Is my graphics card dying?

Flak999 · Mar 24, 2014

I have a Nvidia Geforce GTX580 card in my desktop PC, It is three years old and has given sterling service all of that time. However I now seem to be having a problem which started manifesting itself about a month ago.

Every time I start a graphically intensive application such as Microsoft flight simulator, The program loads without problem but then freezes with multicoloured on screen artifacts and a message saying the graphics driver has recovered from a problem. The only way I can escape is by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del and using task manager.

I was using fairly old but stable drivers which have worked perfectly up until now (two years) there have been no upgrades to my machine other than the monthly windows updates, I have also scanned my machine in safe mode with malwarebytes and super anti-spyware both have given a clean result.

As a last resort yesterday I upgraded the graphic drivers to the latest WHQL certified drivers using the clean install option, the drivers have updated perfectly and I have run the dxdiag tool which reports no problems, however the original problem still remains and I have noticed that occasionally it now occurs during simple web browsing, GPU-Z reports the idle temp for the card is 44°C.

I have opened the PC case and have ascertained that all the fans are working and are not blocked with dust, so basically I am at a loss to know what to try next. Does all this indicate the card is on the way out and needs replacing?

RobCrezz · Mar 24, 2014

Whats the temp of the gpu when on load in flight sim?

It might just need replacing of the thermal paste.

Deleted member 1300495 · Mar 24, 2014

It is dying. But, you could check the cooling solution, is it enough? Also, I would advise you to re install windows, it might be because of that. Delete all the old drivers and get new ones from Nvidia's website

chris987 · Mar 24, 2014

gtx580 can endure really high temps as 95+ c , 44c is ok for idle you really need to know temps under load, good operative ones would be under 90c .if temps are ok, you can underclock it a bit and see if has a positive impact. if it has, then it is dying but you can still operate it with lower clocks!

Flak999 · Mar 24, 2014

Thank you all for your prompt answers, I have experimented this morning with various 3D applications Flight sim, BF3 and runescape all with the same result as detailed in my opening post. I have also run the windows memory checking tool and my machine passes this with no issues, I can't get a temp reading under load from GPU-Z because as soon as the 3D application loads I get the on screen artifacts and the graphics driver error and the application quits so the card never reaches load temperature.

How would I go about underclocking the card? Do I need some additional software for this? If the card is indeed dying I was thinking of a GTX770 as a replacement, what are your thoughts on this choice?

Thank you once again for your help.

chris987 · Mar 24, 2014

for underclocking you could use msi afterburner.gtx770 is a very capable gpu. also what is the rest of your hardware? you can also underclock through nvida control panel, just lower the core-memory-shader

Flak999 · Mar 24, 2014

Thank you Chris, I will try to underclock via the Nvidia control panel. As for my system specs, I am running an I7 2600K sandybridge CPU clocked at 3.40 Ghz on an ASUS P8P67 Pro mainboard with 16 Gb of DDR3 1600 Mhz duel channel memory. My PSU is a Corsair AX850 850W, My boot drive is a Corsair Force 120GB SATA II 2.5 SSD. And My data drive a Samsung 1TB Spinpoint F3 32MB Cache SATA 300. My monitor is a Samsung syncmaster 226cw.

chris987 · Mar 24, 2014

you have a very capable setup, gtx770 would run perfectly.!make sure gtx580 needs a replace though!

Flak999 · Mar 24, 2014

Thanks for your continuing help, i have looked at the Nvidia control panel and been through all of it's options but cannot see anywhere to lower the core memory shader! I will investigate downloading msi afterburner.

Flak999 · Mar 24, 2014

I have just managed to play a game of BF3 with all settings on ultra for 30 mins without a crash or lock-up! I had GPU-Z running and I have managed to get a full load temperature which was 77°C. this is before I have attempted to underclock the card with msi afterburner! I would be interested in your thoughts on this sequence of events. does this still point to a graphics card failure of something else?

chris987 · Mar 24, 2014

77c is very good and i dont think you have an thermal issue! besides flight simulator and bf3 have you tried anything else?
also run a stress test like furmark for more accurate temp readings and to test stability.also what is the gpu fan usage to sustain these temps?does flash player option include gpu acceleration, when browsing web? maybe a software related issue after all!

