My GPU dying on me? (RESOLVED)

[Lechuck's Beard]

Hello folks,

As of the last few days, the PC has not been booting up. I get a black screen and the GPU fans go at what sounds like 100% speed. After a few attempts, the PC finally boots up again. From reading online, this sounds like it's a part of the GPU on its way out. It's a 2080ti.

I have tried reseating the GPU, as well as the ram, as per guidance online. This has not resolved the issue as I had the same issue before getting to these forums just now. I dunno what else to do to try an confirm what the issue is before buying another GPU.


Don't know if this is relevant, but all specs are:

- Mobo (Asus Strix Z390-F)
- 2080ti
- 9900k
- 32 gigs
- SSD
- HDD
-PSU (650W Corsair RM650X ATX PS)
- Main monitor is 4K, side monitor is 1080

Drivers all up to date. Machine is spotless of dust. I don't have another PC to try the GPU out on. That's all the info I know of to share. I'm stuck at this point.

Side note - If the GPU is dying, I was looking at a 4090 replacement based on sites saying this would work okay in this system as replacement. That said, I'm no tech expert on any of this.


Any suggestions or advice would be most appreciated.
Thanks
***************************************

Fix - Turns out I had to replace the PCIe power cable running from the GPU to the PSU as it was damaged/twisted somehow.

[JohnMars78]

What you're describing sounds like a 'stuck at POST' problem, which can be caused by RAM, CPU and MB, not only the GPU.
Have you tried re-seating the RAM?
Any debug LEDs on the MB?

[plat]

What is the make, model and wattage of your power supply? An rtx 4090 is a lot of gpu. Also, the make and model of your board would be useful. It should be z370 or Z390, one of those.

If you can boot into Windows finally, you can run some benchmarks and see how your gpu handles them. Then, it's possible to compare your score to others online.

https://www.passmark.com/
https://benchmark.unigine.com/superposition
https://benchmark.unigine.com/heaven

Remove any frame-limiting and/or monitoring software before running benchmarks.

Here's an article--there are many others like it too:

https://www.wikihow.com/Tell-if-My-Gpu-Is-Dying

[SlowClick]

My old PC was doing that - taking multiple attempts before it booted. My guess was that the PSU was failing.

But after I took out the GPU (the CPU had integrated graphics) it booted fine, so either
1) GPU was the problem because it worked without it, or
2) PSU was the problem, because it worked with the lower power required without the GPU.

Anyone's guess. I don't have the old PC any more - gave it ppl who re-purpose them for those less fortunate.

[Phénomènes Mystiques]

Do you have another PCIe lane to test the GPU on? I have seen this issue a few times and the cause can be varying. I highly doubt the GPU is dying. It takes a hella lot to kill them. Also remember about the hard reset button that is hidden on the GPU, which would be your last resort.

This issue specifically reminds me of the 16-pin ATX cable issue on my MB. Have you attempted to re-seat this thing? I had an issue where this was a culprit. I seen fixes where its a simple turning off monitor, discharging all static, replugging in the monitor.

If/ When you get it to run, do the SFC Scan and DISM CheckHealth commands in Admin PowerShell or Win Terminal.

Also may as well check on BIOS updates and the Chipset Driver.

[Lechuck's Beard]

Originally posted by JohnMars78:

What you're describing sounds like a 'stuck at POST' problem, which can be caused by RAM, CPU and MB, not only the GPU.
Have you tried re-seating the RAM?
Any debug LEDs on the MB?

Tried reseating the ram, though back into their original slots. Worth sliding them 1 slot along each maybe? I believe there was a soild amber light during the stuck boot up process. I'll look again next time I restart this and pay closer attention to what is happening.

@Plat - Updated OP with more info. Thanks for the other links and suggestions too. I'll have a look at that.

@Wynters - Yes, I have tried the GPU in 2 different PCIe slots so far. No luck. I have not checked the cables you mentioned on the Mobo.

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions etc. Appreciate it.

[Introverted Gamer]

How many beeps the computer give? A Motherboard Speaker is really useful for things like this.

[GOD RAYS ON ULTRA™]

Why don't you take the GPU out and run with 9900k graphics? If your PC is fine then that means the GPU is not. Try the GPU in another PC, maybe one at work or a friends house or something. You just have to eliminate the possibilities any way you can. Same thing with the PSU, honestly Im not sure if I would feel comfortable running 650 watt with your PC.

