Troubleshooting My GPU: A Quest for Solutions

Experiencing issues with your graphics card can be incredibly frustrating, especially when they seem to occur at random moments. I recently encountered a problem with my Nvidia GTX 2080 while playing a visually moderate game, Crusader Kings 3. Out of nowhere, the screen would go black and the fans would ramp up to maximum speed, forcing me to restart my PC.

After conducting some research, I discovered I am not alone in facing this peculiar malfunction. Many others have reported similar symptoms, though the proposed fixes vary widely, and so far, none have proven effective in my case.

The Nature of the Problem

While immersed in Crusader Kings 3, the GPU unexpectedly triggers a black screen, accompanied by a sudden spike in fan speed. This issue occurs sporadically, and I often wish I could monitor the GPU parameters using GPU-Z just prior to the failure for insights on what might be going wrong.

Steps I’ve Taken

To address these concerns, I’ve undertaken several measures:

1. Thermal Paste Replacement: I replaced the thermal paste, a common maintenance step aimed at improving heat dissipation.
2. BIOS Update: Ensuring the BIOS is up to date can often resolve compatibility and performance issues.
3. MSI Afterburner Settings: I configured MSI Afterburner to limit the power consumption to a minimal 37%.
4. Stress Testing with FurMark: I performed a stress test with FurMark, during which the GPU ran smoothly without triggering a black screen, demonstrating its capability to handle intense applications.

Despite these interventions, the issue persists, leading me to suspect it could be a power-related problem. Unfortunately, I remain uncertain about how to effectively diagnose or test this theory.

Seeking Guidance

If anyone has suggestions or insights into what might be causing this issue, I would greatly appreciate your input. Engaging with the community can lead to innovative solutions, and I’m hopeful that someone may have experienced similar symptoms and found success in troubleshooting. Thank you in advance for your help!