Help me trouble shoot my problem

[Ebezz]

Thanks in advance for looking and helping!

I think my video card is shot! I used to be able to run WOW and Oblivion at High settings, but slowly I was getting more and more artifacts during WoW. I installed the new Catalyst 8.6 Driver and "POW"! It started crashing during the BG's, now it crashes the comp before even getting in. I've reinstalled the 8.6 driver several times(uninstalled and reloaded per instructs) and still no luck. Oblivion doesn't run anymore and will not even complete a 3dMark06 test, (was showing 11 fps prior to lock-up). I don't get bsod or other error messages, just lock-up and after rebooting "VPU has recovered from serious error" for catalyst and the resolution is jacked. Grrrr

I haven't found anything on the Usual sites about unstabilities with the new driver. So, I think that maybe just a coincidence. 'sides, the problems seem to have started before that and may have just "pushed it over the edge". The comp still works fine for lite work (Internet, Acad, wp, ...)

Is there any further testing, or trouble shooting I should do before tossing it?

My comp: CPU: Intel E6600, MB: Asus p5b Deluxe, Ram: pqi 2GB ddr2, PSU Silverstone SST-ST50ef, VPU x1900gt(sapphire), OS: XP Pro SP2.

Thanks in advance for your time.

 

[waffleironhead]

Have you checked to make sure it is clean and running cool? Sounds like possible overheating to me. Another thing could be a dying power supply, but that seems less likely to me. It ramps up power usage at load and your ps can not keep up with its needs.

 

[Ebezz]

Thanks for replying, I know there must be a thousand "Help me!" threads every day.

Well, I try to blow out my case once every month or so... I did do that last week.

I checked the temp on the card. Just at Idle it's at 66ºC!

I checked Everest and the power to the +12v line is at 13.5v. Pretty high.

What's the next step? FYI, the Cpu temp is at 42º.

 

[waffleironhead]

that seems too high for idle. Maybe pull the card and blow air into it to remove any and all dust from it. Unless the room temp is scorching, the temp you have looks more like load temp.

 

[Ebezz]

I'll try that later tonight. "crosses fingers"

 

[AzN]

The temps doesn't seem high at all. What matters is your load temps than idle. Check for dust in your fan. Perhaps a reformat.

 

[CKent]

I'm having similar issues with my 1950xt. I've had some luck running driver cleaner (important) and then installing the latest cats (8.6) - at least I can play games now, often for as long as I want - but I still get some occasional artifacting. My card runs as high as 60c under load when overclocked, but used to run almost 100c before I got the arctic cooler. I'm worried that that might have cooked it, since I used it for a good month or so with that shitty stock fan at those temps before upgrading I have to reinstall Windows soon anyway (don't we all...) so I'm hoping it's a pesky driver issue that even driver cleaner can't fix... otherwise, if it's still artifacting after a reinstall... I guess I'll have to upgrade

 

[flashbacck]

Before you toss it, I would try putting in an old or borrowed graphics card and see if you get the same crashing problems. Just so you don't go out and buy a new one, only to see the same problem...

 

[Ebezz]

Well, pulled off the vid card, cleaned it and blew air through the heat sink. Actually pulled off the heat sink and fan, cleaned off the old thermal paste and reapplied artic silver 5. (had some left over from a previous build) No change. Temps still at 66º a start up and holding.

But.. I did notice something. While booting up the fan zooms to full speed. Makes an abundant amount of noise too. Well, the fan has never sounded like that while playing anything. Isn't it 'sposed to spin up when it gets hot? Is this something important? Is there a setting or a program to optimize the fan on the Vid card?

Sorry for such noob questions.

 

[myocardia]

Originally posted by: Ebezz
Well, the fan has never sounded like that while playing anything. Isn't it 'sposed to spin up when it gets hot? Is this something important? Is there a setting or a program to optimize the fan on the Vid card?

