Issues with RTX 3070 graphics cards can include visual glitches and performance drops.
Issues with RTX 3070 graphics cards can include visual glitches and performance drops.
I bought a used EVGA RX 3070 but noticed green lines and random streaks on the screen during installation. It appeared in the BIOS and boot menu, indicating a hardware issue. I received a refund because the seller provided free returns. While the GPU itself was faulty, I suspect the power supply might have been underpowered. The PSU I currently use is functioning perfectly. My system specs: Windows 11 Pro 22631.4602, Intel Core i5-10400, 4x8GB Micron DDR4, ASRock B460M Pro4 BIOS, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 → RTX 3070 500W power supply.
Artifacts may result from insufficient GPU power. Your setup uses a 500W supply with a split cable instead of dedicated PCIe cables. It's best to use separate PCIe cables for your GPU and ensure you have a reliable power source that meets the needs. The RTX 3070 requires at least 650W, especially with voltage spikes. A 600W unit would suffice, but a 500W one isn't sufficient.
The desktop is drawing around 20W when this happens. The power supply seems fine unless it occurs only during high load. It looks like the card itself might be faulty—likely a bad VRAM module. Some specialists can repair VRAM, but it will cost a lot, possibly matching the original price you spent on it. Returning it is the best choice.
Max power consumption for certain 3070 models reaches about 280W. The surges linked to the 30 series issues have been noted near or exceeding 300W. If the unit is low quality and only uses a single daisy chain cable rather than separate ones, power problems might be involved. Many off-brand PSUs perform poorly and often fail to deliver the promised output. Some fake-certified units don’t match their claims. This isn’t confirmed for OP, but it seems likely. As others suggest, the issue could relate to VRAM, but I was trying to advise whether power factors are at play and what else should be checked.
The items appeared immediately after posting, showing up in the boot screen and BIOS. All ports except one display port were not working. I wasn’t able to run stress tests because Windows didn’t recognize the device. I also observed the card’s back heating up significantly even while idle on the desktop. Regarding the PSU upgrade for a 3070, would you consider it safe to use a 500W unit until you buy a better one?
The unnamed PSU might work well or pose a fire risk, it varies by model... Do you have the specific model in mind?
I own a 3070 Ti that worked well with my 550W Seasonic Gold setup. A solid 500W PSU should suffice for this model, though a mid-range option might be tight. I recall some tests where a 500W unit paired with a 3080 caused issues, but I don’t have the exact specs. Just try it out unless your PSU is extremely unreliable—it will simply shut down under load, signaling you need a better one.