If you can make it to the desktop you can try debug mode in Nvidia control panel. It will lower your performance to Nvidia reference values and disable any factory made overclock that shipped with your 2080ti. If debug mode is stable then that means your GPU clocks are not. This is technically bad and you can choose to continue to use it at reference or replace it since the chips are actually wearing out. The problem is debug mode doesn't stick, so you'll have to enable it on every boot (if you can make it boot!).

If you do end up getting a GPU, make sure you look out for promotions. Right now you can get starfield premium edition for free with select GPUs and that's a $100 game. This will add value to your purchase.

[emoticorpse]

So you don't see bios?

Power it off, disconnect from socket, take out cmos battery and gpu.

Press power button a couple times like this while disconnected. Leave it like that for like a minute.

Put cmos battery back in, plug into socket. Turn back on without gpu.

Them turn it back off by power button or unplug from wall or whatever and disconnect from wall again.

put gpu back in, plug back into wall and power back on. See if anything changes.

This might do nothing but sometimes it can do the trick.

[JohnMars78]

Originally posted by Lechuck's Beard:

Tried reseating the ram, though back into their original slots. Worth sliding them 1 slot along each maybe? I believe there was a soild amber light during the stuck boot up process. I'll look again next time I restart this and pay closer attention to what is happening.

Worth a try, as well as other suggestions from above comments.
Before you start taking things apart, though, you should identify which area that debug light indicates. That'd narrow it down a bit and avoid unnecessary tinkering.

[ifish333]

Strip the computer down to the bare minimum to run all hard dives out dvd drive unplug most fans except the cpu any other things you dont need to boot and just see if you can get to the bios. You don't need a HD to get to the bios. You could reset the bios. Your mobo manual will explain that or its on YouTube. That is a great place to look lots of good help on YouTube about black screens. Now if it boots to the bios without any issues put only the OS HD back in and see what it does. If it starts doing the same black screen that could be the problem. Do you have any friends that have spare parts to swap out like GPU or power supply?

[plat]

If you determine your current gpu is failing in some way, be aware the rtx 4090 should have at minimum an 850 watt power supply.

https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5396/~/geforce-rtx-40-series-%26-power-specifications

[Bad 💀 Motha]

If you have a blank screen on cold power on, hold down the case reset button for about 10 secs and see if this solves it. If so this usually indicated a failing Motherboard or perhaps something connected to the Motherboard such as RAM or Drive

[Lechuck's Beard]

Originally posted by Introverted Gamer:

How many beeps the computer give? A Motherboard Speaker is really useful for things like this.

There are no beeps at all, never have been for this PC. Though every PC I ever had before this gave the beeps during boot up.

Originally posted by W O K E I S M:

Snip.

I really didn't know you could do this without the GPU. I'm still waiting for the issue to happen again and I think I'll take the GPU out and try it on a friend's as suggested. The PC shipped with that PSU from Scan/UK. You think it's maybe not enough?

Originally posted by emoticorpse:

Snip.

Yes, I did make it to bios. Other times I even got to the login screen, entered my password, back into desktop for a moment then back to black screen and 100% GPU fans.

I did the 10 second method you suggested too. I end up in the same loop for 2-3 attempts before I get back to desktop and resume as normal as if things are all good again. At this point, the PC performs perfectly and no further issues or black screen/100% fans. I guess if it keeps up, I could try the battery.

Originally posted by JohnMars78:

Originally posted by Lechuck's Beard:

Tried reseating the ram, though back into their original slots. Worth sliding them 1 slot along each maybe? I believe there was a soild amber light during the stuck boot up process. I'll look again next time I restart this and pay closer attention to what is happening.

Worth a try, as well as other suggestions from above comments.
Before you start taking things apart, though, you should identify which area that debug light indicates. That'd narrow it down a bit and avoid unnecessary tinkering.

Today, there have been no issues. I paid attention to the light sequence and it boots with a brief white light, green light, then straight to desktop. I'm 90% positive it was an amber light when stuck in the booting loop and 100% fans.

Originally posted by ifish333:

Snip

Thanks, I shall add this to my troubleshoot list. Not that I'm a tech guy at all, but how hard can be. Appreciated.

