Application has been blocked from accessing graphics hardware

Tarman · 17 May 2019 at 09:00

Hello team,

I have a bit of a mildly infuriating issue right now..

I have an Asus Strix 2080 TI water cooled graphics card; and every time I run a game, after about 5-10 minutes of gameplay, it'll crash to desktop.

In the event viewer, I'm seeing the following error:

Display driver nvlddmkm stopped responding and has successfully recovered.

I've googled a bit on this; and there isn't a straight answer on how to resolve..

I've tried:

Clean install of drivers in safe mode using DDU
Adding registry keys to set TDR delay to 20 seconds
Underclocking the graphics card
Setting all system overclocks to defaults, and below

After setting the TDR delay; windows reports the error differently..

Application gpu_stressor.e has been blocked from accessing Graphics hardware.

I'm at the end of my tether, and not sure what to try next.

I've not tried formatting or anything yet; trying to keep that as a last resort.

The highest I've seen the GPU temps go is 63c under 100% sustained load. CPU no higher than mid 50's.
My thoughts now are perhaps the water block isn't making good contact with part of the card? So maybe the core isn't exceeding 63, but other parts are? I donno..

Please Help.

Dave

Plec · 17 May 2019 at 09:24

What's the rest of your spec (PSU included)?

Your motherboard BIOS may need updating, depending on model/age - plus, a CMOS reset would be a worthwhile test.

Tarman · 17 May 2019 at 09:33

Asus Maximus Hero 10 mobo
i7 8900k
16Gb RAM
EVGA 850 G3 power supply

I'll give the bios a wee update over lunch and report back.

Tarman · 17 May 2019 at 10:18

OK.. updated the BIOS.. still having the same problem..

Display driver nvlddmkm stopped responding and has successfully recovered.

When it crashes, I am playing Shadow of Mordor.. When the screen goes black, I can still hear ingame sounds...
It's a bit inconsistant; sometimes it crashes to desktop, and the sound obviously stops, but when it black screens, you can still hear the sound.

Plec · 17 May 2019 at 11:35

Yeah, the BIOS update not so relevant on your modern MB - but still a .

Reeks of a software issue - but could easily be component related.

A long shot - but have you tried a different/quality DP lead? (increased frequency/bandwidth can often bring up odd issues with inferior cables)

Tarman · 17 May 2019 at 11:43

Worth a bash at this point.. I'll dig out another cable and stick it in. Will report back

Webster · 17 May 2019 at 11:45

Are you running 2 separate power leads to the GFX card?
Try disable XMP

Tarman · 17 May 2019 at 11:48

Webzta said:
Are you running 2 separate power leads to the GFX card?
Try disable XMP

2 seperate leads yeah.. the power supply is brand new.. installed last weekend.

I'll try disabling XMP..

I think it was initially disabled, but had enabled it again previously when resetting everything.

Also.. new DP cable installed.

Will change disable XMP the now, and test shadow of mordor.. Will report back.

Webster · 17 May 2019 at 11:49

Tarman said:
2 seperate leads yeah.. the power supply is brand new.. installed last weekend.

I'll try disabling XMP..

I think it was initially disabled, but had enabled it again previously when resetting everything.

Also.. new DP cable installed.

Will change disable XMP the now, and test shadow of mordor.. Will report back.

It's a long shot mate but worth a try - I had similar issue with TD2 that turned out to be the cause.

Is it all games/benchmarks or just Shadow of Mordor?

Tarman · 17 May 2019 at 12:15

Webzta said:
It's a long shot mate but worth a try - I had similar issue with TD2 that turned out to be the cause.

Is it all games/benchmarks or just Shadow of Mordor?

All games.. VR included.

XMP was already disabled in the BIOS.. or at least set to [Auto].

Webster · 17 May 2019 at 12:21

If you run benchmarks does the same happen? When did the issue start, with the new card install?

Tarman · 17 May 2019 at 12:27

Yeah, it happens in 3dMark; and even in MSI Afterburner.. though I'd expect it to happen there really.
Every game bar factorio, it happens.
It's massively frustrating. Just testing now anyway. Will report back.

Webster · 17 May 2019 at 12:56

Good luck, I went through this pain recently.

Tarman · 17 May 2019 at 12:56

Yeah still happening.. This time it was a total reset. powered off; then powered itself back on.

carnage..

Tarman · 17 May 2019 at 12:56

Webzta said:
Good luck, I went through this pain recently.

What did you do about it in the end?

Webster · 17 May 2019 at 15:29

For me XMP caused the issue, I have no idea why.

I had the setup for a while with a 1080, changing to 2080Ti caused it. I was only experiencing it in one game though. I ended up increasing ram voltage and the issue went away.

From what you describe it sounds like an issue with the card to be honest, have you got another PC/friends you can test it in?

Webster · 17 May 2019 at 15:33

Looks like you had issues with the watercooling block mounts/design flaw etc, this the same card?

Tarman · 17 May 2019 at 15:37

Webzta said:
Looks like you had issues with the watercooling block mounts/design flaw etc, this the same card?

Yeah this is the same card. Been a bit of a bad experience this one.

Got it out the machine just now. Going to put the stock air cooler back on.

Webster · 17 May 2019 at 15:40

Hmm I wonder if the card has taken a hit from the previous issues with contact etc?

Tarman · 17 May 2019 at 16:40

I may have fixed it..
Don't want to jinx it by speaking too soon, but went half an hour in shadow of Mordor with no problem

I took the card out and reseated it.. it didn't look like the thermal paste on the GPU was spread evenly enough.. on the left side of the chip.

Stuck a bit more of the paste on, spread even then put it all back together again.

Going to test some more.. will report back