My Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 'sometimes' does not send signal to display.

Omar Abd-Elrahiem · Jan 18, 2015

Hi Everybody,

First, I'll start with my system specs, please note that I have upgraded my GPU and PSU few weeks ago:

System Specs:

Gigabyte Motherboard GA-H97-D3H
Intel Core i7 4790
2 X 4GB Corsair Vengeance RAM + 1 X 2GB Corsair CMX RAM (total 10GB)
Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 (Just upgraded)
Seasonic m12ii 620W Evo Edition Bronze (Just upgraded)
Monitor Philips 227ELH - connected using DVI cable

Problem Description
I press start button in my case, system starts normally but no signal on screen, even windows boots to log in screen, I know it from start up sound, I shutdown the PC, start it again, and it works!.
This problem happens infrequently, it may happen once or twice a day, or may not happen at all, and it is not related to how many times I shutdown or restart the PC. I'm not able to reproduce the problem nor solve it.
The problem was happening more frequent first day I installed the new parts, and it started to disappear slowly until today.

The Story
I upgraded my PC few weeks ago, I had an AMD 7850 and a 500W PSU, but I was not seeing any such problems.

When I installed the new parts(GPU + PSU), the problem happened exactly, GPU was not sending any signals to monitor, I had to recheck cables, re-install parts and restart multiple times, before it finally worked.

I used the PC normally, did some benchmarks, played some games, it was performing just great, temperatures were perfect, I shutdown my PC, and started it again, the problem happened again, I had to restart it one time to work.

After that, I used my PC for several days, I didn't see ANY stability or performance issues, the PC was working normally, I restart/shutdown it several times a day, and it works without problems, except for sometimes, when the problem happens, without any reason(at least for me).

Important Notes

1) This problem never happened with restarts, it only happens when I shutdown the PC and start it over again.
2) I tried to reproduce the problem, I shutdown the PC intentionally for about 40 consecutive times, but the PC was working without problems every time I start it.
3) I have 3 ports for PCIe power cable in my PSU, I tried them all, the problem still happens.
4) There were coil wine (very low noise) first days when the GPU render a LOT of fps, now it disappeared by itself.
5) While computer in the problem state, the Integrated graphics was working properly, and I made sure that dedicated GPU was not visible at all neither from BIOS nor Windows Device Manager.

The Question
I don't really know if this is a defective card or PSU, if it is just a compatibility issue, or what, what I'm really sure about is that every answer will help getting closer to the problem, to solve it, or at least to re-produce it, please share your opinions and/or suggestions, I appreciate your time in advance.

Thanks and best regards,

boju · Jan 18, 2015

I may have a couple of suggestions.

After booting up when this happens, leave it on for a bit and feel the GPU is getting warm. I guess if its still coldish, the card isn't powering on properly, which would lead me to suspect a faulty card since your old GPU worked.

Another investigating idea is see if you can get a picture from Intel's Integrated Graphics by swapping the DVI cable over when the blank screen happens.

Omar Abd-Elrahiem · Jan 18, 2015

thanks a lot bojo, I'll try what you suggested as soon it happens again, I'll keep you updated.

Omar Abd-Elrahiem · Jan 19, 2015

boju :

I tried what you suggested, and I was able to use integrated graphics while computer in this state, dedicated GPU was not working but integrated one worked, and guess what, the dedicated GPU was not visible at all neither from BIOS nor Windows device manager.

boju · Jan 19, 2015

Was the GPU warm at all, indicating there's power going through it?

Maybe try another PCI-e slot to rule out this possibility, i doubt it though because your other GPU worked, but maybe compatibility? not sure. I do think it's a faulty card though, you may need to replace it.

I would suggest trying your older GPU if you still have it but i know that's bit of mucking around with drivers etc but would rule out PSU being the problem.

Omar Abd-Elrahiem · Jan 19, 2015

boju :

Actually, I can't determine whether it was cold or warm, this GPU's temperature is 23-25 c on idle, which is very close to normal room temperature, and unfortunately I no longer have the old GPU.
However, and thanks to you, I'm now suspecting 2 components to be the reason, either GPU or PSU, or it is just a compatibility issue, so I'll try to give the GPU to a friend for couple of days to test, but what I'm thinking about, if one of them were actually faulty, how can I prove that? How can I request a replacement for a problem that I can't reproduce!!

boju · Jan 19, 2015

I mean is the gpu warmish when no display happens?

When you give your GPU to your friend then you'll know. Maybe swap for the time being.

Mickkey · Jan 21, 2015

Hi there,

I have the same problem and it seems that a lot of GTX 970 have it.
I have the same motherboard as yours and a Gainward GTX 970, and sometimes it boot on the integrated graphics instead of the gtx...

So I think it's not a hardware problem.
When it's happen to me I just plug the monitor on the motherboard DVI port, reboot, and when it's rebooted I unplug it and put in on the graphic card.
Maybe an update will resolve this.

(Sorry for my bad english)

boju · Jan 21, 2015

^^ that might be a point.

