Question:

Greetings, experts. I’m encountering an issue with my RTX 4090 ROG OC White graphics card where I experience screen flickering during regular desktop or browser activities. Occasionally, my PC will restart or the screen will go completely black for about 15 seconds before recovering. This started happening two weeks after purchasing the card. The problem ceases when I uninstall the current driver (Driver 551.23 WHQL) and revert to the basic Windows driver. Additionally, these issues were only present when I was operating on Windows 11; after switching back to Windows 10, the screen only flickers without the restarts or blackouts. I’ve conducted tests using both the native 12vhpwr cable and the Nvidia adapter. The only modification I’ve made in the Nvidia Control Panel is changing the color depth from 8bpc to 10bpc. My system is running at stock settings with no overclocking, XMP is disabled, and my RAM operates at a standard 4800MHz. Notably, I did not encounter these problems with my previous RTX 3060Ti card. Any insights or solutions to this problem would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your time and assistance.

Answer:

Dear user,

graphics card is indeed troubling, especially considering the high expectations set by such a top-tier piece of hardware. The symptoms you’ve described—screen flickering, occasional system restarts, and blackouts—are indicative of a few potential issues that could be at play.

Driver Compatibility and System Configuration

The fact that the problem resolves when reverting to the basic Windows driver suggests a compatibility issue with the

Driver 551.23 WHQL

. Driver updates are meant to improve performance and fix bugs, but sometimes they can introduce new problems, particularly with cutting-edge hardware operating on the latest systems like Windows 11.

Operating System Influence

Your observation that the issues were present on Windows 11 but not on Windows 10 is another clue. Windows 11 has different system requirements and operates differently under the hood compared to its predecessor. It’s possible that the driver in question is not fully optimized for Windows 11, leading to instability during operation.

Hardware Interactions

The change from 8bpc to 10bpc in color depth could also be a contributing factor. This setting alters how much color information is processed and displayed, and increasing it can put additional strain on the graphics card and the system overall.

Power Supply and Cable Configuration

While your PSU seems adequate, it’s worth noting that the RTX 4090 series cards have been reported to have issues with certain power configurations. Ensuring that the power cables are properly seated and that the PSU can handle the peak loads of the card is essential.

Potential Solutions

1.

Rollback or Update Drivers

: Since the issue stops with the basic Windows driver, consider rolling back to a previous version of the Nvidia driver that was stable, or wait for a new driver release that may address these issues.

2.

System Stability Checks

: Perform system stability checks with tools like OCCT to ensure that the PSU is delivering power correctly and that there are no other underlying system issues.

3.

Monitor Hardware and Software Interactions

: Use hardware monitoring software to check for any unusual activity or errors when the screen flickering occurs.

4.

Consult Manufacturer Support

: Reach out to the card’s manufacturer for support, as they may have insights or firmware updates that can resolve the issue.

In conclusion, while the RTX 4090 ROG OC White is a powerful graphics card, it’s clear that it’s not immune to the complexities of modern PC ecosystems. By methodically troubleshooting and seeking support when necessary, you can hopefully resolve these issues and enjoy the full potential of your hardware.

Best regards,

[Your Name]