Hello everyone,
 
I have recently upgraded my graphics card to an EVGA GeForce GTX 970 FTW+, and various games continue to crash to black screens (sometimes a complete crash, sometimes with game sounds still playing), or to simply lock up (or sometimes, to reboot my PC spontaneously), seemingly at random during play. I have attempted the following solutions after reading online:
 
-Turned the settings in games down (turning off Bloom, Rays, etc.)
-Changed the 3D settings - Power Management Mode in the nVidia menu to "Maximum Performance"
-Changed Power Options - Preferred Plans to "High performance"
-Set the Fan Curve in EVGA PrecisionX to "Aggressive" (and tried running the game with/without this program in the background)
-Used Display Driver Uninstaller to perform clean uninstalls and reinstalls of the latest nVidia drivers
-Ensured that I have the latest BIOS
-Downclocked the card
-RMA'd the card multiple times
 
Here are my system specifications:
 
Intel i5-3470 CPU @ 3.20GHz (quad core)
8GB RAM
EVGA GeForce GTX 970 FTW+ (4GB video RAM)
Gigabyte motherboard (I cannot remember what type, but the tech support specialists said it was OK)
650 Watt power supply
Windows 10 Home operating system (64-bit)
 
This card is the third GTX 970 FTW+ that I have tried, and the problem continues to present itself. I have tried Guild Wars 2, Warframe, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Stellaris, and Homeworld Remastered. Stellaris presents the fewest problems, but there is still an occasional crash.
 
By the way, I have already spoken to tech support in the past, and they were fantastic. I am just posting here as well to see if anyone else has any insight or a solution.
 
Has anyone else encountered this sort of problem? If so, how did you solve it?
 
Thank you in advance for your time!

EVGATech_MDecker
 
Hello,

I am sorry to hear about your crashes, it would be wise to check on your 12v rail to make sure your power supply is healthy. Many motherboard manufacturers put a voltage monitor into their BIOS options, usually under the hardware monitor section.

The 12v rail should read between 11.4v and 12.6v (+/- 5% of the rail's rating). It should be stable, with little to no fluctuations. A slight fluctuation of up to .05v is generally fine as long as it happens no more than once every 15-20 seconds. A larger fluctuation, up to .1v can be safe as long as it happens no more than once every 1-2 minutes. A fluctuation higher than .1v, or more often than every 10 seconds could be an indication of an issue with the 12v rail, and you should consider having your power supply tested or replaced.

These readings are taken at an idle state, and may not indicate a more severe issue that occurs when the system is under load. Testing under load with a multimeter is the most accurate way to test a power supply for issues, and should only be done a trained professional.

Please let us know what the results are and we can go from there.
 

 
Hello MDecker,
 
Thank you for your reply! Actually, I should have also written that we did test it with a multimeter, both when idle and under load, and the voltage was steady the entire time. It crashed even though it was stable, which was rather puzzling.
 
Thanks again,
 
Evan

Make/Model/Age of psu? Give driver 347.88 a try if you haven't already.

http://www.nvidia.com/dow...sults.aspx/83080/en-us

fearpoint
I have this issue. It only happens in certain DX11 games though. I think it's a DX11 issue.
 
Recently one of my fav games was released in DX11 and my display started black screening. I can force it to run DX9 mode and when I did it stopped crashing.

Sounds like a Windows issue. Have you already tried a fresh Windows install? Although, since DX11 does use different extensions, I suppose that it is possible that the GPU itself has an issue with DX11 - it is unlikely though. Also, if you OC the card that can account for why it works fine in DX9 and not DX11 (DX11 uses more power, and if the OC/factory OC isn't stable can cause your reported issue). Edit: The same is true going to DX12 - DX12 uses more power, and can show an unstable OC that would otherwise work in DX9/DX11.

fearpoint

arestavo

fearpoint
I have this issue. It only happens in certain DX11 games though. I think it's a DX11 issue.
 
Recently one of my fav games was released in DX11 and my display started black screening. I can force it to run DX9 mode and when I did it stopped crashing.

Sounds like a Windows issue. Have you already tried a fresh Windows install? Although, since DX11 does use different extensions, I suppose that it is possible that the GPU itself has an issue with DX11 - it is unlikely though. Also, if you OC the card that can account for why it works fine in DX9 and not DX11 (DX11 uses more power, and if the OC/factory OC isn't stable can cause your reported issue). Edit: The same is true going to DX12 - DX12 uses more power, and can show an unstable OC that would otherwise work in DX9/DX11.

