The First Power Up

Once it is completely assembled, every single graphics card is powered up, to ensure it's working properly. There are racks with open-air benches, where a finished graphics card is inserted, and the machine is powered on to check for display signal (the POST boot screen).


10% of these cards (representative of each manufacturing sub-batch), undergo more extensive testing lasting a 24-hour non-stop loop of Unigine Heaven and Furmark running simultaneously.


We were so proud to find TechPowerUp GPU-Z being used as part of the testing process, particularly its Sensors tab. TechPowerUp GPU-Z is a powerful and lightweight graphics sub-system information and real-time diagnostic utility that's loved by gamers, enthusiasts, and engineers in the industry alike.


There's yet another section of the testing floor, where specific models are tested over an extended period (say a year of non-stop stress), to see how graphics cards perform over time. This lets PowerColor anticipate warranty claims coming in toward the end of the 2-year warranty period of a product from its initial batch.


Graphics cards are not just tested for stability in the floor's ambient conditions, but also in autoclaves that simulate various temperature and humidity conditions, so PowerColor graphics cards can even be sold in humid, hot places in the Tropical clime.