Black Screen & Crash - GTX 970 Fault??

[Sven69]

Hi Gents,

For the last 2 months I've been plagued with random black screens & outright crashes out of Windows. I initially thought it was my 7 year old PSU, swapped that for a new PSU - Corsair CX 750M (Not the best I know) still had the crashes.

Updated old I5-3570K & GA77 Mobo to current build in my sig, still having the issues.

Getting are now getting more frequent in Squad & Arma3. It seems that the crashes usually happen when GFX card is under particularly heavy load but not always. I've run Furmark and i'm getting the same issues, crashes happen anywhere between 2 -5 minutes of load being applied - Screen goes black & PC just shuts down, then restarts.

I can also hear what I believe is Coil Whine when hit the space bar. Shortly after this I usually get Black Screen. GPU temps are around 70 - 75°C. I have also notice lately that front fan seems to be starting to rattle & stops, you have to flick it with your finger to get it going again. I have noticed as well that just before the Crash I sometimes get what as I can describe as a very mild Eggy Fart smell - (Don't know if that ones Me or the Dog!!)

Does this sound like Zotac GTX 970 card is failing?

 

[Plec]

Certainly sounds like the gfx card from the symptoms plus you've virtually changed every other major component - so the gfx card is sitting there sticking out like a, well, a bad smell.

The strange smell could be failing capacitors - sounds like rma if it's still under warranty.

 

[Sven69]

Hi Plec, yep card is under warranty I believe, got it back in December 2015. I believe Zotac cards have 5 year warranty, unfortunately I didn't buy it from here though. Anybody know what Zotac are like to deal with, is it a UK warranty or Far East?

 

[Plec]

Hi Plec, yep card is under warranty I believe, got it back in December 2015. I believe Zotac cards have 5 year warranty

They do have a 5 year warranty - i think you have to apply for the extended warranty by registering the card with Zotac within 30 days of purchase?

 

[Sven69]

I did do that, hopefully should be Ok. Just chatting online now with Zotac

 

[Plec]

Great - sounds like you're covered. Best of luck.