Is my Sapphire 9500 dying already?

[Jugernot]

I bought my Radeon 9500 earlier this year (January) and a few months ago it started locking up my computer after about a minute of doing anything in 3d. I figured it was a software problems as the computer had other unrelated problems. So I finally got around to testing it in another machine it does the same thing... locks up after running only like 2 tests from 3dmark 2001 and won't even run any DX9 apps period. Any DX9 stuff just automatiically produces a black screen, ex. 3d Mark 2003.

It seems to die in every 3d app except Grand Theft Auto 3.

This is a clean install with the newest ATI drivers (3.6) and AGP turned down 4x (even though my I875P supports 8x AGP). No matter what I do, it locks up. THis card has never been overclocked.

I even tried replacing the heatsink/fan with a crystal orb to see if it might be overheating... NOPE. Same thing.

Any ideas why this card is doing this?? Anyone know what kind of warranty I have with Sapphire (it was an OEM card)?

Thanks

EDIT: Looks like a have a 1 year warranty through Googlegear. http://www.googlegear.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=320702

 

[jiffylube1024]

Have you tried a clean reformat/reinstall? ATI cards are so picky that you may want to give this a go and see what happens.

I find creating a clean norton ghost image right after a windows reinstall works wonders.

 

[Jugernot]

Originally posted by: jiffylube1024
Have you tried a clean reformat/reinstall? ATI cards are so picky that you may want to give this a go and see what happens.

I find creating a clean norton ghost image right after a windows reinstall works wonders.

I tested it in two machines, both clean installs with no other video cards ever installed. Same issue with both computers.

 

[isekii]

just RMA it 🙂

ATI cards have compatibilities issues that's a defiinte, but when they work, they work great

 

[Jugernot]

Originally posted by: isekii
just RMA it 🙂

ATI cards have compatibilities issues that's a defiinte, but when they work, they work great

That is the weird thing though, it worked in the machine for months then just stopped one day and started having this problem. Since it's happened on all 3 PCs I've tried it on... I'm thinking it's the hardware.

Jugs

 

[Creig]

Make sure the heat sink is firmly attached and that the cooling fan is still spinning. Simple instructions, I admit, but sometimes people (like me) overlook the simple error and look for something more complex..

 

[Killrose]

Originally posted by: Creig
Make sure the heat sink is firmly attached and that the cooling fan is still spinning. Simple instructions, I admit, but sometimes people (like me) overlook the simple error and look for something more complex..

I agree, seems like a heat issue with the core to me too. Though it could be a regulator or other component on the Video card failing under load (3d apps). RMA it if at all possible.