GPU Issues - How can I confirm that my PC issues are related to GPU?

[lucalleo]

I've been having issues with my monitors blacking out and coming back on, and sometimes my computer suddenly shuts down completely (sometimes it reboots and sometimes it doesn't). The issue happens both when I'm gaming AND when I'm using my computer for normal everyday work, like just using Microsoft Word or browsing in Chrome. When gaming, there are also artifacts and weird flashing issues before the game crashes completely. I have tried two games so far but because the same thing happens with both games, it seems that it's not an issue with the games themselves. 

I did a factory reset on my computer three times and the issue persists. I'm pretty certain that it's an issue with a faulty GPU but HP Support has not been able to help me with this. Does anyone know how I can confirm if it's actually a GPU issue? And if it isn't, what else could it be? I don't think it can be a software-related issue since I still had the issue even after doing the factory reset, but is it still possible that it's a software issue?

I bought this PC 2 and a half months ago, so it's still under warranty, but HP won't help me because they can't confirm that there are hardware-related issues.

Context/Background:

When I tried contacting HP support, they ran all their diagnostic tests and seem to think that there is no issue with any hardware, even though this seems like a GPU issue. The stress test they did, in my opinion, wasn't significant enough to replicate the problem. But HP keeps insisting that there are no hardware issues since my PC passed all the tests.

HP support keeps directing me to their Smart Friend service, but when I called, they emphasized that they only assist with software issues and they can't answer even simple questions unless I pay their $15/month fee or $100 for a one-time issue. Anyway, I really don't think it's a software issue because as I mentioned, I did a factory reset multiple times and the issue persists. 

I'm wondering what potential software-related issues could cause this? I don't exactly make the big bucks, so I'm hesitant to pay for a service that I don't think I need. 

I updated the drivers for my graphics card, did a BIOS update, made sure Windows was updated to the latest version, tried using GPU-Z but that didn't detect any GPU issues either, checked all cables to make sure nothing was bent or loose, cleaned dust in my PC, and probably more things that I can't remember. I'm at a loss and HP clearly won't help me, so does anyone else have any idea what I can do?

[BeemerBiker]

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@lucalleo wrote:

I've been having issues with my monitors blacking out and coming back on, and sometimes my computer suddenly shuts down completely (sometimes it reboots and sometimes it doesn't). The issue happens both when I'm gaming AND when I'm using my computer for normal everyday work, like just using Microsoft Word or browsing in Chrome. When gaming, there are also artifacts and weird flashing issues before the game crashes completely.

There are a couple of things you can do, one of them is simply to return it. there are probably lemon laws at your location that allow it to be returned.

You should do the following to document the problem

1 - after an unexpected reboot bring up the event viewer and look under applications and systems and see if you can identify what caused the problem and make a note of it

2- run GPUZ and enable logging to allow reviewing CPU and GPU temperatures.  If you have a second monitor you can put GPUZ on that screen while playing a game.  If it appears that overheating is causing the problem then download and install tthrottle https://efmer.com/download-tthrottle/

make sure your system has the minimum requirements to play the game

https://www.systemrequirementslab.com/cyri