[SOLVED] no video output/video output freezes (again)

[Nengalore]

Been away for a few weeks, so turned on my computer for the first time last night, it was fine for a bit, and then the monitors went black (not noticing any display output), followed by the display coming back, but frozen, and then after about 10 minutes of waiting, the main monitor (still frozen), I dunno how to describe it but sorta displacing so everything looked like it was offset from how it was supposed to be, like most text became illegible as the offset version was overlapping with the normal version.

I force shut down and started back up and it worked fine the rest of the night. Now today I started it up, after a few minutes the display cuts out, and it does not come back. Restart, this time after a few minutes it does the same as the first time, few minutes, display cuts out, then cuts back but this time straight into the displaced way. Restart again, few minutes, display cuts out and doesn't come back.

That's where I am now. I had this problem before, but the frozen display coming back into view is new.

I asked here before, and it was previously solved by replacing my PSU; don't really know where to go this time.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Specs:

Motherboard: ASRock Z370 Extreme4
CPU: i7 8700k
GPU: Asus Dual RTX 3070
RAM: Adata XPG DDR4 3000mhz 2x8gb
PSU: Corsair RM850x


Edit: if it means anything, I believe the computer is still working behind the scenes, tested by setting up long downloads and leaving it, they were done when I restarted. so it's just the display. (but not the monitors)

Edit 2: was able to get a small picture example of what the displacement thing looks like:

 

[Chicano]

What's better about it is: Cable sets probably are better quality wires and connectors. It's just a suggestion to keep in mind if you have to make a replacement due to repeating issues, and as long as they are not so expensive and priced much higher than extensions.

I took a look at linked newegg page… also checked other extensions and cable sets to check their prices and notices that the extensions are 500 mm long, so they probably replace the existing modular wire set right?.

 

[Nengalore]

What's better about it is: Cable sets probably are better quality wires and connectors. It's just a suggestion to keep in mind if you have to make a replacement due to repeating issues, and as long as they are not so expensive and priced much higher than extensions.

I took a look at linked newegg page… also checked other extensions and cable sets to check their prices and notices that the extensions are 500 mm long, so they probably replace the existing modular wire set right?.

I've not been able to find any inexpensive options for full cable replacements, because they're all around the same length as the cables I have; so the only place I know of for longer cables is custom cables from CableMod which I assume could be long enough, but they definitely don't come cheap lol.

And sorry, what do you mean by that? I think the GPU cables that came with my PSU are around 600mm, if that's what you mean.

 

[Chicano]

And sorry, what do you mean by that? I think the GPU cables that came with my PSU are around 600mm, if that's what you mean.

What I meant is one of the sleeved extensions in the newegg website, said they are 500 mm (half a meter) or 19.7 inches long, which is probably the same or even longer than the standard modular PSU cables, and are probably meant to replace the PSU cables…. What throws me off is that word “extensions” which in my understanding means something you attach to an existing item to make it longer and that would make your PSU cables much longer than necessary.

 

[Nengalore]

What I meant is one of the sleeved extensions in the newegg website, said they are 500 mm (half a meter) or 19.7 inches long, which is probably the same or even longer than the standard modular PSU cables, and are probably meant to replace the PSU cables…. What throws me off is that word “extensions” which in my understanding means something you attach to an existing item to make it longer and that would make your PSU cables much longer than necessary.

Oh, no, they are extensions. The standard PSU cables plug into the extensions, which then plug into the GPU as well as motherboard and CPU.

But yeah, I know, it sounds like 1100mm+ cables would be way too long, yet they aren't. But maybe if I rerouted the cables entirely I'd be able to make something shorter work just at the cost of the aesthetics, but I suppose that's a small price to pay if that's the problem.


Last (maybe) question: if the extensions are the problem, do you think that continuing to use them could damage anything? Even though everything appears to be working normally.

If not, I'd probably just continue to use them until it happens again, and then try to verify that they're the issue.

But if there's any potential of damage then I'll just try to replace them as soon as possible. Thanks.

