Is my video card dying???

[guamboy]

To start, after a full shutdown, I always need to reboot to get my monitor to come on. Now, my video card fan is making a lot of noise, possibly bearings in the fan??? I've been reading post from other people and if I should start planning to buy a new vid card, I was considering something in the GF4 (4200) area. If my proc. is 1Gz, should I be looking at slower vid cards???

 

[AnAndAustin]

You could get a replacement fan but it is unlikely to be worth the time, money and hassle, this is assuming you're using a GF2/Rad7500 type card.

1ghz is very wasteful for a 4200, GF3 or Rad8500/9000 are the cards you really should consider as GF4TI cards will offer very little over these. The only exception would be if you were planning to upgrade the CPU in the next few months, and considering the prices of the AthlonXP this would be very wise. You could get the GF4TI if you wanted as with GF3 or Rad8500/9000 you will be making a compromise as GF3 lacks image quality, dual display, decent TVout/VIVO and the AA isn't quite as good, the Rad8500/9000 cards only lose out in AA but also bring hw DVD playback which both GF3 and GF4TI lack.

So with the abilities and prices of current gfx cards I'd suggest you upgrade. Rad8500-128MB are very good cards and would get my vote if your budget is under $100, GF3 tend to have slightly better perf and much better AA but as stated above also have their drawbacks. Your CPU will hardly limit these cards at all, esp once you use 2xAA and 2xAA on the GF3 or 16tap Aniso on the Rad8500. If you choose the GF4TI4200 then you will certainly want 2xAA/QxAA and 8xAniso! Do give serious consideration to upping your CPU though.

 

[Kuroyama]

Are you overclocking the CPU? This is a common problem for some motherboards when the voltage is set above default and is no big deal (I have the same problem). The mobo boots to default settings and fails to post, so you end up having to reset in order to go to the overclocked settings. If this is the problem then it has nothing to do with the video card. You might try putting all the BIOS settings back to default, and check if you still need to reboot after a full shutdown. If you don't need to reboot then you know it's the overclocking and not the vid card.

If you're not overclocking then I don't know the answer. But again, I suspect this has nothing to do with the video card and is just the motherboard failing to post.

 

[jiffylube1024]

You could always buy a Crystal Orb and just replace the stock HSF with that. Then, if you still feel like upgrading, go ahead, and you'll only be out like 10 bucks (but you can sell the old card if it's functional).

 

[alkemyst]

once in a blue moon my OC'd system halts at POST on a restart....it's the way it is when you push things beyond their limits, just like my g/f you'll get occasional cry-outs.



any other details on your problem? Crashes while you work or anything?

If not ignore it and cold Boot.

About the fan: if you have an expensive card try to replace it...if not upgrade. My TNT2 made noise too once in a while, rebooting always quieted it. The fans these manufacturers use are crappy, even on the $300+ cards, its amazing more ppl dont have problems, but probably their Delta Screamers are drowning out the video cards fan's cry's for help.

good luck.

 

[fluxquantum]

what kind of video card do you currently own?

 

[guamboy]

Sorry I didn't mention that. It's a Asus 7700 pure. Thanks for the help/reply.

 

[alkemyst]

similar to my situation with my Creative Ultra Blaster 3D.

You can sell your card here even with the fan busted, people have fixes and still look for TNT+ cards for older PC's, if it's a PCI version even more demand.

For the cost of the replacement HSF and the selling of the card here, you can upgrade or put a nice down payment on a gf4/radeon