Is my GPU dead?

[appleseedcarrot]

Yesterday my computer randomly crashed with a black screen (computer still ran, but nothing was showing).

Today I booted it up again and suddenly pink, red, and green bars just showed up across the screen with flickering issues. After the manufacturer logo and windows booting logo, the computer sits on a black screen forever.

I have an i7 3960x and Radeon HD 7970. As you can tell, this is an ancient PC and I wouldn't be surprised if one of the parts just died.

I'm pretty sure it's a GPU problem. Loading into BIOS, it detects the CPU with correct Hz. I also loaded into a second hard drive that I wasn't using and that didn't boot up either so I don't think it's a software issue. The mobo shows a "AA" code which according to the internet, means the motherboard detected no problems, which is confusing. Anyways it's not a monitor problem either trying with a laptop.

Anyways because the motherboard says nothing is wrong, I am also considering the OS a possibility. I would prefer not having to reinstall windows if possible because I have important files.

Any help?

[[☥] - CJ -]

Well..

Black screen could have been the display driver crashing and not recovering...

Have you tried reseating the GPU? Possibly dusting it out due to its age?

[appleseedcarrot]

引用自 ☥ - CJ -：

Well..

Black screen could have been the display driver crashing and not recovering...

Have you tried reseating the GPU? Possibly dusting it out due to its age?

I just did that right now. No luck.

Also I don't think my monitor would have new drivers? I did recently install Davinci Resolve, that may that have done something?

[Cathulhu]

CJ is talking about the video driver.

[GARİP VOLTA]

引用自 ☥ - CJ -：

Well..

Black screen could have been the display driver crashing and not recovering...

Have you tried reseating the GPU? Possibly dusting it out due to its age?

[Set-115689]

Is the bios screen messed up? Try booting in safe mode to see what happens.

If it works maybe run a memory test to see if thats ok.

May as well check to see if temperatures ok while you doing the stuff.

Could also unplug the os drive and see what the bios screen or a win 10 install usb looks like. If it's not messed up then probably windows.

[Mad Scientist]

If it happens in the BIOS as well, it's definitely dead. But it doesn't always replicate regardless in the BIOS.

The drivers from that era were absolutely awful, there are times you'd have to use 3rd party software to control the GPU when reaching windows to prevent artifacting and blackscreens; I had that issue with one of the GPU before yours - as soon as I used something to force it to factory clocks, magically it always ran 100% of the time without issues - when I closed that software, it would BSOD/Artifact/Blackscreen and recovery.

There's a chance it's dead, using another GPU is a realistic way to be sure after ruling out the PCIE slot itself - if another is available to test with. Else, could be shoddy drivers but if it was running fine until recently, good chance it's failing.

[appleseedcarrot]

引用自 Mr. Gentlebot：

If it happens in the BIOS as well, it's definitely dead. But it doesn't always replicate regardless in the BIOS.

The drivers from that era were absolutely awful, there are times you'd have to use 3rd party software to control the GPU when reaching windows to prevent artifacting and blackscreens; I had that issue with one of the GPU before yours - as soon as I used something to force it to factory clocks, magically it always ran 100% of the time without issues - when I closed that software, it would BSOD/Artifact/Blackscreen and recovery.

There's a chance it's dead, using another GPU is a realistic way to be sure after ruling out the PCIE slot itself - if another is available to test with. Else, could be shoddy drivers but if it was running fine until recently, good chance it's failing.

Yup. The lines show up on BIOS, startup, they're just there.

Haha but yea the drivers are pretty awful.

Is there any reason why the computer won't load into Windows though? Bios works fine and the startup screens all show.

[appleseedcarrot]

引用自 Cathulhu：

CJ is talking about the video driver.

Oops my bad. There is a chance that video driver is messed up. The drivers on this gpu usually mess around with game framerates anyways and stuff. However, as most have pointed out, if it happens in the BIOS as well, it's probably not a driver issue, and it does do the lines on bios as well.

Still trying to figure out how to get the thing to boot. Loading screens all show and stuff (with lines), then a black screen where there should be the login screen (Screen is technically lit, just blank with no lines, I'm assuming GPU just stops sending info from here.).

I do not have an hdmi on the mobo to check further but I think it's obvious at this point it's the video card.

Anyways, how come my motherboard still doesn't detect any issues at all? I'm sure the card is dead but I'm just curious in general.

[GMC79]

I never had any issues in my 7950 days and at first i had a phenom x3 and then 4770k (still have 4770k lol). Will have to try another gpu to troubleshoot.

[Set-115689]

Could also unplug the os drive and see what the bios screen or a win 10 install usb looks like. If it's not messed up then probably windows.

try the above.

[DevaVictrix]

What does event viewer say?

[r.linder]

If the visual issue appears in BIOS, then chances are it could actually be the card itself if it's not the monitor.

[appleseedcarrot]

引用自 Set-115689：

Could also unplug the os drive and see what the bios screen or a win 10 install usb looks like. If it's not messed up then probably windows.

try the above.

Yup, I unplugged my main Ssd and it still had that alongside the "Insert boot drive and press a key" screen thingy. I also got another hard drive, fresh installed windows on that, and the bars still showed up as well as the black screen after startup.

[appleseedcarrot]

Anyways, I'm pretty sure the video card is dead. Because the system is so old, I'm probably gonna get a new system rather than bottlenecking this computer with today's tech. Thanks for all your help and suggestions!

[Wampum Biskit]

i would also try a different cable to the monitor , easy test..