Gigabyte 6600GT AGP heat problem

[imported_slyadams]

I have a gigabyte GV-N66T128VP (6600GT AGP) and Im encountering some unusual behaviour.

Counterstrike Source crashes (entire computer freezes) after about 45 minutes of play, and I've noticed odd graphical glitches (like when the machine rebooted, characters in the POST screen were corrupted). Im suspiscious it is probably a heat problem, as the card is passively cooled (supplied with only heatsinks front and back and heatpipes.

The card does not have the temperature detection enabled, but I can do by flashing the BIOS, but that will likely void my warranty.

MBM reports my case temperature as 28C and the CPU diode and 55C while Im just working on the desktop, is this OK?

Thanks is advance,

Si

 

[imported_Kensai]

What are the tempts on your card?

 

[imported_slyadams]

I flashed the BIOS and now can view temps.

Played a bit of CS:S with RivaTuner recording my temp. During 20 or so minutes of play, didn't go above 43degrees (and I notice that the card seems to do some clock speed stepping too. When not playing games, it throttles back to 300MHz).

Guess its not the GPU then, and I don't think its my CPU. Maybe its a software issue. I've got the most recent detonator drivers installed (71.89), maybe I should uninstall those and install the ones that came with the card.

Interesting thing happened though. When I tried to tab out of CS:S, wow, it didn't like that. Video lost all signal and then the machine crashed completely.

 

[imported_slyadams]

I had a thought. Could it be a power issue?

Because the card is AGP, I needed to plug in a molex power source into it. Now, my PSU is a few years old (probably not more than 350W) and Im running an XP2000+, 6600GT, 3 7200RPM drives and a CD/DVD writer. As well as a number of PCI cards (sound, LAN, wireless LAN, extra IDE controller).

 

[AristoV300]

It could be a power issue or that the BIOS you flashed to is giving the problem. Have you tried flashing back to the original to see if it fixes the problem?

 

[imported_slyadams]

I was having the problem with the old BIOS. The reason I flash upgraded it was to find out if the problem was caused by overheating (the old BIOS didn't enable the temperature sensor, the new one does). I've noticed a single graphical glitch in HL2/CS:S that is an indicator that a crash is imminent. The status text that pops up in the middle of the screen (e.g. saved, terrorists win), becomes garbled.

The temperature of the card doesn't go above 45C (which is impressive considering its passively cooled and runs an overlocked memory - 1120MHz over 1GHz).

Tomorrow I will check the power rating of the PSU, and play a little and unplug my DVD writer and 2 HHDs and see if the extra power available helps the card. Might rejig the molex connectors as well. Will let everyone know.

 

[Bauldy]

i would strongly guess its a power supply issue. After the machine crashes take the side panel off and feel if there is a warm gush of hot air. Thats what was happening to my old 300w antec after i stuck my 9800 pro in. I upgraded to a 430w antec and have been fine since. For the 6600gt i would get a 480w+ . Are you happy wiht the preformance of the card ?i was thinking on getting one for my htpc , do you think the card being mounted vertically could cause problems with the passive cooling ?

 

[drwngflies]

I wanted to add my problems here about 6600GT temps: I bought a Leadtek 6600GT/AGP, and have been having higher temps than recommended by Leadtek. They say the max temp for this card is 85'C under load. I have reached 92'C on multiple occasions during benches and games like DOOM 3 and CS:S. According to nVidia, they say that 90'C is max. I am running 48'C at idle, with an ambient temp of 35'C. I added another 80mm fan blowing across the vid card about 1.5 inches away to the four supplied with case, although it is inside blowing already warm air, I thought this would increase flow across the card. Can any one else post their temps so I can compare before I RMA this 6600 back to NewEgg?
I am not trying to hi-jack this post, but it addresses the issue I am having to a tee. Moderator, if you feel necessary to move this, I understand.
I am runnning the latest drivers from nVidia(71.89) and also the newest drivers for my M/B, and I do have the recommended 1.5v to the card.

 

[imported_slyadams]

The card seems fine. hard to make a judgement on becaues I am running an Athlon XP2000+, so HL2 and CS:S are CPU limited.

The passive cooling does an incredible job. Can't understand how its so good. During play, my temperature never goes above 50c. My above average general case cooling probably helps a lot.

Just checked out my PSU. 300W. Oh-oh. Down to Maplins I go.