Thinking of RMAing my HD4850, unsatisfied.

[Buttons]

I recently built a computer with a HD4850 as the GPU. It performed well in the few games I tried, but I enjoy using a program called Blender which is a free 3d modeling program. After working with the card for weeks, I am unable to get it to run Blender properly. I know it's related to the GPU (or rather, the drivers) because when I reinstall the drivers Blender will at least run, but once I perform the reboot after the driver install then Blender goes back to crashing instantly. I've never had trouble using this program using nVidia cards.
P5Q Pro
Q6600
4 gig ram
(HD4850)

I hate to let go of the 4850 because it was such a great deal (so it seemed). Do you think I should go with a nVidia card? I suppose there is always a chance that it will still not work. What nVidia card is comparable with the 4850?

Should I splurge for a gtx 260?

Would it be possible to use both an nVidia and a ATI GPU in the same case? (This would probably create a whole new set a problems.)

There is always the "just wait an get a new card in 6-8 months when the market is completely different" option.

Thanks for hearing me out. I have to decide soon as the return policy will expire.

 

[Corpun]

The 9800gtx+ is equivalent of the 4850. However, price wise you would be better off buying a gtx 260 which you can get for around $220 after rebate decently regularly

ex:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...370&CMP=AFC-C8Junction (comes with a free copy of crysis)

use promo code EMCAKBBAD (need to be a newegg promo subscriber, if you're not its a good idea to sign up, they have some decent deals)

The 9800gtx isnt going to be much cheaper than $220 if at all (don't seem to be much in the way of deals on them) and the 260 is signifcantly faster

Note however that a revised version of the gtx 260 is in the works for q4 2008 iirc. Release is still probably still at least 3 months off though, chart makes it look like it might launch q1 '09

Yeah, info on that here:
http://uneit.com/2008/09/08/le...s-next-high-end-gt212/


edit:

after a quick search it looks like you're definitely not alone with problems with blender so yeah, I would give the gtx260 a shot

 

[mpilchfamily]

How about staying with the nice video card and dumping the chaep software.

Sure the application was prorbably programmed around Nvidia drivers and has little if any support for ATI. But what do you expect from a free application. Look if 3D rendering is really that important to you then invest the money is a decent 3D rendering application not a new vidoe card.

 

[wwswimming]

similar glitches occur with non-open source programs like 3D Max & Maya.

i suggest using hardware that's been out for for a year +, so that the
vendors have time to debug the various issues.

switching to a new nVidia card may or may not solve the problem.

a team or Blenderer's made a decent half hour animation
http://www.bigbuckbunny.org/

the one thing you notice is that the grass is all still. i don't know
if they're using image maps, or if the hair is not "key-frame-able"
(capable of motion).

it's still some pretty decent 3D software.

 

[dmw16]

Are there blender user forums where people can at least tell you what cards work?

I assume you want to run games and blender? Otherwise I'd maybe suggestion a professional card.

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
How about staying with the nice video card and dumping the chaep software.

Sure the application was prorbably programmed around Nvidia drivers and has little if any support for ATI. But what do you expect from a free application. Look if 3D rendering is really that important to you then invest the money is a decent 3D rendering application not a new vidoe card.

I don't know. Blender looks like a pretty neat program to me.
Why should the OP give up something he enjoys?

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: dmw16
Are there blender user forums where people can at least tell you what cards work?

I assume you want to run games and blender? Otherwise I'd maybe suggestion a professional card.

Like an older Quadro or FireGL? Even the older, or lesser models are highly expensive. Even if you find one that equals the 4870 in price, it would have far less gaming performance being such a weak core in comparison.

I mean, look what you can get for the same money as say a 8800GT/3870.
FireGL 2200 for 139.00 with 128MB DDR.

Yikes.

 

[Zstream]

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
How about staying with the nice video card and dumping the chaep software.

Sure the application was prorbably programmed around Nvidia drivers and has little if any support for ATI. But what do you expect from a free application. Look if 3D rendering is really that important to you then invest the money is a decent 3D rendering application not a new vidoe card.

I don't know. Blender looks like a pretty neat program to me.
Why should the OP give up something he enjoys?

