Is it my card? *update* card dead, suggest a new card :)

[ProfJohn]

Specs:
Dell Inspirion 530
8800 GT 512mb


When starting my computer a day or two ago I got a bunch of strange ghost like double images. Turned off and on a few times, took the card out put it back in etc etc. Basic trouble shooting stuff.

Then the whole computer went to hell and kept blue screening me.

So I reset the computer to factory settings using the built in dell backup.

Rebooted the computer with just onboard video and it worked fine.

Installed my old 7600 GS and installed the latest and greatest drivers and it worked fine.

Installed the 8800 GT and was back to the strange double images.

It will start up now with the 8800 but the screen resolution is wrong and when I try to look at the drivers it does not recognize the card as an 8800 GT and instead reports a driver error.

Before I ditch the 8800 GT and get me a new card is there anything suggestions or ideas on what my be the problem??

Also, what would be a good replacement for this card?

The Dell is still a nice computer with a good amount of memory and a quad core etc etc. Don't see a reason to replace it, but need more video than 7600 GS.


UPDATE
So card is dead and need a new card!!

Suggest away.

350 W power supply so what can I get for say $100-150.
See no reason to spend more since my PS can't power more.

Perhaps a new PS and a card?? Ideas, thoughts or suggestions?

 

[cusideabelincoln]

Sounds like the card is dying. Best to replace it. Just decide what you want to spend. You could get another 9800GT for under $100.

 

[OCGuy]

Yes sounds like the card is failing.

Tell us your monitor resolution and what you actually use your graphics card for, along with a budget, and we should be able to help you out with a suggestion.

Like mentioned above, you could replace it with basically the exact same card (9800GT) for ~$100.

 

[ProfJohn]

Monitor is a big one

1920x1200

Using it mainly for surfing, but want to be able to play games. Enjoyed playing Crysis at high settings as well as pretty much any other game that I bought.

I have the 350w power supply. Think that would be enough for a 250 GTS? Or should I just get a 9800 GT and call it quits?

 

[happy medium]

get a 5750, it will easily run with your psu.

 

[OCGuy]

9800GT is probably your best bet. GTS250 is basically the same thing.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

HD5750, HD5770, or 9800GT are about the fastest cards you can get that we know will work with that power supply. A GTS250 will probably use too much; it certainly uses more than an 8800GT. The 5700 series uses less than an 8800GT, and they are faster. So if you want a performance boost without upgrading the PSU, then they are your only options really.

Although it may not be a bad idea to upgrade your power supply. Did it come stock with the system along with an 8800GT? Or did you add an 8800GT to the existing system?

9800GT is probably your best bet. GTS250 is basically the same thing.

There's a 20% performance difference between these cards. I wouldn't really call that basically the same thing. In the ball park? Sure, but not the same. There is certainly justification for paying more as you do get the extra performance you pay for. Same thing applies to the HD5750 and 5770.

 

[hawtdawg]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...4161338&cm_re=his_5770-_-14-161-338-_-Product

this is a good deal, 5770 for 139 shipped.

 

[OCGuy]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...d&Pagesize=100

this is a good deal, 5770 for 139 shipped.

Your link goes to a Windows 7 page.

But yes if you can get a 5770 for 139 shpped that is a good deal.

GTS250 and 5770 perform about the same, so whatever you can get the best deal on is your best bet.

DX11 is not a factor because you can't really play a DX11 game on that card anyway. Hell, I force DX9 on my 5850 in BF:BC2.

 

[cusideabelincoln]

GTS250 and 5750 perform about the same

Fixed.

 

[hawtdawg]

Your link goes to a Windows 7 page.

But yes if you can get a 5770 for 139 shpped that is a good deal.

GTS250 and 5770 perform about the same, so whatever you can get the best deal on is your best bet.

DX11 is not a factor because you can't really play a DX11 game on that card anyway. Hell, I force DX9 on my 5850 in BF:BC2.

fixed

 

[hawtdawg]

Or actually, I would recommend going with this if you don't mind dealing with a mail-in rebate.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...D=3332167&SID=

 

[lavaheadache]

you should try baking the card in the oven

 

[frostedflakes]

Yeah I was going to suggest baking as well. If you're positive the card is already messed up, you have nothing to lose by trying it.

 

[narsnail]

Yeah I was going to suggest baking as well. If you're positive the card is already messed up, you have nothing to lose by trying it.

Agreed, a lot of people over at the NBR forums have tried this on they're laptops graphics cards and it worked. As he said you have got nothing to lose by trying it.

 

[Seero]

With 350 Watt PSU, you probably won't get a lot of gaming going. That means, you probably don't need Dx11. However, since you are going to buy a new card, why not?

ATI 5770 or below seems a good idea and price for you. Note that PSU degrades, there is a chance that your PSU will give up as soon as you tries to use your video card, or use your computer and any serious ways. Be warned.

Nvidia 2xx are good, but no Dx11. Yes it does have physx, but based on your setup it does nothing other than killing performance.

Also keep in mind that, if you need to replace your PC, you can keep your video card as long as it isn't broken. At around 200 bucks you can grab Nvidia GTX 460 which is new, has all features from higher cards, low power consumption and at good value.

Or you can wait a bit and see what ATI is going to bring at around september. If you can wait, there will be a price adjustment as soon as ATI new product arrives.

 

[Seero]

Agreed, a lot of people over at the NBR forums have tried this on they're laptops graphics cards and it worked. As he said you have got nothing to lose by trying it.

Baking may fix the video card, but it may also poison your food if you decided to use your oven again. Soldier and highly toxic. If however, the oven is just a storage, like me, than yeah.

 

[narsnail]

Baking may fix the video card, but it may also poison your food if you decided to use your oven again. Soldier and highly toxic. If however, the oven is just a storage, like me, than yeah.

Then just run a couple clean cycles, but your right, its not worth poisoning yourself over a broken graphics card....or is it