I recently removed my GPU to install a new NVME drive, and ever since I put it back, it’s been acting strange. The GPU isn’t giving any display output and doesn’t seem to be properly detected—its RGB gets stuck, and the fans aren’t responding when Windows boots up or when I try using Afterburner. However, if I switch the PCIe slot to x8 mode in the BIOS, the GPU starts working again, allowing me to play games but at a lower frame rate (like 110 FPS in Cyberpunk vs. 90 FPS). I’ve tried various troubleshooting steps like removing the NVME drives and cleaning the connection pins, but I’m really stumped. What could be wrong with my GPU, motherboard, or overall setup?
2 Answers
From what you’ve described, it sounds like your GPU is likely not the issue since the performance difference between x8 and x16 at PCIe 4.0 is minimal—around 2-4%, even on high-end cards like the 5090. The drop from 110 FPS to 90 FPS indicates that the issue might lie elsewhere. I’d suggest checking the motherboard’s slots and connections more thoroughly. Sometimes reseating the GPU can help, or there may be a setup problem after switching your NVME.
Totally get your frustration! If the GPU isn’t even detected in x16 mode, it could be a compatibility or seating issue. Have you tried resetting the BIOS to default settings? Sometimes a misconfigured BIOS can cause detection issues. Also, double-check the power connections to the GPU—make sure they’re fully seated.
