Power Hungry

[imported_Gamma]

Hello Folks

I replaced my 8500GT with a 9600GSO. Did a clean reinstall of WinXP Pro and started having a problem. The card runs great for about 1-2 mins into gaming (Supreme Commander, Mass Effect, COD4) then crashes (freezes - weird colors - blank screen - blue screen - restarts). I checked out the usual stuff like drivers, directx etc but same thing. Swapped back in the 8500 no problems. I'm wondering if maybe my PSU isn't giving the GSO enough juice. It's kind off a generic brand but has serve me very well so far.

So I was wondering if this may be my problem and I should buy a better PSU? Here in Trinidad Thermaltake is the main high end brand. What would you guys suggest?

WinXP Professional Service Pack 3 (Build 2600)
DirectX Version 9.0c
AMD Phenom Triple Core 8400
2G Titan DDR2 800
Nvidia 9600 GSO 768
Asus M3A78
PSU Omega 500W
PSU Outputs
+3.3v 26A
+5v 28A
+12v1 14A
+12v2 15A
+5VSB 2.0A
-12v 2.0A

 

[AnonymouseUser]

While it could very well be your PSU (overheating perhaps), it could also be the case or gpu cooling. Open the side of your case to verify the gpu fan spins, and use a box fan to blow into the case while gaming to see if it helps.

 

[imported_Gamma]

Heat is a big deal here in the tropics so those were like the first two things I checked. I even moved the system into my air conditioned bedroom, same deal.

Thanks

 

[WT]

Easiest thing to do would be to borrow a similar PSU and swap it out to see if that fixed it. Generic PSUs are fickle beasts that can just stop working well at any time. I stopped buying the el-cheapo units years ago.

 

[FalseChristian]

I have a 5200 BTU air-conditioner blowing cold air directly into my case. It's better than water cooling and my utilities are included in my rent. I have my 3GHz E8400 at 3.825GHz at 1.45v and that's alot of voltage. It idles at 25C and at load it's 34C. Give it a shot.:thumbsup:

 

[imported_Gamma]

Is there anywhere online that lists the power consumption of this card?

 

[PG]

Power consumption on those cards is less than 100 watts.

I think heat is the issue.
What brand is your card?
The EVGA 9600gso cards have a fan that rarely runs at more than 30% speed.
If that is what you have then download and install EVGA's Precision Utility.
Then change the fan speed to about 70% and try again.
Note the EVGA utility works on non-EVGA cards too so try it even if you have a different brand. (you will have to register at EVGA to get the utility)

 

[imported_Gamma]

I have the XFX 9600GSO 768

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814150320

I'll try that utility, thanks.

 

[PG]

The XFX has just a 2 wire fan so the fan speed may not be adjustable.
That is how the XFX 8800gs worked, but this card is a bit different.
Normally the 3 or 4 wire fans are the ones that are adjustable.
Anwyay, good luck, you might as well give it a shot.

I just thought of another thing to try too. Can you put the card in a friends computer to see how it works? If it still has issues in another computer maybe you just ned to RMA the card. Bad cards are rare but do happen.

 

[Navid]

Originally posted by: PG
Normally the 3 or 4 wire fans are the ones that are adjustable.

The rotation speed (RPM) of a 2-wire fan can be easily adjusted by adjusting its voltage.
Many graphics cards do that.

The third wire is needed to monitor the RPM of the fan. But, it is not required for controlling the fan.

 

[imported_Gamma]

Well it's the card! Tried it at a friends computer, same deal and he had a brand new Cooler Master 550W PSU that was suppling a 8800GT with ease. The fan speed wasn't adjustable using Precision or Riva Tuner. The temps it was hitting weren't even that high anyways. Guess I'll return it and get something else. What would you guys recommend for around US$150 ?

 

[cusideabelincoln]

9800GT, HD4830, 9800GTX, or HD4850 would be your best options.

 

[WT]

4850 is your best deal. With the shopping season coming up, I would look for a Visiontek 4850 for the lowest price and be happy as can be.