I only had the issue in a couple of games like Witcher 3 and Battlefield 4. Battlefield 4 was patched and it doesn't do it anymore and I haven't tried Witcher 3 in a long time. It recently came back with the game I was talking about right after it started running in DX11 mode. I don't know what the problem is but other DX11 have no issue so it can't be a windows issue otherwise it would occur in all DX11 games.

Not if it's an unstable OC. Have you tried ALL of the basic troubleshooting steps here - http://forums.evga.com/Basic-troubleshooting-steps-Windows-clean-boot-clean-driver-install-debug-mode-etc-m2451023.aspx 
 

arestavo

fearpoint

arestavo

fearpoint
I have this issue. It only happens in certain DX11 games though. I think it's a DX11 issue.
 
Recently one of my fav games was released in DX11 and my display started black screening. I can force it to run DX9 mode and when I did it stopped crashing.

Sounds like a Windows issue. Have you already tried a fresh Windows install? Although, since DX11 does use different extensions, I suppose that it is possible that the GPU itself has an issue with DX11 - it is unlikely though. Also, if you OC the card that can account for why it works fine in DX9 and not DX11 (DX11 uses more power, and if the OC/factory OC isn't stable can cause your reported issue). Edit: The same is true going to DX12 - DX12 uses more power, and can show an unstable OC that would otherwise work in DX9/DX11.

I only had the issue in a couple of games like Witcher 3 and Battlefield 4. Battlefield 4 was patched and it doesn't do it anymore and I haven't tried Witcher 3 in a long time. It recently came back with the game I was talking about right after it started running in DX11 mode. I don't know what the problem is but other DX11 have no issue so it can't be a windows issue otherwise it would occur in all DX11 games.

Not if it's an unstable OC. Have you tried ALL of the basic troubleshooting steps here - http://forums.evga.com/Basic-troubleshooting-steps-Windows-clean-boot-clean-driver-install-debug-mode-etc-m2451023.aspx 
 

I don't see how any of that would help or change anything. Again this only happens in certain games using a specific API and can go away depending on different game versions. There is a gigantic thread about it on geforce.com as well it's a very common issue apparently in certain games and has nothing to do with overclocking.
 
 

arestavo
Have you already tried the basic troubleshooting steps? (part of which it seems you have from your description) 
 
Have you tried the card in another PC? A friend's or perhaps at a computer repair store?
 
Do you have a spare hard drive that you can install do a fresh install of Windows in order to test if your current Windows install is having the issue?
 
There is a very small chance that you received 3 bad cards in a row, so I'm thinking there is a problem somewhere else with your PC. You can also try to use CC Cleaner to clean out the registry - run it several times. I've had random BSOD's before that were cleared up by cleaning out the registry using CC Cleaner. Oh, and there is a free version that will work just fine - no need to pay for it.
 
 

 
Hello arestavo,
 
My apologies; I did not quote your reply earlier, so you might not have seen it.
 
I have tried the basic troubleshooting steps, but I cannot remember which ones I have tried with this specific card. The only one that I was actually afraid to try was the clean boot - it warned that it could brick my PC? Is there a way to do the clean boot without that happening? Sorry, I'm fairly new at all of this. I may just run through all of the basic troubleshooting steps again with this card to be sure I have tried everything, if that is a good idea.
 
Unfortunately, there is no way for me to try the card in another PC. It seems like a prudent option, though. And I do not have a spare hard drive, either. :\
 
I have used CCleaner to clean the registry and everything else, multiple times. It didn't seem to make a difference, unfortunately.
 
Oh, and what is this older driver that was recommended? I've heard it's a bad idea to use older drivers since they can cause security vulnerabilities, or other issues? Or is that wrong?
 
Are there other possible solutions? Sorry again for being a total n00b lol.
 
Evan

arestavo

fearpoint

arestavo

fearpoint

arestavo

fearpoint
I have this issue. It only happens in certain DX11 games though. I think it's a DX11 issue.
 
Recently one of my fav games was released in DX11 and my display started black screening. I can force it to run DX9 mode and when I did it stopped crashing.

