Solved Displays shut off during gaming.

[ICIT2LOL]

Played some more of Dishonored. Still fine. Going to try some Skyrim later.

I doubt it's a game issue. It really sounds more like a overheating GPU. Also be aware that Skyrim was updated recently with a newer hi-res texture pack, about 4.7 gigs. Anyway what that means to you is if you're running the game in DX11 mode, and you have a weak/faulty card, that texture pack could be pushing the card a bit harder, and if it's already weak or faulty, it could be pushing it over the edge.

Since Dishonored isn't a DX11 game (it’s DX9), or isn’t using any hi-res textures, it could be why you don't see the issues seen with Skyrim. In other words Dishonored isn’t as graphically intensive as Skyrim, your video card isn’t running as hard as it would with Skyrim… even without the texture pack.

Anyway one thing to listen for, and take note of, is fan noise, if you hear the GPU fan suddenly ramp up, or get louder and stay that way, it's a sure sign the card is starting to overheat.

The other could be a power supply that’s starting to go, again, Skyrim is a very CPU, and GPU intense game, and will task a system. If you have faulty components, Skyrim will probably push them over the edge.

That said, it’s not unusual for Skyrim to cause BSOD’s, I got one shortly after I got the game. First time I ever got a BSOD from game. Anyway it turned out to be an unstable overclock.

The other unfortunate issue with Skyrim IS the unexplained CTD’s (Crash To Desktop). I’ve gotten and still get them occasionally. Unfortunately it’s an issue you have to live with when playing Skyrim as Bethesda STILL hasn’t fixed the issue after all the patches released.

Despite the above statement, I still feel like your issue is more hardware than game issue, and I would start looking at the video card first.

Good luck.

Which you may have noticed sygnus I have been saying for some time now

Havoc mate I think you are going to have to strip down those cards mate if only to shut me up

 

[sygnus21]

Which you may have noticed sygnus I have been saying for some time now

Yeah but you didn't elaborate

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Which you may have noticed sygnus I have been saying for some time now

Yeah but you didn't elaborate

Yes sygnus look mate I don't want to argue the toss but in posts #4,6 11, 13, 15 I had the impression that Havoc was quite happy with what I meant I didn't go into great detail as a) I have never worked on those particular cards and b) Havoc seems to know just what to do with the cards.

No hard feelings and I certainly don't want to fall out with anyone except fools which I hasten to add I know you are not mate but if if Havoc had been a newbie I would explained that process in far greater detail

 

[sygnus21]

I wrote an elaborate answer to a question. I wasn't trying to step on anyone's toes. To be honest, I never really read any of the responses. If it's been covered, cool, if not, what's the harm?

Like you, I was trying to help a fellow gamer. I'm sorry if you feel I stepped on your toes, it wasn't my intention.

Peace

 

[HAVOC]

Thankgs guys, I really appreciate the help. I did think at first the card was overheating when I realized that my top two case fans were off and the temps that were shown on Precision X. I was wondering why I had so many crashes to desktop and failure to load, I guess all of my save games have been corrupted. I started a new game (after a reinstall of Skyrim) and the same issues as before reappeared (Left and Center displays loosing signal). I never heard the fan get loud. The only time I really heard the fan is when I manually set it to 80%.

So today I will be pulling both cards out and redoing the TIM on them while paying special attention to the #1 card. I hope I don't have a damaged card. I checked on EVGA's website and I have a limited lifetime warranty on both cards.

Is there any particular spot I should be looking at for damage?

 

[HAVOC]

Small update:
Before pulling the cards I wanted to run some benchmarks. With Furmark I wasn't concerned with FPS but I did notice that the temp on card #1 rose very fast. I tried 3D Mark 11, and the left and center displays lost signal just like what happens when playing Skyrim.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Small update:
Before pulling the cards I wanted to run some benchmarks. With Furmark I wasn't concerned with FPS but I did notice that the temp on card #1 rose very fast. I tried 3D Mark 11, and the left and center displays lost signal just like what happens when playing Skyrim.

Well I stand to be corrected but if the temp is rising very fast then either the fan is kaput or the thermal needs replacing. Maybe the card is dying as I am not aware of any temp sensing on those device except for the chip itself as do the CPU's sense temp and adjust the fan settings to suit.
Havoc mate I think it is time that card was had a thorough look at, from experience with some card fans they do by the cards very function spin at some very high rates and expose them to more than usual rates of wear. Now generally speaking most of the cards have got good quality and types of bearings in them but it doesn't mean that they will all wear at the same rate.