Flak999 · Mar 24, 2014

Presler

Unfortunately, the card is three years old and out of warranty. When I installed the latest drivers I did use the "run as administrator" method. But thank you for your thoughts on this.

chris987

I will run the other tests that you suggest. Flash player seems to function without issue, as for the fan speeds GPU-Z reports at idle fan speed is 31% 1230 rpm whilst under load it is 77% 3300 rpm. I have tried various websites where you can rotate models in 3D and Iplayer and you-tube function normally as well as embedded video on various websites.

Deleted member 1300495 · Mar 24, 2014

You should first download new drivers from Nvidias website, the old drivers might have gotten corrupted. after that, delete all previous drivers for it. If this doesn't work, then maybe it is your HDMI of VGA connection problem. try getting a new cable for it

Flak999 · Mar 24, 2014

As per my opening post, I am running the latest Nvidia drivers 335.23 which I downloaded and installed yesterday using the clean install option. the problem I have was present before I upgraded the drivers and is still present following the upgrade.

Thank you for your continuing thoughts on this problem.

Deleted member 1300495 · Mar 24, 2014

have you deleted the old drivers? They can be corrupted, go rogue, and mess up your system functionality

RobCrezz · Mar 25, 2014

Certainly sounds like the GPU has gone faulty. You could try clocking down the GPU and/or vram in MSI afterburner and see if that helps it be usable?

The last option would be to try and fresh installation of windows to rule out any software/driver issue.

Flak999 · Mar 25, 2014

Well, I really don't know what to make of this! Since yesterday my machine has performed perfectly, I can now use all my 3D applications again! The only difference I have made is upgrading to the latest graphic drivers, but and it's a big but I was still getting the problem immediately after upgrading.

I know this is stupid as I am typing it, but do drivers take time to settle in? (of course they don't) I think probably this is going to turn out to be an intermittent fault which I know are the hardest to diagnose.

I suppose I have just got to wait until something actually fails and then deal with that when it happens?

Flak999 · Apr 6, 2014

Hi all, an update on this thread. I have been using my system for a week without issue, the graphics corruption that I posted about had disappeared. However this was only temporary, the problem has returned with a vengeance.

Now on booting from cold the graphics corruption is present before the machine even boots into windows, the graphics card has been disabled by windows because of a problem, error code 43 and it is disabled in device manager, the system is using windows own generic drivers.

Does this now confirm the card has died?

chris987 · Apr 6, 2014

if you have tried underclocking and probem still persists then you surely have a dying gpu. if you havent try, as you may be able to operate at lower clockes!(also try a more aggressive fan profile to achieve even lower temps)

Flak999 · Apr 7, 2014

Thanks for the reply, I have attempted under-clocking but Windows has disabled the card saying it has a problem error code 43. I am typing this with the card disabled and using Windows generic drivers. I have tried removing the card and reinstalling it with no luck.

I think I must accept the card has died as everything else is working as it should! Given this state of affairs has anybody got any recommendations for a new card? I am thinking of a GTX 780, will my Corsair 850 watt PSU be up to the job and if so which card manufacturer would you go for? My current GTX 580 was a Gainward card.

Thanks so much for the ongoing help.

chris987 · Apr 7, 2014

i would go with msi http://pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-n780tf3gd5oc currently the best price and dual fan for adept cooling! your psu will be more than enough! you are welcome, no problem!

chris987 · Apr 7, 2014

also what is your cpu? sorry i forgot! your i7 can easily keep up no worries!

Flak999 · Apr 7, 2014

That looks like a good card, I am in the UK and think we can get that one here, but I am a bit concerned that it might be to big for my case, which is a Xigmatek Asgard case.

My current GTX 580 fits but it is quite a tight fit, it is 26.7 cm long x 3.5 cm wide x 9.5 cm tall. i have got about 2 cm in length and height to spare. do you think the MSI card would fit?

chris987 · Apr 7, 2014

well what is your budget?this is the cheapest gtx780 https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/gigabyte-video-card-gvn780oc3gdrev20 or even gtx770 or 280x at 1080p can pretty much max out any game! https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-n770tf2gd5oc or https://uk.pcpartpicker.com/part/msi-video-card-r9280xgaming3g as for your case do not worry it can fit, it is listed! http://www.pc-specs.com/gpu/Nvidia/700_Series/GeForce_GTX_780/880/Compatible_Cases

Flak999 · Apr 7, 2014

I am prepared to spend up to £450 for the right card, my main concern really is fitting it in my case.

Is my graphics card dying?

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