Computer is shutting off running dual graphics cards

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Karyzma

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Aug 25, 2015
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Hello, i've been having an issue with my computer shutting off while using dual graphics cards.
I think I'm dealing with a power issue related to my home mains power but i wanted to ask.
I'm using twin AMD Radeon 6870 1gb

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150506

850 corsair power supply

core i7 3.7 ghz processor

12gb ram, also corsair, ddr4 i believe

anyway, I'm playing a particularly graphics intensive game, (ark: survival evolved if you're curious)
and if i'm running all three 19 inch monitors and both gpu, my computer will up and shut off. At first i thought it was the warm weather and the case was insufficient to cool the cards. I purchased a 16 inch box fan from walmart and set that up against the chassis, now when I'm playing this game i'm noticing that the fan's speed starts fluctuating and I hear it slow down and speed up like the power is inconsistent.
I don't have this problem when i jump down to 1 gpu

Now I have no idea what to do, my two card, three monitor setup ran fine for a few months, then it just started giving me nothing but trouble.

any tips?

 
Solution
Darkbreeze
True enough. With cards that old the GPU heatsink and probably the CPU heatsink's paste is almost certainly ready to be refreshed. I'd still verify I had sufficient airflow through the case. What was sufficient for a single card, probably is not for a dual card configuration.
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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Jun 24, 2014
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What is the model number of your Corsair power supply? Have you tried using a different outlet? Perhaps there is an issue with your wall jack, but it's a lot more likely that if the system is working fine with a single GPU installed, it should work fine with dual cards unless the power supply is not up to the task and with a Corsair unit, that's probable.
 
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Karyzma

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Aug 25, 2015
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Both cards work just fine independently. I am not using crossfire. I'm running three monitors when i use both cards, two vga and one hdmi, as it won't let me run all three on the same card even though they have sufficient ports. I've used Catalyst to monitor the performance and I've noticed the card with both vga displays is running at 70c, is that high?

Oh and I've tried it in other outlets elsewhere in the house to similar results. When I play really graphically intense games, the temperature jumps to 105c
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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Two HD 6870's in crossfire calls for 600w, however, two 6870's running independently of each other requires a much higher capacity power supply, probably a full 850-1000w since a single card has a 500w recommendation (Not that you'll actually use that much, but that's the recommended capacity). I'd say it's possible, in fact, highly likely, that if you're using a lower end Corsair unit and running two 500w cards independently, you are lacking in the PSU department.

Now as to whether or not that would cause your system to crash, I can't say with 100% certainty.

As to your temps, they are too high. You crashing may simply be due to thermal shutdown. You probably either have a lack of sufficient case airflow due to not enough fans or fans in the wrong configuration, poor cable management causing airflow obstructions, problems with heat due to an incorrectly installed or top mounted power supply or you just have a either a crap power supply, motherboard or GPU card. With those temps, I'd be focusing on getting more airflow through the case and making sure that front, bottom and side fans are intake, and that any rear or top fans are exhaust. Maybe increase the fan speed via the bios profile or if you're using a controller, then by way of that.
 
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RobCrezz

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Thats very high.

You need to replace the thermal paste on the heatsinks most likely.
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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True enough. With cards that old the GPU heatsink and probably the CPU heatsink's paste is almost certainly ready to be refreshed. I'd still verify I had sufficient airflow through the case. What was sufficient for a single card, probably is not for a dual card configuration.
 
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Solution
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Karyzma

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Aug 25, 2015
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Thank you for you help everyone, I've pretty much narrowed it down to a heat issue. Now, I was unaware that I could change the thermal paste on a gpu. Also, any good case recommendations. Right now I'm using a coolermaster HAF 922, solid but it is getting old.
 
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RobCrezz

RobCrezz

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I agree, they are all really good cases, done builds in the H440 and the Fractal Define, really nice.
 
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Karyzma

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Ok, so for an update, i've now tried replacing the thermal paste on the processor and both gpu. Given everything a thorough dusting and cleaning. double checked my fan config to make sure everything is turning in the right direction, now even using a box fan, the temp on my card with the vga immediately starts climbing into the upper 90s. I'm wondering if this case just isn't sufficent to handle this hot summer with two cards
 
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Darkbreeze

Darkbreeze

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If your temps are still too high with the side panel off, and I'd get rid of the box fan, it's not really doing anything, then the problem is either due to the card itself, an improper paste job, the GPU card fan profile being too slow or there is a driver issue. Have you tried doing a clean install using the DDU and installing the latest drivers?

http://www.tomshardware.com/faq/id-2767677/clean-graphics-driver-install-windows.html


Even if you have, or think you have, follow the instructions in the tutorial. You have nothing to lose by doing so. Five times this week people have told me they either had the latest drivers installed or that their bios was up to date, but then after spending much time trying to solve the issue, they ended up doing what they were first instructed to do, and came back with problem solved.
 
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