New System Build GPU issue?

[NYCMedic]

Hello Everyone.

Before posting here, I searched for an answer both here and on Google. I got all sorts of answers like update or use older drivers etc. I read some answers that dont pertain to me and then an answer or two Im unsure how to do what they suggested. So let me start off with my system specs:

Brand new build

Thermaltake Chaser MK-1
Intel i5-3750K
Asus P8Z77-V LK
Corsair H100i Cooler
16GB Corsair Vegeagence 1600 DDR3 RAM (4 sticks)
GIGABYTE GV-N670OC-2GD GeForce GTX 670 Windforce OC 2048MB GDDR5 256-bit PCI
Samsung 840 Pro-Series 128GB SSD
Corsair HX750 PSU
Windows Home Premium OEM

Initially I did a out of case set-up before installing. CPU, Mobo, graphic card. Started it and I was able to see the messaging on the screen. So I disconnected and installed everything. Powered up and installed windows! Hurray!!!

I initially only installed the LAN drivers from my mobo disk so I can then install all the latest drivers for everything from online as most and NewEgg's videos suggest. That worked well. Installed the latest driver from Gigabyte for the graphic card... and the screen resolution reset automatically and now looked correct, Prior everything was at a default setting big and clunky. So I was happy once i saw it reset.

While navigating in explorer to the Corsair site I notice the mouse was sluggish. It would freeze for a second or two. This would happen a couple of times and then I get a screen blackout for 2-3 seconds. After the screen comes back on I got the following error message at the bottom of my screen:

Display driver stopped responding and has recovered.
Display driver NVIDIA Windows Kernel Mode Driver Version 310.90 has stopped working and has successfully recovered.

I figured maybe it was because I just installed the driver. So I continued on with getting to the corsair site. I got to the site and it started again, mouse acting up and this time the screen went black and did not return. I had to reset the computer. I watched part 3 of Neweggs How to Build A PC again... especially the installing windows and drivers etc and re-did every step. Reformatting my SSD, re-installing Windows and the drivers. And I still get the issue.

I read here and on other forums that it could be an old/new driver issue so I tried just using the driver that came with the card... same issue.

I even tried it with both new and old drivers after installing all the Windows updates and still have the issue.

So I tried a lot of the ways I read resolutions for... I checked the Geforce forums as well... Restore to old driver... update to new driver... remove and re-install driver... turn off system for 1/2 hour etc. And still I have the issue.

In the divice manager, everything seems to be ok. I checked the graphic card and it says working normally. I dont know of another way to check it. So Im really at a loss here.

I was debating buying a pre-made system as I normally would but heard so many horror stories with the Gaming system providers online... I decided to build my own. and Im 99% there. I just cant figure out this issue.

I cant do anything without it freezing up and blacking out.

Can anyone shed some light on this issue?

I did not OC anything... dont know how to be honest. Everything is from factory new packaging. My temps are not hot... I see in corsair link that my CPU is about 22c Mobo & Disks are 20 - 23c and my graphic card is only 26c idle. So the system seems to be running pretty cool.

I did a ram test with Memtest86+ ran it over night for 8+ hours and It passed with 0 errors.

I installed OCCT and tried to test the system with that. As the system heats up i see my fans speed up on the system and on the GPU. At full stress for 10 minutes my CPU is 42c and the GPU at 56c

When doing the GPU test I see the furry thing moving under normal testing, but when I select error check... it does not move meanwhile all the readings still are active including frame rate.

Finally I read here on Toms that it could be that the board may be overclocked or unstable from the factory... and that someone else who has this problem should try to slow it down. I dont know even where to begin on how to slow down the clock speed let alone know where i can find that information.

Being my first computer and spending almost $1600 in parts gas and tolls etc. Its so frustrating that its not working.

Can anyone help me with this issue?

Thank you!!

 

[NYCMedic]

Ok this is being typed in the new system. Here are the options for the Nvidia drivers:

- Graphics Driver
- 3D Vision Controller Driver
- 3D Vision Driver
- HD Audio Driver
- Nvidia Update
- PhysX System Software

 

[NYCMedic]

Ran a test with FurMark... it ran for about 4 minutes before freezing the screen for a few seconds... then ran for 2-3 seconds... froze again... ran for 2-3 seconds froze again... did this for a couple of times before freezing all together requiring a reset.

In the 4 minutes... Max temp was 63 degrees Celsius.

How else can I test to see if it is actually a graphic card issue or motherboard issue?

Thanks!!!

 

[swifty_morgan]

Ok this is being typed in the new system. Here are the options for the Nvidia drivers:

- Graphics Driver
- 3D Vision Controller Driver
- 3D Vision Driver
- HD Audio Driver
- Nvidia Update
- PhysX System Software

did you read anything I printed?

 

[NYCMedic]

Yes you wrote:

custom or advanced install on graphics driver will show you the options......... most people just install everything. some not needed, some allow maggot-ware invade your machine, some cause conflicts with other drivers.

I did not install the Audio... I did not know if I needed the 3d Stuff or not.

