Desktop PC not booting correctly. Had insufficient cooling and does this sound like my GPU fried? Need to know because I'm going to Fry's after work to buy parts.

Was playing video games and then it froze and speakers started emitting ringing sound. Restart, Bios loads normally and get the option to start Windows 7 normally. I see the "Windows starting" screen, but once it goes to where you would see the desktop, the screen is completely blank despite having a DVI signal via the monitor.

If I boot it in safe mode, the desktop does load up.

Does this indicate that the GPU fried due to insufficient cooling? The card was REALLY hot when I pulled it out.

It's an old crappy Radeon so I'm not worried. I was going to go buy a new case, aftermarket cooling, and new GPU. Does this sound like this would solve the issue?

Sorry and thanks, I'm kinda' noob.