Is my PSU or GPU dying?

[lessavydav]

Hello, haven't been here for a while but I would really appreciate any help I can get for diagnosing my PCs issues.
Specs:
i5 -3570K 3.4Ghz
Gigabyte Z77-D3H Intel Z77 DDR3 motherboard
8GB (2 X 4GB) RAM
Corsair Builder Series CX 500w Modular '80 Plus Bronze' Power Supply
MSI HD 7950 Twin Frozr III Boost Edition

I also have a HDD, an SSD, a Wireless adapter and a DVD drive connected. The PC has been running fine for almost 6 years.
Recently, when gaming, the display has crashed to a screen with distinct grey lines running vertically. I've powered off and tried to reboot yet sometimes the display would not register with the monitor (no signal).
The games it crashed on weren't particularly taxing (e.g. Running with rifles, PES menu screen) but i figured it must be the gpu until it happened when browsing. When
I've dusted the inside yet when i turn on the PC everything powered up except the GPUs fans and the USB ports werent passing power to the mice and keyboard. I tried a controller in the other ports and the controller light flashed for a second then nothing.

I've disconnected the GPU and the USB ports (front and back) are working and the display is fine. I'm baffled.
Is the GPU to blame or is my PSU struggling when further load is needed and is there any way I can test these without spare parts?

Sorry if I rambled and Thanks for any help

 

[Danny75]

Bit of a challenge this one. You know it's fine without the GPU but that doesn't answer your question about whether the PSU is struggling with the GPU connected, or if it's the GPU itself.

Can you put the CPU under a stress test like Realbench? If you're "lucky" it might catch out a fault with the PSU, although if test goes fine it'd be inconclusive.

As far as the GPU I'd try replacing the thermal paste on it (if it's been 6 years), and lowering the clock and memory speed. If stability improves, then it's the GPU failing at stock speeds.

Do you remember what temperature the 7950 was hitting?

 

[EsaT]

Certainly messy situation to say for surely what/how many parts are breaking down.

That PSU isn't any quality PSU and has certainly exceeded its intended/planned failure time.
So would rank it as first suspect.
Graphics card can't have any effect to USB ports, because PCI-e slot doesn't even use 5V.
So while GPU can be breaking down, that doesn't give any out of jail card for PSU.
Neither would any failing CPU/GPU cooling have effect to USB ports.
USB port problem could hint to failing motherboard, but that's again something failing PSU can cause by stressing PC's components.

Failing PSU is risk to any PC part, so best would be to change that before getting any other new parts.

Would recommend Bitfenic Formula as starting level for PSU with not cheap grab bag parts.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/search?ssearch=bitfenix+formula
next step up would be this antec:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ante...plus-gold-modular-power-supply-ca-24n-an.html

Though this is pretty darn good price for fully modular 10 year warranty PSU with step below best efficiency:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/seas...-platinum-modular-power-supply-ca-05t-ss.html

 

[Dalandius]

Certainly messy situation to say for surely what/how many parts are breaking down.

That PSU isn't any quality PSU and has certainly exceeded its intended/planned failure time.
So would rank it as first suspect.
Graphics card can't have any effect to USB ports, because PCI-e slot doesn't even use 5V.
So while GPU can be breaking down, that doesn't give any out of jail card for PSU.
Neither would any failing CPU/GPU cooling have effect to USB ports.
USB port problem could hint to failing motherboard, but that's again something failing PSU can cause by stressing PC's components.

Failing PSU is risk to any PC part, so best would be to change that before getting any other new parts.

Would recommend Bitfenic Formula as starting level for PSU with not cheap grab bag parts.
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/search?ssearch=bitfenix+formula
next step up would be this antec:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/ante...plus-gold-modular-power-supply-ca-24n-an.html

Though this is pretty darn good price for fully modular 10 year warranty PSU with step below best efficiency:
https://www.overclockers.co.uk/seas...-platinum-modular-power-supply-ca-05t-ss.html

I agree, replace the PSU if worse comes to the worse and it is the GPU at fault you will have a new PSU to go with it.

 

[lessavydav]

Do you remember what temperature the 7950 was hitting?

Unfortunately I can't sorry. I've not had anything to worry about for ages so, I guess have complacently not checked. The card was repaired/ replaced about 5 years ago as there was a fault with them meaning the fans ran 100% all the time. Being my first build I didn't realise it wasn't supposed to sound like an airplane for a while.
Recently it's sure enough been working hard in some games, but nothing that raised alarm.
I was expecting it was the GPU until the USB ports didn't work.
I'll try the CPU checks you recommended just in case something shows up.
Thanks again

 

[Vexr]

Hmm, I'd probably try underclocking the GPU and seeing if that makes a difference.

Regarding the USB ports, there are errors (mostly to do with glitches in the motherboard chipset) that knock out USB ports and make them temporarily unresponsive. These would be viewable in Event Viewer as something like an "EHCI host controller Interrupt on Async Advance Doorbell response". I know for a fact this tended to happen on some AM3+ motherboards.

Anything in Event Viewer could be helpful in diagnosing the problem.

 

[lessavydav]

Thanks for all of your replies. Unfortunately I havent been able to do any comprehensive tests.

Today I tried reinstalling the GPU and unfortunately the fans didnt even begin spinning. I also tried the USB ports and again, there seemed to be little no power coming through (XBOX 360 conroller flashed for a second).

Is there any reason why a faulty GPU would prevent the USBs from functioning?

Unless there is I'm going to assume that the PSU is to blame. Thanks again for your help everybody.