I imagine it would be hard to produce though.

Omar Abd-Elrahiem · Jan 22, 2015

Hi bojo and Mickkey,

so, after 3 days, my friend had absolutely no problems with the GPU, and based on Mickkey's comment, it is most probably a compatibility issue that might (or might not) be fixed by BIOS update from Gigabyte.

Anyway, I'm going to pick one of boju's comments as a solution, thank you both for your contribution.

boju · Jan 22, 2015

Omar Abd-Elrahiem :

Good chance it is bios and Gigabyte should be aware of it by now. Maybe ask them for a direct answer because GTX9xx series is new and your motherboard might require an bios update as you suspect.

boju · Jan 22, 2015

I appreciate you trying to solve your thread by my answer being selected as solved really isn't the answer. If you do get it fixed by perhaps bios update then you can respond here and i'll select yourself as best answer.

Cheers!

Omar Abd-Elrahiem · Jan 22, 2015

yeah, last bios update for my motherboard was on 26/06/2014, about 4 months before GTX 9xx had been released, how can I ask them for a direct answer? do you mean to send them a message?

Omar Abd-Elrahiem · Jan 22, 2015

boju :

My main concern was to understand and identify the problem, not to solve it, because simply it might be unsolvable at the current moment, and you helped me in that, anyway, thanks a lot for your time, and I'll be back to this post in case they released a fix or something.

regards,

Mickkey · Jan 22, 2015

Hi,

A small message to say that I have sent a message to the e-support of Gigabyte and linked this topic to it.
I'll keep you informated of any response.

http://esupport.gigabyte.com/

Edit: They answered me if it's not the PSU...

Omar Abd-Elrahiem · Jan 22, 2015

Mickkey :

I think you posted incomplete response, what if it is not the PSU?

Mickkey · Jan 22, 2015

They asked me if it's not my PSU who is faulty.
I have a Cooler Master GM550 Watt, I build my PC 2 weeks ago... Do you think this is the issue? Or 550W is not enough?

boju · Jan 22, 2015

GTX970 does not consume that much power, that's the whole point of Maxwell. Can get away with a quality built 400w though Nvidia recommends 500w with at least 28amps on 12v rail and 2x PCI-e 6pin power connectors.

https://forum-en.msi.com/faq/article/printer/power-requirements-for-graphics-cards

@ Omar Abd-Elrahiem and Mickkey, Its possible it could be the PSU but i have a feeling (Guess) it is the motherboard because the GPU doesn't require a lot of power, the motherboard thinks sometimes there's no GPU installed and switches over to Integrated.

Mickkey · Jan 23, 2015

boju that's what I've said to them in my answer... Now they are asking me what's my memory reference... Looks like they go round and round.

Omar Abd-Elrahiem · Jan 25, 2015

Hi boju and Mickkey,

I installed my GPU into the second PCIe x16 slot 2 days ago, the second slot runs at X4 (the first slot runs at X16 speed), there are unnoticeable performance drop, only seen on benchmarks scores, about 5% performance drop, but the problem didn't happen since then!

I'll continue testing it for one more day, then I'll post here to confirm if this solved the problem or not.

Thanks,

Omar Abd-Elrahiem · Jan 26, 2015

Hi again,

Unfortunately, the problem happened again while using the second PCIe, but obviously, using this slot reduces the problem so much, which proves that power supply is not part of the problem, and motherboard still the main suspicious.

Also, Gigabyte has answered my question to their support, I provided them with as much information as possible, but their reply was pretty disappointing:

"Dear Omar Abd-Elraheem,

Thank you for your kindly mail and inquiry. We suggest you to check the VBIOS version using OC GURU II first. Next, we suggest you to update the BIOS from our product page to improve monitor compatibility. (please be careful to update the BIOS of the same series.)

Next, we suggest you can test the card in different PCIE slots on the motherboard to see if the problem remains. If possible, please change a monitor cable, monitor and power supply. If the problem remains, the motherboard may need further testing to verify the root cause. Since our warranty service is provided by the original supplier, please contact them for further help. If you have nay further problem or suggestion, please feel free to contact us again.

Regards,
GIGABYTE"

I checked their site for VBIOS updates, but I didn't find any updates for my series, I think I'll just wait for MB or VGA update to totally solve the problem.

Regards,

boju · Jan 26, 2015

VBios is your Video card. Probably don't need to flash it but you can use OC GURU II from Gigabyte to show you what version bios your GTX has and keep note of it for later reference.

Flashing Motherboard's Bios is common for compatibility issues. I had a look earlier but no mention of GPU related issues but its not uncommon for Bios releases to slip in a fix without recording it in the notes.

http://www.gigabyte.com.au/products/product-page.aspx?pid=4962#dl > Download type - Bios.

I suggest reading your motherboard manual on how to flash your Bios if you consider doing so. The Bios itself when you enter it on bootup will have a flash utility imbedded. Read the manual on how to transfer it. Probably via USB stick but just make sure.

My Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 'sometimes' does not send signal to display.

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