Troubleshooting a Dead GPU: A Gamers’ Dilemma

Experiencing a sudden total blackout of your PC mid-game can be incredibly frustrating, especially during an intense moment like a 40-man raid in World of Warcraft Classic. Such unexpected shutdowns can lead to ensuring that all your components are functioning properly. Here’s how I navigated through my recent and quite puzzling predicament with my gaming rig.

The Unforeseen Shutdown

While embarking on an epic quest in WoW Classic, my PC abruptly powered down. Initially, I suspected power supply unit (PSU) issues, mainly because my PSU was over six years old. However, after some preliminary checks, I began to wonder if the issue was related to my graphics card (GPU) instead.

My System Specs

To provide context, here’s a brief overview of my setup:

• CPU: Ryzen 7 3700X (recently upgraded, used)
• GPU: RTX 2070 (Inno3D TwinX2, roughly 1.5 years old)
• Motherboard: MSI B450 Pro Max (2 years old)
• RAM: 32GB DDR4
• Old PSU: 600W
• New PSU: 750W

Initial Troubleshooting Steps

After the shutdown, I checked my power outlet to confirm it was functional, which it was since other devices continued to operate properly. I then replaced my old PSU with a new one, believing the power unit was at fault, especially given its age. Upon replacing it, I connected only the CPU and motherboard to check for any signs of life—and lo and behold, the fans began to spin. Encouraged by this progress, I began connecting all components again, only to find that the system remained completely unresponsive.

In a bid to isolate the issue, I disconnected the GPU, which had been the central suspect. Interestingly, when I unplugged the PSU completely from the socket and reconnected it (not with the GPU attached), the fans sprang to life again. This led me to suspect the GPU might be the real culprit.

A New Development

To further investigate, I decided to swap out my RTX 2070 for an older GPU I had on hand, a GT 9800. Miraculously, my PC booted up without issues, which reinforced my growing suspicion that the RTX 2070 was failing.

This led me to wonder how something that