Is the question screen going dark during games? Could it be a problem with the GPU, PSU, or motherboard?
Is the question screen going dark during games? Could it be a problem with the GPU, PSU, or motherboard?
Hello
My PC was built about five years ago. The graphics card is roughly six months old, which was replaced under warranty but is now no longer covered. Recently, while playing games, my monitor would flicker with blackouts (this happens with all games). I had a Dell E2218HN and was using an HDMI cable. I assumed the problem was with the cable and ordered a replacement, but the issue continued. Since the cables were out of the way, I thought it might be a monitor fault, so I purchased an LG 24GS65F, connected it via the DP cable, but the problem persisted, so I’m eliminating that possibility.
The monitor functions normally during regular use, but only during gaming does this occur.
I don’t mind upgrading the monitor because I planned to do it later, but I’m not in budget for a new GPU upgrade, so I kept it.
Interesting observation: when I shared my screen with friends on Discord, they saw smooth gameplay without blackouts or FPS drops, indicating the frames were being rendered properly. What might be causing this?
Hardware
Asus PRIME B450M-K II
Processor
AMD Ryzen 3 3200G with Radeon Vega Graphics
Video Card
Zotac GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
RAM
Crucial DDR4 2x8GB
Power Supply
Ant Esports VS600L
Display
LG 24GS65F-B UltraGear 24 Inch FHD IPS 180Hz
What I attempted:
- Restarted the system and updated drivers
- Switched to a different HDMI cable, now using the DP cable on the new monitor
- Replaced the entire monitor
- Used a separate socket for both the monitor and CPU
- Cleaned the GPU slot and reinserted it
The GPU has been around about six months and was replaced under warranty, but it is now outside of warranty.
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Zotac GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
Was this used? Did you use DDU in Safe Mode to uninstall all GPU drivers (intel, AMD, Nvidia) then restart to install the newest GPU driver from Nvidia's support site via an elevated command?
Asus PRIME B450M-K II
Which BIOS version are you running for your motherboard?
Crucial DDR4 2x8GB
Do you have a link to the RAM kit used?
Ant Esports VS600L
At this stage, the unit appears to be five years old. My research indicates it came with a two-year warranty. Even if the PSU was brand new, that brand is known for producing low-quality PSUs regardless of wattage. I plan to find a well-built 550W unit (borrowed if possible) to check if the problem improves.
I own a Dell E2218HN monitor
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I recently purchased an LG 24GS65F
In terms of resolution, both are 1080p. Running both at 60Hz doesn’t put more strain on your GPU with the new monitor compared to the old one.
Bought used? Did you use DDU in Safe Mode to delete all GPU drivers (intel, AMD, Nvidia) then restart to install the newest GPU driver from Nvidia's support site via an elevated command?
The GPU had previously failed too, so it was replaced under warranty with a brand new unit. Regarding drivers, I completely reset Windows using USB, ensuring clean drivers, and then installed them directly from Nvidia’s website.
What BIOS version is your motherboard running?
BIOS Version/Date: American Megatrends Inc. 4403, 13-12-2023
Do you have a link to the RAM kit you used?
https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0734V4SSR
Would you consider obtaining a reliable 550W unit and testing it, or would you prefer to borrow one instead of buying?
I’m also considering trying to test the GPU in another PC to see if the problem persists.
It seems I suspect the PSU might be faulty, as the frames appear distorted on screen sharing. I also tried disconnecting the GPU and running a game with integrated graphics, which worked without blackouts—does this suggest something is wrong?
As a short-term solution, I’ve lowered the GPU clock speed using MSI Afterburner, which appears to reduce black screen occurrences during games.
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. 4403, 13-12-2023
https://www.asus.com/motherboards-c...-i...B450M-K-II
I aim to reach BIOS version 4644 for comparison. Ensure you have the most recent chipset driver from AMD's support site before updating the BIOS.
By reliable, I mean a PSU likely from Corsair or similar brands like TX or RM, not a CX unit. Essentially, if your issue disappears with a stable PSU, it probably was the PSU that caused the problem.
To clarify further, a possible GPU failure could have occurred earlier.
As a short-term solution, I've reduced the GPU clock speed using MSI Afterburner, which seems to lessen black screen occurrences during games.
An undervolt adjustment would also lower power consumption and heat output.
You didn't specify your case make or model, nor did you share idle and load temperatures.
This situation isn't ideal for maximum cooling since the front fascia is mostly solid. If temperatures decrease after removing the side panel and/or fascia, the case should be replaced with a better ventilated one.