My PC boots normally and works on the desktop, but when I launch a game the monitor suddenly loses signal and goes into standby. After a while, the computer crashes or needs to be restarted. It was working normally yesterday, although I've had occasional crashes recently. I reinstalled the graphics drivers and ran a system memory test without finding anything. The graphics card is a GeForce GTX 3060, and the power supply is probably 450W and around six or seven years old. The problem happens when loading Marvel, and I also saw the error "GPUCRReset TDR occurred on GPUID:700." What should I check next?
3 Answers
Because the issue started recently despite the card working for years, also check temperatures and physical connections. Monitor GPU temperature, hotspot temperature, and fan behavior while starting the game. Reseat the graphics card and its power cable, and make sure the card is not sagging badly. If temperatures are normal and the card still triggers the same TDR error, replacing the old PSU with a reputable model in the roughly 550–650W range would be a sensible first hardware test. If a known-good PSU does not change anything, the GTX 3060 itself may need repair or replacement.
Try a clean graphics-driver installation rather than installing the new driver over the old one. Use a driver cleanup utility from Safe Mode, then install a current stable NVIDIA driver. Also remove any GPU overclock or undervolt, including settings left by tuning software, and temporarily lower the game’s graphics settings or frame rate. If it still black-screens immediately under load after a clean driver install, software is becoming less likely and hardware or power delivery is the stronger suspect.
The monitor going into standby means the graphics card is losing its video signal, so this is more likely a GPU, power-delivery, or GPU-driver problem than ordinary system RAM. A memory test does not test the card’s VRAM. The GPUCRReset/TDR message also points toward the graphics driver or the card failing when it comes under load. Since the power supply is only 450W and may be six or seven years old, its age and quality are worth investigating even if that wattage can technically run a GTX 3060. Check that the GPU power connector is firmly seated, avoid adapters or loose extension cables, and inspect Reliability Monitor or Event Viewer for errors at the exact crash time. If possible, test with a known-good, newer PSU and test the card in another PC; those are the quickest ways to separate a failing PSU from a failing GPU.
The card has been installed for about three years, but the crashes have recently become more frequent and now it cannot get through loading the game. I’ll check the power connections and try to test the PSU or GPU separately.
The TDR error can be caused by a driver timeout, but repeated black screens in multiple games after a clean install can also mean unstable VRAM or a card that is beginning to fail. A GPU stress test can confirm the pattern, but stop if the system repeatedly loses signal rather than letting it run indefinitely.