Dead GPU ?

[John__Titor]

Hey everyone,

So I put together my first computer last month, and it has been amazing. Everything went well during installation and for the past month I have been using it with zero issues. However, last night, while playing a lightweight game that I play all the time (Warcraft III) my computer froze, the speakers emitted a horrible screech and then the monitor went into sleep mode. It could not detect any video output from my computer.

The monitor is fine, I tried it with my laptop and it still works. I switched from DVI-D cable to HDMI cable and no response. I then tried plugging directly into the motherboard and not the GPU but there is no display, presumably because Ryzen 5 has no IGPU (Although I expected it might be able to get me to the BIOS screen). The temps on my 1070 were only around 48C when I had last checked when I started playing the game, so there is no way it overheated.

The strongest indicator to me that this is a dead GPU is because all my other peripherals work fine. Mouse, keyboard, speakers are all functioning. With the right motions, I can even log into Windows without display and hear the welcoming chime! If the periphs are working, surely the motherboard is functioning, but maybe the PCI-E slot died? I am working on getting a hold of another GPU to check, but my friend is out of town this week so that may take a while.

So do you folks think this is 99% a dead GPU and I should just start the RMA process or are there any other issues that come to mind?

System Specs:
Ryzen 5 1600 (stock)
G.Skill Ripjaws V 3200 16GB (running stock at 2133)
Asrock AB350 Pro4
ADATA SU800 512GB
Zotac Mini GTX 1070 (stock)
EVGA G3 650W

As you can see, I haven't even screwed around with anything, been a very busy month for me! I hope you guys can help me, cheers!

 

[kaptainkuftic]

Could be a PSU problem. Try a different PCIe slot for sure, but if you have another PSU, give that a whirl

 

[John__Titor]

Could be a PSU problem. Try a different PCIe slot for sure, but if you have another PSU, give that a whirl

I don't have another PSU unfortunately. Why do you think it might be a PSU problem?

I will change the slot later tonight when I get my toolkit. Right now i'm in the process of moving so everything is a mess 🙁

 

[kaptainkuftic]

Fair enough, been there too many times and know your pain. haha

I think it could be PSU because PSU problems manifest in strange ways, although the only real reliable way to test a PSU is to put it in a different system where everything else definitely works, or to rule everything else out. So I have no real way of knowing, I just know that it's a possibility. Certainly wouldn't be the weirdest way I've seen a PSU fail

 

[John__Titor]

Unfortunately I don't think I will be able to get a hold of another PSU. I am kind if relying on the fact that G3 is an amazing quality product, even though I know some of them can still be duds, it seems quite unlikely. I will change the PCIe slot when I get my tools and report back... But in the meantime I guess I want to know if this has the symptoms of GPU failure? Could this possibly be a software problem with my video drivers? Without any display, it's impossible for me to check. This is probably the one time I wish I went Intel for that IGPU 😛

 

[madmatt30]

Software driver error ??
No definitely not , you'd still get bios display etc.

As said try the bottom PCI express slot , if still no display RMA the card.

I'm nor sure what you mean by tools ??
All you need is a cross head screwdriver.

 

[kaptainkuftic]

Definitely do that, couldn't hurt at this point.

You do have symptoms that make me think you have a graphics issue, namely the lock up (and noise) and the inability to boot. Unfortunately, the lock up , noise, and boot problems could also be RAM related. So after changing PCIe slots, try moving the RAM to a different channel. If they are in the 1st and 3rd slots from the left, for example, move them to the 2nd and 4th. If nothing changes, try each stick individually in the first slot, then the second.

Basically, the symptoms you have are comparable to having a headache and dry throat. They're not unique enough to any one problem to isolate a cause.

Sorry if that all was a little hard to follow. It was kind of 'stream of conscious' like. haha

 

[John__Titor]

Ok thanks guys. I will try the other PCIe slot then reseat the RAM if that doesn't work. My toolkit has my screwdriver, and it is still at my old place 🙁