GPU problems or something else?

[Big_Steve]

Howdy,
Earlier today, my display froze while I was playing a game. I restarted my computer and there was no signal to the monitor. Thinking it my graphics card, I slid it out then put it back in and I was getting display on my monitor. However, the display was gone when I reset and messing with the graphics card didn't produce any consistent results in showing a display. Several hours later, I booted up again and there was a display on my monitor, but it crashed (to a black screen) after under ten minutes of basically just chatting with people via Steam.

Sorry for the wall of text, but could this be a GPU problem? The fan still works, everything else appears to work, but I'm not 100% sure.

Thanks.

 

[sayantan]

This is a typical gpu problem.However post your full system specs along with name and model of your PSU.

 

[Big_Steve]

Should the GPU be replaced, then?

I can't really get the system specs all neat and ordered, but I'll list what's in there.

PSU is Corsair TX650 W.

GPU is EVGA GeForce GTX 285

(just quoting from my invoice at this point)

AMD Athlon II X4 630 Propus 2.8GHz Socket AM3 95W Quad-Core Processor ADX630WFGIBOX

GIGABYTE GA-MA770T-UD3P AM3 AMD 770 ATX AMD Motherboard

and 2x

Crucial 2GB 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Desktop Memory Model CT25664BA1339

Sorry for the long-form names. I'm a little mediocre with spouting off computer specs.

 

[sayantan]

Your system specs are fine.What is the error message or error ID did you get on blue screen?Did you see anything related to nVidia or your driver on blue screen??I'm mostly sure its a gpu problem but its better to verify first.

 

[Big_Steve]

I didn't get a blue screen, the monitor just stopped displaying anything so I haven't been able to see any error messages or error IDs. If it's relevant, I've seen messages along the line of "display driver has stopped responding and has recovered," but those messages have popped up few and far between and there were none leading up to the crash.

I definitely appreciate the help. I'm trying to verify that it's a gpu problem too and I wanted to see if this was a common problem when gpus just decide to *** the bed. It would suck to go buy a new gpu and find out it's some random problem with the motherboard or something.

 

[sayantan]

I don't think you have any integrated gpu with your motherboard but if you do have an integrated gpu you may try running it.Or you may try running 285 on another computer.

 

[Big_Steve]

Yeah, neither of those are much of an option at the moment. I guess I'll go and pick up a new gpu tomorrow (I was thinking EVGA gtx 560) and hope that fixes it, and if it doesn't, I'll hope there is a decent return policy.

Thank you for your help, sayantan!

 

[sayantan]

You're welcome.Although it is a whole new topic for debate but I think your GPU will be severely bottleneck due to your CPU.Go on if you plan to change your cpu in near future.

 

[Big_Steve]

Thanks for the heads up. I built this PC around two years ago, so some parts are bound to be getting outdated. Even though this is a completely different subject, do you have any suggestions off the top of your head for a new CPU that isn't too pricey (but will still last a while)?

 

[sayantan]

You can get the new AMD bulldozer cpus.They will fit with your motherboard with just a bios update.What is your budget??

 

[Big_Steve]

Haha well I probably won't be able to upgrade for a little while if my current CPU doesn't cause big problems with the gtx 560. I was looking near the $200-$250 or less range though if that's even possible.

 

[Big_Steve]

Best answer selected by Big_Steve.

 

[sayantan]

Phenom II x4 955 for around $150.
Fx8120 for around $205
Fx8150 for $245
All of them are highly overclockable CPUs.
For now you can also overclock your athlon II x4 and eliminate most of the bottleneck.

 

[Big_Steve]

Thanks for all the suggestions, man. I really appreciate it

Is a Phenom II x4 970 equivalent or better than a 955? Sorry I'm such a newbie at figuring this stuff out.

 

[sayantan]

Phenom II x4 970 is just a few hunderd Mhz higher in clock speed than 955.You can simply overclock 955 to achieve 970's clock speed.So don't waste money on a 970.