Question Display Issues with GPU - Need Help Diagnosing

[microwave1025]

Hello everyone,

I'm facing a frustrating problem with my PC and I'm hoping someone here can help me out.

Issue:A couple of days ago, my screen went black while playing CS2, but the sound kept playing and all LEDs and fans were still running. After shutting down and restarting, I got a "No input detected" message.

Steps I’ve Taken:

1. Switched to Integrated Graphics: I connected my HDMI to the motherboard's port (using the integrated graphics) while leaving the GPU in place. This led to frequent blackouts and restarts.
2. Removed the GPU: With the GPU removed, the system worked fine.
3. Driver Uninstallation and Reinstallation:
   • Used DDU to uninstall the NVIDIA drivers.
   • Performed a clean installation of NVIDIA drivers.
4. Checked BIOS: When I rebooted into BIOS with the HDMI connected to the motherboard and the GPU still installed, the GPU wasn't detected.
5. Reseated the GPU: I reseated the GPU and repeatedly tried uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers. Sometimes, the GPU was detected, and I could use the PC for a few hours before it crashed again.

Observed Problems:

• Total blackout
• Total green screen
• Total bright purple screen

When the GPU was detected, I tried shaking it slightly to check for loose PCIe slots or improper seating, but there was no effect.

Current Situation:I'm currently using my PC with integrated graphics, and the GPU is removed.

System Specifications:​

• CPU: i7 6700k
• GPU: GTX 1070 DDR5 8gb
• Motherboard: MSI Z170A
• RAM: 32gb RAM 3600Mhz
• PSU: beQuiet! Straight Power 10 cm 80+ 500W

Questions:​

1. Is this more likely a GPU failure or a motherboard issue?
2. Are there any additional troubleshooting steps I should take?
3. How can I definitively determine if the issue lies with the GPU or the motherboard?

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

[JohnBonhamsGhost]

System Specifications:​

• CPU: [Your CPU Model]
• GPU: [Your GPU Model]
• Motherboard: [Your Motherboard Model]
• RAM: [Your RAM Amount and Model]
• PSU: [Your PSU Model and Wattage]

actually include the information

 

[Aeacus]

• CPU: [Your CPU Model]
• GPU: [Your GPU Model]
• Motherboard: [Your Motherboard Model]
• RAM: [Your RAM Amount and Model]
• PSU: [Your PSU Model and Wattage]

What the sys specs really are?

Is this more likely a GPU failure or a motherboard issue?

Most likely GPU gave up a ghost. If it were MoBo issue, you couldn't boot to OS even.

Are there any additional troubleshooting steps I should take?

How can I definitively determine if the issue lies with the GPU or the motherboard?

Try with 2nd, known to work GPU. With this, you can rule out MoBo PCI-E x16 slot being the issue.

 

[microwave1025]

actually include the information

My bad, I asked gpt to reformat my question. Here's my pc specs:

• CPU: i7 6700k
• GPU: GTX 1070 DDR5 8gb
• Motherboard: MSI Z170A
• RAM: 32gb RAM 3600Mhz
• PSU: beQuiet! Straight Power 10 cm 80+ 500W

 

[microwave1025]

What the sys specs really are?


Most likely GPU gave up a ghost. If it were MoBo issue, you couldn't boot to OS even.


Try with 2nd, known to work GPU. With this, you can rule out MoBo PCI-E x16 slot being the issue.

My bad, I have asked GPT to reformat my question. So, here's the specs:

• CPU: i7 6700k
• GPU: GTX 1070 DDR5 8gb
• Motherboard: MSI Z170A
• RAM: 32gb RAM 3600Mhz
• PSU: beQuiet! Straight Power 10 cm 80+ 500W

The reason I suspected a MoBo issues is that the audio and graphics driver on my integrated graphics doesnt seem to work very well as well. There's audio stuttering here and there and the screen switches off and on frequently. With that said, I will get my hands on a new GPU to test the PCIE slot. A new PSU is on its way too, so that I can test the PSU too, because the one I am currently using is 7 years old. Maybe the PSU isn't providing sufficient wattage. If PSU ain't the issue, I will return it.

