Problem With My Graphics Card (I think?)

[jester58th]

Disclaimer, I have fairly low technical skill/knowledge so apologies if I don't explain things well.

My PC displays (a MAG274QRF-QD and a BenQ xl2411t) have started shutting off when playing some (mostly newer) games on high settings (optimal 1440p settings on geforce experience or auto detected settings). They start OK then quickly the fans seem to crank up to maximum and after 5-30 minutes the displays go blank with a "No Signal" message on both. Sometimes I still hear the gamesound continuing, sometimes it stops, either way the fans are still running at max and I have to hold the power button to shutdown then restart the system.
I've noticed on iCUE that the GPU Temp#1 never changes from 35c and the Temp#2 goes to 100c-105c

I'm sure this is nowhere near enough information to be useful, so let me know what else to do (nothing too scarey/complex please)

Thanks in advance


Case
FRACTAL MESHIFY 2 LIGHT TEMPERED GLASS
Processor (CPU)
Intel® Core™ i7 12-Core Processor i7-12700K (3.6GHz) 25MB Cache
Motherboard
ASUS® TUF GAMING Z690-PLUS WIFI D4 (LGA1700, USB 3.2, PCIe 5.0) - ARGB Ready
Memory (RAM)
32GB Corsair VENGEANCE RGB PRO DDR4 3600MHz (2 x 16GB)
Graphics Card
8GB NVIDIA GEFORCE RTX 3070 - HDMI, DP, LHR
1st M.2 SSD Drive
500GB SEAGATE FIRECUDA 530 GEN 4 PCIe NVMe (up to 7000MB/R, 3000MB/W)
1st M.2 SSD Drive
2TB INTEL® 670p M.2 NVMe PCIe SSD (up to 3500MB/sR | 2700MB/sW)
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
1st Storage Drive
2TB SEAGATE BARRACUDA SATA-III 3.5" HDD, 6GB/s, 7200RPM, 256MB CACHE
Power Supply
CORSAIR 1000W RMx SERIES™ MODULAR 80 PLUS GOLD, ULTRA QUIET
Power Cable
1 x 1.5 Metre UK Power Cable (Kettle Lead)
Processor Cooling
CORSAIR iCUE H150i ELITE CAPELLIX RGB Hydro Series High Performance CPU Cooler
Thermal Paste
STANDARD THERMAL PASTE FOR SUFFICIENT COOLING
Sound Card
ONBOARD 6 CHANNEL (5.1) HIGH DEF AUDIO (AS STANDARD)
Network Card
10/100/1000 GIGABIT LAN PORT
USB/Thunderbolt Options
MIN. 2 x USB 3.0 & 2 x USB 2.0 PORTS @ BACK PANEL + MIN. 2 FRONT PORTS
Operating System
Windows 11 Home 64 Bit - inc. Single Licence [KUK-00003]
Operating System Language
United Kingdom - English Language
Windows Recovery Media
Windows 10/11 Multi-Language Recovery Image - Unlimited Downloads from Online Account
Office Software
FREE 30 Day Trial of Microsoft 365® (Operating System Required)
Anti-Virus
NO ANTI-VIRUS SOFTWARE
Browser
Firefox™
Warranty
3 Year Silver Warranty (1 Year Collect & Return, 1 Year Parts, 3 Year Labour)

 

[SpyderTracks]

What gpu model do you have? You can use GPUz lookup button to get the exact model

TechPowerUp

GPU-Z is a lightweight system utility designed to provide vital information about your video card and graphics processor.

www.techpowerup.com

 

[jester58th]

This is what came up, looks like mine.

https://www.techpowerup.com/gpu-specs/gigabyte-rtx-3070-gaming-oc-rev-2-0.b9142

 

[Scott]

Do you have 3DMark? Just to run a firestrike and post the link up. The 105C sounds like the issue, but wondering if it relates to the CPU rather than the GPU.

Can you install HWMonitor, open it up and post up what the CPU & GPU temps are at idle. Play a game for a few minutes then report those additional figures?

 

[jester58th]

Installed HWMonitor and took screenshots of the results
First is after 5 minutes idle with just Firefox open.
Second is with Assassins Creed Valhalla (just because it's the latest game I bought) running @1440p per the settings from DeForce Experience, after 5 minutes.

I don't have 3DMark, but downloaded the free version which can only run the Timespy benchmark. I tried it and after about 5 seconds both displays shut off and all the fans sounded like they were at maximum

 

[Scott]

Yeah, it's definitely the GPU IMO. How long have you had the build? Is it still within warranty? I would contact PCS regarding it as the GPU would likely be within warranty on its own, even possibly outside over the overall warranty.

It's possibly just down to the TIM on the GPU chip, but this isn't something you would typically need to maintain so seems like an issue to me.

Are all the fans functioning on the GPU? Are they all ramping up and down in unison?

