GPU driver reset when Graphic Card is in PCIE-16X slot

Iordache Cosmin

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Jul 4, 2014
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Hello, I have a strange problem and hopefully someone can help me. My specs are these:

i5 3570k
2x 4Gb G-skill DDR3
MSI Geforce 770GTX
650W PSU (Inter Tech Energon EPS-650W - http://www.inter-tech.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=615%3Aenergon-eps-650w&catid=125%3Aausland-atx-Power%20supplye&Itemid=542&lang=en )
Asus P8Z77-V LX Mobo

So, I find my problem rather strange. The nvidia Display drivers keep restarting sometimes only when I start a new stuff (ranging from start chrome, my computer or battelfield 4). This happens just when the GPU is seated in the main PCIE-16x slot. If the GPU is seated in the secondary PCIE-4x slot I never ever get a crash...

Another intereseting thing : If I start MSI Afterburner and for my GPU in it's first state (like under load) I won't get crashes.

So this makes my think it has a problem while switching from idle to another state. But why does this not happend when the GPU is seated in the PCIE-4X slot ?? So that makes me think maybe it's a PSU problem ? But the GPU should not use more power while in 16X slot, right ? Or maybe a faulty MOBO ?

I have already tried :

5 different nvidia drivers, all same result
updated BIOS
reseated RAM, GPU
check RAM for faulty segments
same problem in WIN7 and WIN8.1 on fresh maschines

Unfortunately I cannot try the GPU in another computer and do not have any spare GPU, MOBO or anything else.

So my 2 questions to sum it up:

What seems more likely to cause this behaviour ?
Any idea on how to fix this without replacing hardware ?

 
Solution

maxalge

Champion
Ambassador


That power supply is most likely the issue.
300w garbage in disguise.

Never cheap out on the heart of your pc.


Test your system with a proper power supply.
 
Solution

Iordache Cosmin

Reputable
Jul 4, 2014
13
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4,510




Screen flickers temporarely, the chat bubble on windows with the nvidia display driver has stopped working but it has been resetted, the application gives rendering errors and a dump is made on windows with the nvidia driver as a culprid.

Perhaps I will get a new PSU, I find that PSU wierd too.
 

Iordache Cosmin

Reputable
Jul 4, 2014
13
0
4,510
I have bouth a good PSU and now the problem is gone. I am not 100% sure I understand why the GPU needed less power in the PCIE-4X slot, but I have also seen that the given PSU did not natively had a 6pin PCIE and a connector was used from 2x molex.

Perhaps because a connector was used and given the fact that the PSU was crap it did not need enough power to supply the higher bandwidth given by the PCIE-16X speed...

Anyway, if someone could explain the problem would be much appreciated, I find this interesting.