Yes, they're supposed to ramp up with the temp, but like the first 8800GT's, they don't. You have to use ATITool, and change the fan speed. Luckily, ATITool is well laid out, and it gives you the ability to have the fan ramp up dependent on temps, just like it should do to begin with. BTW, I wonder why consoles have become so prevalent?:roll:

 

[Denithor]

Originally posted by: myocardia

Originally posted by: Ebezz
Well, the fan has never sounded like that while playing anything. Isn't it 'sposed to spin up when it gets hot? Is this something important? Is there a setting or a program to optimize the fan on the Vid card?

Yes, they're supposed to ramp up with the temp, but like the first 8800GT's, they don't. You have to use ATITool, and change the fan speed. Luckily, ATITool is well laid out, and it gives you the ability to have the fan ramp up dependent on temps, just like it should do to begin with. BTW, I wonder why consoles have become so prevalent?:roll:

Because people want an easy/braindead solution, that's why. The same reason we have the drivel we call games today (for the most part).

But seriously, I had an x1900gt (rev.2 Sapphire) that went bad 11 months after I purchased from newegg. Artifacts galore in WoW and other games. No obvious temp problems (these cards were designed to run 100C without problems), it just started artifacting after a heavy play session, that gradually shortened until it started almost immediately upon loading any 3D image/game/benchmark. Put up with it for like two months, tried blowing out dust, rigged a fan to blow directly onto it, etc.

Finally looked into RMA, discovered I was still under one year from purchase at newegg, they took it back and refunded my original purchase price less shipping (go egg!).

First thing you should do is find out whether your card is still under warranty of any kind. Although, having removed the hsf and replaced paste with AS5 will probably void any warranty that was still in place (ATi board partners are much stricter than nVidia partners).

If no warranty remains, it's time for an upgrade. Pick up an EVGA 8800GS for $80AR at newegg and you'll be happy.

 

[Ebezz]

What you explained is almost identical to what I'm experiencing.

I thought about the warranty prior to tearing into the hsf. It was purchased from the Egg in Aug. '06, and was unfortunately out of warranty by almost a year.

I guess I'm in the market for a new video card, <sigh> I'm looking at getting the EVGA 8800GT superclocked, $136 shipped(after MIR). Any comments on that card?

 

[Ebezz]

Is my psu gonna hafta be upgraded for a 8800 or 4850? Another 2 bills, yikes!

 

[tuteja1986]

make sure you have a PCIE 2.0 or PCIE 1.1 motherboard :!

Your PSU will be fine for 4850.

 

[Denithor]

Go for the Sapphire HD 4850 (coupon code: VGA71615 for -$15) for $143 shipped AR. Considerably more power than 8800GT for only $8 more.

Otherwise, an EVGA 8800GS/9600GSO for about $80AR or a 3870 for $100AR is a great upgrade from your current card without breaking the bank.

 

[Atreus21]

Originally posted by: Ebezz
Well, pulled off the vid card, cleaned it and blew air through the heat sink. Actually pulled off the heat sink and fan, cleaned off the old thermal paste and reapplied artic silver 5. (had some left over from a previous build) No change. Temps still at 66º a start up and holding.

But.. I did notice something. While booting up the fan zooms to full speed. Makes an abundant amount of noise too. Well, the fan has never sounded like that while playing anything. Isn't it 'sposed to spin up when it gets hot? Is this something important? Is there a setting or a program to optimize the fan on the Vid card?

Sorry for such noob questions.

I had an x1900gt for awhile and it was doing the loud spinups too at startup.

 

[Ebezz]

Thanks Denithor, I decided to get a 3870 from 'egg. Should last me 'til I get the next machine. I've been looking throught the Avadirect assemblies already.

I installed the atitool, and the present card is averaging 70ºC for just some internet searchs. <Waves> "goodbye ol' friend"

BTW I have a "slightly used" X1900gt for sale! Cheap! ((I know wrong forum.))