PC problems after installing a new GPU
PC problems after installing a new GPU
A few weeks back I upgraded my GTX 970 to an RTX 3060ti but it would crash after about ten minutes in both Assetto Corsa Competizione and Cyberpunk. I tried various troubleshooting steps—updated drivers, cleared DDU, swapped power cables, reset CMOS, flashed BIOS, even reinstalled Windows. Still nothing. Eventually I returned it as faulty. After that, I put the 970 back in and it stopped crashing. However, I started experiencing problems during startup: the CPU light appeared, the MB light came on, but the GPU fans would try to spin up but then stop. The PC wouldn’t boot properly—case fans and RGB lights were active. It required a hard shutdown and then usually worked fine the next time. Restarts kept failing; I needed to power down completely with the button. Then I bought a used 3070 from CeX in the UK, which came with a 24-month warranty. The same issues appeared again—crashing in the same games. Maybe the 3060ti wasn’t faulty after all. I still face start-up problems with the CPU light: if I shut down via the button and restarted the CPU light, it comes on, then the RAM light flickers, the CPU light goes off, and the PC starts normally, though it still crashes during gameplay. Internet browsing and video streaming work without issues, but gaming remains inconsistent. My MSI B550 Carbon Gaming WiFi board has an 8+4 CPU power connector, while my Corsair TX650M PSU only supports an 8-pin CPU cable. The rest of the system is... a Ryzen 5 3600 (likely next upgrade) and an MSI GeForce RTX 3070 Gaming X Trio with a 1TB WB Black M.2 SSD, paired with a Cooler Master Hyper 212 cooler. Help and advice are greatly appreciated!
Have you ever changed your BIOS settings? Your boot problems might be resolved by returning it to its original configuration (performing a CMOS reset) and testing the system. If the CPU remains active, the issue could lie with the power supply unit or the processor itself—check if the GPU was properly installed and ensure the cooling system is functioning correctly. Consider re-seating memory after resetting the CMOS to rule out a loose component.
I’d consider replacing the PSU first, as that could be the shared cause of startup and in-game issues. How long has your current PSU been used? If it’s over ten years, you might need to use only an 8-pin CPU socket. It works for me (3600 with a X570 board—no more CPU EPS power connectors). An 8-pin EPS can support a 5800X3D without problems.
PSU appears likely, but I tested Cyberpunk for about 20 minutes yesterday before it crashed. The Hardware Monitor showed normal power usage, with the GPU reaching around 233W. My model has a TDP of 240W, so I’m worried it might need a different PSU if it changes.
PSU is just two years old; I installed it at the start of 2021. I reached out to Corsair but haven’t received a reply yet. Also, I checked the extra four-pin connector—it’s mainly for high-performance CPUs and overclocking, which I haven’t used.
I've installed the newest BIOS update and reset the CMOS by removing the battery. I don't remember any physical damage, and I handled everything very carefully. The RAM was removed and reinserted correctly.
My new venture's launch problems seem to be intensifying. I consistently fail to boot, just displaying the white CPU indicator on EZ Debug while the fans spin and RGB lights flash. When I power it off and turn it back on, it usually works properly—though I'm not sure if the EZ Debug lights always activate during startup (they briefly show the DRAM and VGA indicators). After shutting down or restarting, the monitor loses signal, then the PC sits idle for 5-10 minutes with fans and RGB still active before finally powering off. I’m leaning toward the memory module or power supply unit, but hesitant to waste more money without a clear diagnosis.
Without physical testing, pinpointing the issue becomes difficult. We usually assume software problems first before hardware concerns. Since you cleared CMOS and reinstalled Windows, the possibilities are limited. Check Event Viewer under Windows Logs, focusing on Error and Critical events, to identify the crash source. Look for entries with bugcheck references and search online for that error message. If no relevant logs appear, a PSU OPP/OCP failure might be responsible. Consider contacting a computer store to replace parts and help narrow down the fault.