nvidia - Black/Gray/Rainbow screen once GPU load decreases

07
2014-07
  • Goddchen

    While playing the latest games, I frequently get black/gray/rainbow screens. Those freezes occure right after the heavy load of the game has stopped. So for example, when I quit the game, I get the freeze. When the game loads a new level and there is nothing to calculate for the GPU, I get the freeze. Whenever the load stops, I get the freeze.

    I tried to run FurMark. I runs just fine for, like, any time at 100% GPU usage and max temperature without problems. Once I stop the benchmark, the PC freezes.

    My specs: AMD FX-6350, Asus Geforce GTX 770, 8GB RAM, Asus M5A97 EVO R2.0

    I have the latest Geforce drivers installed through the Geforce Experience tool and I'm running Windows 7 x64.

    Any ideas what might cause this behavior? At first I thought about a weak PSU, but under heavy load, I don't have any issues, only when the load stops... Might it be the sudden temperature change when the loads stops?

    • Answers
  • Vdub

    Try uninstalling the drivers and install them via Nvidia website, I had problems before with faulty drivers from the GeForce experience program. How heavy is the load on your CPU?

  • Goddchen

    Answering my own question so that everybody who has the same issue will know how I solved it.

    What I have done first is to check if there is a firmware update available from ASUS for the GPU. Yes there was. I installed it via their Live Update tool. It seems to have fixed the issue. I have been playing 4 times now without issues. Also the benchmark now runs and I can close it without issues. The firmware update seems to have solved the issue.

    So if you experience the same issue. Check for a firmware update first!


    • Related Question

    Pixel pushing power comparison: GeForce 8600 GT and modern Intel HD Graphics?
  • boehj

    There's a similar question here. The answer has a useful link to a table on Tom's Hardware, however I don't think it entirely covers my question. The reason is that the latest generation Intel CPU/GPUs aren't included.

    I'm moving abroad. As I pack I'm trying to figure what I should keep and what I should throw away or donate.

    My current desktop has an i5-760 (i.e. no integrated graphics) and a Gigabyte GeForce GTX 460 (1 GB). This is more than enough for my needs as I don't game at all any more. I'll ship this computer abroad in toto.

    I also have an ECS GeForce 8600GT from a pervious build. I replaced the stock cooler with a large Thermalright passive cooler (I forget the model number). Although this GPU isn't particularly fast, the graphics card is silent. It's very heavy though and every kg counts when you're moving all your stuff abroad.

    With the way GPU tech evolves, there seems to be little point in hanging onto this bulky graphics card if it's been eclipsed or matched by current integrated solutions. So what I'd like to know is: In terms of pixel pushing ability, how does the 8600 GT stack up against a second-gen Intel Core i7 (e.g. i7-2600K or i7-2600)?

    Are they approximately equal in terms of power? Is one an order of magnitude above the other? I've lost track with these things and I wonder if someone can help me out.

    Thanks.


    • Related Answers
  • Mokubai

    It is a difficult thing to judge to be honest, but this review seems to suggest the i7-2600K graphics is approximately comparable to a Radeon 5450 (give or take) and to be honest I would expect a 5450 to beat a several generations old 8600GT.

    Looking at AMD and nVidia cards though it appears that they have similar amounts of processing power available and so would likely perform similarly.

    This would mean that the i7-2600K would be roughly the equivalent of your 8600 graphics card.