F5F Stay Refreshed Hardware Desktop Could your graphics card be responsible for these crashes?

Could your graphics card be responsible for these crashes?

Could your graphics card be responsible for these crashes?

C
CocaCola15
Senior Member
603
06-08-2021, 01:44 PM
#1
Starting from May 20th this year, I frequently encounter BSODs every few days. Unlike the usual blue screen, Windows simply stops responding and then becomes unresponsive. Once it freezes, nothing functions except the ability to restart the system. It appears my current activity on the computer influences the issue. For instance, I haven’t experienced freezes while using Chrome or other software that doesn’t heavily use the GPU. Windows does generate Minidumps for these events, which I’ve attached (link provided) and discussed here.

I tried several solutions: a few days ago I ran FurMark version 1.30.0 on the default settings, and my PC froze in about 20 seconds. I made sure FurMark was the only active program during the test, but a day later it didn’t freeze. I ran the Windows file system check with sfc /scannow, which found no issues. The Windows memory diagnostic tool also reported clean results. I used Samsung software to assess my SSD health, which was normal. HDTune worked too. I confirmed all motherboard drivers were up to date via the ASUS website and Intel’s scanner.

I switched to an older GPU driver before May 20th, which still caused freezes after a couple of days. Then I used the Guru method in safe mode to uninstall the old driver and installed the latest Nvidia driver. It worked for a few days, but freezes persisted. GPU temperatures stayed stable (around 70°C during use, 40°C idle), and the freezes didn’t increase them.

Software versions I used included Chrome 103.0.5060.66, Windows 10 21H1, FurMark 1.30.0.0, and various diagnostic tools. Hardware consisted of an Intel Core i7-9700K, ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F Gaming motherboard, and several drives (Western Digital Black WD2002FAEX, Scythe Mugen 5 PCGH Edition, Crucial Ballistix).

Given the Minidumps Windows generated, I suspect my GPU is faulty. With current prices, I’m hesitant to replace it, but I need a second opinion before making a decision. For those reading this thread via Google, everything else seemed fine—my RAM passed tests, and I verified no hardware issues. The only problem was my GPU. After purchasing a new one (3060), my system has been stable ever since.
C
CocaCola15
06-08-2021, 01:44 PM #1

Starting from May 20th this year, I frequently encounter BSODs every few days. Unlike the usual blue screen, Windows simply stops responding and then becomes unresponsive. Once it freezes, nothing functions except the ability to restart the system. It appears my current activity on the computer influences the issue. For instance, I haven’t experienced freezes while using Chrome or other software that doesn’t heavily use the GPU. Windows does generate Minidumps for these events, which I’ve attached (link provided) and discussed here.

I tried several solutions: a few days ago I ran FurMark version 1.30.0 on the default settings, and my PC froze in about 20 seconds. I made sure FurMark was the only active program during the test, but a day later it didn’t freeze. I ran the Windows file system check with sfc /scannow, which found no issues. The Windows memory diagnostic tool also reported clean results. I used Samsung software to assess my SSD health, which was normal. HDTune worked too. I confirmed all motherboard drivers were up to date via the ASUS website and Intel’s scanner.

I switched to an older GPU driver before May 20th, which still caused freezes after a couple of days. Then I used the Guru method in safe mode to uninstall the old driver and installed the latest Nvidia driver. It worked for a few days, but freezes persisted. GPU temperatures stayed stable (around 70°C during use, 40°C idle), and the freezes didn’t increase them.

Software versions I used included Chrome 103.0.5060.66, Windows 10 21H1, FurMark 1.30.0.0, and various diagnostic tools. Hardware consisted of an Intel Core i7-9700K, ASUS ROG Strix Z390-F Gaming motherboard, and several drives (Western Digital Black WD2002FAEX, Scythe Mugen 5 PCGH Edition, Crucial Ballistix).

Given the Minidumps Windows generated, I suspect my GPU is faulty. With current prices, I’m hesitant to replace it, but I need a second opinion before making a decision. For those reading this thread via Google, everything else seemed fine—my RAM passed tests, and I verified no hardware issues. The only problem was my GPU. After purchasing a new one (3060), my system has been stable ever since.

S
STQZ
Member
162
06-10-2021, 06:12 AM
#2
It's possible the GPU is failing after eight years. You could attempt Afterburner and lower its clock speed. It might be that it can't sustain boost anymore.
S
STQZ
06-10-2021, 06:12 AM #2

It's possible the GPU is failing after eight years. You could attempt Afterburner and lower its clock speed. It might be that it can't sustain boost anymore.

D
demigod17
Member
137
06-10-2021, 11:44 AM
#3
Great suggestion! Thanks for the support. I thought underclocking might help preserve its performance for longer.
D
demigod17
06-10-2021, 11:44 AM #3

Great suggestion! Thanks for the support. I thought underclocking might help preserve its performance for longer.

E
EzPwnz
Member
146
06-10-2021, 02:42 PM
#4
It somehow reset to the default settings and then crashed (MSI afterburner lost all its configurations). BSOD appeared with the same error codes mentioned earlier. This short-term fix appears to be effective. Restarted the card again and everything functioned properly once more. I’m hoping Amazon offers good deals during the upcoming Prime Days.
E
EzPwnz
06-10-2021, 02:42 PM #4

It somehow reset to the default settings and then crashed (MSI afterburner lost all its configurations). BSOD appeared with the same error codes mentioned earlier. This short-term fix appears to be effective. Restarted the card again and everything functioned properly once more. I’m hoping Amazon offers good deals during the upcoming Prime Days.