Hey everyone!
I've run into some problems with my computer and i'm a little bit stumped, hoping you guys can share some wisdom with me. This may be a long post, ill try to keep my words as concise as possible.
(There are long periods between dates, this is due to me not having very much time to game anymore or work on my PC)
 
Back in March whilst i was gaming, my computer suddenly shut off and would not turn back on. I also smelled a slight burning rubber smell. I unplugged the PC and brought it to a reputable local repair shop the next day. They diagnosed the issue as a broken graphics card. They informed me all other parts of the computer was fine. I was busy with work, school and didn't have much time to game anyways, so I put it aside and wasn't able to submit an RMA until September.
I RMA'd the 1080FTW and got an RTX 2070 SC back. I plugged it in, updated windows and the driver and it worked just fine at first. I did notice a very small blot of artifacting that popped up two times over the period of a week, I didn't think much of it. After a week I my games would start crashing due to the GPU. I would get heavy artifacting in games and on the desktop, I got a few bluescreens. I asked around online and contacted EVGA, I was advised to do an RMA since the GPU may be faulty. I left for a trip in October and wasn't able to RMA until I'd gotten back.
Here is a video for some of the artifacting and card crashing (first 2070) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jyaPbQ-yrw&feature=youtu.be

In November I got a second replacement RTX 2070 SC, I plugged it into the PC, I updated windows and updated the driver again. Worked flawlessly, no problems whatsoever. I played some Arma, Tarkov and I went through the entire MW campaign and played Co op. Took a break for a month due to work, and played again last Friday. Played 3 hours of MW Multiplayer and ran into no problems whatsoever, game ran flawlessly and silky smooth.

Fast forward to today (Monday), I booted up my PC to print some documents and I saw immediate artifacting and a bluescreen. I rebooted the computer, saw more artifacting and was able to get onto the desktop. Windows was using the basic display driver and in device manager the RTX 2070 was listed as recognized... but had problems. (Screenshot of the bluescreen) https://imgur.com/gallery/0An3JP5?fbclid=IwAR0LlgQo-CBEV_9T_0Qzi15T_q-TG6jVoQPGpe0nuBJQXH1w4bq4LjKE7CI
I checked to make sure the PC was up to date, I used DDU to uninstall the graphics driver and reinstall the newest version. I also reseated the GPU, nothing worked.
I then went ahead and did a factory reset of windows (without keeping files). I unplugged the GPU and ran my monitor straight to my motherboard for troubleshooting.

After the reset, when I was rebooting the computer after installing chipset drivers, I noticed the bottom half of my screen artifacting during the "ASUS" BIOS screen. I was able to reproduce this problem multiple times by simply restarting the PC.
I just tested the PC by inserting the GPU and installing graphics drivers, it is showing the same problem. Heavy full screen artifacting during BIOS start up, then microsoft using the basic display driver when on the desktop.
(Video of BIOS screen artifacting with monitor plugged into motherboard) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEmgc4_oKLs
(Video of BIOS screen artifacting with monitor plugged into graphics card) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVUJet4iIkA&feature=youtu.be (Screen artifacted like this before the fresh install too)

What could be causing this issue? My guess, along with others I have asked is the power supply shorting out the graphics card, as well as effecting the motherboard causing artifacting even with the iGPU.
However... I am using an EVGA 750W G2 power supply, the PC is hooked up to a Cyberpower 1500PFCLCD (1500VA/900W) backup power supply unit AND the computer is sitting on a dedicated grounded power outlet.

Anyone have any idea what could be going on here?
I'm going to be bringing it into a shop again tomorrow, since I lack the knowledge or tools to really properly diagnose this issue myself.

Tl;dr:
PC popped off back in march while gaming, repair shop said it was the GPU. RMA'd for a replacement, worked fine for a week, started getting heavy artifacting, display driver crashing, games crashing, etc. RMA'd the GPU for another replacement, worked fine for 4 or 5 gaming sessions over the period of a month and a half, turn the PC on today and heavy artifacting on the BIOS screen + bluescreen. Reset the PC, get artifacting on BIOS screen during startup with monitor plugged into motherboard. Same problem with GPU, heavy artifacting, windows reports a problem with the hardware and uses the basic display driver instead.

Build list:
ASUS Z170 Pro
i7 6700k
EVGA 2070 SC
Gskill tridentZ 3200mhz
EVGA 750W G2 + Cyberpower 1500PFCLCD backup power
Samsung SSD
 
Thanks in advance, and Happy New Year everyone!

Upgrade to an AMD set up now! It will solve your issues.😸
I think there's a irregularity of voltage in your PC or is a faulty rail in the PSU. Try changing plug rails

Pretty weird or extremely bad luck , considering you have a battery backup to provide clean power.
 
