ATI 9800 Pro artifacts at stock speeds??

[Miklebud]

Hello all, Well after getting my BBA 9800 Pro back from ATI about a month ago, it seemed to be going alright until recently. I downloaded 3dMark05 this afternoon, tried to run it, and got varying colored blocks lining the outer picture. Although, i'm fairly sure it wasnt part of the benchmark (It was the second test, with the leaves and stuff) I'm assuming they were artifacts.

Now, I tried overclocking it once last week, didnt take it higher than 385/350. And that was for about 20 minutes only. I felt paranoid OC'ing so it went back to stock speeds. Now it seems to artifact after a few hours of use (word processing or gaming).
My setup consists of:

BBA 9800 Pro (samsung memory) Unknown core
450watt PSU
ASUS A78nX-deluxe
Barton 2500+ @ 2.2
80gb HDD
I've got 2 intake fans, 2 exhaust fans and a huge fan from the PSU sucking exhaust heat out.

I just got the card back from ATI after them having it for 15 days! So, I'm a little bit shy of sending it back to them for a few weeks, when I need my computer! (I'm a media arts major, and I need my computer. So, what the hell should I do? Is there any possible way that I could get a NEW card from ATI? Sorry for the long post, I'm just peeved with ATI at the moment....

 

[imported_mikez]

I had that same problem with a 9800 pro and it is because of cooling.

The easiest way to fix the problem is to detune your 9800 pro by about 10 mhz at a time. It will stop the problem. The other way of course is to purchase an aftermarket cooling fan for it.


Hope this helps,

Mike

 

[oldman420]

Originally posted by: mikez


I had that same problem with a 9800 pro and it is because of cooling.

The easiest way to fix the problem is to detune your 9800 pro by about 10 mhz at a time. It will stop the problem. The other way of course is to purchase an aftermarket cooling fan for it.


Hope this helps,

Mike

:thumbsup:
Yup it's heat try using ati tool to underclock the card some till you can get an aftermarket cooler
I keep mine at 285x285 mem and core till im gaming then ati tool ramps it up to default,then back down when done.
good luck sir.

 

[OMG1Penguin]

Whats the amperage on your PSU on the 12v rail? Thats what happened on my roommate's (amperage was too low).

 

[PunkRocKEVin]

i'd make sure your power is high enough first...underclocking your 9800p would be suck.
it sounds like you have enough intake/exhaust fans...is your case hot? where do you keep your rig?
i have a desk that has a built in area for a desktop - when i keep it in its enclosure temps skyrocket 15C-25C over normal!!
i just about crap*ed myself when i realized my cpu was at 61C at load under the desk when it was usually 39C at load outside of it [not OCed].
my point is that the ambient temperature plays a big part even if you have a dozen fans.
i only have 1 intake, 2 exhaust and a shi*ty PSU and my stock 9800p runs artifact free OCed [sig]

hey, at least 3dMark05 is artifacting and not Rise of Nations, right?

 

[Miklebud]

My case is in the little "cubby hole" that is under my desk. It reads 21C according to MBM5. My room is not too hot.

Well, last week I pieced together my watercooling system. So, I've got a dangerden VGA block with a 320gph pump and a huge radiator. Would that take care of the problem? I'd really really prefer to NOT downclock my card. That'd be stupid if the card couldnt handle it's factory settings.

How would I go about checking the 12v rail from my PSU? Id prefer to buy a PSU rather than a new video card. Thanks ALOT for the help guys!!

~Mike

 

[Miklebud]

Will water cooling solve this problem?? Heck, I wouldnt even overclock it to begin with. Just no artifacts at stock speeds, that's all i want.

 

[apoppin]

If it artifacts at stock speeds, RMA it.

Just make sure the VGA fan is spinning, isn't dust-clogged or your case too hot.

edit: ati is pretty reasonable if you tell them you need your card ASAP - they sent my 8500 back "overnight" at no extra charge at the beginning of this year.

 

[IeraseU]

I had this problem as well. I googled it and found that it was not unique to myself, many 9800pro and 9800XT owners have this same issue.

I came to the overall conclusion that what causes this problem is not because the stock heatsink/fan assembly is subpar, but rather the thermal compound used the transfer the heat from the core to the heatsink is culprit. ATI probably just uses cheapo thermal tape rather then a 'real' thermal paste. I solved the issue by replacing ATI's thermal substance with one of my own.


First check to make sure the heatsink is tightly attached to your core(sometimes the pins do come loose). If it is loose, then tightning it may very well fix the issue. If this is not the case, then you likely have the problem of an inadequate thermal solution facilitating heat transfer between your core and heatsink.

If the thermal compound is indeed the culprit, you have 3 choices (listed in order from least costly to most costly):

1. RMA the card back to ATI and hope you get one which functions adequately as is.

2. Wipe off the existing thermal solution from the heatsink/core and apply a new one (any will do, does not need to be the expensive kind)

3. Bypass ATI's stock cooling entirely and employ an entirely new aparatus + thermal compound to cool your card (VGA silencer, watercooling, ect).

 

[Killrose]

So it artifacts on other benchmarks as well? If it's only a problem with '5K, it may be a driver issue

 

[Miklebud]

I havent tried other benchmarks. I just downloaded the Non-Beta Catalyst 4.9. I will look into the stock HS/F situation. I'm just worried that if I take off the fan, it will void the warranty. Has anyone gotten away with taking the stock heatsink off, and STILL RMA'ing it? Thanks!!

 

[Marsumane]

I say u RMA the card. I dont see why they wouldnt accept it. Its not like u took off the cooler or hard modded it or anything. Theyll send u another card and u only need to pay like $12 to send it to them insured. I had to do it with a 9700aiw one time and they sent me another one right away.

 

[Porter21]

It shouldn't be causing artifacts if it isn't oc'ed. Heat is most likely your problem.

 

[five40]

It's heat. My 9800 pro did the EXACT same thing. I just put in a bunch of case fans and that solved the problem.

 

[Miklebud]

That's not really an option. I've already RMA'd it, with zero results. I actually called them, and asked if it were even a possibility that I could get a new card in exchange, again they declined. The first time I RMA'd it, it took 13 days (holiday week)to get back to me and I cant afford that with my intensive art program. They wont even THINK about sending it back to me via Airmail, or anything faster than Courier, the opposite of what someone else said.
I'll just try to use AS5 instead of their crap. Thanks for the info guys!!!!!

 

[JBT]

Wow seems like ATI is having quality issues with these cards lately. It seems a new one of these threads pops up every couple of days. I don't recall hearing of this bad of heat issues when 9800 Pro's were the cream of the crop... odd