Dark Screen - Forcing shutdown

[Haxorico]

Hello.

 

For some time now, I get a problem, when while gaming (usually heavy games but not only) I get a dark screen with stripes on it, yet the sound is still enabled and runs okay, both from the game and other stuff from background, like music and skype.

 

I thought this is a case of GPU Overheating, so I bought some extra fans, basicly made the best airflow I can get. Still, the problem persists.

While monitoring the temperatures (glancing at them every minute or so) it didn't get above 75 degrees (Celsius), the CPU was under 40.

 

I updated all my motherboard and GPU drivers to make sure, yet it didn't help.

PSU also doesn't seem to be the issue, as after many tests with many calculators, it showed my PSU is strong enough to carry the same PC with even an extra card.

 

I tried to disable Graphics OverDrive - Didn't help.

Also tried to take it off turbo mode (a button on the GPU itself) - didn't help.

 

Strange thing: After I restart the PC (due to the dark screen) I checked the GPU temperature (using AMD Catalyst Center), it showed a normal 37. Yet when touching the top of the card, it felt REALLY hot. When my PC is idle and shows the 37 degrees, I can touch the top of the GPU and it won't be hot at all. Maybe the sensor isn't right? maybe I need to replace the card itself due to a problem inside it?

 

Example for games that caused the problem.

 

BattleField 3

WatchDogs

Wolfenstein - Enemy Territory (Notice this isn't a heavy game, but a rather old one)

PayDay 2

Sniper Elite 3

 

Here are my specs:

CPU - Intel Core I7 - 4770k @ 3.50GHz

CPU Cooler - Scythe Ashura

MotherBoard - Asus Z87-A

GPU - AMD Sapphire Vapor-X R9 280X 3GB GDDR5

RAM - 2x8GB KingStone 2400MHz

PSU: SeaSonic - Silver Rating - 850W

BIOS: Download (from asus website) said v2005. DxDiag says 20.05 and Everest says: "Bios Type: AMI (04/13/12)"

Case - CoolerMaster CM 690iii (windowed)

Airflow:

Front: 180mm - Blowing inside.

Bottom: 120mm - Blowing inside

Back: 120mm - Blowing outside

Top: 2x140mm - Blowing outside

CPU Cooler - It has a 140mm fan, blowing torwards the back. There is room for another fan on the other side, but I can't connect it due to clash with RAM.

HDD Cage - No room due to clash with GPU

O.S: Windows 7 - 64bit.

 

Hope I gave all the needed information.

Regards.

 

[DigitalHermit]

Most likely suspect is the GPU... Can you still RMA it?

[Haxorico]

What is RMA?

[dragoon20005]

What is RMA?

basically sending the GPU back to manufacturer for repairs or replacement

[Briggsy]

likely the gpu. I have a 7950 (r9 280) sitting on the shelf that died like that. I modded it so could not return for a replacement, but if yours is still in factory condition, I would RMA it. I'm 99% sures its the GPU, as I immediately though AMD Tahiti after reading the first paragraph of your post.

 

*edit: If you can't/don't want to RMA just yet, you could try down-clocking the memory a bit and see if that helps.