Always possible the motherboard PciX slot is faulty- causing graphics card burnouts. ..
....or the PSU has a bad rail . ( as mentioned above )
 
.... or just real bad luck on cards ?
 
Those seem like the only culprit possible.

aka_STEVE_b
Pretty weird or extremely bad luck , considering you have a battery backup to provide clean power.
 
Always possible the motherboard PciX slot is faulty- causing graphics card burnouts. ..
....or the PSU has a bad rail . ( as mentioned above )
 
.... or just real bad luck on cards ?
 
Those seem like the only culprit possible.

See! I would agree with you there! But... if the graphics card is faulty, or the PCIE slot is broken... then I should have no artifacting if I connect the monitor to the motherboard directly right? I'm getting artifacting on the BIOS when I have it hooked up directly to the motherboard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEmgc4_oKLs

Wooohah

aka_STEVE_b
Pretty weird or extremely bad luck , considering you have a battery backup to provide clean power.
 
Always possible the motherboard PciX slot is faulty- causing graphics card burnouts. ..
....or the PSU has a bad rail . ( as mentioned above )
 
.... or just real bad luck on cards ?
 
Those seem like the only culprit possible.

See! I would agree with you there! But... if the graphics card is faulty, or the PCIE slot is broken... then I should have no artifacting if I connect the monitor to the motherboard directly right? I'm getting artifacting on the BIOS when I have it hooked up directly to the motherboard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEmgc4_oKLs

Have all drivers from GPU, mobo, windows etc. been upgraded? Have you tested the gpu to another monitor or TV?
Or tested the GPU in another PC?

Cool GTX

STR1D3R_2
I haven't read the entire thread so apologies if this has been mentioned,
Shot in the dark but have you tried switching monitor cables?
 

 

1) Monitor & Cable as suspect. What kind of Cable are you using    Asus PG279Q & DP cable ?  Make Sure it is a certified DP


2) What other powered items are attached to the PC
 
3) 3 GPU later ... might be time to pull & closely inspect your MB ... for Any signs that something is damaged, shorting .... I'd at a minimum make sure nothing is loose or fallen behind the MB
 
 

1) I'm using the original DP cable that came with my PG279Q. I'd hope they wouldn't send a subpar cable with a $800 monitor :^(
2) Just my keyboard, mouse, a mic and a removable hard drive, which i unplugged (along with all the drives apart from the main drive) for the reinstall
3) The first GPU was probably definitely dead. They checked it. The motherboard looks fine... I dont see any signs of shorting or bulged capacitors.

If something is burning out the cards... or hardware... it has to be the power supply right? Or does a faulty motherboard lead to problems with power regulation that also short things out?

First faulty card may have damaged cable/ monitor and passed that damage on. Never rule anything out without checking. That is how electrical components fail, an over-amp or voltage spike affects anything in that chain.
That is why I have a closet full of spare parts.

It should be grounded fine. I have a ground checker and it shows as fine.

I went ahead and plugged in my extra monitor that's setup on HDMI. I'm not seeing the artifacts on the BIOS menu when its plugged directly into the motherboard. HOWEVER, the same artifacts and the same problem happens when I plug the monitor into the graphics card.

Could be a coincidence or the faulty DP cable has killed/ damaged the GPU

Wooohah
How would a display port cable damage the GPU? It only transmits information right? It doesn't share power

Every component in your PC transfer electricity or any type of electric current from hardware to hardware. My take GPU and Mobo needs to be RMA till then get yourself a new hdmi cable.
Have you tried DVI to see if you experience the same artifacts.

Ok I understand now. Jeez... so how would one find the root issue? It sounds like a broken GPU or DP cable are side effects of a greater issue.

Could the PSU be the main root issue here?

 
Why this isn't in Gen. Hardware is a mystery I guess. Moving thread there.

If you continue to have issues after replacing the card and display cable you might want to replace your psu as the ripple on the unit may be way out of whack. Out of whack ripple kills hardware.

Wooohah
I've been using my PSU for 3 years. I bought an EVGA gold rated PSU because I figured it would last a long time and wouldnt potentially have electrical issues that ends up shorting out other components :^(

I even went the extra mile and got a good backup power source

I think the back up power source killed the hardware or.is.killing your psu. 🤔
Have you tried plugging your PC to the wall outlet only

oscilloscope
 
You can measure the Voltage at the output & even load test the batteries --> but looking for Noise & ripple on the output takes the proper equipment
 
Note: Electricity can be Dangerous & even Fatal --> If you do not know what your doing take it to someone who does
 
So, bypassing the UPS or replacing the UPS is the only Safe end user tests
 
I'm not sure why you suspect the UPS ?
 
Does the UPS have a LED screen to show the basics:  Input V, output V, Amps, Battery Charge, Battery Capacity Min of run time ....
 
What brand & model is your UPS ?
 
Check with the Mfg for Any open Recalls & Known issues