X1900 XT being fed 32.7A?

[Laminator]

The amps on my X1900 XT are totally messed up.

Idle: 8.2A - This is correct.
Initial Load: 27.3A -This is correct.
Moderate Load: 30.0A - WTF?
Sustained Load: 32.7A - WTF???

The card has a VF900-Cu on it and the load temperature is 97 degrees! And this is with the case open! The cooler is hot to the touch (a lot hotter than my other X1900 XT + VF900-Cu) so I know the contact is good. Plus, I have re-seated the cooler. Does anyone know why the card is being fed so many amps?

(I have another X1900 XT with the same cooler and the correct amps; at load, it tops out at 79 degrees and its amps never exceed 27.3.)

 

[lavaheadache]

back when I had my x1900 xt I tried replacing the stock cooler with the vf900 only to find out that it wasnt as good at cooling as the stock cooler. I promptly sold the vf to a friend and just learned to deal with the noise..... It wasn't that bad anyways. I think my XT would get into the high upper 80's not quite what you are seeing though. I noticed that you said the aamps were all f'ed up... I cant help you with that one. maybe it was bios flashed with a bunk bios???

 

[Laminator]

Hmmm...I'll apply AS5, re-seat, and re-flash the BIOS. Thanks!

 

[Jschmuck2]

So?

 

[Laminator]

AS5 gets here tomorrow from SVC. I'll let you know then.

 

[Jschmuck2]

cool

 

[Laminator]

UPDATE:

I re-applied AS5 and re-flashed the BIOS. Load temperature dropped to 90 degrees but I'm still getting fed 32.7A after a minute or so at full load so it's more due to the AS5 than to the new BIOS. It starts off at 27.3A, the goes up to 30.0A after half-a-minute or so, and then ends at fluctuating between 30.0A and 32.7A.

WHY THE HELL IS IT BEING FED 32.7A? I could really use your help on this one, guys. Thanks!

(EDIT: Original owner says it has not been voltmodded.)

 

[Laminator]

UPDATE #2:

After looking around online it looks like 32.7A is actually normal for this card. In other words, the VF900-Cu is worse than the stock cooler at 100% (albeit much, much quieter). Well, I have the stock cooler so it looks like I might just mount that instead. Thanks for reading, guys!

 

[Laminator]

UPDATE #3:

Just played through the Medal of Honor: Airborne demo (again). Load temperature was 61 degrees! WTF? WTF? WTF!!!???

Well, at least it works now. I'm happy. Sorry for crapping all over the forums.

 

[lavaheadache]

the stock cooler is better... especially if you run it at like 65%. It isn't too loud but then again it definately isn't silent. Also makes your computer tidier. I hate having to many molex connectors dangling arouind in the case

 

[Laminator]

When I had an X1900 Crossfire Edition with the stock cooler, the temps would go into the 90's and above, even with the fan at 100%. With the VF900-Cu on this card, the temperatures stay at 80 degrees. It's probably my case; I have a lot of clutter behind it so maybe it doesn't get much ventilation for the stock cooler to blow air out the back. Even if the stock cooler was better, though, I am pretty annoyed by the "whirring" sound it makes when the fan is spinning. Not as bad as the X850 XT stock cooler, but close. It's more about the type of sound than the volume for me.

I use little wire-ties to keep the connectors folded and off to the side; that way I don't have to replace the ties every time I take out the card.

 

[VashHT]

Just a quick question, how are you measuring the current that your card is using?

 

[Laminator]

ATITool. In the same place where your temperatures are reported, you can see the current power draw of the card in amps. This feature is not available on most cards. If you have an X1000-series card, you can also set the memory and core voltages through software.

 

[VashHT]

AH ok that is pretty cool. I have a x1900xtx so I'm guessing it would work with it, maybe I'll check it out when I get home. Not sure what would cause 5A difference in current draw though thats a pretty big difference.