I'm having a frustrating issue with my Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU that occurs roughly every two months. The problem is that my screen goes black and the GPU fans rev up to full speed, yet there's no blue screen, and if I'm playing a game or watching something on YouTube, the audio continues without interruption. This leads me to believe that my entire system isn't crashing; it seems to only affect the GPU. After this happens, the black screen events happen more frequently, even when my computer is idle. I usually resolve the issue temporarily by dismantling my PC and reseating the GPU and power cable, but then I have to do it all over again a couple of months later. I've tried completely uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers multiple times and I use a support bracket. I don't have an alternative power connector, and I'm hesitant to purchase a new cable, fearing the issue will reappear shortly after, making it out of return range. Can anyone suggest logs, diagnostics, or tests that could help me pinpoint what's going wrong? Any advice would be much appreciated!
5 Answers
Do you have a good support bracket? If reseating the GPU helps, it might be sagging gradually under its weight. It’s worth exploring better support options.
If reseating the GPU helps, you might be dealing with GPU sag. It could be worth it to set up a stand to support the GPU better. You could DIY one or buy an after-market support.
I made my own support with a Lego Minecraft Creeper! It has adjustable legs and works perfectly.
I mentioned a support bracket in my original post. It feels pretty sturdy, but I might try 3D printing some additional supports just to be safe.
To get a clearer understanding of what's going on, I suggest checking for dump files after a crash. These are crash logs that can offer insights. If you can access your system, check the C:WindowsMinidump for any files. You can zip them up and upload to a file sharing site for help. Having multiple dump files will give better data for analysis.
I'll look for those dump files; I didn't know they could be so helpful!
Have you considered trying to wipe your drivers again? Sometimes fresh installs can resolve lingering issues. Just to confirm, did you uninstall the old drivers properly each time?
Yes, I've done clean installs twice, but they didn't seem to help.
If you’re overclocking, consider turning that off. Even minor settings can cause instability, so reset to defaults and see if that solves the issue!
Yes, I mentioned using a support bracket, but I’ll see if I can enhance support with something 3D printed.