Experiencing unstable GPU performance with crashes and visual disturbances.
Experiencing unstable GPU performance with crashes and visual disturbances.
I don't recall the exact start date, but I have a power cable for the GTX 1650+i7 4790 in my Dell OptiPlex 7020 MT. The issue is that my computer won't accept the latest driver update for NVIDIA (January 5th) and it keeps using the version I downloaded on December 30, 2025. I attempted to use DDU but it didn't help. I also tried older drivers, which didn't work either.
The main problem is that my screen frequently goes black and then restarts. I can't play Roblox, which is my only game right now. It opens for about 45 seconds before freezing and closing. In the Event Viewer, I see an Event ID 0 error related to Windows.Gaming.GameBar.Presence. It says the display driver didn't respond and recovered, but it keeps happening three times.
I've tried asking ChatGPT and checking Reddit forums, but the advice is similar: reset drivers in Safe Mode, use DDU, or switch to HDMI. On DisplayPort it didn't work at all—it just showed black after the Windows logo.
After removing the GPU, using integrated graphics worked fine. I don't have another PC to test the GPU, but that's all I have right now.
My system specs are: Windows 10 64-bit, GTX 1650, no power, i7 i5-12400i, 290W PSU. I've experienced two BSODs; I don't remember the first stop code, but the second was VIDEO TDR FAILURE BIOS Verison-A18.
Storage: 32GB RAM, DDR3. I can send my MSI .nfo if you need it for further troubleshooting.
Additional details are limited. The extra drive is malfunctioning and flagged by CrystalInfo; I’ll replace it as soon as possible.
You're asking about the DDU issue, specifically whether it removed the Nvidia drivers. It seems you want clarification on what DDU actually did. You also suggest checking the internet connection, disabling driver downloads in DDU, using a clean-up tool from Nvidia, and confirming the software is installed on the correct drive (c:\).
The issue began when it started malfunctioning. It previously functioned correctly until certain changes occurred. A driver update likely triggered the problem. I've tried selecting a specific driver, but updating to the latest version didn't resolve it. If you have an integrated graphics card, removing it might help. You may want to check system performance by running Roblox and testing with a fresh Windows installation on an extra hard drive. Consider updating the card's firmware as well. These steps can help identify the root cause. I often reset the OS to a minimal setup to isolate hardware issues.
I’m going to go through each question one by one.
First, I noticed my CPU temperatures rising so I looked inside the PC and checked the thermal paste. I took off the cooler, unplugged its connections, and also removed the GPU to clean dust and debris. After putting it back in, the system was functioning properly.
Next, I encountered issues when trying to download the latest NVIDIA driver for January 5th. The computer accepted it in NVIDIA settings but the Device Manager displayed an older driver instead of the newest one. The problem persisted even after switching drivers and installing them in different ways.
Before checking the CPU, everything seemed normal. The issue began after removing the GPU and using integrated graphics—performance improved completely, with Roblox running smoothly and no screen problems.
I have an extra hard drive, but I’m not ready to fully reinstall everything just yet. I don’t use a controller; I rely only on keyboard and mouse. I haven’t tried updating the firmware yet, but I plan to do that soon.
I’m worried about a potential GPU hardware problem because I’m missing a few contact pads on the PCIe section of the chip, which should be visible.
This behavior is typical for that card. Still, the GPU seems to be the most likely culprit based on the BSODs.
Video_TDR_Failure indicates the GPU ceased responding, Windows reinstalled the driver, yet the GPU remained unresponsive. This situation often points to a faulty GPU, though less frequently after Nvidia released driver updates in January of the previous year. Nowadays, drivers are more common. You might attempt DDU and then install 566.36. The driver file is over a year old, but it shouldn't affect performance if the issue persists.
I’m going to attempt this, though I doubt it’ll work. I removed the GPU, took off the cooler, and inspected the area. While reassembling, I noticed several tiny capacitors on the back of the GPU—about a quarter missing, with many dangling by a thread. I still plan to try the driver, but I suspect this is why the GPU is so unstable.