How to detect is the GPU has been replaced?

Hello,

Not exactly sure what you mean by "credentials".  You mean your Windows password, etc?  The system may have found the updated driver without anyone needing to manually download and install the driver.  Have you gone into your Device Driver and looked to see whether there is a yellow exclamation point, or other warning, on the driver listed for the system?   

The technician may have replaced that failed GPU with the same model, but different version, so depending on what you're using to see it's specs it may simply show as the same.

I guess best way to answer your question is "Are you having the same problem with the GPU you were before"?  If not, then its probably a new card.  

Todd

It'll depend on the system model - some of these are not on cards, but rather part of the mainboard.

nVidia never redesigned these - they all use the same design (and they're all defective in design).

Laptop Dell XPS m1530, the GPU chip is integrated in the mainboard (not a separately card).

It's part of the mainboard - if you had the GPU replaced, it means the mainboard was most likely replaced. 

Unfortunately, all of these chips have a known design fault and have had a very high field-failure rate.  Given that they're all on the order of 6-8 years old, they're all on borrowed time.

Thanks for your answer.

By credentials, I meant Windows login password. So apparently, the technician assembled the new GPU chip without having to login in Windows to install drivers. Is that possible? He just replace the GPU and thats all?

The problem I was facing was about the known overheating issue with the NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT chip, so the laptop won't boot up (black screen was shown). I managed to temporarily fix it by blowing hot air straight on the GPU. After that, the laptop boot up with no issues. As it was dirty/temporarily fix I decided to replace the GPU. Right now Im just not sure if the technician really replace it or didn't as laptop was booting up. I took notes of my "damaged" GPU chip specs using Everest program and after getting back the laptop I cross-check those specs with the "newest" ones but all specs, rev number, everything looks the same, that's why I have the suspect.

Technician just said about replacing the GPU chip (which costs me around 140 EUR), but did not say a word about the motherboard. So either he managed to replace chip without changing the whole motherboard (which I guess it's more expensive), or he lied at all and did not change nothing. 

So the question is still the same, how can I assure me that he actually replace the chip? Specs from Everest program are exactly the same as "previous" chip. Guarantee is just three months which likely will not be enough to detect if problem happens again

It is possible, with micro-soldering, to replace just the GPU.  However, as above, all of the 8400GS and 8600GT chips share the same design flaw (the material used to make the chips can't stand up to the thermal cyclingn in normal use), and nVidia never changed that.

For repairs, 90 days is standard.  If the chip was indeed replaced, at least you know it is new -- assuming it wasn't pulled from another system (again, you'll have to ask the technician about that), and if so, you should get a decent lifespan from it.  Remember, the entire system is well beyond its expected lifespan - no one will guarantee more than 90 days for any repair done to it.    The mainboard itself is somewhere between 6-8 years old -- and they're designed for a 3-year life cycle.

You may get more than 90 days' use from the system - but consider this the last repair (the $200 or so you spent on the repair is more than the system is worth on the used market).

Hi,

Dell On-site techs aren't going to micro-solder a GPU to a motherboard.   If you have questions as to the work actually performed I would recommend contacting Dell Tech Support, the group that set up the service, and request they review the work notes on the service, provided by the on-site tech.

Todd

Well, I never said it was done by a Dell On-site tech and the question was not about the work performed but about how to verify if a new GPU chip has been replaced and if new drivers setup is needed.

Alright, thanks for clarifying the drivers part :)

As per "asking to the tech" about the credibility of his work, I know what his answer is going to be, as I cannot imagine he would say he did not touch the GPU but took the money. And yes, laptop is working now, but I also managed to temporary fix it before the replacement.

Anyway, thanks a lot for you help,

Best

It's unlikely this would have been done by Dell - I doubt they'd even touch a system of this age.