I threw $700 at a problem ... and it didn't go away!

I am desperate for help here!

Here is the story. I originally had a C2D on a P5KC mobo running an n8800GT. I was happy with my rig, until the graphics card started crashing the computer. I replaced it with an BFG GTX260 maxcore OC. The crashes stopped, however, I started to encounter a bizarre error. 1-3 times an hour, my monitor will go blank for about 2 seconds. After the short time as elapsed, computer function continues as normal. There is no noticeable lag or problems with software related to this, and it happens both when I'm gaming and when I'm in Windows.

I have tried the following:

- send GTX260 back to BFG. They said nothing was wrong with it, but sent me a new one anyway. Same problem. I took the new card to a friend's house, and installed it into his hardware, and the problem did not occur on his system, so I have concluded it is not the graphics card.
- updated the BIOS on the mobo
- reinstalled Windows XP, and then Windows 7
- tried both DVI outputs on my graphics card
- plugged my monitor (a rather large power eater) into a separate wall plug

Finally, I figured it must be my motherboard. So, this weekend I went out and bought:

- Intel mobo and Core i5
- 4 GB DDR3
- A nice new case ...

I installed a fresh Win7 installation. I was so excited to game without these annoying interruptions.

And then it happened again!!!

I don't know what else to do. Here is the details of my current system:

Core i5 750, Intel P55WG motherboard (BIOS settings are all at default, no overclocking)
4 GB DDR3
BFG GTX260 MaxCore OC
(it just happened while I was typing that line!!)
Antec TruePower 550W PSU
WD Caviar Black 640GB HD

Please help me!!!!!! I'm at my wit's end, and I'm really upset about this problem ...

A faulty, failing or underpowered PSU would be more likely to cause a crash than the monitor would.

He didn't say he was experiencing crashes, he said he was experiencing times when the monitor would go blank for a few seconds, then come back. This is either due to a faulty monitor, or a short in the dvi/vga cable running to the monitor. My recommendation is to try someone else's pc on your monitor to confirm this.

Also check the powersaving faetures in the Nvidia drivers, I have seen instances where similar problems were cured by turning them off.

i sometimes get nvidia 170 driver crashing on my windows 7 and it recovers after about 2sec and there's a message saying it's recovered. it always recovers and never fully crashes.

It was a faulty DVI cable. After all that ...

If my wife knew, she'd kill me. I feel bad! I spend $700 on a $10 problem.

Speaking of $10 - I am currently using an old VGA cable w/ a DVI-VGA converter to hook up my GTX260 to my 1920x1200 display. It works fine. Are there any substantial benefits to using a DVI cable? The monitor has inputs for DVI, VGA and HDMI.

Stock with the DVI cable if you're using the DVI port. The fonts are slightly crispier if you don't use the adapter.

You also lose the audio when you convert it, which is not part of the VGA standard. Most of us don't use that anyway.



Its not a "wasted" $700 since I am sure you bought upgrades while you were at it ...

People don't read.

Rule of Tomshardware Forums

1) Don't expect people to read.

2) Don't expect people to comprehend.

3) Don't expect people to brain.



I'm amazed that 2 people immeditely said it was the psu, not the monitor, when it is CLEARLY the monitor.

Are people so lazy they can't even read the topic title before posting what they don't know about?

OMFG - I can't believe another person had this same problem.

If you think you had it bad - try building a PC for your friend - having him hook it up - and then complaining about your fail skills because the monitor blinks off and on at random times. We reformatted the PC reinstalled all drivers - no success. Took the comp to my house - no problem. Brought PC back - while plugging it in decided to change cable to analog instead of DVI for video. Walah success no more flash for two hours straight.

Wish I had seen this post earlier - I could have told you right off the bat about the damn cable. Funny thing he had a fail DVI cable from DELL so he swaps out the DVI for the analog and uses it instead of buying a new DVI cable - that's just how cheap he is.

It doesn't matter; it wasn't something wrong with the system itself, and technically the DVI cable is part of the monitor, just like a modular molex connector is part of a psu.