Oh God, Rollo all over again...

------------------------------
YHPM

Senior Anandtech Moderator
Common Courtesy

 

[apoppin]

first of all, anyone want to try it?

http://www.techspot.com/downloads/638-blender.html

how to:

http://www.cgtutorials.com/t29...ng_with_Alpha_channel_

if you google, you see issues with AMD's Ogl driver
[which is broken with Cat 8.7/Cat 8.8]; here is an example

http://www.sketchucation.com/f...start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

The funniest thing is I upgraded my ati drivers and I started to have this bloody problem of Hardware acceleration. If I downgrade to the earlier driver the problem goes away. But, I can't even do that because I'm running Blender on my machine and it won't work with the older driver. Anyway, try to use an older version of driver. I think it should work.

Maybe try cat 8.5 or 8.6 .. or wait for 8.9 ,, it will be here by 9/30/08
- or GTX280

 

[Zstream]

Yes I tried it, he has some weird problems as I can run the application just fine. I am using Vista 64 and 8.8 Cat's.

http://mnetcs.com/thumb/?reference=dock&imageid=1514

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Zstream

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
How about staying with the nice video card and dumping the chaep software.

Sure the application was prorbably programmed around Nvidia drivers and has little if any support for ATI. But what do you expect from a free application. Look if 3D rendering is really that important to you then invest the money is a decent 3D rendering application not a new vidoe card.

I don't know. Blender looks like a pretty neat program to me.
Why should the OP give up something he enjoys?

Oh God, Rollo all over again...

The last straw ZStream.

 

[Bateluer]

A great aspect of ATI cards is that you are practically guaranteed to get a new WHQL certified set of drivers once a month.

When does your return policy expire? If you can wait until 1 Oct, I would do so to see if the 8.9s worked. If not, I'd look at Blender's support forums to see which cards work, and go with their reccomendations to balance your desire to use blender and game.

 

[AmberClad]

Originally posted by: apoppin
first of all, anyone want to try it?

http://www.techspot.com/downloads/638-blender.html

Well, it's not "crashing instantly" at least. I'm kind of at a loss at what to try now though - the only 3d modeling software I'm familiar with using is 3DSMax. Try to find some sample scene to render I guess?

(Btw, I downloaded the Windows installer instead of the zip archive you linked.)

Edit: Sample rendering...of something.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Zstream

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
How about staying with the nice video card and dumping the chaep software.

Sure the application was prorbably programmed around Nvidia drivers and has little if any support for ATI. But what do you expect from a free application. Look if 3D rendering is really that important to you then invest the money is a decent 3D rendering application not a new vidoe card.

I don't know. Blender looks like a pretty neat program to me.
Why should the OP give up something he enjoys?

Oh God, Rollo all over again...

Why *should* the OP give up a FREE program he enjoys?
:roll:

AMD is *known* to have issues with their current Ogl drivers

OP, either wait for the new Cats - this month - or RMA your card for a Nvidia one .. unless the support forums can give you a decent workaround

 

[Zstream]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Zstream

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
How about staying with the nice video card and dumping the chaep software.

Sure the application was prorbably programmed around Nvidia drivers and has little if any support for ATI. But what do you expect from a free application. Look if 3D rendering is really that important to you then invest the money is a decent 3D rendering application not a new vidoe card.

I don't know. Blender looks like a pretty neat program to me.
Why should the OP give up something he enjoys?

Oh God, Rollo all over again...

Why *should* the OP give up a FREE program he enjoys?
:roll:

AMD is *known* to have issues with their current Ogl drivers

OP, either wait for the new Cats - this month - or RMA your card for a Nvidia one .. unless the support forums can give you a decent workaround

Issues with OpenGL drivers? You mean the performance decrease on the 8.8's? I am confused by your statement as performance != crashing....

 

[happy medium]

9800gt ultimate is a a flashed 8800gts overclocked to the max giving 9800gtx performance for 149.00$-25$ rebate = 125.00$.

Heres a link

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814121266

Heres a review

http://www.hardwarecanucks.com...-gigabyte-palit-7.html

Best bang for your buck in my opinion if you want to go nvidia.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Zstream

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Zstream

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
How about staying with the nice video card and dumping the chaep software.

