Any risks in testing an 'abused' card in new computer?

Hardware Hub GPU
1

Hey guys, a long time lurker here with a dilemma with a new build.

The plan is to build a simple i5 2500k system running on intergrated graphics until I have the money for a new GPU, but here's the deal: I have a fairly 'abused' 8800gt laying around which I'm fairly sure, if working correctly, would perform better than the intergrated graphics.

Could I damage my new set-up by simply sticking it in and testing it out?

This card has been through some dodgy power supplys (I was young and foolish xD) and in being placed in the abomination that is my old PC. It would be very difficult to diagnose the true extent of any damage through the old machine. The fan works fine (although it runs a little hot) and the card is atleast recognised in my old machine.

Would there be any risks in giving it a test or should I just place it safe with the intel HD? My biggest worry is a bricking all this new hard-ware on a gamble.

Thanks.

2

i wouldnt run a damaged GPU, you never know if it could short out and wreck the system, if its been surged could be dangerous also, i suggest running the i5 2500k GPU some mobos have a GPU turbo technology installed my p8h61-m mobo does, but just stay safe and run the intergrated for now :)

3

Yeah I figured that would be the answer :P Thanks a lot :)

I imagine I'll be playing mostly Source games anyways which to my understanding are more CPU dependent

4

well, it could, but the chanses of it doing damage are slim ot none. (unless there is corrosion on the pci slot, wich could cause a short)

most of the time if a card gets damaged, its something internal.... or a component blows and causes an open. which would not damage the MB however, electronics are funny.... anything can happen.

5

For source games youl be fine with the GPU for now, not to sure on the highest but youl be fine :) 

6

I don't see any harm in running the card in your new system until you get a better GPU. I highly doubt anything would happen that would affect the rest of your components. The chances of that happening are very small.

7

I would say run it as well... as soon as you see any strange characters, lines, or discoloration then you may want to go to just onchip graphics but hopefully you will have replaced the card by the time that any of that would ever happen. And yes, an 8800GT will perform much better than onchip graphics on an i5 but you'll be limited to DX9/DX10 instead of  DX11. Dedicated graphics will always be better than onboard/onchip but bang for buck, intel has really stepped up their game.

8

Just clean the 8800 GT and stick it in there. If the card worked last time you used it, I don't see how it can damage the system more than any other graphics card could.

9

No harm in trying it, especially since you say it is recognised in another computer. Computers aren't as flimsy as some people make them out to be.