GPU test scores low: what should you check?

A low GPU test score can be worrying, especially if games or graphics apps also feel slow. But one browser score does not prove that your graphics chip is failing. Power limits, heat, browser settings, and other work running on your computer can all affect the result.

Use the Graphics Test to check shading power and fill rate at 1080p. It gives a score out of 100. The checks below can help you work out whether the result reflects your graphics hardware, your current setup, or a limit of browser testing.

Check the GPU test score

1. Open the Graphics Test on the computer you want to check.
2. Run the test once and note the score, shading result, and fill-rate result. Keep the computer plugged in if it is a laptop.
3. Close games, video streams, and other demanding apps, then run the test again. Avoid using the computer heavily while it runs.
4. If the score is still low, repeat the test after the computer has cooled and compare the results. Keep the browser, power source, screen setup, and other conditions the same.

Do not compare your score directly with a different computer unless the hardware and test conditions are similar. Browser version, operating system, power settings, and the graphics chip can all change the result.

What the result means

Both graphics results are low, but repeatable

The computer is consistently doing less work in this browser test than you expected. That could be normal for a low-power laptop, an older graphics chip, or a computer running in a power-saving mode. Check the fixes below before treating it as a hardware fault.

The score improves after closing other apps

Other work was taking time or graphics resources away from the test. A video playing in another tab, a game launcher, or a second graphics-heavy app can affect browser results. If the score is normal after closing them, the GPU may be working as expected.

The score falls after the computer warms up

Heat can cause a graphics chip or processor to slow down to stay within safe limits. A laptop on a blanket or with blocked vents may reach that point quickly. Let it cool, place it on a hard surface, and check for blocked vents before testing again.

The score is low in one browser only

The browser may be using software rendering instead of graphics acceleration, or its graphics support may differ from another browser's. Check the browser setting and compare results in a second updated browser. A browser test measures browser graphics work, not every game or graphics app. For more on this limit, see what a browser graphics score cannot tell you about VRAM.

The score is fine, but a game still runs slowly

The test does not reproduce every game workload. A game can be limited by its settings, processor, memory, storage, or a driver issue even when the browser score looks reasonable. Check the game's resolution and quality settings, and compare performance in that game rather than relying on one browser score.

How to fix a low GPU score

1. Close demanding apps and tabs. Quit games, video editors, streaming video, and other graphics-heavy work before testing. Keep the same browser tabs closed for each comparison.
2. Use a less restrictive power mode. In Windows 11, open Settings › System › Power & battery › Power mode and choose a performance-focused option if it is available. On a Mac laptop, open System Settings › Battery › Low Power Mode and turn it off for the test. Connect the laptop to its charger. These changes can increase power use and heat, so restore your usual setting afterward if you prefer it.
3. Give the computer room to cool. Put a laptop on a hard, flat surface and keep its vents clear. If it feels hot, let it cool before testing. Do not keep running repeated load tests on a computer that is overheating or shutting down.
4. Check that the browser uses graphics acceleration. In Chrome or Edge, open the browser settings and search for graphics acceleration. If the option is available, turn on Use graphics acceleration when available, then restart the browser. The exact menu location can vary by browser version. If graphics features appear unavailable, see how to check if your browser uses GPU acceleration.
5. Check the graphics preference in Windows. In Windows 11, open Settings › System › Display › Graphics. If your browser appears in the app list, open its options and choose High performance for a test. This may use more battery. macOS does not provide the same general per-app graphics selector, so use the charger and power settings above when available.
6. Update the browser and graphics driver. Install browser updates and restart the computer. On Windows 11, check Settings › Windows Update, including available optional driver updates. For a laptop, use the computer maker's graphics driver if it supplies one. On a Mac, check System Settings › General › Software Update.

When it may be a hardware problem

A low browser score alone cannot confirm a defective GPU. Take the problem more seriously if graphics glitches, colored blocks, freezes, or crashes also appear in several apps, especially after updates and a restart. If your computer has a separate graphics card, check that it is seated and powered correctly only if you are comfortable working inside the case and the warranty allows it.

For a laptop or a computer under warranty, save the test result and describe the symptoms to the manufacturer or repair shop. If problems happen in multiple applications and persist after software checks, professional diagnosis is a better next step than repeatedly stressing the computer with tests.

Why browser scores can vary

A browser test draws graphics through the browser's graphics system, which can differ from the path a game uses. The test's 1080p shading and fill-rate work is useful for comparing the same computer under similar conditions, but it does not inspect every part of the graphics card or measure exact game performance. A score is most useful as a baseline: repeat it after one change at a time, and keep the screen setup and power mode consistent.