Sure the application was prorbably programmed around Nvidia drivers and has little if any support for ATI. But what do you expect from a free application. Look if 3D rendering is really that important to you then invest the money is a decent 3D rendering application not a new vidoe card.

I don't know. Blender looks like a pretty neat program to me.
Why should the OP give up something he enjoys?

Oh God, Rollo all over again...

Why *should* the OP give up a FREE program he enjoys?
:roll:

AMD is *known* to have issues with their current Ogl drivers

OP, either wait for the new Cats - this month - or RMA your card for a Nvidia one .. unless the support forums can give you a decent workaround

Issues with OpenGL drivers? You mean the performance decrease on the 8.8's? I am confused by your statement as performance != crashing....

No .. i am talking about broken OGl
:|

http://forum.beyond3d.com/showthread.php?t=49662
http://www.madshrimps.be/vbull...erformance-drop-57208/
http://forums.amd.com/game/mes...id=99040&enterthread=y

 

[extra]

I'd be very specific about the behavior and your system specs and post it on a blender forum.

If you are using 64bit vista try 32 (and vice-a-versa)...

If it's for sure something with the card then see if you can return it and have them give you credit for a new one, 8800gt or 260 if you need an nvidia card.

 

[Zstream]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Zstream

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: Zstream

Originally posted by: keysplayr2003

Originally posted by: mpilchfamily
How about staying with the nice video card and dumping the chaep software.

Sure the application was prorbably programmed around Nvidia drivers and has little if any support for ATI. But what do you expect from a free application. Look if 3D rendering is really that important to you then invest the money is a decent 3D rendering application not a new vidoe card.

I don't know. Blender looks like a pretty neat program to me.
Why should the OP give up something he enjoys?

Oh God, Rollo all over again...

Why *should* the OP give up a FREE program he enjoys?
:roll:

AMD is *known* to have issues with their current Ogl drivers

OP, either wait for the new Cats - this month - or RMA your card for a Nvidia one .. unless the support forums can give you a decent workaround

Issues with OpenGL drivers? You mean the performance decrease on the 8.8's? I am confused by your statement as performance != crashing....

No .. i am talking about broken OGl
:|

http://forum.beyond3d.com/showthread.php?t=49662
http://www.madshrimps.be/vbull...erformance-drop-57208/
http://forums.amd.com/game/mes...id=99040&enterthread=y

Once again you never cease to amaze me... Did you read your own dang links? The only link viable is the AMD one.

 

[apoppin]

Did you read the AMD link? Yes, i checked the other two .. twice - they still all work for me
- and maybe you are banned at B3D and madshrimps forum - if you talk to them as rudely as you do to us, it would be likely

R U using firefox3?
-evidently it has some issues also


i am glad i can still amaze you

 

[Zstream]

Yes I read the AMD link that is why I stated that is the only one viable.

The other two links are references to performance drops in OpenGL, nothing to do with crashing. And yea I have been using firefox three since beta with no issues. This is not about browser support this is about the 3d rendering application closing when he launches it.

It works fine for me on Vista 64 and windows xp 32bit. You explain that one.....

 

[Keysplayr]

Originally posted by: Zstream
Yes I read the AMD link that is why I stated that is the only one viable.

The other two links are references to performance drops in OpenGL, nothing to do with crashing. And yea I have been using firefox three since beta with no issues. This is not about browser support this is about the 3d rendering application closing when he launches it.

It works fine for me on Vista 64 and windows xp 32bit. You explain that one.....

Well, instead of arguing about what the OP should do/buy/not buy, ect., Can you help him with his problem and get it working with his existing software/hardware? If you, or anybody else cannot, then we can discuss the next steps, if it comes to that. Agreed?

 

[EagleKeeper]

Posted in the incorrect location

 

[thilanliyan]

[deleted] - Information was accidently posted in the incorrect location

Why is all this being posted in this thread? Shouldn't this be kept PRIVATE (ie. a Private Message as it originally was)?

 

[ronnn]

Must be the slow season. :laugh:


The part I don't get is sending a card back because a free program is not coded to run properly with it. Personally I would absorb the loss and do my homework before I shop next time.