Resolved: Difficulty locating the cause of a sudden, unexpected black display.
Resolved: Difficulty locating the cause of a sudden, unexpected black display.
Hello. This is my first post here, and I’ve reviewed many previous posts regarding black screens related to similar problems. I recently acquired a 1080 Ti and it’s been performing wonderfully so far, but I've recently started experiencing random black screens. Initially, I suspected my hard drive because it made a peculiar sound—like a forced computer shutdown. This coincided with game freezing and black screening. However, this doesn't occur with all games; it’s limited to:
* Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order (completely random)
* Black Desert Online (only in Dark “boss” Rifts)
* MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries (after loading a custom match)
I checked the Windows Event Log and saw that my Nvidia driver stopped working and then “recovered,” but this didn't solve the issue. After a black screen appears, my PC remains powered on, though sometimes the sound stops and sometimes it continues without resolution. It occasionally even reboots itself independently. I attempted to restart the video driver using Win + Ctrl + Shift + B, but this proved ineffective. There are no visual artifacts present.
I’ve played Apex extensively with all settings maximized, and it has never caused a black screen before—it only results in being stuck in character selection, which I initially attributed to the game’s fault.
I successfully reproduced the black screen in BDO three times, which helped me identify a possible cause—the hard drive containing only games (not the Windows installation drive) was identified as a suspect. I replaced it and performed a clean Windows reinstallation to rule this out completely. After the new hard drive installation, I attempted to reproduce the black screen during a Dark Rift boss fight, and it did not occur. However, when I continued playing and encountered another Dark Rift Boss, the black screen returned after he reached half health. It has never crashed outside of these specific games and I haven't modified the system’s clock speeds (although it is likely running at its default overclock).
Temperatures are within acceptable limits; the GPU peaks around 72°C while gaming, and the CPU ranges from 66°C to 70°C during intense sessions. When idle, the GPU is at 30°C and the CPU between 40°C and 50°C. I ran Heaven benchmark for 15 minutes, reaching a maximum temperature of 71°C without incident. Interestingly, HWMonitor displays an “Aux” reading (TMPIN1) of 52°C at idle and 90°C or higher while gaming. I’ve read online that this could be related to VRM issues on the processor or Northbridge. My technical knowledge is limited, and I’m not sure what to consider next.
RAM has been thoroughly tested with MemTest86 for 15 minutes, and results were negative. Drivers have been reinstalled twice using DDU in previous Windows installations, with no change in the problem. The GPU is currently unknown—I’m wondering if it might be failing, but I want to eliminate other possibilities. The motherboard is also uncertain; I doubt it's faulty, but the possibility remains. My power supply is old and has been used for many years; I plan to check the voltages tomorrow with a multimeter.
Considering my hardware is somewhat outdated, it’s possible this is the root cause of these black screens. I currently live in a country facing significant political and economic challenges, which limits my ability to resolve this issue. I would greatly appreciate any guidance or suggestions you can offer. I intend to capture a memory dump file when the next black screen occurs.
THANKS!
MOBO: MSI H61M-P20
CPU: i5-2400
GPU: EVGA GTX 1080 Ti SC2 Gaming iCX
RAM: Ramaxel 1333MHz 4gb x2 Dual Channel
OS: Windows 10 Pro 1909
PSU: CoolMax CUL-750B
Using a DVI Cable on a 1600x900 monitor and an HDMI cable for a second TV monitor at 1920x1080
Focusing on a particular element within a VRM, the MOSFETs, is important; these components generally operate safely up to a maximum temperature of 150°C. Even with unfavorable thermal resistance, you can likely function adequately up to approximately 130°C. Therefore, it’s unlikely that your VRMs are the root cause of the issue.
However, this power supply is demonstrably substandard. Hardware Secrets, a reputable source for hardware assessments, after extensive testing concluded that “Manufacturers have no right to label a 450-watt power supply as a 750-watt unit and avoid repercussions.”
Source: https://www.hardwaresecrets.com/coolmax-...review/10/
Considering that a 1080 Ti needs at least 600 watts for effective operation, this represents a significant problem and practically necessitates immediate replacement.
Focus your attention on the MOSFET within a VRM; these components generally operate safely up to 150°C. Even with unfavorable thermal resistance, you can likely function within a 130°C range. Therefore, it’s unlikely that your VRMs are the root cause of your issue.
However, this power supply is undeniably substandard. Hardware Secrets, a reliable source for hardware evaluations, has expressed serious concerns after extensive testing: “It’s perplexing how a manufacturer could label a 450-watt power supply as a 750-watt unit and remain unpunished.”
