Video Hardware Error/Power Supply

[Yefo]

Disclaimer: I am not a video card expert, not even close.
Several things you can try:
Try the external fan and see if that makes a difference.
Lower the settings on the game and see if that helps. (I know you shouldn't have to with your card, but maybe)
The black screen sounds more like a driver or the game itself crashed. If either of those happened you should get a message, but not always. Mini dumps are usually only created when you have the typical blue screen with the writing and error code on them. Just make sure you are configured for the mini dumps http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/174459-dump-files-configure-windows-create-bsod.html
The definitave test to me: Do you have another computer or a friend that will help? Take your card out and put his card in your rig and your card in his rig. See what happens. If you think it may be the PSU, do the same. I would rather you find out for sure what it is before spending money.

Make sure your drivers are up to date and installed correctly. click on the 'Detailed Guide and read it.It is a work in progress, but very good. Ultimate 2013 Nvidia Driver Guide by MANIAC-VVV-

- Oddly, I do not have any fan I can use to blow air into my tower from outside.

- Drivers are good to go. I have installed and re-installed the newest drivers over the past couple of days (and used driver sweeper)

- Lowering the game settings did help. But ofc, that's not the object of buying a $900 card haha. Specifically, the game has an option to limit FPS. Limiting FPS to 30 allowed the card to run at 70 degrees and the fan around low 40%.

- It is a computer-lockup type crash that goes to black screen and requires a reboot. Often times the sound will get stuck in a repeating loop and the fans in my tower will all blast to full speed. Sometimes it logs a minidump, sometimes it does not. I am definitely configured to log them. I should also clarify these BSODs occur in many games, not just the game I happen to be using to test with recently.

- I have too many Mac user/Laptop user friends for swapping parts to work easily

I've found I can get a new, comparable PSU for $200, give or take $50. If I can work out a deal with my local store to allow an open box return if a new PSU does not solve my issues, I'll probably go for it.

I believe my card has a significant warranty (in fact, I think it has a lifetime warranty apparently). Sending it in to EVGA could be an option, and depending on how the PSU situation works out, I may look into that a bit more.

 

[essenbe]

EVGA Has an excellent forum with plenty of knowledgible people there eager to help. The tech support guys visit frequently and are not concerned about saying RMA the card. EVGA also has very good tech support who will work with you to straighten out whatever the problem is. I have used both the forum and tech support and have been quite happy with the results.

 

[Yefo]

First, the good news: My problems are solved! At least, it appears that way for the time being. No more BSODs as of today. Also, I'm now able to set custom fan profiles without insta-BSODs. My video card is operating under stress at a much more comfortable 65 degrees (as opposed to 82 degrees), with fan utilization at 85% as per my fan profile instructions.

Now, the bad news: I changed too many variables at once to pinpoint what solved the problem. I completed the following tasks...

- Bought and installed a new power supply (Corsair AX1200i)
- I moved the video card to a different slot on the mother board.
- Bought and installed completely new RAM (upgraded from 6 GB to 12 GB, but removed the old RAM because new RAM is a different brand)

The new RAM likely had nothing to do with anything.

That said... without moving the card back to the other PCI slot and checking for BSODs, as well as reinstalling the old PSU and moving the card to the new slot... I will not be able to scientifically determine what solved my problem. While I am extremely curious, my curiosity does not outweigh my desire to have a working computer . While I may one day be bored/curious enough to investigate, I'm simply glad to have a working machine and plan on leaving it alone for now.

As an added note, here is a quick history about the PCI slot my card is in/was previously in... My MOBO has 2 PCI x16 slots and 2 PCI x8 slots. A while back when I was experiencing BSOD issues (similar to the ones I am experiencing now), I moved my card to the 2nd PCI x16 slot (from the first PCI x16 slot) and the issues seemed to be resolved... for a little while. I had assumed my 1st PCI x16 slot on the MOBO was bad and that was what fixed my problem. This time, I moved the card back to the 1st PCI x16 slot because I already had to remove the card to make room for the PSU wiring and it simply fit better in the 1st slot.

Thanks everyone for all the help, hopefully I won't be asking for more assistance anytime soon!

 

[essenbe]

Yefo, congratulations. I'm glad you have the computer running right. Why, would bother me too, but the fact that it works is most important. It's possible that any of the changes you made could have been the problem. But, well done. If you need us in the future, we'll be right here.

 

[x BlueRobot]

Glad to hear the problem seems to be solved.

 

[Layback Bear]

Nice power supply Yefo.