GPU stops working and shows a black screen during gameplay?
GPU stops working and shows a black screen during gameplay?
Beginning late last year, my GPU would occasionally crash to a black screen during games, while the fans would spin up to full speed and remain at that level until I manually restarted my PC. This happened repeatedly over time, eventually becoming a regular occurrence. After realizing my previous GPU (1070) had failed, I replaced it with a new Gigabyte 3060 and updated the drivers. It functioned normally afterward. My games launched correctly and ran at maximum settings for about fifteen minutes before the system froze again—this time automatically restarting instead of requiring a power button press like my old card did. Whenever I launch 3D games such as Valheim or Astroneer, my GPU would crash immediately. Terraria seems to load and play without issues.
On my previous hardware, several forums suggested overheating was the cause. I downloaded GPU Tweak to monitor temperatures and increased fan speeds to 100% for testing, even replacing thermal paste. Despite this, the GPU still crashed at temperatures as low as 25°C, making it unlikely the issue was overheating. My CPU also stayed around 40°C, along with other components. I’ve reinstalled and updated graphics drivers multiple times, performed clean installations, and updated my BIOS. If a GPU problem existed, it should have resolved itself with a new card, but it persists. I’m running out of options.
Full system specifications include the power supply unit's make, model, and estimated age.
Windows 10 64 bit
Hardware specs: MB H110M-E/M.2, GPU Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, CPU i7-7700 3.60GHz, PSU Corsair RM650w Gold (1 year old)
Yes, I've updated the GPU drivers myself, both by searching and installing from the site and uninstalling them, then performing a fresh install with GeForce Experience. I also located the newest BIOS driver for my motherboard directly on the ASUS website and applied that.
I'm not sure what else to recommend because your PSU is solid and can handle the 3060.
An update to the situation: I reinstalled Windows, and it worked normally for about 2 days, then it had a fast-track degradation process to where it was before, crashing immediately when a game opens.
It seems the problem might not lie with your GPU, but instead with another part of your hardware or software. Here are some actions you can try to identify and resolve the issue:
Examine your power source: Verify that your power supply can adequately support the system after installing the new GPU. A weak or failing power supply may lead to crashes and display errors. Confirm all connections to your GPU are secure and correctly positioned.
Inspect your RAM: A defective RAM chip or incorrect BIOS settings can result in instability. Utilize a tool such as MemTest86 to detect any RAM-related faults.
Scan for malware or viruses: Malicious software can trigger crashes and disrupt system performance. Run a scan using a trusted antivirus program.
Review other software configurations: Ensure your system is up-to-date with the most recent drivers and Windows patches. Employ tools like CCleaner to clear out unnecessary files or registry entries.
Investigate hardware compatibility: Test your setup with alternative components—such as a different power supply or RAM module—to determine if the problem remains. Alternatively, install the GPU in another system to observe its behavior.
Should these steps not resolve the concern, consider consulting a professional for deeper diagnosis and repair.