Graphics card failing?

[Optiker]

Computer is an older (>5years) Alienware desktop. Graphics card is GeForce 8500. Symptoms include: freezing, needing power off shutdown; magenta glitches across whole display; eventually wouldn't complete boot into normal Windows; Windows safe mode boots, but magenta glitches all over whole screen; Linux boots, but whole screen magenta with no discernible content; boot text is messed up (gaps in text and missing characters).

Tested with different monitor with same result. Pulled, cleaned and re-installed card with same result.

Question #1 - does all of this indicate a graphics card failure? Is it possible it's something else, and if so, how can I find out what is causing it?

Question #2 - assuming it is a failed graphics card, should I replace with the same card or another? What cards would be compatible, and of those, what might be a good choice given that for a computer that old, I'd rather not spend a lot knowing that I may upgrade to a new computer in the next 12 months?

Question #3 - supplier for best price/service to buy a replacement card?

Thanks!
Optiker

[SoloCamo]

Hello and welcome to TechIMO!

Yes, those all sound like clear indicitations of a gpu failure. However, a few more things to confirm here. Is there a fan on that gpu? If so, does it spin up (aka it it overheating?).

Next up, are there multiple outputs from the gpu that you can test with, or only one?

Can you try the gpu in another pc?

What are you full system specifcations, including power supply make and model? If this is a prebuilt (think dell, hp, etc.) what is the model of the pc?

Lastly, what country are you from and how much are you looking to spend?

[Optiker]

Fan spins.

Other output gives nothing.

No, no other compatible computer to try gpu.

System config, pardon the irrelevant stuff, but just pasted from config list:
Alienware AREA 51
FULL-TOWER SILVER CASE 1.5
ABIT AA8XE 925XE MB
P4 3.2JGHZ 1MB 800FSB LGA775
CRUCIAL 512MB DDR2 PC4200
BARRACUDA 160GB 8MB CACHE SERIAL ATA WITH NCQ HD
LITE-ON 52/36/52 DVD/CD-RW COMBO DRIVE BLACK REV.1
1.44MB FLOPPY DRIVE BLACK
INTEL INTEGRATED HIGH-DEFINITION AUDIO
EVGA NVIDIA GEFORCE 6800 GT 256MB PCIE
ALIENWARE MOUSE PAD
MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP HOME INTEL RECOVERY CD REV 1.4
MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP HOME COA
ALIENWARE AREA-51 SUPPORT CD VERSION 1.1
ALIENGUISE DARKSTAR INSTALLER
NERO EXPRESS CD WITH NERO VISION EXPRESS SOFTWARE V6.0.0.16C
CYBERLINK POWERDVD 8 CHANNEL 7.1 XP
ALIENWARE CORE MANUAL
OWNER IDENTIFICATION CARD
ENERMAX EG465P-VE 24P ATX 1.3 460WATT POWER SUPPLY
DUAL COLD CATHODE BLUE LIGHT KIT
BLUE LED ALIENHEAD
VANTEC 80MM STEALTH CHASSIS FAN1 |
ALIENWARE ACOUSTIC PADDING FOR DESKTOPS
VANTEC 120MM STEALTH CHASSIS FAN
GFX CK03-1225 DUAL SLOT CARD KEEPER
CUSTOMER SUPPORT WRTY DESKTOP 90 DAY
MULTIMEDIA KEYBOARD CONSPIRACY BLUE
NO MONITOR OPTION
PERIPHERALS
RAZER DIAMONDBACK GAMING MOUSE
MICROSOFT OFFICE 2003 SMALL BUSINESS

There have been some changes, like adding another HD, removing the floppy drive, but nothing very significant.

Country is USA. I'd like to stay under

Incidentally, FWIW, this system was purchased in July, 2005, so is way past due for replacement, but still serves its purpose.

Thanks!
Optiker