So if you just gently hold the fan by the sides and try and "rock" the fan from side to side there should be no movement at all and the fan should spin effortlessly by flicking it with your finger. If there is any side to side movement the bearing is shot and if it has any resistance at all to spinning then the bearing has dried or is drying out. Now the latter is reasonably easy to fix on most occasions but the sideways movement mate it has to be replaced. As I ma not familiar with that brand or model I don't know how you would go about replacing the fan.

If the fan is ok then the thermal is next on the list of checks I would replace it whatever the condition and do that using a proprietary cleaning system like the Arctic clean system Arctic Silver Arcticlean Thermal material Remover & Surface Purifier ACN-60ML (2-PC-SET) - OEM - Newegg.com followed by the Arctic Silver 5 Arctic Silver 5 High-Density Polysynthetic Silver Thermal Compound AS5-3.5G - OEM - Newegg.com
Plus clean any dust out and do that with a hogs hair brush - those el cheapo kids paint brushes are ideal to prevent any static building up.

Sygnus no I didn't take offence at all and I know you were only helping out and I appreciate it when someone chips in and no I ma not a gamer I don't have the time to be honest.

 

[HAVOC]

Update #2:
I have the card apart. The fan spins freely and there is no side to side movement. I cleaned the GPU using ArtiClean 1 and 2 (that took a while), I also cleaned all the dust with a can of compressed air. I had a backplate installed and that will go back on along with a high-flow bracket that I have but never installed.

There was a slight smell when I popped the heatsink off the GPU, I don't know if it was a burnt smell or just the smell of the TIM. Here is a pic of the GPU after cleaning it, it doesn't look burnt and neither does any part on the card itself. It looks to be stained from the IC Diamond I had applied when I installed the backplate.

I'm going to pull the other card apart and see if the GPU's have the same staining.

 

[sygnus21]

Small update:
Before pulling the cards I wanted to run some benchmarks. With Furmark I wasn't concerned with FPS but I did notice that the temp on card #1 rose very fast. I tried 3D Mark 11, and the left and center displays lost signal just like what happens when playing Skyrim.

This confirms my suspicion that the card (or one of the cards) is going bad. As icit2lol said you could check the fans, also re-apply some thermo paste, but if those don't solve the problem, than you may need to replace the card. However, before replacing the card(s) make sure you...

1- Update the drivers
2- Re-seat the cards
3- Check fans and/or re-apply thermo compound

You should also isolate cards by removing one and letting the system run with one card. If the monitors don't go out, or you don't have any other issues swap cards. If either card gives you an issue, and you've done the above, than you can be pretty sure that card is bad or is going bad.

If you don't notice an issue immediately, try to stay in isolated mode a few days and see what happens.

And, yes, do make sure your system is properly being cooled, and that ALL the system fans are working. Actually that should be the first thing you do before anything else.

My two cents.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hey Havoc sygnus has said what I would have but I will add this.....

That lined looking surface mate unless I am very much mistaken looks like burn / scorch marks and from what you said about using that IC Diamond makes me think that even more so because diamond is pure carbon as you know and will burn if heated sufficiently enough.

One way to clean that up would be to gently clean it with some fine silver cleaning metal polish but only sufficient to rid the surface of those marks and do that with horizontal strokes NOT circular ones. The heatsink also needs to be thoroughly cleaned and depending on the material do that how you can.
There are other ways to clean but what I have outlined is sufficient at this juncture.

The clean up with the kit and use Arctic Silver 5 for the thermal.

While you have it apart just have a look see if the capacitors and other components look like - caps are notorious for failing and rendering the rest of the circuitry useless or failing to produce the effects required by it's design.
Signs to look for are bulging of the cap ends or actual spillage of the cap electrolyte, any resistors that look as if they have got very hot - they usually lose the colour coding on them, and scorching of the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) itself - that typically has a very hot resinous smell and discolouration and / or blistered appearance.
Check the gold contacts for any tearing etc or no evidence of contact and also check around the six pin power lead connection socket. Make sure you check both sides too the side where the solder "tracks" are may reveal some irregularities such as peeling and again scorching that need not necssarily be seen from the component side.
Any concerns post some pics.

 

[HAVOC]

Card #1 is back together. Both GPU's have those marks so I'm thinking it's staining from the IC Diamond. I cleaned both the GPU and heatsink very well and used Arctic Silver 5 when I put it back together. I'll install the cards as before and try Skyrim, then swap the cards and try Skyrim again to see if there are any issues with either card.

Wish me luck.

 

[HAVOC]

Computer is back together.
Ran Furmark, temp rose but not as fast as before, fan never went above 47%.
Ran 3D Mark 11, got a score of P6175. I finally heard the fan speed kick up while the test was going on.

Played some of Skyrim, seems to be working fine. Temp still high at 87C, the fan speed was at 50%. Should I swap the two cards and see what the temps are on the second card?

