Hey everyone,
I'm dealing with a frustrating issue on my PC that's really got me stumped. I've been building my own computers for over 20 years, and my current setup is almost five years old. Here's what I'm working with:
- **CPU:** Ryzen 7 3700x
- **Motherboard:** MSI b550 Tomahawk (MS-7C91)
- **RAM:** 32GB Corsair LPX 3200 XMP 2.0
- **GPU:** Gigabyte GTX 970 Mini-ITX OC 4GB (bought second-hand)
- **PSU:** Corsair RM650x
- **SSD:** Samsung 970 EVO Plus 1TB
I thought the GPU was the issue since it started to freeze (the screen goes green, orange, or black) while sound continues playing. This started happening about 4-5 months ago, and it's getting worse—especially in games like ArcheAge, which crashes within 2 minutes.
I've done a complete cleaning and even replaced the thermal paste on my GTX 970. Installed fresh Nvidia drivers and reset the CMOS, but the problem persists. I tested my GTX 970 in my girlfriend's computer, and it crashed there too, while her 3070 worked fine in my setup.
Recently, I bought a new MSI RTX 5060, but it crashed in the same way and then my computer wouldn't boot at all afterward. I've tried everything: checking connections, resetting the CMOS, and even testing the new GPU in my girlfriend's system where it also failed.
My GTX 970 still works fine for basic tasks and some games. I returned the new RTX 5060 as I'm worried about what's causing these issues. I'm unsure where to go from here. Should I replace the GTX 970? Is there a chance something else like the PSU or motherboard is the culprit? I could really use your advice here!
1 Answer
It sounds like a video card issue, given that the GPU consistently causes freezes. However, it’s odd that the new RTX 5060 experienced the same fate. Have you considered the possibility of a failing motherboard or PSU? Sometimes those can cause weird issues that affect the GPU, even if they seem fine on their own.
That makes sense, but if both cards are crashing, could it be a compatibility issue with the motherboard? The PSU should ideally be sufficient for your setup, but maybe it's not handling load spikes well?