop, we need to check the motherboard to see our problem.
Typically, a motherboard displays code in the upper right corner of the board, so if you’re having a GPU issue with computer-run error codes, you should also look for a legend here.
From here, you need to consult the physical or online motherboard manual, and if it says it is a graphics error, it may terminate your GPU.
If you have installed the card, check to see if there is any damage to your card. If there is any damage to your card, it can cause incredibly rapid overheating, and if you have this problem, you can significantly shorten the 5-year timeline. If all else fails, get ideas from others.
4. How to Keep Your GPU Healthy
Despite the limited age of all GPUs, there are ways to ensure you get the most bang for your buck.
The best way to maintain your GPU healthy without disconnecting your PC and constantly checking it (which no one wants to do) is to update the drivers. We know this can be scary, but it’s the easiest thing you can do as a PC owner.
As a gamer, your best friend might be a program like GeForce Experience. This NVIDIA program automatically finds you the latest game drivers whenever you play a game.
Start the GeForce Experience and check out the most up-to-date drivers if you’re starting a new game. They will be installed spontaneously, and you will not have to worry about this front.
5. Which GPUS Last the Longest?
Unfortunately, most GPU models do not guarantee how long they will last, as no manufacturer can ensure that the card will survive as long as a particular user accompanies it.
Will treat Warranties are a great starting point, but normal GPUs will almost always last longer than the warranty window.
For example, if you are overclocking like crazy, you will roast your GPU too long ago, and it will be useless to guarantee any length. As a result, Unlimited GPUs will be returned for warranty.
6. Will Overclocking Impact GPU Lifespan?
The age of the GPU should not be significantly adversely affected if properly overclocked, and the card is already in good health.
Although it used to be a bit of a death sentence for the longevity of GPUs, many people now develop a cooling system that will keep the temperature level as high as possible. It reduces the stress that overclocking puts on the GPU.
Final Thought
Graphics cards are only three to five years old. However, you can significantly reduce their age if you overheat or overheat them.
You can extend the life of your graphics card by keeping it clean and cool and using the settings recommended for it.
Related Article:
Why Does Bitcoin Mining Require Use Of a GPU? (How is it even “mined”? Explained)