I would try testing out your system with a different gpu to help isolate and troubleshoot the problem.

If it works fine, I'd push hard on getting Zotac to replace the card assuming it's under warranty.

GPU imo. RTX40xx top end known for sagging and various faults. Lots of youtube specialists that reball the GPU core or diagnose issues with VRAM/VMEM that are very hard to pindown. Zotac porobably dealing with dozens at the same time and just do a quick test then call it good.

Inclined to think it's GPU but this is weird.

So I came across a reddit post where someone said reseating (removing then reinstalling) the GPU solved his crashing issues, but the problems would come back about 2 months later (source: https://www.reddit.com/r/techsupport/comments/1r41awh/my_gpu_seems_to_have_crash_sprees_every_couple_of/)

Got me to think that actually I had to take out my GPU as well for Zotac CS and it worked for a while afterwards.
So I reseated my GPU and D2R and other games run fine again.

Someone said it might be GPU sag, but not 100% sure. My case is a Hyte Y60 with cable riser so the card actually stands vertically up. I don't notice any GPU sag on the floor of the case that the GPU sits on.

I have a feeling the crashes would come back again eventually.
Would this still be a GPU issue then?

Maybe your CPU is suffering from degration

Confirmed

ah yes this is another factor in pc building now after the 3000 series for nvidia and 7000 series for amd.

the screw on the left side of the case doesn't fully support the weight of the longer and larger gpu's. This causes a sag, which bends the gpu connector and will break it if left unchecked.

You can find a cheap and affordable gpu support on amazon for like $6-10. They act like a pillar and you put them under the gpu to sit on a fan frame or the bottom of the case. You adjust them shorter or longer by simply screwing them or unscrewing them.

This post was edited by Josiah on May 5 2026 10:55pm