Hi All,
I'm reading a lot about 7900gt related problem for a month, when my problems started. Lot of experience here in the forum, so probable some of you can give me some hints.
Lets start from the beginning:
I've purchased a new machine approx. a month ago:
- ASUS P5LD2 Deluxe mobo
- Intel D930 CPU
- Zalman 9500-Cu cooler
- Corsair TwinX 675 MHz 2048 DDR2 RAM (2 x 1024 M XMS2 paired module)
- 2 x Samsung 250 GB SATA2 HDD
- Chieftec CFT 500-A12S PSU (3 separated 12V circuit 500W)
- LG 4164 DVD Burner (from my old PC)
- MSI NX7900GT VT2D256E
Everything was fine, I can run the CPU at 4.0 GHz the 7900gt card on 550 / 750 MHz for approx 5 days. The artifacts appeared in Oblivion and in 3DMark06 at Deep Freeze part. Also black blinking screen, small dots in Windows desktop. Very similar problem that was described by lot of people.
I set back everything at default speed (CPU, RAM, 7900gt): the same problems. Than I experienced, that problems are coming after 3-5 minutes of gameplay, when GPU reached 52-54 C temperature. I replaced the stock cooler to Zalman vf900-Cu. Same problems: still after 3-5 minutes, but at 42-43 C. So it is not a temp issue.
I've read, that voltage regulators are very hot (it is true, I tested it). I put some heatsink and a cooler on those 3 parts. Problem still appeared. I've also tried different Nvidia drivers, Windows XP 64bit and XP 32 bit ersion. Same problems everywhere.
I took it back to the shop, they tested it (or not?) for 2 weeks. They told that no problem appeared during continuous 3DMark06 testing. So I get the card back. But the same problems again (of course!)
The I tried a totally different machine a P4 2.8 GHz one. Same problems, but it took 30-60 minutes to start artifacting. So at least something different, because on my PC problems started after 1 to 10 minutes.
In my PC I started to underclock. First the GPU (same problems) the 7900gt's RAM. And it is working now: on 610 MHz, instead of the default 660. So I'm not too happy, but at leas it is working.
I tried to raise GPU to 500 MHz (while RAM is running on 610 MHz) still working for hours, without any problem.
Then I thought, that vmod for RAM allows other people to increase RAM speed, so it might help for me to reach the factory default. I did the vmod for the RAM (the pencil mod, I actually found in this forum). I can lower the proper resistance from 608 Ohm to 550 Ohm. I used my multimeter, and yes, the RAM voltage has been raised from 2.08 to 2.22 V.
The results was the opposite: artifacts in Oblivion within 10-20 sec at 660 MHz. Also artifact at 610 and even on 600 MHz (all other speeds were default). So I removed pencil mod, I get back the ~ 2.08 V and it is stable again at 610 MHz.
My question: what the problem can be? What is the component on the card, that can not handle the 660 MHz speed? The RAM modules itself? Or the parts that controls the RAM / voltage etc? Did I damage something in the first days, when it was overclocked to 550/750 with only a stock cooler? Maybe it will be worse over time?
Pleas help, if you have any idea, as I spent week for the testing and I'm really frustrated now.
Thanks: Tom.
I'm reading a lot about 7900gt related problem for a month, when my problems started. Lot of experience here in the forum, so probable some of you can give me some hints.
Lets start from the beginning:
I've purchased a new machine approx. a month ago:
- ASUS P5LD2 Deluxe mobo
- Intel D930 CPU
- Zalman 9500-Cu cooler
- Corsair TwinX 675 MHz 2048 DDR2 RAM (2 x 1024 M XMS2 paired module)
- 2 x Samsung 250 GB SATA2 HDD
- Chieftec CFT 500-A12S PSU (3 separated 12V circuit 500W)
- LG 4164 DVD Burner (from my old PC)
- MSI NX7900GT VT2D256E
Everything was fine, I can run the CPU at 4.0 GHz the 7900gt card on 550 / 750 MHz for approx 5 days. The artifacts appeared in Oblivion and in 3DMark06 at Deep Freeze part. Also black blinking screen, small dots in Windows desktop. Very similar problem that was described by lot of people.
I set back everything at default speed (CPU, RAM, 7900gt): the same problems. Than I experienced, that problems are coming after 3-5 minutes of gameplay, when GPU reached 52-54 C temperature. I replaced the stock cooler to Zalman vf900-Cu. Same problems: still after 3-5 minutes, but at 42-43 C. So it is not a temp issue.
I've read, that voltage regulators are very hot (it is true, I tested it). I put some heatsink and a cooler on those 3 parts. Problem still appeared. I've also tried different Nvidia drivers, Windows XP 64bit and XP 32 bit ersion. Same problems everywhere.
I took it back to the shop, they tested it (or not?) for 2 weeks. They told that no problem appeared during continuous 3DMark06 testing. So I get the card back. But the same problems again (of course!)
The I tried a totally different machine a P4 2.8 GHz one. Same problems, but it took 30-60 minutes to start artifacting. So at least something different, because on my PC problems started after 1 to 10 minutes.
In my PC I started to underclock. First the GPU (same problems) the 7900gt's RAM. And it is working now: on 610 MHz, instead of the default 660. So I'm not too happy, but at leas it is working.
I tried to raise GPU to 500 MHz (while RAM is running on 610 MHz) still working for hours, without any problem.
Then I thought, that vmod for RAM allows other people to increase RAM speed, so it might help for me to reach the factory default. I did the vmod for the RAM (the pencil mod, I actually found in this forum). I can lower the proper resistance from 608 Ohm to 550 Ohm. I used my multimeter, and yes, the RAM voltage has been raised from 2.08 to 2.22 V.
The results was the opposite: artifacts in Oblivion within 10-20 sec at 660 MHz. Also artifact at 610 and even on 600 MHz (all other speeds were default). So I removed pencil mod, I get back the ~ 2.08 V and it is stable again at 610 MHz.
My question: what the problem can be? What is the component on the card, that can not handle the 660 MHz speed? The RAM modules itself? Or the parts that controls the RAM / voltage etc? Did I damage something in the first days, when it was overclocked to 550/750 with only a stock cooler? Maybe it will be worse over time?
Pleas help, if you have any idea, as I spent week for the testing and I'm really frustrated now.
Thanks: Tom.
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