Windows 10 keeps crashing with VGA GTX970

[zillah2004]

Dear Experts

My son desktop ASUS Motherboard Z97-K has VGA GTX 970 for gaming and it was working fine for 3 years so far,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,then all of sudden computer crashed, I suspected it was hardware issue.

First thing I did removed VGA

Installed a fresh copy of windows 10 then installed VGA card and computer crashed.

Did the second installation and installed the VGA GTX 970 again and computer crashed again.

If I use built in VGA computer won’t crash so far.

How can I verify of its VGA GTX 970 problem or something else?

Yes, I can try installing the VGA on different desktop but I don’t want to risk crashing another computer if we have
alternative way of troubleshooting

Thanks

 

[nathanddrews]

Two questions:

1. When you say it "crashes", what exactly is it doing? (Blue/black screen? Error messages? Continuous reboot?)

2. Did you change any other hardware?

If the computer works fine after removing the 970, then you don't have to worry about it "crashing" a different computer, so I would recommend placing it in another computer to verify. If the other computer crashes, then it might be the 970. Also ensure that the power supply is sufficient in both machines and is connected with appropriate power cables.

 

[wilds]

The culprit could be the GTX 970 or the power supply.

 

[amenx]

How can I verify of its VGA GTX 970 problem or something else?

Yes, I can try installing the VGA on different desktop but I don’t want to risk crashing another computer if we have
alternative way of troubleshooting

What do you mean "risk crashing another computer"? So what if another computer crashes, its not like its going to disintegrate or lose all your data. You need to test the card on another computer if you want to be sure.

 

[Guru]

Probably the GPU malfunctioning, it could also be the PSU, but it probably is the GPU dying. Test on another computer and see for sure.

 

[zillah2004]

Crash is Blue Screen of Death
Power supply is new used before 2 months and it is this one:
http://www.thermaltake.com.au/products-model.aspx?id=C_00002296

 

[wilds]

The GPU is probably bad. But for troubleshooting sake you are having the crash with the x16 PCIe slot? What if you try an x8?

 

[zillah2004]

The GPU is probably bad. But for troubleshooting sake you are having the crash with the x16 PCIe slot?

Yes I tried PCIe x16 slot 1 and 2 both crashed
Don't have x8
Thx

 

[EXCellR8]

have you tried a clean uninstall of all NVIDIA drivers and then installed the latest set for windows 10?

i would certainly try the card in another computer if possible, there's no risk in trying.

 

[zillah2004]

i would certainly try the card in another computer if possible, there's no risk in trying.

Other computer crashed as well.
I guess it is VGA issue

 

[nathanddrews]

That sucks, man. RIP in peace, 970.

 

[zillah2004]

That sucks, man. RIP in peace, 970.

Unfortunately

 

[William Gaatjes]

One thing yopu can try is checking if the thermal paste between the gpu and the heatsink has gone bad, replace it and then test again.
For a few people with similar cases, it turned out to be the thermal paste.
Even an colleague of mine had this issue with a GTX980 after years of service..
New thermal paste helped solve the random crashes.

 

[zillah2004]

One thing yopu can try is checking if the thermal paste between the gpu and the heatsink has gone bad, replace it and then test again.
For a few people with similar cases, it turned out to be the thermal paste.
Even an colleague of mine had this issue with a GTX980 after years of service..
New thermal paste helped solve the random crashes.

Good advice but I guess this applicable when a VGA was working initially and then its temperature increased but my case was not working before even its temperature raised up right ???

 

[William Gaatjes]

Yes, But it never hurts to try.

I also had a 2 videocards that just gave up from one day to another.
One was from a by me refurbished laptop that got to hot being next to a central heating convector and i fell asleep.
Another was a desktop card that after 8 or 9 years of loyal service just stopped one day.
At least it was more than 6 years. I am not sure anymore.
So , it does happen.