Random Crashes Using Nvidia Drivers; Problem with GPU or Motherboard?

[Criggs]

I just built my computer this week. And I keep having the strangest problem. I will get random crashes that go to a black screen, my monitor flashes "no display," and my computer lights and fans still run but there is no sound or anything else. Sometimes it resets the computer, most times it just hangs there. This happens whether I am playing a game, surfing on the web, or just staying idle. Sometimes it happens a little after I start the computer up, sometimes it happens as soon as I log into my desktop.

I thought that maybe I got a bad part, whether it is the motherboard or PSU. I don't think it's the GPU because I used it on my previous computer before I built this one. It worked just fine then. But now I only get the crashes when I am running my GPU. If I am using onboard video or generic drivers for my 970, I don't get any crashes. But as soon as I install Nvidia drivers, my computer starts getting the crashes. I even tried multiple different drivers ranging from Nov, Dec, Jan and Feb.

I am using Windows 8.1. It doesn't matter because I tried Windows 7 and it still had the same issues. But when I go into Windows Event Viewer, I noticed a lot of Warnings for Display (ID 4101): Display driver nvlddmkm stopped responding and has successfuly recovered. I counted 28 of those warnings in under a minute (mostly occurring every 2 seconds).

I'm also getting a lot of Errors for DeviceSetupManager (ID 121) for a lot of weird things: USB, ACPI, PCI, HDAUDIO, STORAGE, ROOT, etc. This is occurring nearly as frequently as the display issue. But they occured at different times. And I'm not sure if they're related or not.

I have already run MEMTEST overnight for 10 hours and got 8 something passes and no errors, so I know it's not the RAM. I don't think it's the PSU because the BIOS shows the voltage running within their limits (+/- 5%). I have run burn in tests for the RAM and CPU and had those run successfully. I tried Intel's stress test for the CPU on a few occasions and got no errors there. And when I had the Nvidia drivers installed on my 970, I ran FurMark and Kombuster for awhile with no crashes. But almost as soon as I quit them, my computer would crash. The GPU temp doesn't go over 67C when running that hard. My CPU temp usually runs around 29 to 44C when sitting idle and playing games. It got up to 65C when I was stress testing it with Prime95, but it still ran for an hour.

I really have no idea what the problem could be. This is my first time building my own computer. It took many hours and it was stressful, but I enjoyed it. But this whole problem with the random crashes when the GPU is installed (and the Nvidia drivers installed) has really been a dark cloud over this whole experience. Does anyone have any ideas or could anyone help me please? Is it the motherboard or GPU or something else? Are there any tricks to get it working?

Specs:
CPU: i7-4790
Mobo: Z97 MSI Gaming 7
GPU: 970 MSI Golden Edition
RAM: 16 GB Corsair Vengeance 1600 MHz
PSU: 800W Fractal Design Netwon R3
Cooler: NZXT Kraken X41
SSD: 240GB OCZ Vertex 460A (x2)
HHD: 500GB WD Black
Case: NZXT H440
OS: Win 8.1

 

[Criggs]

Thanks for the quick reply. I've owned the GPU since November, so I cannot return it. I update the BIOS on my motherboard to the latest version and the second latest version when the first didn't work any better. I'm going to try taking the GPU to a friend's house tomorrow to try it on his PC. Otherwise, I'm at a loss at what the problem could be. The thing is that PC is running smoothly without a GPU using the onboard video (display port connector).

I also added and updated all the drivers for the motherboard from the MSI website. I am running the AOC G2460PG G-Sync monitor because Tom's Hardware recommended it, and it was one of the cheaper G-Sync monitors. I used the drivers for the monitor that came on the disc. I don't think the monitor is the issue thought because I tried another monitor using the DVI port. The same thing happened.

 

[Criggs]

I finally figured out what the problem was. I switched out video cards with a buddy. My Nvidia 970 ran fine on his machine, and his AMD 7950 ran fine on my machine without any crashes. So I bought another 970 for my machine and it also ran fine. For some reason, the Nvidia 970 I had all along had some issues running on PCI-E 3 motherboards. That is the only difference really between the 990FX my buddy has and the Z97 mobo I have.

At any rate, I contacted MSI to have them replace the card because it was covered under warranty. I sent it in and it took about a week for them to receive it and check it out. Most of that time was the video card en route to them. MSI had great customer service and their response was quick. They sent me back a brand new 970 within 3 days. Now I am running two 970s. Thanks for the help. Turns out it was the video card all along. I should've known, but I was so confused because it worked on my previous build.