x1900XT overheating?!? How??

[Sulaco]

I just built the rig in my sig (well, at least the major components are new), and got myself a shiny new Antec P180 case as well.

Everything assembles easily and appears to be working fine, and then I start playing games, and I notice some problems.

Everything looks great, but while playing any graphically intense shooter, after about 5-10 minutes, I'll begin noticing the screen "flicker" every few seconds. Just a quick, split-second flash of white and distortion over part of the screen.
I downloaded the latest Catalyst drivers for the card, and still the same.

Seeing as how it does it in every game I tried (Oblivion, FEAR, Quake 4), after playing for about 5-10 minutes, I figured its probably not a driver issue of any kind. So I go and check the ATI control panel, and after exiting an intensive game session of Oblivion after a few minutes, the temperature gauge reads a whopping 100C!! In comparison, even my overclocked CPU was running in the low 40s after a load.

So I'm guessing this is "artifacting", and that its being caused by heat. Is this normal for this card? It's not o/ced at all, the case is obviously well-designed and has 4 fans. I can't figure out why it would be overheating so quickly and so easily for not being o/ced. I've been out of the ATi loop for awhile, but I seriously cannot believe a good, functioning card is supposed to run THIS hot. It's idling now at 68C, still seems pretty warm.

So would these flickers and distortions most likely be caused by an overheating card? And if so, is this normal for this card??

Thanks in advance!

 

[JBT]

100C is highier than I have ever heard one of these going. Most peoples hit high 70's to mid 80's.

 

[Sulaco]

Wow...now I'm getting scared. I don't want to fry this thing before I've had it 48 hours.

Also, the card's fan kicks into high gear...as loud as a leaf blower...so its not as though the fan isn't spinning, and its not as though the inside of the case is just insanely hot, or else my overclocked CPU would be having a similar problem, I think.

Is it possible this is just a bad card? Seems unlikely, since everything installed, runs, and looks fine, minus this heat issue.

 

[Sulaco]

Ok, now its saying its idling at 88C and the fan just kicked in, and I'm just sitting here on the desktop with 2 firefox windows open.

What IS this??

 

[dug777]

dodgy gpu/hsf contact.

 

[dawza]

Like Dug said, sounds like the HSF is not making proper contact. I would strongly recommend immediate removal of the card, cleaning of the HSF and GPU, and re-mounting with a quality TIM. You should be nowhere near 88C even at full load, and the fact that you see artifacts increases the probability that the problem lies with the actual (physical) HSF mounting, and not a faulty temperature sensor.

 

[Sulaco]

TIM??

Sorry, never had to go through this before, so I'm ignorant of the phrases...

 

[dawza]

TIM = thermal interface material.

Ceramique is a good choice for exposed dies such as those found on GPUs. You should have no trouble with reinstalling the HSF, but there is plenty of help available on the web if you need it. Good luck and let us know how it turns out.

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: dawza
Like Dug said, sounds like the HSF is not making proper contact. I would strongly recommend immediate removal of the card, cleaning of the HSF and GPU, and re-mounting with a quality TIM. You should be nowhere near 88C even at full load, and the fact that you see artifacts increases the probability that the problem lies with the actual (physical) HSF mounting, and not a faulty temperature sensor.

I heartily recomend NOT doing this as it'll void your warranty. If you've only just got the card and haven't overclocked it or done anything else to void the warranty it's not your problem, it's the manufacturer's.

Check it's not constricted airflow out the back, and that you've taped up the rear intake grills so the air isn't being recycled. Make sure it's not your system at fault in other words, then RMA it.

 

[Sulaco]

Taped up the rear grilles? Not sure I understand.


Anyway, just performed another test. I took the side of the case off, and switched the case fans from their "low" setting to "high", as fast as they could go.
Play 10 minutes of Oblivion and see artifacting, exit out, and sure enough, the control panel reads the temp at 99C!!
This is really starting to piss me off. Right now its saying 75C, and thats after sitting on the desktop for 5 minutes.

So what should I do guys? RMA it to Newegg, go through Sapphire, or try thermal adhesive and fix it myself??

 

[dawza]

Bob makes a good point, and one that I did not consider (I have been spoiled by eVGA's policy on aftermarket heatsinks). I apologize for the oversight.

If you are within the time period during which you can RMA to Newegg, the process should be relatively quick. I have no experience with manufacturer RMAing with respect to Sapphire. Either way, you probably do not want to give up your warranty, so this would be the way to go (assuming that Sapphire's warrenty does not cover end-user installed heatsinks).

