[SOLVED] Screen goes black while gaming.

[Rick1984]

Hello, guys. I have GTX980 from back in the day. i7 4790K. 16 GB of RAM. I have an SSD for windows only. I have the lastest version of windows 10. All of my drivers are up to date, and I checked the temps of the GPU while gaming, which seem average. Around 56 degrees celsius. I have been with this PC for about three years now, or something close to that. A couple of weeks ago, while playing different games, which are not particularly GPU demanding, Guild Wars 2 and Diablo III, I started noticing that the screen would go black and then go back after two seconds, the games didn't crash or anything, the screen was just "glitchy". What I noticed though was that every time it when black, when it came back to "normal" the graphics quality were a notch down, like slightly less crisp, almost darkened. I suspected that the problem was that somehow my GPU was giving up on me, and it was switching back and forth from the GPU to the Integrated Graphics on the mother board. Mother board Z97X-Gaming 5. I built this PC myself, so I'm not a super expert. I apologize in advance if I am not posting this in the right area, please do me solid. What do you think might be happening? This just happens while gaming. I appreciate any insight you can provide. Thanks.

 

[dotas1]

Make, model and age of your PSU?

 

[Rick1984]

Make, model and age of your PSU?

Sorry, bro. I forgot to provide that information.

EVGA SuperNOVA 850 G2

 

[dotas1]

Your PC can not switch between discrete GPU and integrated graphics on its own. integrated graphics can not be used if there is no cable from your motherboard to the monitor. If you only have connected the monitor with your discrete GPU then that is what is used.

You can try using DDU in safe mode to remove and reinstall drivers.
https://forums.tomshardware.com/faq...n-install-of-your-video-card-drivers.2402269/

You can use your GPU in another system, if it works then it might be the PSU (low chances). If it still has problems, time for a new GPU.

 

[Rick1984]

Your PC can not switch between discrete GPU and integrated graphics on its own. integrated graphics can not be used if there is no cable from your motherboard to the monitor. If you only have connected the monitor with your discrete GPU then that is what is used.

You can try using DDU in safe mode to remove and reinstall drivers.
https://forums.tomshardware.com/faq...n-install-of-your-video-card-drivers.2402269/

You can use your GPU in another system, if it works then it might be the PSU (low chances). If it still has problems, time for a new GPU.

Ia appreciate the advice. It sounds pretty reasonable. I'll try what you recommended. Just a quick question, do GPUs usually last just two to three years? Is this normal? This was my first and only built, perhaps I messed up during the installation? Regardless of anything, I thank you for your time.

 

[dotas1]

Gpus usually last longer than that. It always depends, how much you use them, if you had them under great OC, if you have a reliable PSU, if the maker of the card is good, luck and many other things.
I have mine for 3 years now and I had no problems with it.

 

[Rick1984]

Gpus usually last longer than that. It always depends, how much you use them, if you had them under great OC, if you have a reliable PSU, if the maker of the card is good, luck and many other things.
I have mine for 3 years now and I had no problems with it.

I see. Thanks man. I have just doublecked, and it turns out my rig is almost 5 years old. I may have to start looking for a new GPU at least. Thanks a lot.

 

[purxiz]

I see. Thanks man. I have just doublecked, and it turns out my rig is almost 5 years old. I may have to start looking for a new GPU at least. Thanks a lot.

For future reference, 3-5 years is not an unexpected time for a GPU to fail. Hence why manufacturer's warranties tend to be in the 2-5 year range... It's not uncommon for GPU's to last longer than that, but it's not surprising when one fails early either, typically.