I've got a problem with my AMD card...

AlexRider · Posted Fri 22 Jan, 2021 6:35 PM

Hello!

I know that we've got lots of tech experts here and hope you can help me. I've got a problem with my graphics card.

Well, I own an AMD Radeon R9 270 - it was built in my PC that I bought six years ago now. So far this card has served me well and has done a terrific job. It's a bit old, I can't play everything with it, but oh well. Anyways, every now and then (not always!) I get a black screen after a few moments in a game (for example STO) and my monitor says "No Contact". The game's sound can still be heard, but I cannot do anything except for hitting this button on my PC tower in order to perform a hard reboot.

What can this be? Is the card slowly dying? Or can it be a problem with the drivers? I read about some AMD problems. Usually I install the newest drivers shortly after being published, but several people say: "Don't do that and use the WHQL one instead, even if it's two months old!" So I'm a bit clueless...!

My system:
Windows 10 64-Bit, Version 20H2
16 GB RAM
AMD Radeon R9 270

I really hope it's a driver related issue, bug or whatever. I've just downgraded from version 21.1.1 to 20.11.2 (see: HERE).

Thanks in advance for your help, support, answers and tips/hints! Perhaps you've experienced problems like mine too.

Yours,
Alex

Silynn · Posted Fri 22 Jan, 2021 7:08 PM

Does the "black screen" only occur when you are playing STO? Or does it happen in other games? Or other times you are viewing videos?

What resolution/settings are you running at? 2K? 4K?

If it is the above, it could be a few things. GPU temperature is a possibility. Check that the GPU cooling fan is clean/running ok. I've had a fan go out on a GPU and didn't realize that it ruined my video card until too late.

I've also seen a display cable cause issues (cable from your graphics card to your monitor). Be that it is loose, bent pin, or just faulty.

Does a full hardware diagnostic on your computer show anything? Usually in the firmware of your motherboard, has a basic diagnostic that checks things on a basic level. Brand systems, Dell for example, has a decent one for their entire system. I've had several Dells and that has saved me a few times. As the onboard diagnostic found a problem before I knew it, which prompted Dell to ship me a replacement part (or send someone out to replace the faulty part). Of course, that meant that the system was still under warranty.

Yet after the all above, if this only occurs when gaming or in STO, I'd start checking the temperature of the graphics processing unit.

Miles · Posted Sat 23 Jan, 2021 8:18 AM

Another issue could be the card's output. Have you tried to connect with another port? For example from DVI to HDMI or vice versa?

AlexRider · Posted Sat 23 Jan, 2021 8:42 AM

Hello and thanks for your messages!

I'm not very good at this tech stuff, but let me try to answer your questions as good as I can:

The black screens have occured while playing games only, e. g. "Star Trek Online" and "Farm Together". You start the game, run around for approx. two or three minutes and then... BLACK! I play with a 1920x1080 resolution. The card's fan itself is working and can be heard while playing. After starting a game it gets quite loud at first, but calms down after a while - to normal condititions if you want to say so.

I haven't tested a different port yet, but I'm going to do this soon.

Yesterday I downgraded the AMD driver and installed the official WHQL one v20.11.2. I was able to play World of Warships, STO and Farm Together for hours without any problems. Is a "bad" graphics driver really able to mess up your system like this? I always though the newer the version the better. Perhaps I was wrong.

Nevertheless, I think I have to observe the whole situation and hope the card is not going to die.

Dragonscoils · Posted Sat 23 Jan, 2021 9:45 AM

Might be an overclock issue...

You say you aren't very good at this tech stuff, but AMD makes overclocking your card a little too easy.

AlexRider · Posted Sat 23 Jan, 2021 9:51 AM

Originally Posted by Dragonscoils

Might be an overclock issue...

You say you aren't very good at this tech stuff, but AMD makes overclocking your card a little too easy.

Yes, but I'm really not touching these features 'cause I'm too scared to break anything!

Pedigo · Posted Sat 23 Jan, 2021 10:45 AM

Yes, a bad driver can cause significant instability. In fact, I recommend using DDU to uninstall drivers in safe mode so you get an absolutely clean driver install. And drivers should be one of the first things to check when you’re having issues for two reasons: it’s a common culprit for instability and it’s free to fix.

