Weird problem with x800xt. Please help.

[mattzweb]

Recently I bought an X800XT (Christmas present, got it early) and I have a weird problem. After playing Battlefield2 for about 25 minutes the whole thing will freeze, some lines come on the screen, and then the monitor goes into standby.

I was able to get a picture of it, maybe it will help somehow.

http://tinypic.com/j10u3a.jpg

This problem never occurs while just surfing the web, only during gaming.

I have no idea what is causing this. If it helps, here are my specs:

Intel P4 3.2GHz Prescott
512MB RAM
X800XT
450W PSU (came with case, might be the problem?)
Soyo P4I865PE Mobo

All help is appreciated.

 

[JBT]

Sounds like its overheating...
Can you run ATI tool and check on the temps?

 

[mattzweb]

Run ATI tool while running battlefield 2? Or just when I'm surfing the internet/

 

[Leper Messiah]

Its def. over heating.

 

[Powermoloch]

Interesting...it looks like overheating man. Well, what you can do is try play some heavy gaming..just right before artifacting occurs. You can switch your applications to ATi Tool or The catalysts control center to check your temps right away.

Good luck man.

 

[mattzweb]

Ok. I looked at ATI Tool while playing BF2 and by my clock the icon for ATI Tool was red and said 80.

I'm not sure if thats hot or not. Any one know?

 

[Leper Messiah]

thats a little toasty there. Might wanna check ventilation of your case/if the HSFU is on correctly.

 

[Munky]

That's definitely hot. How the airflow in your case? You may either have to put more case fans, or take off the heatsink from the card, clean it off and put some AS5 to help cool it down.

 

[mattzweb]

The airflow seems to be pretty good. CPU runs at 40C. I have an ATI SIlencer 4 that I could install on it, but I have no idea how to do it. Also, it didnt come with thermal compound, but I have the tube that came with my Zalman CPU heatsink. Could I use that themal compound on it?

 

[mattzweb]

Bump, anybody know?

 

[Powermoloch]

Originally posted by: mattzweb
Bump, anybody know?

Yes you can use the included thermal paste, unless you have artic silver laying around, which I recommend it the most. But i'm not very familiar with installing aftermarket coolers. Hopefully, other members could help you out, which they would

In any case, while going to install a new HSF, you might need to clean up the left over paste from the stock cooler (preferrably with 90% - 70 % isopropyl alcohol w/ coffee filters). Then add a new paste again (follow the instructions) . then yada yada yada

come on guys...help mattzweb out !

 

[mattzweb]

Well, I decided to try to put on the ATI Silencer. However, I ran into a problem. How do you remove the stock fan? I used all the screwdrivers in the house and none of them will get it off! Is there some special one I need?

 

[JBT]

There are ussually psuh pins that you need to pinch on one end and pull the other end out. Its pretty hard sometimes on your fingers but it should work. Your X800XT might not have the same designed HSF as mine did but most ATI's have those type of pins.

 

[mattzweb]

Ok, I got it off. Now there is a lot of white on it (from the thermal paste)

How do I remove it? Also, is it ok to use the Zalman thermal paste that came with my CPU HSF?

 

[Powermoloch]

Originally posted by: Powermoloch

Originally posted by: mattzweb
Bump, anybody know?

Yes you can use the included thermal paste, unless you have artic silver laying around, which I recommend it the most. But i'm not very familiar with installing aftermarket coolers. Hopefully, other members could help you out, which they would

In any case, while going to install a new HSF, you might need to clean up the left over paste from the stock cooler (preferrably with 90% - 70 % isopropyl alcohol w/ coffee filters). Then add a new paste again (follow the instructions) . then yada yada yada

come on guys...help mattzweb out !

 

[BespinReactorShaft]

Probably a dumb question: Have you checked to see if your video card fan is working at all?

 

[mattzweb]

Haha, yes I did check and the fan was working. I replaced the stock HSF with the ATI Silencer and its making a HUGE difference! Temperature has gone down A LOT and I just played BF2 for 1 hour straight without any problems. Thank you all very much for your help, I really appreciate it!

 

[JBT]

Good to hear your GPU is working correctly!!

 

[Busithoth]

Originally posted by: mattzweb
Bump, anybody know?

I had an x800xt AIW in a shuttle case that would overheat, but the fan had stopped.
It would just freeze and drop video signal.

I wonder if ATI is ignoring quality control on these coolers?
I used to mock dual-slot cooling solutions, but it's ridiculous to sell cards without an adequate fan on them.

glad to hear that fixed it.

 

[Powermoloch]

Originally posted by: mattzweb
Haha, yes I did check and the fan was working. I replaced the stock HSF with the ATI Silencer and its making a HUGE difference! Temperature has gone down A LOT and I just played BF2 for 1 hour straight without any problems. Thank you all very much for your help, I really appreciate it!

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT