Gigabyte GTX 970 - sometimes no signal to monitor at startup

So I bought a Gigabyte GTX 970 G1 Gaming card from my local Microcenter a couple of nights ago. After an issue with a game, I did a complete uninstall of the prior drivers, and did a clean install of the latest Nvidia driver. That fixed the problem I was having with the game.

Now, I have a different issue. Sometimes when I turn my system on, the monitor indicates no signal, and of course there is no picture. If I restart the computer a time or two, I will then get a signal.

I installed the latest BIOS update for my Asus Sabertooth Z77 as a possible solution, but it is still doing it.

I have checked the cables to make sure everything is seated well. I have a Corsair TX 750 (2 years old), so there should be plenty of power.

The monitor is only 2 weeks old, it is the BenQ BL3200. I had zero trouble with it and my old video card, the GTX 670.

Any thoughts of what to try next before I take back to Microcenter?

Thanks!

Try a different port on the card? If you're using DVI, try HDMI, etc... (not sure what ports are on the card)

I know that with my card and monitor, on which I use display port, the connection can be finicky. Sometimes I have to re-seat the cable on either the card or the display.

Thanks....I tried a brand new DVI cable, with same results, taking 3-4 tries to get a signal. I then tried moving the card to the 2nd card slot, with the DVI cable, same result. I then put the card back to the original slot, and tried an HDMI cable, and so far it has worked several times in a row.

Am I losing anything by using an HDMI cable instead of DVI?

I just hate the thought of a brand new card not working correctly....all of the outputs should work.

I had that problem with my mom's pc. Whenever I turned it on, I would get no signal so I would have to keep starting it up until it finally showed up.It was a Eco gtx 9800(didn't require any power cable), but once I took it out, she hasn't had that problem since. So I'm not sure if it was the graphics card or maybe just the motherboard itself.

Stevarian said:

Thanks....I tried a brand new DVI cable, with same results, taking 3-4 tries to get a signal. I then tried moving the card to the 2nd card slot, with the DVI cable, same result. I then put the card back to the original slot, and tried an HDMI cable, and so far it has worked several times in a row.

Am I losing anything by using an HDMI cable instead of DVI?

I just hate the thought of a brand new card not working correctly....all of the outputs should work.

Click to expand...

If not using dual-link DVI cable then no. Otherwise you won't be able to run 120Hz at 1080p with HDMI 1.4a. I'm not sure whether the Gigabyte 970 carries HDMI1.4a or 1.4b, but 1.4b can do 120Hz at 1080p.

Honestly though I'd just switch to DisplayPort and not look back. DP 1.2 has enough bandwidth for 120Hz at 1440p and 60Hz at 4K, and the upcoming DP 1.3 will be able to drive 120Hz at 4K if such LCDs come out in the future. I personally see DVI as being a "legacy" connection at this point tbh. Dual-link DVI can't even do 120Hz at 1440p, I think the theoretical bandwidth allows it to do somewhere in the ballpark of 80-85Hz at 1440p.