GPU chip and 6-pin #1 power draw showing 0W, GPU clock capped at 139MHz

Troubleshooting a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080Ti with Zero Power Draw and Capped GPU Clock

Upgrading your graphics card can be an exciting experience, but it sometimes comes with unexpected hurdles. Recently, I transitioned from a GTX 960 to a used NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1080Ti, hoping for improved gaming performance. However, I faced severe performance issues — the games and benchmarks delivered only 10-20 frames per second, far below expected capabilities. After a week of troubleshooting, I identified a peculiar problem: the GPU’s power consumption readings were zero, and the GPU clock was artificially capped at 139 MHz, regardless of load.

Symptom Overview

Using monitoring tools such as GPU-Z and MSI Afterburner, I observed the following anomalies:

GPU Clock Speed: Consistently capped at approximately 139 MHz, whether idle or under load.
Power Consumption: GPU chip power draw was nearly zero, sometimes flickering slightly to 0.2W.
6-Pin Power Connection: The primary 6-pin connector’s power draw was also showing near zero, with occasional minor fluctuations to 0.1W.

These readings strongly suggested that the GPU was not receiving proper power or was being forcibly restricted, resulting in minimal operation.

Visual Evidence

For clarity, here are screenshots of GPU-Z during idle and load conditions:
– Idle State
– Under Load

Additionally, the accompanying temperature readings appeared normal, and voltage levels seemed within standard ranges, indicating that the motherboard and power supply were likely not at fault. Notably, the 8-pin power connector’s activity was normal, reinforcing suspicion that the issue lay within the 6-pin power rail or the GPU itself.

Anomalies and Observations

During a specific moment, GPU-Z displayed fluctuations in clock speed, reaching approximately 607 MHz sporadically. Unfortunately, I did not capture a screenshot at that precise moment, but it indicated that the GPU was capable of higher clocks temporarily. Surprisingly, despite these fluctuations, the power draw readings remained at near-zero levels, an inconsistency that added to the confusion.