 

[Bull Dog]

Try this:
Go into MSConfig and under the services tab, disable the ATI HotKey Poller. -- Restart computer. (THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT!)

Next: Download and install ATI Tool v0.25 beta14
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=8954

Then once you have it installed, open it up and create a new profile. (Step 1) Call it anything you like. Do not adjust the card's clock speeds yet.
Next click on settings. (Step 2)
From the drop down menu select fan settings. Select dynamic fan control and set the fan settings as pictutred
0C 23%.
50C 27%
55C 35%
60C 55%
62C 60%
65C 65%
67C 70%
68C 100% Then hit the Save button and save the settings to the profile you just created (Step 3).

Next, select Voltage Control from the drop down box. Set the VGPU voltage to 1.4v (thats the stock voltage). Hit the save button and save it to your profile. Also be sure to hit the apply button too (Step 4).
Now select Temperature Monitoring from the drop-down box and enable temperature monitoring by checking the measure card temperature box. Change the update time to every 3 seconds (Step 5).
Finally, go to the main ATI Tool page by hitting the back button and set the GPU clock speed to 625MHz and the Memory clock speed to 725MHz. Click on the "Set Clock" button.
Select your profile from the drop down box and hit save.

Lastly load up your favorate game and see if you still get artifacts. Make sure you turn your speakers way up.

Oh one more thing, report back here and tell me if this worked for you or not. I'll update this post with some pictures a little later.

 

[santz]

i just bought a x1900xt and will get it by 31 march
hopefully will not have any poroblems

sorry dude about your problems, stop wasting time and rma it( means return it to manufacture for a replacement) its obviously not your fault, make sure u do nothing that voids the warranty of the car, u have already done enough!!

 

[Bobthelost]

Originally posted by: Sulaco
Taped up the rear grilles? Not sure I understand.

So what should I do guys? RMA it to Newegg, go through Sapphire, or try thermal adhesive and fix it myself??

There are a load of little tweaks for the P180 to improve airflow, including taping up all the vents at the back of the case and removing the worthless VGA duct. But they shouldn't make that much of a difference. Especially with the case side off!

I wouldn't bother trying to fix it, give saphire a call and ask them what to do, odds are that they'll try a few fixes and when they don't work they'll give you an RMA code, try and get them to cross ship it for you.

 

[Sulaco]

So everyone can agree then that these temps are WAY too high, and should not be anywhere near these levels? Especially as the card is NOT O/ced, brand new, has the case side off and fans blowing full blast, and no obstructions of any kind??
And this would definetly cause the problematic artificating I'm expereincing, which would mean the temp gauge can't just be wrong either?

So any reason NOT to RMA this thing tommorow?

Thanks guys!

 

[Sulaco]

Just wondering if I should RMA through Newegg or Sapphire...?

 

[JBT]

yes your temps are WAY high. I would try to go through Newegg if you can.

 

[zanta]

Sulaco,

If you purchased the card through Newegg, then start there first. I purchased my ATI x1900xtx from Newegg and didn't have any problems. I hear they are really good about RMAs, so just contact them today! Let us know how it goes.

Thanks

 

[videopho]

If beyond 30 days (from the purchased date) then you have to rma via Sapphire. Otherwise NewEgg is your best bet.

 

[darkdemyze]

newegg service = :thumbsup:

 

[Sulaco]

Well, I did one final test a moment ago.

With the side of the case still off and all fans working, I ran the ATI control center "auto clock configuration utility" from the desktop. The idle temp SOARED from 75C to (and I am NOT making this up, I have a screenshot if you need proof, lol) 106C! Even the desktop begin flickering and displaying artificating.

So I guess there's absolutely no doubt anymore that this problem is solely the graphics card itself.

Do you guys all think Newegg would be the best to RMA with then? Should I even bother calling Sapphire tech support or going through them?

 

[TraumaRN]

2 comments, one, cook yourself some dinner with that baby!

Two, RMA that abnormally overheating POS card.

 

[Munky]

I would RMA the card ASAP, because you the more you run it at those high temps, the higher risk there is that you'll fry the thing.

 

[Bull Dog]

Originally posted by: Sulaco

So any reason NOT to RMA this thing tommorow?

Thanks guys!

No.

Originally posted by: Sulaco
Just wondering if I should RMA through Newegg or Sapphire...?

NewEgg.

 

[thilanliyan]

Wow, definitely RMA before you fry the card.