Originally posted by plat:

If you determine your current gpu is failing in some way, be aware the rtx 4090 should have at minimum an 850 watt power supply.

https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5396/~/geforce-rtx-40-series-%26-power-specifications

Thanks Plat. That has saved me another potential problem if I need to replace the GPU.


As for now, and after moving the RAM one slot over each, I've been able to boot up as normal and had no issue so far. I'm reluctant to mark this thread as solved just yet, but fingers crossed.

Thanks again for all the tips and advice folks.

[JohnMars78]

Originally posted by Lechuck's Beard:

Originally posted by Introverted Gamer:

How many beeps the computer give? A Motherboard Speaker is really useful for things like this.

There are no beeps at all, never have been for this PC. Though every PC I ever had before this gave the beeps during boot up.

Originally posted by W O K E I S M:

Snip.

I really didn't know you could do this without the GPU. I'm still waiting for the issue to happen again and I think I'll take the GPU out and try it on a friend's as suggested. The PC shipped with that PSU from Scan/UK. You think it's maybe not enough?

Originally posted by emoticorpse:

Snip.

Yes, I did make it to bios. Other times I even got to the login screen, entered my password, back into desktop for a moment then back to black screen and 100% GPU fans.

I did the 10 second method you suggested too. I end up in the same loop for 2-3 attempts before I get back to desktop and resume as normal as if things are all good again. At this point, the PC performs perfectly and no further issues or black screen/100% fans. I guess if it keeps up, I could try the battery.

Originally posted by JohnMars78:

Worth a try, as well as other suggestions from above comments.
Before you start taking things apart, though, you should identify which area that debug light indicates. That'd narrow it down a bit and avoid unnecessary tinkering.

Today, there have been no issues. I paid attention to the light sequence and it boots with a brief white light, green light, then straight to desktop. I'm 90% positive it was an amber light when stuck in the booting loop and 100% fans.

Originally posted by ifish333:

Snip

Thanks, I shall add this to my troubleshoot list. Not that I'm a tech guy at all, but how hard can be. Appreciated.

Originally posted by plat:

If you determine your current gpu is failing in some way, be aware the rtx 4090 should have at minimum an 850 watt power supply.

https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5396/~/geforce-rtx-40-series-%26-power-specifications

Thanks Plat. That has saved me another potential problem if I need to replace the GPU.


As for now, and after moving the RAM one slot over each, I've been able to boot up as normal and had no issue so far. I'm reluctant to mark this thread as solved just yet, but fingers crossed.

Thanks again for all the tips and advice folks.

The position of the debug light is relevant, not its color. Next time you're getting these issues, check at which one out of those 4(?) LEDs it gets stuck.

The current 650W PSU is enough, if not malfunctioning.
If you'll change the GPU, ask again. There are huge differences in power consumption between the high-end and mid-range GPUs.
Although... I imagine you'd want to go 'up' from a 2080Ti, so 850W+ might be necessary.
Most (if not all) of the last two generations of mid-range cards with lower power requirements would be a down-grade for you, IMO.

[MonkehMaster]

Originally posted by plat:

If you determine your current gpu is failing in some way, be aware the rtx 4090 should have at minimum an 850 watt power supply.

https://nvidia.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/5396/~/geforce-rtx-40-series-%26-power-specifications

correction, get a 1000w for a 4090, had a friend buy a prebuilt with a 4090 and the company put in a generic non modular 850w psu, the pc would crash every time the person played a game, i came over and replaced the psu with a corsair 1000w and his pc stopped crashing.

what was causing it? it was the power spikes pushing way past what that low power generic psu could handle.

that being said, always go higher than what is stated, as whats stated is always the minimum.

--------------

edit: the thing is, when it comes to electricity, giving it only the minimum is always going to end with issues, unless you run everything (pc and games) at balanced or lower and lowest settings in your games, then and only then will you be left with head room for any electrical inconsistencies, spikes, ect..

anywho and it should be common sense by now, but the psu quality and its wattage, are the one thing you dont skimp on when it comes to buying or building a pc, who cares if its overboard, at least you know you arent riding the line power wise and that you have enough power for additions to the pc as well, as well as wont have to worry about your hardware causing your psu to fry and burn down everything.