(Source: https://www.hardwaresecrets.com/coolmax-...review/10/)
Notably, a 1080 Ti demands at least 600 watts for optimal performance, making this situation worrisome. It’s so problematic that replacing it immediately is strongly advised to prevent damage to your graphics card or other components, especially considering its age of six years. The only viable temporary solution would be limiting your gameplay to games with minimal resource demands until you can afford a replacement.
This situation exemplifies misusing a power supply by exaggerating its output capacity compared to actual requirements – a decent 600-watt PSU would actually provide more power.
A power supply should not be treated as an afterthought and purchased on a budget. A poorly constructed unit can inflict significant harm on other components. Consequently, cease playing those demanding games – or any similar titles – until a suitable replacement power supply is obtained.
Certainly, they ought to be fully aware of their methods, and that’s because there aren't any concrete regulations forbidding it. Frankly, it’s astounding—in many sectors, this would immediately trigger legal action. Seriously, I wouldn't purchase another Coolmax power supply, or any electronic item, after this experience. What’s the level of regulation here? If the IT sector truly desires for the 80+ rating to signify something substantial, it needs to become mandatory, not optional, especially regarding essential parts like power supplies. I can’t envision the aviation field operating with such a lack of oversight—lives would undoubtedly be jeopardized, honestly.
I avoided raising concerns about the severe absence of regulations regarding responsible production, but I understand your perspective fully. I simply wish the original poster would consider this seriously and thoroughly investigate their upcoming power supply purchase.
Absolutely, we need to thoroughly investigate this issue and inform the client regarding insufficient regulation. Were I in a position to effect change, I would significantly revise industry standards, drawing inspiration from the stringent controls applied in aviation. Based on my prior role as a flight dispatcher, regulatory bodies like the FAA and their international counterparts maintain unwavering standards and are known for their uncompromising approach.
It’s truly comprehensible why the aviation sector maintains rigorous rules, considering human lives are at stake. Nevertheless, we frequently observe in the media that specific aircraft producers and airlines disregard warnings from inspectors, as highlighted recently by Boeing and one of its senior executives stepping down following increased scrutiny.
If such issues can arise within the airline sector, you can be certain they will occur in any industry where clients are routinely viewed with disdain. After all, few would voice strong objections if a gamer’s computer malfunctions, aside from a select group of friends.
However, as previously suggested, this discussion is somewhat unrelated. It’s a subject deserving consideration, yet perhaps best addressed in a separate forum.
😉
Thank you for your responses, and I appreciate your worries. Initially, when I received this power supply unit, I lacked significant knowledge regarding these matters; as a teenager, my priority was simply to enjoy the games I desired. However, regarding my problem: I recently examined the PSU and it appears to be functioning correctly. Furthermore, testing another 1080 Ti card produced the identical problem, indicating that the GPU is not to blame – which is reassuring. Given your assessment that this PSU is substandard, I intend to bring in a different power supply unit tomorrow for verification. I recognize the potential risks involved, and I won’t resume playing those games unless absolutely necessary to assess whether the problem has been resolved.
Additionally, I suspect a possible cause – the TMPIN1 sensor. While it’s unfamiliar to me, at idle it maintains a temperature of approximately 50°C, but when I play games, the temperature rapidly increases to between 116°C and 120°C. This is precisely when the black screen appears. I believe that the heatsink cover of my 1080 Ti is causing heat to transfer to components on my motherboard, and considering my case’s limited size, it may not provide sufficient cooling. What are your insights on this matter?
I've been examining system error logs and related information, and I’ve discovered that the black screen frequently coincides with a Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). This explains why my computer occasionally restarts automatically, and at other times it doesn’t. Essentially, the BSOD doesn't happen consistently.
As I previously mentioned, a MOSFET within your VRM typically possesses a temperature tolerance of at least 130°C, however, this motherboard is six years old and isn’t designed for intense gaming. It's possible the component simply lacks sufficient cooling even at 120°C. Furthermore, keep in mind that software temperature readings aren't always entirely accurate.
If replacing the motherboard is not feasible, particularly given that it would necessitate a new CPU and DDR4 RAM, a possible temporary solution could involve acquiring a small heatsink kit with heatsinks compatible with your MOSFETs. These can reduce temperatures by 5°C to 10°C or more.
Be certain to measure your MOSFETs initially; they should be the components indicated in red below.
Here’s an example of a MOSFET heatsink kit, among many others. Measure first! If uncertain about their suitability, you can often determine if they’re the correct parts by observing how hot these components become when gaming. Ensure you clean them with isopropyl alcohol before attaching the heatsinks, utilizing a higher concentration of alcohol for optimal results when they are cool. Replacing the power supply unit is also strongly recommended.
https://www.amazon.com/Easycargo-Heatsin...523&sr=8-1