Reliability of 6800 series and modern cards in general

Deanodarlo

Senior member
Dec 14, 2000
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Hi Guys,

If anyone still runs a 6800 series card you'll know that this gen ran hot and sucked power like none before it. The recent step to better 0.90nm process has helped this considerably, but I thought I'd put together a quick poll.

I'm just wondering what the long term reliability of these last gen products is turning out to be. They were very expensive parts at the time of release and if graphics cards are starting to suffer reliability issues I'd like to know about it.

I have a 6800gs unlocked that I intend to keep for a long time as a retro gaming PC ( for all games pre 2006), but I've read many threads about dying cards recently after about 1-2 years use. I know many upgrade every couple of years anyway, but it'd be nice to know that a card will last if we want it to.

The poll is for 6800 users specifically, but I've added two more questions as it'll be interesting to see how last gen reliability is panning out.

I'll let you decide what's last gen but I'd suggest anything back to say the 9800's for example.

Also be interested in your experiences mentioning how heavy you game on the cards in question.

Thanks!
 

Golgatha

Lifer
Jul 18, 2003
12,396
1,068
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I pass down a lot of my hardware to friends. I've yet to have a card not work for several years (knocks on wood) be it nVidia or ATI. I typically employ aftermarket cooling for nearly every card I've purchased however, which I think has a lot to do with it.
 

Dethfrumbelo

Golden Member
Nov 16, 2004
1,499
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6800GT still alive, but like Golgatha I tend to use aftermarket cooling. If you're hitting 85C+ routinely during gaming, the card's life will be shorter than at 70C.

 

Ike0069

Diamond Member
Apr 28, 2003
4,276
2
76
6800GT still alive. I also put an aftermarket cooler (AC Silencer) on shortly after I got the VC.

9700 (non pro) still going strong after 4+ years, over half of it in a 24/7 machine.
 

aka1nas

Diamond Member
Aug 30, 2001
4,335
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I would imagine you would see this with the higher end cards more as they run hotter generally and fan failures, dust buildup, etc might take their toll on the cooling. Also, pleople running them with cheap PSUs might notice instability faster.
 
Mar 19, 2003
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I had a 6800GT for nearly two years (bought it in July 2004, sold it in May/June of this year) and while it did run very hot (105C, down to 90C after I reseated the HSF with AS5 since the stock thermal stuff was apparently crap), I'd be surprised if it actually died any time soon. Not that I'd really have any way of knowing since I no longer have the card :p
 

Golgatha

Lifer
Jul 18, 2003
12,396
1,068
126
Originally posted by: Dethfrumbelo
6800GT still alive, but like Golgatha I tend to use aftermarket cooling. If you're hitting 85C+ routinely during gaming, the card's life will be shorter than at 70C.

QFT. I'm pretty sure my X1900XTX will last a lot longer at 60°C (Accelero X2) than at 79°C (stock).
 

Genx87

Lifer
Apr 8, 2002
41,091
513
126
6800GT has been working since I got it wihtout many issues. But it is nearing the end of its life as games are coming out that kill it.

 

Ika

Lifer
Mar 22, 2006
14,264
3
81
6800NU is still working (not sure how long it's been in use; bought it used). Matches up well to my CPU, so I don't really mind.
 

jonesthewine

Senior member
Dec 30, 2003
689
0
76
A 6800GT bought in mid-2004, outfitted with an Arctic Silencer died a few months ago...it began artifacting at windows startup...

ATI AIW 9800PRO is going strong after 3.5 years, also outfitted with an Arctic Silencer...

nVidia 6600 with Zalman aftermarket cooler works well after 1.5 years use.

Asus eax1900xt going dstrong after 2.5 months.

ATI 8500, backup AGP card, works as it always has...
 

postmortemIA

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2006
7,721
40
91
I've seen large quantites of 9700/9800pro die (including my own), other that that, I don't think any other card or series are doomed.
 

deadken

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2004
3,199
6
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My Sons 9800Pro died about 2 months ago. It ran in a 24-7-365 rig (folding mostly) with a AC Rev.3 on it, fan on high.

I was really sorry to see that card die. My Daughters 9700Pro is still doing fine (also 24-7-365) with a Zalman HS on it (w/a PCI slot fan blowing on it). My family computers 9800SE (256bit memory, and stock 9800Pro clocks (the fastest of the SE's out there)) is still going strong (again, 24-7-365).

-Ken
 

Hand Ov DooM

Member
Jan 30, 2006
35
0
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6800nu running with stock cooling, unlocked and overclocked. Running beautifully after almost 2 years.

I also still have a TNT2 that is used on a daily basis for old school gaming. 7 years? Not bad I guess.
 

Nightmare225

Golden Member
May 20, 2006
1,661
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Most video cards are very well-made in terms of reliability. I still have one that came new with a Gateway 2000 and it runs windows 95 fine... :)
 

hectorsm

Senior member
Jan 6, 2005
211
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My unlocked 6800NU is still working fine after two years. However, one of the two fans are starting to sound a little bad. I hope it will last for a couple more years.
 

deadken

Diamond Member
Aug 8, 2004
3,199
6
81
Perhaps I should mention that I purchased the 'Product Replacement Plan' when I bought my X1900 XTX from CompUSA. I got the BBA version and I figured that with a $400 pricetag, a $70 (including tax) 'insurance policy' wasn't a bad idea.

-Ken
 

jiffylube1024

Diamond Member
Feb 17, 2002
7,430
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Originally posted by: deadken
Perhaps I should mention that I purchased the 'Product Replacement Plan' when I bought my X1900 XTX from CompUSA. I got the BBA version and I figured that with a $400 pricetag, a $70 (including tax) 'insurance policy' wasn't a bad idea.

-Ken

How long does the plan last?
 

BobDaMenkey

Diamond Member
Jan 27, 2005
3,057
2
0
My 6800GT crashed out on me about 2 weeks ago. I purchased it mid Jan 2005, and went through 3 of them to find one that didn't artifact in BIOS/desktop, now the one that worked died. It's out for RMA with Leadtek, we'll see what they send me back, but it DIED died. I got nothin on boot from it.