My RTX 3060 Ti suddenly started crashing at the desktop with a VIDEO_TDR_ERROR. From what I've read, that might mean the graphics card is failing, but I'm not very experienced with diagnosing hardware problems. Should I try anything before replacing it? If the card is dead, I'm considering another 3060 Ti or a reasonable upgrade. I'm currently using a Ryzen 5 5600, a 700W power supply, and an AM4 motherboard, so any CPU upgrade would need to stay on that socket. I'd prefer to upgrade only the GPU unless a CPU change would make a meaningful difference.
2 Answers
Don’t buy a replacement yet. VIDEO_TDR_ERROR can come from corrupted or unstable graphics drivers rather than a dead GPU. Boot into Safe Mode, use Display Driver Uninstaller to completely remove the NVIDIA driver, then reinstall a fresh driver. It’s also worth preventing Windows from automatically installing a display driver during the process. If the card works afterward, you may also want to test a mild undervolt with MSI Afterburner.
Depending on local prices, a used RTX 3080 could be a better value than buying another used 3060 Ti, especially if the difference is only around $100. Just check the card’s condition and make sure your power supply has the appropriate PCIe cables. The 700W unit may be sufficient, but the exact model and quality matter.
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