Originally Posted by AlexRider

Hello and thanks for your messages!

I'm not very good at this tech stuff, but let me try to answer your questions as good as I can:

The black screens have occured while playing games only, e. g. "Star Trek Online" and "Farm Together". You start the game, run around for approx. two or three minutes and then... BLACK! I play with a 1920x1080 resolution. The card's fan itself is working and can be heard while playing. After starting a game it gets quite loud at first, but calms down after a while - to normal condititions if you want to say so.

I haven't tested a different port yet, but I'm going to do this soon.

Yesterday I downgraded the AMD driver and installed the official WHQL one v20.11.2. I was able to play World of Warships, STO and Farm Together for hours without any problems. Is a "bad" graphics driver really able to mess up your system like this? I always though the newer the version the better. Perhaps I was wrong.

Nevertheless, I think I have to observe the whole situation and hope the card is not going to die.

Th3TrueLuke · Posted Sat 23 Jan, 2021 10:58 AM

I have been having the same issue on my 5700XT, it could be the recent AMD update

Taku · Posted Sat 23 Jan, 2021 11:13 AM

Run GPU-Z on it. Post pictures.

AlexRider · Posted Sat 23 Jan, 2021 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by Th3TrueLuke

I have been having the same issue on my 5700XT, it could be the recent AMD update

I'm so glad I'm not alone with this nuisance!

GPU-Z Pictures:

I've read on an AMD board that the driver version 19.12.1 was/is the most stable one so I've installed that one now. So far, so good... I was able to play STO this morning without any problems.

Miles · Posted Sat 23 Jan, 2021 11:47 AM

The following issue is somewhat consistent with the AMD drivers (taken from the change log):

"Enhanced Sync may cause a black screen to occur when enabled on some games and system configurations. Any users who may be experiencing issues with Enhanced Sync enabled should disable it as a temporary workaround."

Try disabling it, if you have it on.

AlexRider · Posted Sat 23 Jan, 2021 11:57 AM

Thanks a lot, Miles!
I've found this option. It was set on: "Let the application decide." Now it is disabled...!

Taku · Posted Sat 23 Jan, 2021 12:12 PM

Okay. I was going to ask if you'd updated to Adrenaline 20 or not.

If Adrenaline 19 works for you, keep it. Turn off automatic updates.

Another thing is that 45 degrees. The R9 270 (and 270x) should be around 30 degrees at idle. The card may be throttling itself or even shutting down if it's overheating under load. With a minimal load on it (from the GPU-Z pics), 45 is peaking pretty high. Check the fan ducts and the PCB. You may want to try re-applying some thermal paste.

Compare your idle temp versus mine running STO:

- - - Updated - - -

Originally Posted by Miles

The following issue is somewhat consistent with the AMD drivers (taken from the change log):

"Enhanced Sync may cause a black screen to occur when enabled on some games and system configurations. Any users who may be experiencing issues with Enhanced Sync enabled should disable it as a temporary workaround."

Try disabling it, if you have it on.

Nice find, Miles!

AlexRider · Posted Sat 23 Jan, 2021 5:25 PM

Originally Posted by Taku

Another thing is that 45 degrees. The R9 270 (and 270x) should be around 30 degrees at idle. The card may be throttling itself or even shutting down if it's overheating under load. With a minimal load on it (from the GPU-Z pics), 45 is peaking pretty high. Check the fan ducts and the PCB. You may want to try re-applying some thermal paste.

I see, thanks so much for the hint, Taku!
So I'm going to order some thermal paste. Any recommendations what I should get or shouldn't get?

Supplemental: I've cleaned the inside of my PC this afternoon. It was a bit dirty and dusty. Idle temperature is not at 42 degrees.

Taku · Posted Sat 23 Jan, 2021 7:28 PM

Mentioned User AlexRider

Well... I have some good news and some bad news for you.

The bad news: You need to Read This. It's 14 pages and a little wordy and dense. You can skim most of it, but pay attention to the section on cooling GPUs. GPUs are a special beast, and if you've never done it before, you can get tripped up.

The good news: Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut.

The better (for you) news: Thermal Grizzly ist deutsch!! 😁 So you can just go to the factory store. (Not really, but I had to say it.)

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