Best way to test a 9800GX2 card?

[Gillbot]

I got a card used and later found out it was used for folding. Great.........

When I tried it out, this is what happened:


Those lines appear all over both screens, seemingly at random. This does NOT happen with my GTX460 at all. I tried the latest drivers 260.99 (I think that's what they were) and now the NV control panel crashes any time I try to enter it.

I ran Furmark on the card as well and it seems to run fine, but how do I know it's utilizing both cards? Can I set it to force using one card or the other to verify both parts of the GX2 are ok? I really don't play any other games aside from Supreme Commander so if it's just a bug with this game, this card is basically useless.

 

[RavenSEAL]

I don't really think you can test each core apart.

What's GPU-Z telling you?

 

[Gillbot]

Uhh, This?


I know next to nothing about video cards, folding and/or overclocking video cards. I just pop them in and play a game.

 

[RavenSEAL]

Have you checked temps during gameplay?

You can use Afterburner on-screen display or you can set GPU-Z to record the highest reading.

 

[Gillbot]

No, but it starts as soon as you launch the game so the card shouldn't be very hot yet. Though it doesn't seem to get any better or worse during the progression of the perfmark test. It's just "random".

 

[RavenSEAL]

I can't help you, i'm sorry, got no idea what it could be, been doing a bit of searching.

Maybe you can give it a try here:

http://www.overclock.net/nvidia/

Best of luck!

 

[Gillbot]

Posted there and XS as well. After more googling I ran across this from my last 9800GX2 battle. I HATE THESE CARDS. Never again SLI for me, as soon as I verify this card works ok it's GONE!

 

[SmCaudata]

My 9800gx2 is a pain to get working right. It seems that every time I install windows it takes about 3 or 4 driver installs before it sees both gpus. Try an older driver. It seems once both are seen you can tirade without issue.

Good luck.

 

[Gillbot]

Well, I installed the 260.99 WHQL drivers again, booted with my GTX460 and shut down. Put the 9800GX2 back in and ran the SCmarks test again, viola!! It runs now without glitches. NV control panel is ok as well, no crashes and is set to "Maximum 3d Performance", but how do I test/stress the 2nd GPU?

 

[Throckmorton]

3DMark?

 

[RavenSEAL]

The 9800GTX2 is technically 2 GPUs streamlined to work as one, i don't think you can test each core individually. Congrats on the fix.

 

[Patrick Wolf]

Furmark tests both GPU's. Or you could run Crysis or the demo.

The GX2 is the devil. Ditch it.

 

[SmCaudata]

Well, I installed the 260.99 WHQL drivers again, booted with my GTX460 and shut down. Put the 9800GX2 back in and ran the SCmarks test again, viola!! It runs now without glitches. NV control panel is ok as well, no crashes and is set to "Maximum 3d Performance", but how do I test/stress the 2nd GPU?

Nice last time I tried I gave up. Rebooted and overclocked my system. The thing started up and suddenly saw both gpus. Odd card.

 

[Gillbot]

Furmark tests both GPU's. Or you could run Crysis or the demo.

The GX2 is the devil. Ditch it.

Yeah, I'm gonna run my GTX460 for sure anyway but I want to be sure it's good before I sell it off. I got it as a fill in card while waiting for the GTX460 but my GTX460 arrived first. LOL

Nice last time I tried I gave up. Rebooted and overclocked my system. The thing started up and suddenly saw both gpus. Odd card.

Yeah, these things are picky and tricky as hell. This is the 2nd one that has given me fits.