Only Intel iGPU fails in Overwatch.
Only Intel iGPU fails in Overwatch.
I've encountered an unusual and uncommon issue with my new laptop. The iGPU (UHD 620) would frequently time out and crash exclusively when Overwatch was running. I've conducted several stress tests to detect any instability, but all passed without errors. However, when attempting to run Overwatch, it would randomly crash at unpredictable moments—sometimes during initial loading or even when starting up. Investigation points point to the iGPU driver timing out and restarting during TDR recovery, which triggers the crash and displays a "Your rendering device has been lost! Application closing!" message. Despite running Prime95 with various FFT sizes, OCCT tests for CPU, GPU, RAM, power, and even stress tests like Furmark, Memtest86, and 3DMark Time Spy, all completed successfully without issues. I also tested other games that support iGPU, such as TF2 and Minecraft, which functioned normally. I removed Avast because past problems with it on an older system were noted, switched drivers between Intel, Lenovo, and older versions, and performed a clean Windows 10 installation. Initially, I thought the slower performance of Windows 11 might be the culprit, but that didn't resolve the problem. I've tried adjusting settings like undervolting, but nothing worked. The laptop operates at full stock configuration. I haven't made any changes to try and fix this, as my experience suggests hardware faults would surface during stress tests. The BIOS updated automatically to version 1.49 after first installing Windows. Details: Thinkpad T480 i5-8350U with UHD Graphics 620, 1x16GB DDR4-2133 RAM, 256GB SATA SSD, running Windows 10 Pro x64.
I'm not sure how much help I can offer since I haven't used an iGPU in a while. You seem to be running only one stick of RAM, which really slows things down. Having just one stick drops performance significantly—only using one stick cuts speed in half. Try getting a 32 GB kit (16x2) with DDR4 RAM. That should boost gaming and overall speed. DDR4 memory is also very affordable right now, possibly under $50. You could even sell your old stick to recoup some of that cost. Regarding stability, I'm not too confident. It might just be a memory issue, which usually causes stuttering rather than crashes. It's worth checking if paging is enabled. Usually, when starting from scratch like this, I'd reinstall the game and restart. If that didn't work, try updating drivers and restarting again (you might already have done that). If not, you could consider a full Windows reinstall. But honestly, I'm not very familiar with iGPUs, so someone else might know more.
I concur, a single-channel RAM might cause problems... but equally vital is checking whether other applications are active, such as MSI Afterburner, OBS, overlays, or overclocking tools, along with browsers.
The laptop came with 1x16GB RAM as specified by the seller. I might attempt a upgrade to 2x16GB later, knowing it could introduce some slowdowns, even if it runs on an Intel CPU or iGPU. Overall it remains stable, though Memtest shows no issues. I plan to boost the page file size and keep it managed by the system, but I’ll test a larger value such as 32GB. I’ve already reinstalled the game, confirmed its files are correct, and removed its cache folders. A fresh Windows 10 install was performed because the previous Windows 11 version caused problems. The game still crashes despite all these changes. I ran Afterburner initially to check for shader cache buildup, as the game became unusable with full load on every core. After monitoring, a stable frame rate of 30–50 FPS at low settings appeared. A clean Windows 10 reinstall was just completed hours ago, so I haven’t reinstalled Afterburner yet. I don’t have OBS installed either, and the game is played without any browser windows—just Discord. The thermal readings are normal; CPU temperatures stay below 85°C with Afterburner active. It seems the iGPU might be faulty only under certain intense loads, but it rarely shows artifacts or visual issues. It just times out and restarts repeatedly.
Do you rely on laptops? Yes, dual channel really makes a difference, but the fastest RAM matters too. You have this ThinkPad with an i5 8th gen; it will handle up to 2400 MT/s max, no question. If the person using it later switches to a machine that supports those faster sticks, then upgrading to 3200 would be a good move since the price gap wasn’t huge (around 2400–3200).
It seems the information provided is quite technical and focused on hardware specifications. The tone suggests a casual discussion about performance expectations and system choices. The user appears to be evaluating options for a gaming setup, weighing factors like speed, cost, and stability. They also mention uncertainty about certain settings and whether they can switch renderers or adjust settings. Overall, the conversation reflects a practical approach to optimizing a PC for gaming or performance tasks.
They’ve likely encountered this message before and it explains the issue clearly. Sending an email might be a good next step.
I purchased it several years ago, though I don’t remember the exact details.
I don't believe I'll be swapping this laptop anytime soon, and if I do, I might have chosen a model with DDR5 instead, so 2400MHz RAM should work just fine. It doesn’t appear there are any renderer options to adjust—it’s solely DX11. I’ve been playing the game for roughly two hours now, using a 32GB page file and not experiencing any crashes yet, though it briefly froze once before resuming normally. At least this is better than a complete crash. I should have mentioned this laptop is preowned. My main use is office work because I couldn’t take my current PC to the new apartment, and my old Acer is damaged beyond repair with broken parts. I only bought it for its affordability ($200), solid specs, and durability compared to the fragile Swift 3. Gaming is just a side activity when I’m idle. My intention is to rely on the built-in graphics temporarily and switch to an external GPU later once I can afford one, thanks to its Thunderbolt 3 support.