 

[sygnus21]

Card #1 is back together. Both GPU's have those marks so I'm thinking it's staining from the IC Diamond. I cleaned both the GPU and heatsink very well and used Arctic Silver 5 when I put it back together. I'll install the cards as before and try Skyrim, then swap the cards and try Skyrim again to see if there are any issues with either card.

Wish me luck.

I have to agree. When I cleaned one my GPU's a while back, I had slight staining as well, but there were no issues with the card, I just wanted to replace the stock TIM with something better.

Computer is back together.
Ran Furmark, temp rose but not as fast as before, fan never went above 47%.
Ran 3D Mark 11, got a score of P6175. I finally heard the fan speed kick up while the test was going on.

Played some of Skyrim, seems to be working fine. Temp still high at 87C, the fan speed was at 50%. Should I swap the two cards and see what the temps are on the second card?

You could, just to be sure. Anyway those temps would be fairly normal for a GPU running a game. And if the fans and temps stay that way, replacing the thermo compound may have solved the issue. Just keep and eye, and ear, on things.

I also would have isolated the cards like I suggested earlier, just to be sure. With both cards running together they probably aren't running as hard as they would individually. With that, if the card is weak or failing, it would show there.

Good luck.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Again what I said much earlier:sarc: but however sounds ok now Havoc so good luck!!

 

[sygnus21]

Again what I said much earlier:sarc: but however sounds ok now Havoc so good luck!!

I don't know what your problem is but if you're seeking glory, you can have it.

As for me, I'm still going to put my input in with regards to helping the OP.

Peace

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Again what I said much earlier:sarc: but however sounds ok now Havoc so good luck!!

I don't know what your problem is but if you're seeking glory, you can have it.

As for me, I'm still going to put my input in with regards to helping the OP.

Peace

Well I see that you have a very low opinion of me and if you consider for one single moment I am in this for self gratification then you are very sadly mistaken.

As for the peace seems to me you are not really sincere with that it because you cannot admit that just perhaps with some form of recognition that I have some at least simple skills and communicate with me in a pleasant way.
For myself I have to admit that I consider you have far more experience and skill than I will probably ever have as it so happens, and all power to you for being so educated with that knowledge.

What I do have I try to stay within my limits and will always gladly accept advice and help from anyone and everyone. What I don't really appreciate is someone relating to me in a rather condescending manner, and I shall sadly leave it at that.

To Havoc from me please accept my apologies for being perhaps a little too eager to help and by this disagreement with sygnus have soured your thread. I do hope things go well for you with the problem

I wish you the best and should our paths ever cross again I hope it will be on far more pleasant terms.

John

 

[HAVOC]

With both cards running together they probably aren't running as hard as they would individually. With that, if the card is weak or failing, it would show there.

With both cards installed, I don't think the second one is doing anything besides showing the desktop and Precision X, if I have it on the right display. Under "Configure SLI, Surround, PhysX" in NVidia control panel, I have "Activate all displays" selected and PhysX is set to "Auto-select".

I'm going to swap cards 1 and 2, see what the temps are, then run each card individualy and check the temps. I'll start each "test" from the same save point in the game.

I'm still a little confused as why the displays were shutting off. If the card was getting hot, wouldn't I have seen some graphical errors during the game? Shouldn't the card throttle down to protect itself?

Can someone also comment on this diagram and let me know if I have the displays connected to the correct DVI connectors?

 

[HAVOC]

Sorry the picture is so small. The green boxes from left to right are: 2 of 3, 1 of 3, 3 of 3.
Shouldn't the #1 display be connected to the DVI that is furthest away from the HDMI port on card 1?
That's how I have it but control panel graphic shows something different.

When I select Maximize 3D performance, my third display (the one on the right) shuts off.

 

[sygnus21]

Sorry the picture is so small. The green boxes from left to right are: 2 of 3, 1 of 3, 3 of 3.
Shouldn't the #1 display be connected to the DVI that is furthest away from the HDMI port on card 1?
That's how I have it but control panel graphic shows something different.

When I select Maximize 3D performance, my third display (the one on the right) shuts off.

Sorry I can't help you there since I don't use SLI (nor Crossfire), or NVidia cards. Perhaps someone with SLI experience using more than two monitors can chime in; or you can look to the NVidia forums for those answers.

Outside of that, have you had anymore display shutdowns?

 

[HAVOC]

Ran around a little in Skyrim and the game was fine. I chose maximize 3D performance (3rd display was off) and it did help with the temperature of card#1. It maxed out at 85C and the fan also spun faster which I don't think happened before.
I'm going to run each card by itself and see what my temps are.