GPU crashes under heavy load: PSU Problem

maartendc · June 1, 2017

Hi everyone,

I'm running a core i5 6600 and GTX 980TI at the moment with a 450 Watt Silverstone SFX Gold rated PSU. Nothing overclocked.

I had this GPU and PSU running in an external GPU enclosure on my macbook before, and it kept crashing in games under heavy load (Battlefield 1, Battlegrounds, etc.). I thought the eGPU box itself was the problem.

However, now I have built a system with the i5 6600 around the same 980Ti and PSU, and it exhibits the same behavior: crashes when loading up demanding games like Battlefield 1 and Battlegrounds. 2D games and light 3D games work fine (such as FTL, Jazzpunk, etc.)

Is this a PSU issue? Can the PSU cannot provide enough power to the GPU under heavy load? The system itself doesn't seem to crash, as the game audio keeps going. Its just that the screen turns black and gets no signal from the graphics card after the crash. All I can do is a hard reset.

Theoretically 450Watt CPU should be sufficient for the system, and gold rated Silverstone PSU should be good quality. Perhaps the PSU is just faulty? Any thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks a lot!

EDIT: I realize I should have put this under GPU subforum. Sorry!

Electronics Wizardy · June 1, 2017

Probably a bad gpu. Try it in a different system if you have one.

If it was a bad psu, the whole system normally powers off as its went over its max load.

maartendc · June 1, 2017

9 hours ago, Electronics Wizardy said:

Probably a bad gpu. Try it in a different system if you have one.

If it was a bad psu, the whole system normally powers off as its went over its max load.

Are you sure? I was thinking its possible the PSU is not providing stable voltage on the PCI-e connectors, shutting down the GPU but not the entire system?

The thing is, i tested both the GPU and PSU in a friends computer a couple weeks ago, and both seemed to work fine. I fired up Fallout 4 and The division, and the GPU and PSU ran fine. So im just perplexed as to what is happening.

Now im using them in a totally different PC, so it HAS to be either PSU or GPU.

Thanks!