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Crosshair V Formula Z GPU crashes entire computer (fixed?)

sagir3
Level 7
Hi everyone, I had a weird issue that started happening 2 or 3 weeks ago.
My GPU would crash the entire computer when stressed, even while lightly (YouTube, light gaming, etc)

Specs:
OS: Debian GNU/Linux (Sid) with Nvidia 325 drivers
Crosshair V Formula Z (bought in May, 2013, off Newegg for $240)
Athlon II x4 600e 2.2GHz 45W, 1.2V rated max (OC 3.0GHz @ 1.212V). Idle: <25C, stressed: <38C
EVGA GT430, stock freqs. (card is FINE, benched it on my other desktop). Idle: <33C, stressed: <78C
Gskill Ripjaws X (or was it Z?) 32GBs (4x 8GB)
2x WD Caviar Blue 7200RPM 500GB SATA3
Corsair CX430 PSU
CoolerMaster CPU cooler, I forget the model, but it can safely dissipate heat from a 220W CPU
HAF 912 Case, Asian model--all black interior (excellent airflow, honestly, and cost me only $50 off eBay)

Now, about the issue...

Everything was working fine up until a few weeks ago--that's when my GPU would crash the entire computer and make it reboot when stressed (within the span of a few seconds to 30 minutes), even with light loads. Thinking it was a bad overclock, I reverted to stock frequencies for everything. Didn't help.

Ran memtest overnight in case it was something with the RAM, but nope, passed it. Took out the card, put it into my other desktop (with a Biostar AM2+ board, got it used for $25 off eBay, and it worked fine)--benched it with Windows 7 and MSI Kombustor for over 2 hours, no crash.

At that point, I'm thinking "Dang...maybe it's time for an RMA... FUUUUUUUUUU-- *rage face*"
So I take out the card, put it back in my Formula Z, and I notice the EZ plug socket, and I'm like "Ehh...can't hurt to try..." and I plug in a molex, power up my PC, and the GPU miraculously works ever since with no crashes...
Disaster avoided, I think...

So, can anyone please tell me what's going on? It shouldn't take extra power from a molex to power a <60W card on the PCIE slot (which is supposed to be able to handle 75W devices). Also, it worked FINE FOR MANY MONTHS, but then it didn't without the EZ plug being populated. What's up with that? Should I RMA the board with Asus?
23,123 Views
11 REPLIES 11

TheNerdBench
Level 10
I'm taking a guess here that the problem you encountered MAY be due to one of the following (was the system BSOD or simply locking up requiring a reset or hard power-down)?

1) your card began some "thermal creep" out of the expansion slot which could cause all sorts of weird problems...was there anything you added inside of your case when this problem first appeared...maybe your card got moved just enough


2) drawing from my past electronics experience a electronic device sometimes when damaged in some manner require more power; I think a more likely problem is that some overclocking (sorry guys...don't mean to start a battle here) in some case(s) damage the M/B and/or the CPU.

3) did you add different or more RAM which would require additional power requirements on the board.

My additional two cents...if you RMA the board back there is a chance that the board you get back may have even more problems...food for thought.

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For trouble-shooting tips see my blog at:


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http://thenerdbench.blogspot.com/p/bench-testing.html


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MB: Crosshair V Formula-Z • CPU: FX-8350 • GPU: Asus Matrix R9 280x • RAM: 8GB of Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer (1866)• PSU: Thermaltake DPS Thoughpower 750 Watt • CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Frio Advanced • Keyboard: TT Sports Challanger Ultimate • Mouse: TT Sports Black Element • Case: Thermaltake GT Level 10


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sagir3
Level 7
1. Nope, didn't add anything at all. Like I said, it worked fine for many months and randomly started happening 2 or 3 weeks ago. It finally stopped ONCE I plugged in a molex into the EZ plug socket. Also, I don't get BSODs because I am on Linux. At the very worst, I'll get a kernel panic, which is VERY rare (but even that didn't happen at the time--the computer simply crashed and rebooted).

2. Like I said, it was not an issue with overclocking. I reverted back to stock clocks but the problem persisted, until I plugged in a molex to the EZ plug. I have since returned to my overclock, and there have been no crashes. My overclocks are extremely mild compared to what I've seen many others here do to their processor and NB/SB, overvolting them like madmen. I don't overclock my RAM, overvolt my NB, or overclock/volt my SB; the only thing that I HAVE overclocked is the FSB (272) and CPU (2.2GHz to 3.0GHz @ +0.012V), and the NB to 2.4GHz (stock voltage). +0.012V added to the CPU is barely anything...

