Help with freezing issue

[Jakeron2]

Hey everyone -

I have an ibuypower pre-built computer with the following:
CPU: Intel i9-9900k cpu @ 3.60 GHz
GPU: NVIDIA Geforce RTX 2060 Super
Motherboard: PRIME Z390-P
RAM: Two - XPG 8g
Windows 10

I’ve had this computer for a few years now and It’s been perfectly fine up until a few months ago. The screen just freezes where the mouse cannot be moved and the keys/keyboard shortcuts cannot be used, nothing works but holding the power button and restarting the computer and then it acts fine like nothing happened. It actually doesn’t happen often, just randomly, maybe once a week (and I use this computer everyday usually 5-6+ hours a day).

What happened: I was cleaning my desk one day and I moved the montior which pulled the display port cord connected to my GPU and it broke one of the display ports on the gpu. I moved the cord to the next display port over on the gpu and it works.

Is that broken dp port causing the freezes on my pc now? Should I just replace my gpu and call it good?

Just curious as to if this is actually why my PC is freezing now.
Any advice is welcome and very much appreciated - thank you!!

[Pyro]

The easiest way for you to test the GPU would be to pull it out of the tower and plug the monitor into the onboard video (there is a displayport higher up on the back of your case that is connected to the motherboard).

Make sure the computer is off, you are grounded and ESD-safe, and that you have an ESD-safe workspace to place the GPU (I like to use cardboard boxes or wooden tables to be sure).

It’s usually just a few screws, unplugging a cable or two, and a clip towards the middle/back of the gpu, here is a good video for you to reference so you can actually see what I am talking about:

[MEDIA=youtube]IqnYWsHNGaI[/MEDIA]

[Jakeron2]

The easiest way for you to test the GPU would be to pull it out of the tower and plug the monitor into the onboard video (there is a displayport higher up on the back of your case that is connected to the motherboard).

Make sure the computer is off, you are grounded and ESD-safe, and that you have an ESD-safe workspace to place the GPU (I like to use cardboard boxes or wooden tables to be sure).

It’s usually just a few screws, unplugging a cable or two, and a clip towards the middle/back of the gpu, here is a good video for you to reference so you can actually see what I am talking about:

[MEDIA=youtube]IqnYWsHNGaI[/MEDIA]

I’ll give this a shot, but basically i’m just plugging in to the motherboard and waiting until the computer crashes without the GPU? The only issue is it really doesn’t happen often, and it’s not when loading games or anything I could be just on notepad writing notes for work.
Thank you very much for your tip as well!

[Jakeron2]

Update: I’ve removed my GPU as suggested above and wired into the DP slot in the motherboard. Should I now just wait to see if it happens again, which would suggest that it’s not the GPU? And what would be a good timeframe to wait? A few weeks?

[Bruce]

the timeframe would be dependant on how often it had been happening before.
with the GPU installed, how often did the rig freeze?

[Jakeron2]

@Bruce probably 2-3 times a week at the very most, but it happened often enough now that I’d like to try and fix it, but I dont just want to buy another expensive GPU for it not to be the problem haha

[Pyro]

Running off integrated graphics is possible if you don’t have a heavy work load (gaming, etc.) Just depends on your needs.

[Bruce]

sounds like you will need to run the rig without the GPU for at least a week to see if your are on the right track in blaming the GPU.
only time will tell. (y)

[Pyro]

Bruce is right, in the meantime, do you know what PSU is in your computer?

The name, model, and wattage/efficiency are a good thing for us to know.

[Jakeron2]

I believe it is a 750W Thermaltake power supply, thanks again guys I will update as soon as something happens… or doesnt

[Jakeron2]

Update: nothing yet, I have a strong feeling it was the GPU now but i have a quick question:
If it was the GPU causing that freezing, would it be harming other components on my PC for the time it was in?

[Bruce]

unlikely in my experience.
PC freezing has always occurred, and always will, it’s just the frequency that changes.
have to force a shutdown is more likely to cause hard drive issue than anything else - and even then, only if the drive is still being written to.

[Pyro]

Bruce is right as per usual, I’d check if your GPU is still under warranty before going gung ho on a new unit, they are expensive right now. ???

[Jakeron2]

@Bruce @Pyro I agree, they are really expensive and I’ll definitely check out my options before buying.. I really appreicate you guys for helping I’ve still got my GPU out and waiting for a couple weeks - but i really do appreciate the help. Thank you!!

[Pyro]

That’s what we’re here for, don’t be afraid to ask more questions as they arise.

Fingers crossed you can get that warranty ???