 

[Scott]

Oh, one last thing to consider. Have you overclocked either the CPU or the GPU? If so, this can degrade the chip and a reduction can be required over time.

 

[jester58th]

Bought the system in late Jan '22 and, according to the graphs on iCUE, the GPU fans are in unison.
The only thing I've just noticed is that iCUE and HWMonitor only lists two fans and the picture of my GPU model has three fans (they are face down in the system so I've never seen them). Could this mean that a fan isn't working or would it just show as speed zero?
Also, I've not overclocked anything (wouldn't know where to begin and wouldn't even think about trying it )

 

[Scott]

What I mean is.... physically look. Use your phone to record them if you have difficulty seeing. It's just to try and assess if it's likely the TIM or the fans themselves.

Check the physical condition of the fans also to ensure they look OK

 

[jester58th]

Took a bit of contorting, but managed to look and use my phone to check the fans. Three fans all spinning the same (or so it seems to me). Turned the system off and re-checked, they all looked the same (no obvious damage or dust buildup).
So it looks like it needs a call to PCS to see if the card is still under warranty then? (It's been 17 months so I'm betting not )

 

[Scott]

If you had bought the card I would guess a 5yr warranty would be in play. I would ask the query from that direction, as much as the system is warrantied for the year, the individual component could possibly have an extension.

 

[jester58th]

Good to know, cheers.
Thank you for all your help and patience Scott, here's hoping the gods are smiling on me 🤞😇

 

[B4zookaw]

Bought the system in late Jan '22 and, according to the graphs on iCUE, the GPU fans are in unison.
The only thing I've just noticed is that iCUE and HWMonitor only lists two fans and the picture of my GPU model has three fans (they are face down in the system so I've never seen them). Could this mean that a fan isn't working or would it just show as speed zero?
Also, I've not overclocked anything (wouldn't know where to begin and wouldn't even think about trying it )

Typically on 3 fan cards, 2 fans are linked to a header on the GPU and the third to a second, so while it appears in fan controls as Fan 1 and Fan 2, Fan 1 is actually controlling two fans, usually the outer ones, and Fan 2 controls the third (middle one). So totally normal what you're seeing

 

[jester58th]

Thanks for the information B4zookaw, I get smarter every time I come here

 

[B4zookaw]

Thanks for the information B4zookaw, I get smarter every time I come here

Nah, you're the same level of smartness, you just learn more

 

[jester58th]

Update:

Good News
Rang PCS, spoke to a very helpful chap called Peter who told me my card is still under manuacturers warranty, Yippee!

Bad News
I have to remove the card to send it back (I know you all know it's easy, but I have anxiety issues, crippling self-doubt and an ovewhelming fear that even just opening the case will somehow cause my whole system/house/street to simply explode )

Good News
I removed the card and nothing bad happened ("This time, but wait 'till you have to refit it...💣" says my anxiety)

Bad News
It's going to take about 6-8 weeks 😭

Good News
This should mean I'll be back up and running for Starfield 🥳

Bad News
No gaming for TWO MONTHS?! I just bought the complete AC Valhalla! 🤪

Good News
Plugged into onboard graphics so at least I can use my PC and tentatively opened up Destiny 2 (my go-to long term game) on the lowest settings and stupid low resolution and it started. Didn't try actually playing yet (fear again) but at the very least I won't miss out on weekly Eververse store changes. 😌

So, the card is winging its way to sunny Wakefield, my blood pressure and heart rate are getting back to normal and I'm going to spend the evening quaffing a few pints of Guinness and more than a few tots of Jamesons, but I'll be sure to raise a glass to Peter and the fine folk here on the PCS forum who never fail to help an old fool like me every time I need it. Sláinte.

“May your glass be ever full. May the roof over your head be always strong. And may you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead.”

(I'm Batman 🦇)

 

[Scott]

That sounds like a very successful day with all told

Just to draw a line under everything. Can you try some intensive gaming and some benchmarking as per the previous checks. Just to underline that it's the GPU that's the culprit. It'll be an anxious few minutes but at least you'll know categorically that you'll have a functioning PC in 6-8 weeks

 

[jester58th]

I ran the 3DMark demo (Time Spy) again, even though it was only getting 4-5fps temps were good/steady and the fans didn't even ramp up. Considering the last time with my GPU connected it crashed after 3 seconds, thats a good sign, right? 😟
I started up AC Valhalla using the same settings as last time for 10 minutes, again only got 5-6fps but temps didn't rise much and the fans were quiet. 🤞
(Plus I played Destiny 2 on medium/30fps for half an hour with no problems, so I can still scratch my gaming itch for the next couple of months 🎉)

So, hopefully, I guess I can tentatively say with more certainty that it was the GPU causing the problem? 🙏😰

 

[Scott]

Yip, that's what I would be looking for. 99% sure it's a temp issue on the GPU.

 

[Steveyg]

6-8 Weeks seems excessive for a GPU replacement in my opinion, that's wild