Question GPU dead?

Apr 30, 2025
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Hi,
Specs:
GPU gtx 970 4gb
CPU i5 11400k
Ram 24gb ddr4 2400
Monitor 1080p
1000w PSU
Windows 11

So recently my partners pc was freezing for 1/2 a second and then continues running. It's only used for playing games like valorant, league and stardew valley. Because of this I put her GPU into the system above and still have the same problems. Every time I try to get into the bios it's just a white screen. Does this just mean the GPU is completely dead?
 
Welcome to the forums, newcomer!

What are the specs to your partner's PC? If the GPU works on her system with the stutter, try and open up GPU-Z and see if there are any zero(0)'s in some or most fields. As for the above specs, please pass on the specs to your partner's PC like so:
CPU:
CPU cooler:
Motherboard:
Ram:
SSD/HDD:
GPU:
PSU:
Chassis:
OS:
Monitor:
include the age of the PSU apart from it's make and model. BIOS version for your motherboard at this moment of time.
 
CPU: i5-11400f 2.6GHz
CPU cooler: low-profile smart cooling heatsink solution (came in pre built from Alienware)
Motherboard: R12 Intel Z490
Ram: 24gb ddr4 2400
SSD/HDD: 1tb SSD crucial
GPU: evga gtx 970 4gb (idle 50°c)
PSU: 1000w dark side of the moon
Chassis: R12 dark side of the moon
OS: windows 11
Monitor: Samsung 60hz 1080p 1920x1080

That's as much info as I have on the new system from the invoice for the pc. It was an old one I brought during lockdown. It was working as of 3 weeks ago. I am fairly sure its the GPU I just don't know if it's dead or not.

Gpuz has no 0 is any of the tabs, or boxes. Except in the sensor tab, 0% fan. The GPU has gone to 67°c without the fans turning on
 
I've used evga software to get the fans to spin now, the pc keeps freezing every couple seconds for a split second and then continues. When booting the screen is just white and won't go into the bios.
 
970 is quite old compared to the system, so I would also suspect the card. Sounds like you got someone who bought an Alienware to get a GPU, swapped it, and then sold the computer.

Simple way to confirm would be to install another GPU, since you have no integrated graphics to fall back on.

I would also try removing two of the memory sticks so that you end up with 16GB. Shouldn't be running at 2400 anyway, that is quite slow for 11th gen. The unmatched memory may be causing issues, but certainly is making the memory run slow. By this time DDR4 3200 was the defacto standard.