[SOLVED] Games crashing but now sure how to diagnose the problem

[KieranSmithy]

I have recently been having an issue where games with high intensity graphics (like 3D shooters such as Far Cry 5 or Modern Warfare) keep crashing, usually with a DirectX error or a Display Error. My GPU is a GTX1070 and it's only a few months old. Might this be a problem with any other component in my PC?

Cheers

 

[puw2]

When you installed your new gpu did you DDU before installing the drivers for your 1070?
Could also be an unstable overclock in your gpu if one is applied but seems like a driver issue to me.

 

[KieranSmithy]

When you installed your new gpu did you DDU before installing the drivers for your 1070?
Could also be an unstable overclock in your gpu if one is applied but seems like a driver issue to me.

When I installed the new GPU, I reinstalled Windows 10 fresh, I don't know if that removes old drivers at all. The card worked perfectly until recently a few months after buying it until it suddenly started playing up and crashing my games. Yesterday I ran a DDU and still my games crash.

Just FYI, I can still play less GPU heavy games like Terraria, Factorio, etc...

Cheers

 

[puw2]

What PSU do you have? manifactuer, model and age

 

[KieranSmithy]

What PSU do you have? manifactuer, model and age

I have a EVGA NEX750G. About 4 years old.

Just to add, my previous graphics card (AMD R9 Fury) just kinda broke one day, that's why I got a new one (the GTX 1070). My computer would turn on, the fans would spin on the GPU and the lights would work and my monitor was connected, didn't lose signal, but the screen was just black. I couldn't fix it, do you think maybe that was relevant to this issue?

 

[gamenadez]

Then RMA it.

 

[KieranSmithy]

Then RMA it.

Why would I do that when it might be something else in my PC or might be resolvable. Plus it'd take weeks to RMA it.

 

[gamenadez]

Why would I do that when it might be something else in my PC or might be resolvable. Plus it'd take weeks to RMA it.

Then try to mess with your ram. remove one stick and play, if it crash, remove the stick and insert other one.. and if it crash then go back to other windows like 7. If it crash then its video card.

 

[KieranSmithy]

Then try to mess with your ram. remove one stick and play, if it crash, remove the stick and insert other one.. and if it crash then go back to other windows like 7. If it crash then its video card.

I have tried swapping out my RAM.

Could I install another version of Windows on a virtual machine and test it there or would that not work?

 

[KieranSmithy]

Do you think resetting my motherboard or something would help?

 

[gamenadez]

Do you think resetting my motherboard or something would help?

No, unless you did mess up with bios before this thing happened.

I have tried swapping out my RAM.

Could I install another version of Windows on a virtual machine and test it there or would that not work?

Dont really know, but dont think you will get same result.
but if you have any 250gb spare ssd. just install win7/win8 *as long its not your win10. on that one and lunch the game from your main drive.

 

[geofelt]

What might have changed since all was well?

Double check that the psu connectors to the graphics card are still securely inserted.

Under load, a graphics card will draw added power.
I suspect a problem with the psu.
See if you can't test with a known good psu of sufficient power,
That would be a 500w unit at least.

 

[KieranSmithy]

What might have changed since all was well?

Double check that the psu connectors to the graphics card are still securely inserted.

Under load, a graphics card will draw added power.
I suspect a problem with the psu.
See if you can't test with a known good psu of sufficient power,
That would be a 500w unit at least.

Thank you for the advise, however I do not own another PSU. Is there another way I might be able to test it?

As for the PSU cables, the GPU takes one 8-pin connector, my PSU has two so I tried connecting the other one instead but the problem persists.

Would underclocking my GPU be a fair test?

 

[geofelt]

PSU testers are useful only to confirm a dead psu; they do not test for proper functioning.

It would seem that the problem is either the PSU or the graphics card.
Unfortunately, the only way we diagnose hardware issues is by inspired swapping of parts.

Even good quality parts can fail.
Since your GTX1070 is still under warranty, pursue a rma.
Perhaps you can arrange to give a credit card and get delivery of a replacement so you are not out of business for a couple of weeks. When you return the old unit, the credit charge is removed.

If you have a convenient repair shop, you could pay them to test a replacement psu or graphics card.

If it still seems like the psu is at fault, and you can not borrow a replacement to test, buy a new psu.
Use a shop with a good return policy. Expect to pay a 15% restocking fee if you return it.

Underclocking your card might show something, but I don't know what.
It would not hurt to try.
Assume all runs well, would that tell you if the problem was the psu or the gpu?
Or, would you be satisfied to continue running at reduced performance?

 

[KieranSmithy]

PSU testers are useful only to confirm a dead psu; they do not test for proper functioning.

It would seem that the problem is either the PSU or the graphics card.
Unfortunately, the only way we diagnose hardware issues is by inspired swapping of parts.

Even good quality parts can fail.
Since your GTX1070 is still under warranty, pursue a rma.
Perhaps you can arrange to give a credit card and get delivery of a replacement so you are not out of business for a couple of weeks. When you return the old unit, the credit charge is removed.

If you have a convenient repair shop, you could pay them to test a replacement psu or graphics card.

If it still seems like the psu is at fault, and you can not borrow a replacement to test, buy a new psu.
Use a shop with a good return policy. Expect to pay a 15% restocking fee if you return it.

Underclocking your card might show something, but I don't know what.
It would not hurt to try.
Assume all runs well, would that tell you if the problem was the psu or the gpu?
Or, would you be satisfied to continue running at reduced performance?

So I dialled back my GPU's power consumption to 75% and now all my games work... this is kinda strange. What do you guys think could be at fault here, my GPU or PSU?

Cheers

 

[geofelt]

So I dialled back my GPU's power consumption to 75% and now all my games work... this is kinda strange. What do you guys think could be at fault here, my GPU or PSU?

Cheers

Short answer... yes.
Longer answer... it still could be either.
My bet is on the psu.