I recently swapped my newer GPU for an older one, specifically downgrading from a 3060 to a GTX 970. Now, the fans on the new card spin for a brief moment and then stop, with no lights or display output. I've reseated the GPU a few times and even tried it in a different motherboard, but the same issue persists. I'm wondering if I need to update my drivers or if there's something else I can do to troubleshoot this problem.
3 Answers
I’ve had a similar experience when downgrading from a 3060 to a GTX 970. It helps to ensure both the GPU and the driver situation is cleared up. That sometimes resolves these weird glitches.
How old are we talking about with that GPU? It should ideally just work, but sometimes motherboards can be finicky if they’re trying to run a card that's not compatible with the PCIe version. You might want to try resetting the CMOS. If that doesn't help, swap the GPU back to your newer one and manually adjust the PCIe settings to match your older card, then swap back. By the way, can you access the BIOS at all? No driver issue can stop you from getting into the BIOS, so that might give you a clue.
Did you completely clean out the old 3060 drivers using DDU before putting in the GTX 970? It can make a difference and often helps resolve issues after swapping GPUs.
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