3. Nope, how can I add more RAM? Did you read my post? I stated I have all the RAM slots filled (4x 8GB DIMMs).
I do have a 4 year warranty on this board; 3 years from Asus, and another from one of Newegg's warranty providers.
Since I have not had any issues after plugging in a molex to the EZ plug, I probably wont RMA it unless it does give me any issues down the road.

haihane
Level 13
if i were the one asking help, i'd be much more polite in my replies.
sounding condescending doesn't actually help.
just saying.
no siggy, saw stuff that made me sad.

TheNerdBench
Level 10
Sorry that I missed a few key points such as Linux (no BSOD there) and missed the full memory slots but frankly I'm here to help people and the posts after a while seem to all blend together.

Again...just saying even yes your are right your over clocking is MILD keep in mind once you overclock there is no going back...the damage is done just like when you red-line a engine no matter how much people want to argue this point.

At least you found some part of my post useful in I would agree it would be a bad idea to RMA your board as a last ditch effort 🙂 I will agree with Haihane's comment you are the first person since I've started posting in the forum a few weeks back to be a bit on the "condescending" side; I hope that you in the future realize that we are all just trying to help and if you did a search on my posts I think you would agree 🙂 But no worries dude...it a new year for you 🙂

[/HR]
For trouble-shooting tips see my blog at:


[/HR]
http://thenerdbench.blogspot.com/p/bench-testing.html


[/HR]
MB: Crosshair V Formula-Z • CPU: FX-8350 • GPU: Asus Matrix R9 280x • RAM: 8GB of Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer (1866)• PSU: Thermaltake DPS Thoughpower 750 Watt • CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Frio Advanced • Keyboard: TT Sports Challanger Ultimate • Mouse: TT Sports Black Element • Case: Thermaltake GT Level 10


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TheNerdBench wrote:
Sorry that I missed a few key points such as Linux (no BSOD there) and missed the full memory slots but frankly I'm here to help people and the posts after a while seem to all blend together.

Again...just saying even yes your are right your over clocking is MILD keep in mind once you overclock there is no going back...the damage is done just like when you red-line a engine no matter how much people want to argue this point.

At least you found some part of my post useful in I would agree it would be a bad idea to RMA your board as a last ditch effort 🙂 I will agree with Haihane's comment you are the first person since I've started posting in the forum a few weeks back to be a bit on the "condescending" side; I hope that you in the future realize that we are all just trying to help and if you did a search on my posts I think you would agree 🙂 But no worries dude...it a new year for you 🙂


Didn't mean to be offensive, but I guess the tone came out like that. My apologies.

TheNerdBench
Level 10
No problems...just glad that your board is up and running as we all have a bunch of time and hard earned cash invested in our systems.

Keep checking back to see if anyone else can chime in on what may of cause this problem.

[/HR]
For trouble-shooting tips see my blog at:


[/HR]
http://thenerdbench.blogspot.com/p/bench-testing.html


[/HR]
MB: Crosshair V Formula-Z • CPU: FX-8350 • GPU: Asus Matrix R9 280x • RAM: 8GB of Crucial Ballistix Tactical Tracer (1866)• PSU: Thermaltake DPS Thoughpower 750 Watt • CPU Cooler: Thermaltake Frio Advanced • Keyboard: TT Sports Challanger Ultimate • Mouse: TT Sports Black Element • Case: Thermaltake GT Level 10


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sagir3
Level 7
Seems to be a very common problem with Asus boards. My old Compaq had an Asus manufactured board that also started doing that after a few months; I couldn't fix it. It still functions, but just the IGFX (Nvidia 6150SE). Installing a GPU in the PCIE makes the entire computer crash when graphically loaded.

https://forums.geforce.com/default/topic/550771/geforce-gt-430-black-screen-while-gaming-/

You know what? I should check out the voltages...Could be a PSU issue...Will keep you all updated.

HiVizMan
Level 40
I'll toss something into the mix. It could just be that the PCIe lane on your board is for what ever reason is not providing the correct current for the card, the molex connector balances that and resolves your issue. Could be the PSU, certainly that is where I first look.


And very pleased that manners and politeness won out on this thread. ROG forum is not like any other place on the web. Here we give a darn and we are respectful and polite to all. Even when they drive us nuts. 🙂 Been there a few time. Driving people nuts that is. So respect to both.
To help us help you - please provide as much information about your system and the problem as possible.

csimon
Level 10
Maybe this would solve my GPU issue as well. I've been getting hard crashes in Hawken the past few months whereas before that everything was fine since Beta. Please keep us posted.

edit:// nevermind, it didn't help. Looks like I am buying an overpriced video card in the near future.
ROG Strix Z790-H (2503) | 13700K-57/55 (LLC6) | Heatkiller/Monsta | DDR5-6800 (2X32) | RTX 2080 | RM850x