Sounds like a Windows issue. Have you already tried a fresh Windows install? Although, since DX11 does use different extensions, I suppose that it is possible that the GPU itself has an issue with DX11 - it is unlikely though. Also, if you OC the card that can account for why it works fine in DX9 and not DX11 (DX11 uses more power, and if the OC/factory OC isn't stable can cause your reported issue). Edit: The same is true going to DX12 - DX12 uses more power, and can show an unstable OC that would otherwise work in DX9/DX11.

I only had the issue in a couple of games like Witcher 3 and Battlefield 4. Battlefield 4 was patched and it doesn't do it anymore and I haven't tried Witcher 3 in a long time. It recently came back with the game I was talking about right after it started running in DX11 mode. I don't know what the problem is but other DX11 have no issue so it can't be a windows issue otherwise it would occur in all DX11 games.

Not if it's an unstable OC. Have you tried ALL of the basic troubleshooting steps here - http://forums.evga.com/Basic-troubleshooting-steps-Windows-clean-boot-clean-driver-install-debug-mode-etc-m2451023.aspx 
 

I don't see how any of that would help or change anything. Again this only happens in certain games using a specific API and can go away depending on different game versions. There is a gigantic thread about it on geforce.com as well it's a very common issue apparently in certain games and has nothing to do with overclocking.
 
 

From everything that you've written, you have not ruled out an unstable OC. That is a true statement is it not?

I can state, in no uncertain terms, that an unstable OC doesn't affect each and every game. I've had crashes in one game and not any others, so I lower the OC a bit and go about my business. A stable OC can change with new drivers as well - typically getting lower.

But I don't overclock.........
 
My GPU isn't an overclocked edition......

Evan122688
Hello arestavo,
 
My apologies; I did not quote your reply earlier, so you might not have seen it.
 
I have tried the basic troubleshooting steps, but I cannot remember which ones I have tried with this specific card. The only one that I was actually afraid to try was the clean boot - it warned that it could brick my PC? Is there a way to do the clean boot without that happening? Sorry, I'm fairly new at all of this. I may just run through all of the basic troubleshooting steps again with this card to be sure I have tried everything, if that is a good idea.
 
Unfortunately, there is no way for me to try the card in another PC. It seems like a prudent option, though. And I do not have a spare hard drive, either. :\
 
I have used CCleaner to clean the registry and everything else, multiple times. It didn't seem to make a difference, unfortunately.
 
Oh, and what is this older driver that was recommended? I've heard it's a bad idea to use older drivers since they can cause security vulnerabilities, or other issues? Or is that wrong?
 
Are there other possible solutions? Sorry again for being a total n00b lol.
 
Evan

Performing a clean boot of windows will not brick your pc. Where did you see that warning at?

Evan122688

Sajin

Evan122688
Hello arestavo,

My apologies; I did not quote your reply earlier, so you might not have seen it.

I have tried the basic troubleshooting steps, but I cannot remember which ones I have tried with this specific card. The only one that I was actually afraid to try was the clean boot - it warned that it could brick my PC? Is there a way to do the clean boot without that happening? Sorry, I'm fairly new at all of this. I may just run through all of the basic troubleshooting steps again with this card to be sure I have tried everything, if that is a good idea.

Unfortunately, there is no way for me to try the card in another PC. It seems like a prudent option, though. And I do not have a spare hard drive, either. :\

I have used CCleaner to clean the registry and everything else, multiple times. It didn't seem to make a difference, unfortunately.

Oh, and what is this older driver that was recommended? I've heard it's a bad idea to use older drivers since they can cause security vulnerabilities, or other issues? Or is that wrong?

Are there other possible solutions? Sorry again for being a total n00b lol.

Evan

Performing a clean boot of windows will not brick your pc. Where did you see that warning at?

Hello Sajin,
 
In the Microsoft instructions, it says not to use the clean boot techniques unless a Microsoft professional tells you to do so, since it could make your computer unusable. Am I reading that correctly, or is that only for a specific procedure?
 
Thanks,
 
Evan

I don't see that mentioned anywhere on this website... https://support.microsoft...n-us/kb/929135#method1

Must be for a specific procedure. I run my system in a clean boot state at all times. Never experienced a single issue.

Evan122688
Will the 347.88 driver work with Windows 10?

Yes.

Sajin

Evan122688
Will the 347.88 driver work with Windows 10?

Yes.

Thanks again for the help! Here is some more data:
 
Warframe still crashes as soon as it starts. Black screen that requires a reboot.
 
Stellaris appears stable.
 