 

[Aeacus]

Motherboard: MSI Z170A

MSI Z170A Gaming M5?
This beauty? Specs: https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z170A-GAMING-M5/Specification

If so, then i have the very same MoBo in use with my PC. (If interested, Skylake build, full specs with pics in my sig.)

A new PSU is on its way too, so that I can test the PSU too, because the one I am currently using is 7 years old.

Mediocre quality PSU and due to the age, probably already past it's usefulness. So, do try with new PSU.
Btw, make and model of new PSU is?

The reason I suspected a MoBo issues is that the audio and graphics driver on my integrated graphics doesnt seem to work very well as well.

Hmm....

Does the same issues (iGPU audio and graphics) also happen in Safe Mode?

With that said, I will get my hands on a new GPU to test the PCIE slot.

Gaming M5 MoBo has 3x PCI-E x16 slots. Have you tried them all with your GTX 1070?

 

[js2]

You will need to check if there is a firmware update for the card

 

[Aeacus]

You will need to check if there is a firmware update for the card

You do realize that OP's GPU is ~8 years old, right?

Also, GTX 1070 did see few BIOS updates, but depending which SKU it is exactly, latest BIOS release was 6-8 years ago. So, it is highly unlikely that GPU BIOS is the issue.
If OP would have RTX 40-series GPU, then maybe, one can look if there is new BIOS for GPU. But for such an old GPU, BIOS flash won't do much good. Other than giving it a good chance to completely brick the GPU, IF the update should fail for whatever reason (just like when updating MoBo BIOS).


@microwave1025 , if you're willing, then all GTX 1070 BIOSes are listed here.
Link: https://www.techpowerup.com/vgabios...&version=&interface=&memType=&memSize=&since=

Make sure to select the proper model that matches yours.
But i, personally, do not suggest updating GPU BIOS. Too high risk involved.

All the GPUs i've ever had, none have seen BIOS update. All have worked fine until obsoletion (replacement with better GPU).

To see which version BIOS you have, use GPU-Z to see it,
link: https://www.techpowerup.com/gpuz/

 

[microwave1025]

MSI Z170A Gaming M5?
This beauty? Specs: https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z170A-GAMING-M5/Specification

If so, then i have the very same MoBo in use with my PC. (If interested, Skylake build, full specs with pics in my sig.)


Mediocre quality PSU and due to the age, probably already past it's usefulness. So, do try with new PSU.
Btw, make and model of new PSU is?


Hmm....

Does the same issues (iGPU audio and graphics) also happen in Safe Mode?


Gaming M5 MoBo has 3x PCI-E x16 slots. Have you tried them all with your GTX 1070?

Mine is MSI Z170A Gaming M3.

New PSU(for testing, a better will be acquired if it is indeed the PSU problem): be quiet! System Power 9 500W cm, 80+ Bronze

The issues doesn't arise in Safe Mode.

For my MoBo, it has 2x PCI-E x16 slots. I have tried both, and its the same issue.

However, I have gotten a new HDMI cable today. It worked wonderfully until it crashes (Gray Screen, Dark Blue spots on the crashing screen). It only crashes when I am gaming though, right now while browsing, it works fine.

Here are my GPU-Z infos

PSU is on the way. I have updated the BIOS as well, before I saw your messages. It's still fine now. My 2x16gb RAM sticks are not the issue.

 

[scout_03]

did you try to connect to dvi or dp on to see if it does the same .

 

[microwave1025]

did you try to connect to dvi or dp on to see if it does the same .

No, I did not try. I should get one from amazon to try.

 

[microwave1025]

Update after new PSU:

I have switched the PSU. The problem still persist. Cable ain't the issue, as the new HDMI cable doesn't affect anything after many tries. PSU ain't the issue either. Unfortunately, my GPU is probably the issue.

The weird thing is, the display still ran perfectly after a few hours of not touching anything on the PC. GPU is not overheating while gaming (low 70 degrees celsius). Display is well for 30 minutes or so until it finally crashes, usually while gaming. The GPU fans kept running even when the PC successfully booted using iGPU and not under load. On the 30 minutes I had before it crashed, the fans are not spinning , if not under load.

On the matter of iGPU, after switching the HDMI cable, the screen did not switch off and on as frequent as it did with the old HDMI cable.

What I will do:
1. Get DVI cable.
2. Get a GPU for testing.