Graphics Card fails at boot every other restart (continues to boot)

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averyhox

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Jan 9, 2014
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10,510
Every couple of reboots my computer fails to detect the graphics card. The card turns on, the fans spin like normal, but as soon as the computer gets to the motherboard vendor screen I can tell if the graphics card failed - the graphics have artifacts over the screen, with random missing bits of graphics spliced/missing.

After this point the computer continues to boot successfully with each screen (OS selection, boot splash, etc) all with messed up graphics. It boots into windows 7 in low resolution. When I inspect the Device Manager it sees the GTX 460 but there was an error and Windows had to shut it down.

Seeing that the failure occurred before windows, I know it is not a Windows issue.

When it does boot fine (60-70% of the time) I am able to play all games (BF4, Path of Exile, Diablo III, etc) with no issues at all. Full expected FPS, etc.

What I've tried
- RMA'd graphics card
- Replaced mobo (didn't fix it so reverted back)
- Replaced power supply
- Tried RAM in different slots, reduced RAM
- Drivers, drivers, drivers
- Clean OS install
- Watch the temperature levels and make sure they are at acceptable levels. Nothing is abnormal here
- Cleaned all fans to ensure maximum air flow just in case
- Took apart the entire computer and put it back together (ensuring proper placement and everything is seated right)

Question is: What do you think is wrong? I assume hardware, as the error occurs right at start up. Could this be a processor issue? Its the only thing I haven't tried at the moment.

Specs:
Custom built 6 years ago with no previous issues - upgraded gpu/ram 4 years ago and psu a few months ago

Processor: QX6850
Ram: Corsair Gaming DDR2 2x2gb (4gb)
Motherboard: Zotac Geforce 9300 Micro ATX (socket 775)
GPU: Nvidia brand GTX 460 (original 2gb)
Powersupply: OCZ ModXstream Pro 500W
HDD: 500GB Seagate, 7200rpm (nothing fancy)

Motherboard has latest bios, hardware drivers, etc.

Is it just time to upgrade...? Just want to make sure I'm throwing away the right stuff and keeping the right stuff.
 
Solution
Dom_79
Hmmm. Can't find anyone having driver issues with that other mobo so it must be the GPU. Hopefully the warranty people are nice to deal with and possibly hook you up with a better card next time.
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Dom_79

Dom_79

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I would suspect the PSU. OCZ is not the best name (and to put a point on the issue they went bankrupt last month)

It may just be time to upgrade. If you do I would recommend not keeping that PSU. From what you listed I would say the GPU and the HDD would be the only parts you could transfer to a new rig.

If you are going to build a new rig (just not right now) and have a few $$ from the budget of that new rig already, you may want to buy your new rigs PSU now and use it on this rig while you get the rest together. Just my two cents on the matter ;)
 
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averyhox

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Jan 9, 2014
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I thought that initially, but the OCZ is a new replacement. My computer had the same issue with my older 700w PSU which is why I upgraded to the OCZ. The day I replaced the PSU with the OCZ the issue persisted through and occurred on the first reboot with the new PSU. It is a recurring issue from one PSU to the next.

I'll see if I can get my hands on a third PSU though just to verify. It definitely feels like a power issue.. just cannot validate it.
 
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Dom_79

Dom_79

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I wouldn't try another PSU, probably won't make any difference. I wouldn't have suggested it if I had realized that the problem had occurred before you replaced the PSU. I'd contact the manufacturer with all the trouble shooting you've done and demand another card. Something must be wrong with it if you have the same issue with different PSUs, different mobos, basically different ram (all of that might as well have been a different computer). What exactly did they say when you RMA'd it before?
 
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averyhox

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Jan 9, 2014
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When I RMA'd the graphics card, they had me conduct a few test prior (ram, psu, etc). They said it was probably dying, so they sent me a new one. The same thing happened as soon as I placed the new GPU in the computer. At that point I assumed something else was wrong and maybe I was testing the hardware incorrectly.

Yeah, pretty much the only thing I have not replaced would be the CPU itself. I replaced power cords, HDMI/DVI cables, etc. Maybe I got a second bad card.

 
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averyhox

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Jan 9, 2014
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It is actually an Nvidia brand. Built and manufactured by Nvidia.

Original 1st edition GTX 460 2gb.
 
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Dom_79

Dom_79

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OH, one of those BestBuy dealies?

Anyhow I did some checking on your mobo. It seems that there are/were quite a few people who had problems with that board. Also some who had specific NVidia drivers (GTX 260 is one I can definitely remember) not being supported by the board. What was the other motherboard you tried this GPU on?
 
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averyhox

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Jan 9, 2014
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Yeah, got it from Best Buy. Worked their a short bit while in college so got a decent deal on it.

This is the other mobo: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157359

ASRock G41C-GS LGA 775 Intel G41 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard

One of the last LGA 775 I could find that was decent.
 
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Dom_79

Dom_79

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Hmmm. Can't find anyone having driver issues with that other mobo so it must be the GPU. Hopefully the warranty people are nice to deal with and possibly hook you up with a better card next time.
 
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Solution
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averyhox

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Jan 9, 2014
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Yeah, probably right. Thanks for all the help. I went ahead and marked yours as the best solution... makes sense after all of that to send it back again.
 
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