Dragon Age: Inquisition ran for a longer period of time than Guild Wars 2, even though Guild Wars 2 requires less graphics power (though the last time I tested these was months ago).
 
Homeworld Remastered crashes after a few minutes each time. I am testing it using single player mission 5, and there appears to be no one thing that causes the crash.
 
Warframe used to crash occasionally and randomly, but now won't even start (they recently did an update to that game, so perhaps that is causing it).
 
Stellaris is the only game I have right now that appears stable, and I have no idea why.
 
After this, I used DDU to uninstall the new drivers, and installed the 347.88 driver. Homeworld Remastered still crashed, and at about the same point. Have not tested this driver with any other games yet.
 
Based on my previous tests:
 
-It doesn't appear to be a heat problem (my highest temp ever was something like 75 C, and a more aggressive fan profile did not prevent crashes)
-It doesn't appear to be a voltage problem (voltage is steady and my power supply has more than the required amount of power to run the card)
-It doesn't appear to be a power settings problem (telling the nVidia Control Panel to "Prefer Maximum Performance" has not prevented crashes)
-It doesn't appear to be a software conflict (clean boot did not solve the problem)
-It doesn't appear to be a graphics settings problem (changing the video settings in individual games, whether lowering them or heightening them, did not prevent crashes)
-It doesn't appear to be a clockspeed problem (underclocking the card didn't seem to make a difference, although Warframe crashed more quickly with the underclock than with the factory overclock in place)
-It doesn't appear to be a driver problem (using the suggested driver has not prevented crashes)
-It may not even be a problem with the card itself, since this is the 3rd one I have tried
 
 
My old videocard was a GTX 650 (no overclocking of any kind), and it ran everything smoothly. Now, after upgrading to a more powerful card and adding 4 GB of ram (for a total of 8 GB), everything seems less stable.
 
I am stumped. This is truly a bizarre problem. Is there anything else that can be tried, or other tests I should run? Should I attempt to run those other games I mentioned, or stick with one variable at a time?
 
Thanks again for your help, everyone. I truly do appreciate it.
 
Evan
 

I agree with Sajin - remove that extra RAM and test again. From what you've said, you added 4GB and your computer started crashing a lot.
 
If you haven't already, download the free program called Memtest and burn it to disc. Use it to test your memory, and I'll bet it comes up with errors. You can test one stick at a time, and then both sticks.

Sajin
Are you mixing different ram brands? If yes, remove the 4GB you added to see if it helps resolve the issue.

Oh my goodness. I never even thought about the RAM. Yes, I did mix two different RAM brands, although I thought I had checked to be sure they were compatible with each other.

Here are some updates:

-Removed the extra RAM stick.
-Turned on VSync (and limited frame rates to 60fps where applicable)

Results:

-Homeworld Remastered: No more crashes! Even at higher detail levels! Smooth gameplay! Woot!

-Guild Wars 2: No more crashes! Smooth gameplay!

-Warframe: Runs like a dream (lol a Warframe pun)! No crashes!

-Will test with Dragon Age Inquisition and other games, and will let you know about those as well.

I think my problem has been solved! Wow, I can't believe it was the RAM (or the VSync or frame rates, or maybe both). This whole time, I thought it was a problem with the card itself, or a driver/software issue.

Thanks so much everyone. I really do appreciate the help you all gave me. I will post the results of my additional tests later today to be sure that everything is in order. Please let me know if I have messed anything up without realizing it.

Thanks again,

Evan

Argh, it appears that I spoke too soon. :\
 
Just encountered a crash with Dragon Age: Inquisition. Running everything at high (though not ultra) settings. Crash occurred during a battle with lots of explosions. I may chalk this one up to just running the settings too high, though.
 
Encountered another crash with Homeworld Remastered, at the exact moment that a large ship exploded. Screen went black, heard a sound in the background that sounded like an error message, though I couldn't read it because of the black screen. Had to do a hard reboot. Was running higher settings, though not the highest possible. According to my reading, my PC should be able to max out this game, so I don't really understand what could have caused the crash.
 
I noticed that my Power Management Mode has been auto-switched to "Optimal Power." Should I switch it to "Prefer Maximum Performance"? Or does that matter?
 
I did notice that my drivers auto-updated to a more recent version than the older driver that was recommended earlier.
 
Any other possibilities for what could be causing the crashes?
 
Sorry again for the trouble...
 
Evan