 

[Nengalore]

Well, still working now, so I'll consider it solved for now. I'm sure I'll be back eventually; but if it happens again I'll try to verify if it's the cables. Not sure what fixed it this time, so not exactly sure what to call the solution but oh well lol

 

[Chicano]

Oh, no, they are extensions. The standard PSU cables plug into the extensions, which then plug into the GPU as well as motherboard and CPU.

But yeah, I know, it sounds like 1100mm+ cables would be way too long, yet they aren't. But maybe if I rerouted the cables entirely I'd be able to make something shorter work just at the cost of the aesthetics, but I suppose that's a small price to pay if that's the problem.


Last (maybe) question: if the extensions are the problem, do you think that continuing to use them could damage anything? Even though everything appears to be working normally.

If not, I'd probably just continue to use them until it happens again, and then try to verify that they're the issue.

But if there's any potential of damage then I'll just try to replace them as soon as possible. Thanks.

Hey sorry for taking so long to respond... I didn't get this and last of your answers, or I missed them somehow.
That description is the exact way I thought about the extensions, and the meter plus length is what I couldn't quite believe, but you described the inconvenience as I understood it… But I guess the case must be quite spacious. Anyway, if you found the way to deal with the excess length of wires, that should solve it. And if they make good contact they shouldn't damage a thing... as for possible unperceived and long term damage, probably the same issues a cheap PSU can cause should apply and that in my experience is rare but possible.

 

[Chicano]

Well, still working now, so I'll consider it solved for now. I'm sure I'll be back eventually; but if it happens again I'll try to verify if it's the cables. Not sure what fixed it this time, so not exactly sure what to call the solution but oh well lol

You probably added some additional contact tension between wire terminals, and that increased the wattage flow. I think of that as when you make two wires barely touch, they transmit power, but increase it as you press them harder together. The brass terminal contacts tend to widen and loose contact pressure and as a result, the wattage flow to components can be reduced.

 

[Chicano]

Oh, like longer full replacement wires rather than extensions? What's better about not using extensions, if I may ask?

Also, found out what the extensions are I believe:
https://www.newegg.com/p/N82E16812987035 (if it means anything)

The advantage for using a longer cables over adding extensions is;
Avoiding weak points for power continuity,
Avoiding cable bulkiness that can take up available case space
But extensions of good quality should be, if not as good, they should be good enough... all depends on which option becomes more convenient budget wise.

 

[Nengalore]

Hey sorry for taking so long to respond... I didn't get this and last of your answers, or I missed them somehow.
That description is the exact way I thought about the extensions, and the meter plus length is what I couldn't quite believe, but you described the inconvenience as I understood it… But I guess the case must be quite spacious. Anyway, if you found the way to deal with the excess length of wires, that should solve it. And if they make good contact they shouldn't damage a thing... as for possible unperceived and long term damage, probably the same issues a cheap PSU can cause should apply and that in my experience is rare but possible.

All good, thanks for your help! I'll try just unplugging/plugging back in the cables if it happens again, and if that fixes it I'll replace them.

You probably added some additional contact tension between wire terminals, and that increased the wattage flow. I think of that as when you make two wires barely touch, they transmit power, but increase it as you press them harder together. The brass terminal contacts tend to widen and loose contact pressure and as a result, the wattage flow to components can be reduced.

Interesting. I won't pretend that I entirely understand, but you're suggesting that not enough power was flowing through the cables/extensions, due to deterioration over time? or am I completely misunderstanding lol

The advantage for using a longer cables over adding extensions is;
Avoiding weak points for power continuity,
Avoiding cable bulkiness that can take up available case space
But extensions of good quality should be, if not as good, they should be good enough... all depends on which option becomes more convenient budget wise.

Got it, not worried about the space as there is quite a bit, but I see. Extensions are definitely more convenient budget wise, but I'll try to look at my options a bit. Any recommendations for good quality extensions? lol


Anyway, thanks again. Much appreciated.