Hey everyone! I recently upgraded my graphics card to a Gigabyte Aorus 3090 Waterforce 24GB, opting for this setup as I've always used water cooling. Everything seemed perfect after my tests to ensure there were no leaks. However, upon starting it up, I'm encountering black screens and system lock-ups. The only way to get it to work again is a hard reset using my PSU switch or the power button. I even did a DDU twice and installed the latest Nvidia drivers, so everything should be fresh. The only way I can use the system is by underclocking to 65%. I'm starting to feel a bit frustrated, so I would appreciate any advice. Here are my specs:
- CPU: Intel Core i9-12900K (2023/2024)
- RAM: 2x16GB Kingston Fury Beast DDR5 @ 6000MHz
- Motherboard: Asus Prime Z790-V AX (2023/2024)
- PSU: Older Corsair 1000W, bought around 2018
- GPU: Gigabyte AORUS GeForce RTX 3090 Xtreme WATERFORCE
I'm planning to update the BIOS tomorrow, but I'm not sure what else I could be missing. Thanks!
3 Answers
It sounds like your PSU might be the issue here. An older power supply can struggle to provide enough power for a high-end GPU like the 3090, especially combined with that powerful CPU. I'd consider swapping it out for a newer model if possible.
Before doing anything drastic, double-check all your cables and connectors to make sure they’re secure. Are you getting the black screens during gameplay or just randomly? Also, keep an eye on your temps and check Windows Event Viewer for any error messages that might give clues.
The connections seem alright, but it does mainly happen when gaming. My temps are pretty low with water cooling. I'll check the Event Viewer for any errors.
Definitely check your PSU; it's pretty old and the 3090 consumes a lot of power. Keeping a PSU for over 5 years without an upgrade can be risky. It might not deliver enough juice for your new setup.
Yeah, I had an RM1000 before, which was great in its day. Perhaps it’s time to retire it.
That makes sense! I'll look into getting a new PSU. Thanks for the tip!