 

[NYCMedic]

When I select custom install... these are the items I can choose from to install:

- Graphics Driver
- 3D Vision Controller Driver
- 3D Vision Driver
- HD Audio Driver
- Nvidia Update
- PhysX System Software

What exactly do you suggest I install?

 

[bigshootr8]

You can install everything it won't hurt. They are just drivers so its fine to have everything installed. Also, running furmark and having it react the way it did says something I don't like it I'll have to google a little and come up with some guesses.

 

[NYCMedic]

You can install everything it won't hurt. They are just drivers so its fine to have everything installed. Also, running furmark and having it react the way it did says something I don't like it I'll have to google a little and come up with some guesses.

Good Evening,

First... thank you for your help... I really appreciate you trying to help me out and your patience. For several hours last night I read various posts etc. Just trying to learn more about this issue. I hope I learn enough about building computers where I can be of help to someone here on the forums like you.

Anyways... I install all but the audio and 3D Drivers... tried testing with Furmark... and it froze within 4 minutes. I removed the drivers and then did a re-install of them all. Again froze in a couple of minutes with FurMark. I was up until 4:30 am my time installing - re-installing windows and these drivers in different sequences and such. Always end up failing.

Today I got my 2 new graphic cards from Amazon...

Gigabyte GTX670 OC Winforce3 edition
Gigabyte 7970 OC Windforce3 Edition

I bought 2 different types because of something I read on GeForce forums about Timeout Detection and Recovery (TDR) in Windows 7. So just in case the new GTX670 did not work I wanted an alternative. So today they came in and I just installed the new GTX670... ran FurMark for 15 minutes... and it lasted the whole time!!! Oh man!! I scared the poop outta my dog when I scream YEAH!!!! LOL

Im downloading GTA IV and Sleeping Dogs right now to further test.

So all this time it may have been a bad card.... or so it appears. I will know after testing some more tonight.

Thank you again for all your help and basically holding my hand last night. Even though what we went through I did a couple of times already... I did not mind going through it yet again while you were here. I really appreciate it!!

 

[bigshootr8]

Yay! Man awesome you should update how your games go which card would you keep I'm sure that would create a bit of traffic the AMD v NVIDIA topic haha!

 

[NYCMedic]

Well I got both cards here so I can try that. Is it possible to have both cards in the system at the same time... not SLI but just in the system? Then simply change the monitor connection to one or the other? Or simply swap the cards... or do I have to do a clean install for the AMD card?

 

[bigshootr8]

It is however I don't know why you would want to do that 😛 Seems like a awful amount of money to spend on cards. Also keep in mind that the power consumption will be quite considerably higher doing so.

 

[NYCMedic]

I have a 850 PSU so that should be enough for 2 cards. too bad my original card was defective otherwise I would have liked to connect them both up SLI.

I have been testing with the new card and it works. 1/2 of mayhem on GTA IV at maxed out settings and it is smooth. I have to google how to get my CPU usage, temps and FPS on screen when playing games so I can see how the card is performing. Once I figure that out I will then figure out how to record the games so I can post on YouTube the difference between both cards and see which one I like better.

 

[bigshootr8]

I just wouldn't mix 2 cards unless I were putting it in SLi or Crossfire if you get what I mean you don't gain anything from mixing AMD/Nvidia cards.

 

[NYCMedic]

So far the Gigabyte AMD 7970 OC Windforce3 Edition is out performing the other. It runs cooler... and I have no flicker or hesitation. The other started to flicker a little on GTA about 40 minutes in.

40 minutes running NVidia at approx 46 degrees (C)
over 2 hours on the AMD card and running no higher then 37 degrees (C)

Going to try to do some benchmarks with some videos for comparison.

 

[bigshootr8]

What do you mean by flickering and hesitation with the cards. I would suspect the 7970 to do a little raw performance wise. Cooling wise interesting. My gigabyte 670 doesn't go over 30 degrees while gaming I'll turn on gta iv to tell you it doesn't go above 50 it hovers around there. Which is perfectly fine. If you don't play any games that use physx or if you have no plans on doing 3D and you fancy the 7970 more then go for that.

 

[NYCMedic]

On the Nvidia good card that I have... I played GTA and blew up everything. Try to get as much going on the screen at one time as I could. After about 40 minutes of playing... the screen started flickering almost a studder but faster. Then it started to slow down until it kicked me out of the game. It did the same thing in sleeping dogs after about 30 minutes of playing. Today I ran the AMD card for a couple of hours straight... between FurMark tests, GTA and sleeping dogs. 2+ hours no problem on GTA. Over an hour of Sleeping Dogs and no problem. Its not to say that the Nvidia product is not as good. Maybe my second card may be bad too. But as of right now... Tomorrow Im returning the card I know for sure is bad... and getting a refund... no exchange. That will leave me with one GTX 670 and the 7970 to play with for a couple of days to see what happens. I have 30 days with Amazon to return if I need to.

But as of right now... 7970 is the one that seems to be working best for me.

 

[bigshootr8]

Well I guess that is a very lucky predicament you are in sir. Having 2 awesome cards to toy with And being able to figure out what card you feel is the best for you. GTA is one of those weird games by the way that draws quite a bit of resources.