Problems with new Sapphire X850XT

[Crafty35a]

Hello all,

Today I upgraded my computer from AGP to PCI-E. The new components are a Biostar NF4ST-A9 motherboard, a Sapphire X850XT video card, and a ThermalTake 430W power supply.

I set everything up, re-installed windows, installed drivers, etc., then tried a test run with 3dmark05 to see what kind of scores I could get now. However, just as the second test was starting, my screen went all kinds of crazy colors and video cut out completely a few seconds later. This problem was repeated upon rebooting.

I figured the problem was probably heat, so I loaded up ATI Tray Tools and let the 3d Renderer run for a while. All was fine up until the GPU hit 78°C, when I suddenly encountered the same problem that I had with 3dmark.

Upon repeated testings, the video always seems to crap out when the GPU hits about 78°C. I have read elsewhere that these cards should be able to run up to nearly 100° without problems. Does it sound like I just happened to get a bad card? Am I going to have to RMA it? Any other suggestions on things to check?

Thanks for any advice!

 

[Crafty35a]

Quick update:
I used ATITool to manually force the fan speed to 100%. I then let the 3d rendering run for a while. It lasted longer, but after about five minutes of letting the rendered cube spin, I got the same exact problem at 80°C. The odd part to me is that I never get any artifacts at all.

3dmark05 didn't fair much better - it made it a few seconds farther into the second test before completely dying. Again, I don't get any artifacts, the display just dies completely and suddenly.

I'm really puzzled - any thoughts?

 

[Powermoloch]

Are ya overclocking?

As for comparison, my ATI x850xt agp (stock) reached to 56 C at full load. 78C is pretty hot honestly

 

[Crafty35a]

No, I'm not overclocking at all. That's interesting about your temperature - Mine idles at around 50C! Ugh.

 

[Powermoloch]

Dang, that's pretty bad when the card is at 50C idle ? I'm guessing that the GPU is not having good contact with the HSF at least. Well, my only advice is to RMA back just to be safe.

Here's a screenie of my temp 36 C idle

http://img90.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ati4ni.jpg

 

[JPB]

Originally posted by: Crafty35a
Hello all,

Today I upgraded my computer from AGP to PCI-E. The new components are a Biostar NF4ST-A9 motherboard, a Sapphire X850XT video card, and a ThermalTake 430W power supply.

I set everything up, re-installed windows, installed drivers, etc., then tried a test run with 3dmark05 to see what kind of scores I could get now. However, just as the second test was starting, my screen went all kinds of crazy colors and video cut out completely a few seconds later. This problem was repeated upon rebooting.

I figured the problem was probably heat, so I loaded up ATI Tray Tools and let the 3d Renderer run for a while. All was fine up until the GPU hit 78°C, when I suddenly encountered the same problem that I had with 3dmark.

Upon repeated testings, the video always seems to crap out when the GPU hits about 78°C. I have read elsewhere that these cards should be able to run up to nearly 100° without problems. Does it sound like I just happened to get a bad card? Am I going to have to RMA it? Any other suggestions on things to check?

Thanks for any advice!

Ummm, My PC did the same thing, and guess what...I had that EXACT power supply. My power supply died, and caused it...be weary of that 430W ...The card I had was the X800 Pro. I would SUGGEST trying a different power supply

 

[Crafty35a]

Thanks for the responses guys.

I was also wondering if the power supply could be the problem, but the PSU I have has gotten flawless reviews on Newegg, including many from people with more power-hungry systems than mine, so I am inclined to think that is not the problem. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817153023 I also tried disconnecting my extra hdd/optical drives to see if I was simply drawing too much power, but that didn't help at all. The card still idled at ~50C and died around 80C.

Interestingly, the video card came with no manual in the box. I'm not 100% sure of this now, but I think it may have not even been shrink-wrapped. This sounds like Newegg may have shipped me a refurbished card, but I definitely ordered a retail card - Not refurbished. Very unlike Newegg to do something like that, though.

Regardless, I think I will try to RMA the card - but Newegg's RMA service on their site seems to be inaccessible at the moment. Ugh!

 

[JPB]

I bought that one because of flawess reviews also...but maybe there were two bad eggs

 

[JPB]

But I would try another before the rma

 

[Crafty35a]

Unfortunately I don't have another PCI-Express capable PSU to try with the card. Now I'm a bit stumped about what to do...

 

[JPB]

Do you have a six pin adapter? I was using a psu from a compaq that was 218watt with no agp slot. I put it in my pci-e computer, worked fine. But like I said, have to have the adapter. and it will work...if...you had another psu

 

[Crafty35a]

Unfortunately, I don't have an adapter. Actually, even if I did, my old power supply only has a 20pin mobo connector while my new motherboard needs a 24 pin. So I'm out of luck in that regard

 

[imported_thefonz]

I think your card has some heat issue's. I don't think it's your power supply, becuase your only crashing only when you are running 3d applications.If it was your power supply It would crash as soon as you started a 3d app not after a while when the temperature gets higher. Around 80c is not good for x850's.

If you feel comfortable removing the heat sink, I would suggest getting a tube of artic silver and re set the heatsink so that it has good contact with the gpu and and also the thermal pads on memory chips should have good contact (dont apply AS to the memory) Another option would be an Artic silencer, it would lower your temps alot, also it is alot quieter.

If you've never done that sort of thing before, I would suggest just RMAing as soon as posssible.

 

[Crafty35a]

Well I ordered a new power supply which is now on the way. I also ordered a new video card (same one), and will return the other for a refund once that gets here (I can't go without a video card for a few days waiting for an RMA replacement)

So hopefully I will be all set once those arrive... If not, then something is really wrong!