Graphics Card Intermittent Oddities , plz halp a noob

Kumpooter_ID10T · December 2, 2017

Hello!

This is my first post AND first time building a computer. Working in a robotics industry and being pretty clueless of the internal workings is slightly embarrassing to me, so I've decided to learn. Or at least try. Also, this isn't my first rodeo with the internet, so if this deserves a flaming, so be it.

So, on to the issue. I've pieced together my first computer from a combination of new, second hand friend components and second hand components from unknown individuals for $560usd including OS. Here is the rig I've built:

OS: Windows 10 Pro

MB: ASRock Z77 Extreme 4; used from friend 1; came from working rig

CPU: Intel Core i5-3570K; used from same friend 1

16Gb G. Skill Ares DDR3 ram; used from same friend 1

EVGA Geforce GTX 960 mini card; used

Samsung EVO SSD 250Gb; new

TP Link AC1300 PCI wifi card; new (i know hardwire is best, but its a townhome and im not stringing cables everywhere)

NZXT S340 case black on black; new

EVGA Supernova G3 750watt PSU; barely used

So, now for the issue. I will do my best to cover everything i've noticed / actions taken / etc. The graphics card is a bit flaky. Here is my timeline of events:

Built computer. Everything is pretty self explanatory. All power connectors connected firmly and all cards seated properly.

Cleared CMOS

Temporarily connected old optical drive to load windows and wifi card drivers.

Wiped SSD and loaded windows onto it.

Plug monitors into graphics card with no picture.

Plug back into mb display connections. Download nvidia driver. Attempt to install drivers, but it says it cant detect hardware.
Turn off, verify all connections to card again, plug displays back in, turn on and it works.

Once booted, install drivers. Hardware detected and drivers installed.

Continue to windows updates. Lots of updates. Let computer sit while i went to work.
Came home and computer is off with power light flashing. No idea what that means, so i press and hold power button and then restart.
Displays don't work. Plug back into mb. Windows loads and my nvidia driver shortcut is gone. Hmmmmm.

Go to downloads folder and rerun driver installer. Doesn't detect hardware. WTF?

While on, press and wiggle card and notice fan twitching on card. Power down.

Google it, says power delivery is most likely issue. So i switch VGA power header on PSU. No difference. Switch cable, no difference. Switch PCI 3.0 slot. no difference.
*grab beer because i can*

Wiggle card, press on 6 pin connector and power up. IT WORKS.

Windows boots. While powered on, wiggle card and mess with power cable. Card stays powered and doesn't falter.

Power down and restart. Card doesn't work. WTF. Power down. Wiggle card and connector like it means something.

Power back on and card works. Wiggle card and cable and connector on card and psu. Stays on. No issues.
Decide its best to consult professionals, being here.

When i say wiggle, I'm not ripping on the card side to side or anything. Everything I'm doing is with a sensible amount of force given the device im messing with.

Any ideas? Did I miss anything? Thanks in advance.

Jurrunio · December 2, 2017

Probably bad power connector on the card, or a dying card.

Kumpooter_ID10T · December 2, 2017

The power connector on the card has some small play, but the pins that run from the back of the connector to the card don’t move.

Do you think a synthetic stress test on the gpu would be the next step in determining if the card is dying? I only paid $50 for this card, so i won't be too heartbroken if it is the card.