Weird problem with 8800 GTX..

[omber]

I built a computer based on Core 2 X6800 and MSI P965 Platinum board about 3 months ago. Originally I got a 7600 GS to have a working computer while the "founds" arrive for purchase of a newer graphics card. I was intending to buy regular 8800 GTX (eVGA) however due to my local merchant being sold out we went with what they brand as ACS3 KO Superclocked edition.

The card runs at 626/2000 MHz by default, however it seems the system is unstable at this speed: usually after random amount of time the system will hang with BSOD stating that nv4_disp.dll caused error, yadda yadda (XP Pro SP2). Clocking the card down to around 1940 MHz memory and forcing the card fan to run at max speed seems to fix the problem.

This woul d obviously point to faulty card (they brand it as being able to run these speeds so it should not crash) however because I had instant replacement at the store, I opted to try that and get a regular 8800 GTX. The store requires to have hardware tested before exchange and they run it on an nVidia chipset based mobo (that is all the information they would give me) for about 16 hours straight and it did not crash .. so I am quite confused now. Has anyone else experienced something like this?

 

[MichaelD]

In my opinion, your problem is (in order of probability)

1. Card is overheating
2. Power supply too weak
3. Drivers

When the shop took your card and ran it "in an NVidia chipset motherboard" (which is BS b/c the card should run in ANY MB) did they have it in a closed case or was the board sitting on an open bench?

What case and what Power Supply do you have? Do you have good airflow in the case?

Did you try reloading the video card drivers?

 

[omber]

I have an Antec 900 Gaming case, one fan on top, one at back, two up front. Devices in computer: 1 DVD-RAM drive, 2 Hard drives, said Card, 4 fans, and that is it. Power supply is I think 650 Watts, again Antec made I should double check though.

EDIT: Yes the power supply is Antec TP3-650, 650 watt.

 

[nitromullet]

1. Sounds like a merchant not to buy from anymore... If they also have an online presence, you should let us know who it is.
2. What kind of power supply do you have? Inadequate power can cause all sorts of problems.
3. What kind of case and fans do you have? It sounds like the card might be overheating. If they tested it on an open bench system or with the side of the case removed, they might not have run into the same issues as you.
4. Do you have the latest drivers for your motherboard and video card installed? (directly from Intel and NVIDIA, not from the CDs that came with the hardware)
5. Does it crash on all 3D applications you've tried, or only one? What app(s)?
6. If you can't get the issue fixed and the store won't swap out the cards, you can always RMA the card with EVGA. They have pretty top notch customer service. You should actually register your card with them anyway. Upon registration, they give you the option to set up "EAR" - some sort of cross-shipped advance replacement (for a fee of course). You could just RMA it the regular way, but that will probably take around two weeks total turn around time.
6. Finally, Welcome to AT Forums! Hopefully, we can help you get this sorted out.

 

[omber]

1. Memory Express, which is a local store here in Calgary (Canada). I never had single problem with stuff I get from them before and I've been building my own computers for last 7 years.

2. Antec TP3-650 650 Watt, should be enough I think.

3. The case is Antec 900 Gaming case. There is a rather large fan on top (the power supply is on the floor case, think of any case then flip the innards upside down. The top fan is about 16cm across pulling air in. There is two fans at the front, 10cm across, these pull air in as well. There is one 10cm fan at the back which pulls the air out.

4. Yes I do, I try to keep these up to date.

5. The ones I play yes, BF2, anything Source (HL2) based, NWN2, Call of Duty 2, Dark Messiah of M&M etc.

6. I did register the card immediately after buying it so I guess I can consider that but I think eVGA's RMA is only good for a month after purchase?

Thanks for the welcome by the way, my cousin always said good things about Anandtech, figured I'd ask here.

 

[MichaelD]

With an Antec 900 case I highly doubt the card is overheating (unless your room temp is 35C+ degrees which it's probably not!) THat case is one big fan.

The power supply could be at fault...but Antec makes decent stuff and a 650W PS shouldn't have any probs w/a single GPU...even an 8800GTX. (you do have both PCI-E connectors connected, right?)

 

[nitromullet]

If you register your card with EVGA, you have a lifetime warranty. Even without registration they cover the card for a year.

 

[omber]

Of course they are both connected the card would not work (you get a pop up in Windows that says nVidia driver switched the card to slowest possible speed or something to protect the card and the computer and that the card has insufficient power supplied). Bah I guess I should RMA - atleast there are no interesting games comming out till end of the month (Hellgate, The Witcher) .

EDIT: Well I just submitted it for RMA, box should be here around Monday.