Why Does Marvel Rivals Keep Crashing Your GPU? A Deep Dive

Marvel Rivals, the new free-to-play team-based PvP shooter from NetEase Games and Marvel, has generated significant buzz. However, alongside the hype, many players are reporting frustrating GPU crashing issues. This article will delve into the common causes of these crashes and provide solutions to get you back into the action.

Understanding the Problem: GPU Crashes in Marvel Rivals

GPU crashes in Marvel Rivals manifest in various ways, including:

  • Complete system freeze: The entire computer becomes unresponsive.
  • Game freeze with error message: The game freezes, displaying an error related to the GPU or graphics driver.
  • Blue screen of death (BSOD): A critical system error leading to a restart.
  • Game closes unexpectedly: The game simply shuts down without warning.
  • Visual artifacts: Distorted textures, flickering, or other graphical anomalies.

These crashes are typically related to the GPU struggling to handle the game’s demands, software conflicts, or hardware limitations.

Common Causes of Marvel Rivals GPU Crashes

Several factors can contribute to GPU crashes in Marvel Rivals. Let’s explore the most likely culprits:

1. Insufficient GPU Power

Marvel Rivals, like many modern games, can be graphically demanding. If your GPU doesn’t meet the game’s minimum or recommended specifications, it may struggle to render the game properly, leading to crashes. The minimum requirements include a NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580, while the recommended specs include a NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 or AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT.

  • Solution: Check the game’s official system requirements. If your GPU falls below the minimum, consider upgrading. If it meets the minimum but not the recommended, lowering the graphics settings can help.

2. Outdated or Corrupted Graphics Drivers

Graphics drivers are essential software that allows your operating system and games to communicate effectively with your GPU. Outdated or corrupted drivers can cause instability and crashes.

  • Solution:
    • Update your drivers: Download and install the latest drivers from the NVIDIA (GeForce Experience) or AMD (AMD Adrenalin) website.
    • Clean install drivers: Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) to completely remove old drivers before installing the new ones. This prevents conflicts.

3. Overheating GPU

When a GPU is under heavy load, it generates heat. If the cooling system isn’t adequate, the GPU can overheat, leading to instability and crashes. Check your GPU temperature while gaming; anything consistently above 85°C is a concern.

  • Solution:
    • Improve cooling: Ensure your PC case has good airflow. Clean dust from fans and heatsinks. Consider adding more fans or upgrading to a better CPU cooler or GPU cooler.
    • Reapply thermal paste: Over time, thermal paste on the GPU can dry out. Replacing it can improve heat transfer.

4. Overclocking Instability

Overclocking pushes your GPU beyond its factory settings for increased performance. However, it can also lead to instability and crashes if not done correctly. Even a small overclock can be problematic.

  • Solution:
    • Disable overclocking: Revert your GPU to its default clock speeds. Use software like MSI Afterburner or EVGA Precision X1 to reset to default settings.

5. Insufficient Power Supply (PSU)

The GPU draws power from the power supply unit (PSU). If the PSU isn’t powerful enough to meet the demands of your system, the GPU may not receive enough power, causing crashes.

  • Solution:
    • Check PSU wattage: Ensure your PSU has enough wattage to handle your CPU, GPU, and other components. Use a PSU calculator to estimate your power requirements. A PSU with a higher wattage than required is generally recommended for headroom.

6. Game Settings Too High

Ultra or high graphics settings can put a significant strain on your GPU. Lowering these settings can reduce the load and prevent crashes.

  • Solution:
    • Adjust graphics settings: Reduce the graphics quality in the game settings. Experiment with different settings to find a balance between visual fidelity and performance. Consider lowering settings like shadows, textures, and anti-aliasing.

7. Background Applications

Other applications running in the background can compete for system resources and contribute to GPU crashes. This is especially true for resource-intensive applications like streaming software, video editors, or multiple browser windows.

  • Solution:
    • Close unnecessary applications: Before launching Marvel Rivals, close any programs you don’t need.

8. DirectX Issues

Marvel Rivals relies on DirectX. Corrupted or outdated DirectX files can lead to crashes.

  • Solution:
    • Update DirectX: Ensure you have the latest version of DirectX installed. You can usually find the latest version on the Microsoft website, or it might be included with the game installation.

Troubleshooting Steps

Here’s a systematic approach to troubleshooting Marvel Rivals GPU crashes:

  1. Check System Requirements: Verify your GPU meets the game’s minimum and recommended specifications.
  2. Update Graphics Drivers: Install the latest drivers from the NVIDIA or AMD website.
  3. Monitor GPU Temperature: Use monitoring software like MSI Afterburner or HWMonitor to check GPU temperature.
  4. Lower Graphics Settings: Reduce the graphics quality in the game settings.
  5. Close Background Applications: Close any unnecessary programs before launching the game.
  6. Disable Overclocking: Revert your GPU to its default clock speeds.
  7. Check PSU Wattage: Ensure your PSU has enough wattage to handle your system.
  8. Reinstall the Game: A fresh installation can sometimes resolve corrupted game files.
  9. Update DirectX: Make sure you have the latest version of DirectX.
  10. Check Game File Integrity: Use the game launcher to check for and repair corrupted game files.

Conclusion

GPU crashes in Marvel Rivals can be frustrating, but by understanding the potential causes and following the troubleshooting steps outlined above, you can often resolve the issue and get back to enjoying the game. Remember to keep your drivers updated, monitor your GPU temperature, and adjust your graphics settings as needed. Good luck, and have fun saving the multiverse!